I just finished listening to Obama's speech tonight for the second time.

I think this very well might be the speech of the century. My hat goes off to Senator Obama for making the most of a historic moment.

And go for it, you naysayers. That's how I feel.

but it ranks up there, along with FDR, Kennedy and Gore.

I was impressed, in spite of my disappointment with tonights results.

keep in minds that's only 7 years to consider.

FDR is right out.

sometimes I forget what century we live in. lol!

not much competition and you get a chance to make a huge change early on that makes everything else look like the wrap up.

was great too

Historic.

Yea, I've watched Obama's fantastic speech twice too. I can't quantify my belief, other than to say it feels like Obama has claimed a place in history at the right time, at the right place.

I'd be thrilled if John does better in NH, but even John tonight on CNN sounded like a politician who see's a historic cross roads and Obama is sitting at the center - at least tonight.

Anyone who says otherwise is an asshat. Okay, I'm kidding, but jeez. Even I thought it was a good speech, and I'm a bitter, cynical old hag, especially when it comes to American politics these days.

I think he is boring. He doesn't evoke images. He talks in abstract generalities as far as I am concerned. He has a great voice, but he doesn't have a lot of energy or excitement in his speech. He just makes vague promises, but doesn't fill in the details enough for my taste.

I wasn't impressed when I heard it live. After reading various posts about how great it was, I just watched it again while attempting to ignore my first impressions and to treat it fresh. Still didn't really work for me.

Part of it is his pacing -- slow enough that my mind starts anticipating where he might be going (maybe several possibilities), and then he sort of steps on his own lines, negating something that might have been more effective. Often, it seems that he begins well, maybe with an allusion to something in a historically great speech (e.g. "I have a dream") connecting to his current narrative, slightly pauses, and rather than driving home a powerful point, Obama offers up some low-risk platitude, well-delivered but lacking real substance. (Or even wandering off into some other topic.)

Maybe I've heard too many speeches over fifty years, maybe I am just biased somehow, maybe he needs better speech writers. I keep feeling like I am listening to a really bright student speech (valedictory?), modeled on great speeches, making a few "safe" points, a bit self-congratulatory, and a bit condescending.

I will look at the transcript tomorrow.

He is not ready for the national election. He hasn't honed his message. He hasn't yet discovered why he is running? Edwards discovered why he is running in 2004. He knows it is to help the people like the people he grew up with -- ordinary people who work hard to make sure their children have a good life.

I can tell you precisely why John Edwards is running. I have no idea s to why Obama is running, and I don't think he does either. Obama will tell you some sort of abstract thing like bringing the country together. That doesn't mean anything to him or to me. What is it in his personal experience that brought him to politics that makes him want to be president. I have no idea. I know with Edwards. And to some extent, I can guess with Hillary -- women's rights and to prove she is as good as her husband, maybe even to get back at him for having embarrassed her (a little like GWB wanting to outshine his dad). But, with Obama, I have no idea. It's all feel good stuff or something he heard from a preacher. What he says is not immediate to his life experience.

Edwards playing with is microphones was soooo much better! :eyes:

He's gonna Fight, just doesn't really tell us how he's gonna kick all of that ass.

and maybe why some of us feel uneasy. All of the other Democratic candidates I feel like I know. I may not particularly like Hillary Clinton, but I know who she is. We know John Edwards because of 2004 and because he's been in our consciousness now for a while. Joe Biden and Chris Dodd we all know really well because they've been in the Senate all these years and they've made decisions and put forward bills that we either agree with or don't, but we know where they stand. Dennis Kucinich has been very outspoken and courageous in his opposition to Bush/Cheney. Even Bill Richardson and Mike Gravel have a record to look at.

Obama suddenly appeared out of nowhere to give the speech at the 2004 convention, and all of a sudden he became the "anointed one." We don't know him. I'm sure he's been doing things in the Senate and that he had a fine record in Illinois, but you have to dig for that stuff. Admittedly, he is good with words, but like others here, I find his speeches strangely lacking in substance. Didn't even George Bush promise to be a uniter, not a divider? It doesn't really say anything to say that people want change, they want hope. I mean, really, who doesn't? It's like saying we all want to be loved -- who can argue with that?

Of course, I will support him if he wins the nomination, with my fingers crossed. Perhaps during the course of the campaign -- which still has almost a year to go -- I'll feel more comfortable with who he is, he'll reveal more than just the pretty speeches. For now, I remain skeptical.