About the message of hope.... Just wondering...

[DaveJ]

Will people grow tired of it? I think all Obama will need to do to win is continue talking about hope, and if that doesn't do it, top it off with some "yes we can." Seriously, I think that's all we need to eventually destroy the Republican party (and the DLC). But I'm also wondering if the Obama campaign plans on talking about anything else, or am I being too forward by asking?

[ginnyinWI]

1. tonight's speech showed some changes

He's going more populist and also taking on McCain, his real opponent. I think the campaign is very savvy and organized and they've got great timing.

[DaveJ]

2. I'll take a look

I just saw the 30 second CNN clip online. Thanks.

[Kittycat]

6. Those clips are a real distortion.

It seems in every speech he has something special added in or changed around. I wish they would include those parts in the clips, but they rarely do.

[Abacus]

7. I noticed that too...

CNN did that to him on Saturday as well.

[ginnyinWI]

10. MSNBC showed the whole speech.

You mean CNN didn't?? Wow. And it seems like every time I turn on CNN, it's about Hillary. Hmmm.

[StoryTeller]

9. Just so everyone knows...

His speech tonight was very similar to the one he delivered to us in Nebraska last week. I don't think it's as new as people seem to think it is.

As far as the OP question about hope, no, I don't think people will get tired of it. There seems to be a false dichotomy set up between "hope" and "substance." Most people would not be inspired by a message of hope that was truly empty. Obama has always had very specific ideas and positions underpinning his message of hope. The hope flows out of the ideas, out of his philosophy about government, out of the positions and views he has formed about all the issues that affect our country.

When I heard him speak last week, I didn't hear a lot of empty feel-good rhetoric. Nope. There was specific, doable propositions and ideas that gave us a reason to hope and something concrete to work towards to change the country.

Here's an example of an innovative idea that stood out to me as a reason to hope: the college assistance plan where "we invest in students, and they invest time back into the country" through volunteer work or peace corp, etc. $4000 college tuition paid for--for everyone. I'm past college age, but looking ahead about 8-10 years when my kids are in college, it sounds like a good plan. Helps kids, but not even the most conservative Republican can accuse it of being a free handout. And there are a lot of young people who seem to feel that they are owed every good thing in life. Volunteering is a great way to teach them to think of others first and to give back to their communities.

That is a plan that inspires hope--not just because it might cut college costs for my children, but because it will help improve our national character and values. That is the real benefit, IMO. That's the real cause for hope--training up a generation of future leaders who have been taught to value service and taught to value those who are less fortunate or who are weak or have no voice in society. Leaders like that are much less likely to pick wars with other countries or favor corporate execs over the poor.

That's the sort of hope that I don't think people would get tired of.

[Trajan]

3. Im sure that Obama has filled out a more complete narrative

And if someone were to try and find his writings and read them, they would learn this ....

Using the 'He is a simple ass' argument is really a poor gambit ....

Signed,
Democrat

[Schema Thing]

4. but that would require brains and a modicum of self direction

[Blue_In_AK]

5. Condescension always works well

to bring someone around to your point of view. :sarcasm:

[DaveJ]

8. Funny

I freely admit I'm not as smart as most of you. Oh well. When intelligence becomes an asset in this society, I'll try to gather up my few reaming braicells....