LA Times: Obama's Lincoln moment

[FrenchieCat]

Obama's Lincoln moment

Never before has a candidate for national office spoken so frankly about race in America.
March 19, 2008

One hundred and fifty years ago this June, a lanky Illinois lawyer turned politician gave a speech that changed the way Americans talked about the great racial issues of their day.
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Sen. Barack Obama, another lanky lawyer from Illinois, planted one of those rhetorical markers in the political landscape Tuesday, when he delivered his "More Perfect Union" speech in Philadelphia, near Independence Hall. The address was meant to dampen the firestorm of criticism that has attached itself to the senator's campaign since video clips of race-baiting remarks by his Chicago church's former pastor began circulating last week.

But instead of offering a simple exercise in damage control, Obama chose to place his discussion of the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright's incendiary comments in a wider consideration of race in America -- and the results were, like those Kennedy achieved in Houston, historic.
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It was all the more remarkable because, while Kennedy presided over what may have been the greatest speech-writing team in electoral history, Obama -- like Lincoln -- wrote his address himself, completing the final draft Monday night.

Obama did what he had to do, unequivocally repudiating Wright's extreme rhetoric. But what was truly radical about his analysis was his implicit demand that black and white Americans accept the imperfection of each other's views on race. Embedded in such acceptance is the seed of that "more perfect union" toward which this country -- unquestionably great but itself imperfect -- must strive.

More....
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-rutten19mar19,0,5754610.column

[lligrd]

1. K&R

[Selatius]

2. In time, we will see if Obama's speech will be remembered like others in American history.

I can't tell you if Obama's speech is as monumental as those given by such leaders as Kennedy or Lincoln or FDR and so forth, but if it goes down into history as one of Obama's more memorable speeches he gave, I wouldn't be surprised.

[FrenchieCat]

3. Who knows,

He may have a couple more of those under his belt, you know. He may become a serial Presidential great speech giver. :thumbsup:

[unblock]

8. there he goes again, bringing another speech

never understood that criticism of him, she brings experience while he brings a speech.

presidents are supposed to give speeches, lots of them, and doing them well is a huge part of the job.

[FrenchieCat]

12. Of course it is......

but everything is distorted these days....cause it's about winning elections, and not telling the truth.

[johnnydrama]

9. i'll be happy

if he becomes a serial string two words together without looking like an idiot speech giver.

[flor de jasmim]

4. First speech of its kind spoken by one who is biracial and thus...

it is authentic in a way Kennedy or FDR could NOT present. Whether the oratory itself is at a comparable level I leave to others to decide.

[BringBigDogBack]

5. Nice.

[Window]

6. K/R.

:kick:

[catgirl]

7. Kick!

[City Lights]

10. K&R

[here_is_to_hope]

11. K & R......n/t