"We" versus "I"

[JMDEM]

This is not an absolute rule, but in general, you can often tell the greatness of a leader in the number of times that leader uses "We" or "Us" in a speech instead of "me" or "I". The most glaring examples I can think of were JFK versus Nixon. With Nixon, every other word was "I". With JFK, it was always "we" or "us". Go back and watch / listen to some JFK speeches on UTube. Hardly an "I" was uttered. If you can find them, watch some Nixon speeches. They were all about him. "I" this and "I" that... me me me me.

Watching CNN tonight, I could not help but catch the same dichotomy. First was Hillary's speech. "I I I I I I". Me me my me my my my my I I I. Then they cut Hillary off after she failed to concede defeat, or congratulate Obama, or even thank the voters of Wisconsin who did support her. No... why do that? What concern to "I" are the voters of Wisconsin?

Then Obama cut in. Now, I still have major concerns about Obama -- concerns about being too green, too inexperienced, a bit too obligated to special interest groups. But I noticed in his speech a noticable lack of "I" and "me" and "my". It was mostly "us" and "we" and "our". Very few "I's". To say the least, I was impressed. Reminded me of JFK.

Now whoever wins the primaries and becomes the candidate, it seems that we will need a lot more "we" thinking around here than I've observed recently. WE need to win the general election. Not "my favorite candidate lost, so I'm taking my ball home and refusing to play anymore." I cannot believe some of the posts I've read -- posts that almost virtually WANT McCain to win if his opposition is not a person's favorite candidate... just to prove the other side wrong. "To hell with America! I want America to end up in the gutter just to PROVE that I was right and you were wrong!"

Let's not think that way. We need to think about "US", not "I".

Now excuse me while I put on my asbestos suit. AAARRRGGG ... here goes ... push the submit button...

[LadyVT]

1. You really need to count the number of I and we for both candidates.

[JMDEM]

4. I didn't get to hear all of both speeches. Are you making a point? NT

[jgraz]

2. There is no 'I' in Obama

I was just about to make a similar post. In the CNN 3-minute excerpts of tonight's speeches, Hillary used the words 'I' and 'me' roughly 20 times. Obama used 'I' once.

[JMDEM]

7. Thank you. NT

[truedelphi]

14. I was really wiped out about three or four weekends ago

Was taking a nap - had the radio on.

After the news, which was done rather softly for the news, a commercial came on about the Democratic primaries. Then this woman's voice (Hillary's) took over:
'I will lead, if you will follow."

It completely woke me up. I couldn't go back to sleep.

I am so sick of "following" someone.

I want a leader who has the kind of respect needed to turn this ship of state around.

[Thrill]

3. Obama has been saying 'We' for a long long time

[BuyingThyme]

5. That's really a great point.

Dems have had enough I.

[stahbrett]

6. We didn't notice that tonight, but thanks!

We are catching up thanks to our Tivo, because our wife wanted to watch American Idol.

[JVS]

I find the use of we to be presumptuous.

Of course, I also use the subjunctive mood in letters of intent.

[blogslut]

8. I learned that from my Jr. High speech coach

If you want people to follow your lead, speak in "we's"

[VolcanoJen]

9. Yes, We Can.

:-)

[Blue State Bandit]

10. I've noticed that myself.

That's why words matter so much.

The words inspire the masses to join the fight.

Clinton keeps saying that "she will do this"

and "she" will do that. I have to ask her, so what do we do?

Obama is bringing us into the fold; asking for our help;

telling us that he can't, do it alone. No President can.

Our problems are to big for just one person to fix. It take a nation,

and he is enlisting us to help ourselves.

[ShortnFiery]

11. IMO, HRC is NOT a "team player." Her former friends have termed her "self-righteous."

I think we are seeing that very unappealing side of HRC.

HRC is no LEADER and certainly has No Elvis. :thumbsdown:

[samdogmom]

12. This has been pointed out multiple times on this board!

Hillary is an"I"/"me" person and Barack is a "we"/"us" person.

Once you know this--it just takes one "listen" to confirm it!

Bottom line---do you like I/me or we/us???????

[JMDEM]

13. I don't know -- do you have a twin sister? :)

Just kidding, just kidding...