Yawn. It's not that Barack Obama is a flat speaker. And he certainly had several very hard-to-top speakers before him over the week. He is good with inspirational messages. He can rise to any occasion and lift the sagging spirits of the Great Unwashed when he wants to express a vision of Hope. Now, with much of his promised hope dashed for nearly four years and counting – most not of his own making – the magic he once conveyed has to be difficult to summon now that Washington enemies have slapped him in the face with the coldest, roughest-textured washcloths one can find.
He spoke of many good things about America last evening. His intentions were sincere. He simply phoned-it-in, ignoring what could have been a DNC-based final vindication of his administration, by personally citing what has been done and specifically what he will do. Yes, he did Go Specific with regard to Social Security, Medicare... I don't wish to turn away from his talk of the future with regard to new energy solutions, either. I also would not have wanted him to lower himself to hate-ridden speech against his foes.
I just wanted him to get in there for a moment or two and take a few robust swings at Congress. As in, firmly chastising Congress and order it/them to cease the separatism in the name of the country. Or tell people to vote the Crazies Out Of Office who stomped into Washington with nothing but Hate toward the president in the 2010 elections. But, he didn't quite do that. Not really. If he did I may have already tuned-out. I want to hear some fire, there, Mr. Prez. As in, Call Out Your Enemies louder! Stop being so damn "Cool." Collected. Civilized. (The reported reason for his Quasi-Meh speech is explained HERE - )
From my perspective of sensing a bit of a chill in the heated air of the Convention Hall when certain issues were mentioned during his speech (meaning - less applause and what-not), he could have gained a few points had he faced part of His Base and explained why he has made some of the non-environmentally-friendly decisions that have turned once-loyal supporters into less enthusiastic voters.
No, he can't/won't totally explain away some of the promises he had to make in his own Political Pact With The Money Devils, but a nod toward admitting he has to do what he has to do, as with all politicians, can be accomplished. Owning-up to unpopular decisions might help him regain support for other concerns he feels are higher priorities.
Yeah, sure, you may be thinking. As if any politician will admit to the truth of their Money Men/Women. I know. I'm expecting too much. But then, even without such transparency, I know the man could have done better. I will applaud Obama for discussing The Troops. For being firm and stating that he "is The President." Not all of last night's pageantry was empty. He did fill The Chair unlike last week's pathetic example of the other party's attempt at Flinty Whimsy.
The debates between Obama and Romney should prove to be quite the Political Theatre when, from this vantage point on this date, both nominees have a knack for using a lot of words in their speeches of late that say almost nothing at all. Finally, under Debate Pressure, the Mr. Vagues will have to duel it out with numbers and accusations neither have dared to broach in their campaigns. Now, that's going to be interesting.
So now, on with the debates. I actually can't wait.
Note: Revised and edited at least 20 x since publication. Ouch!
Image via: http://www.abcactionnews.com
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