I guess it is no surprise that President Obama’s speech last
night wasn’t as good as Bill Clinton’s
the night before, but I think I was surprised by how far it fell short.
After Clinton
spoke, I thought that the election might be over. He laid out the case for Obama and the
Democratic Party in remarkably clear, immediate, and visceral language. He handed the election to Obama on a
platter.
And the president said… what did he say again? I really don’t much remember. I think the faithful were excited because
they are excited anyhow and love the president and are afraid of the
Republicans. But…
The president’s speech seemed to be mostly platitudes, generalities,
a kind of collection of presidential ad-moments jammed into one speech. There was a mention of citizenship, and his
job is really tough, and it’s going to take a long time, and we can all make a
better future, but…
What is his plan? What
is he going to do? Where is he
going? Other than he really likes government,
and loves his family, and cares about our future. I was not moved. I was not persuaded. As opposed to being both moved and persuaded
by Clinton the
night before.
So, now it’s on to the debates. But after watching the meaningless
focus-grouped, poll tested platitudes that each candidate spewed out in their
acceptance speeches, I am not very hopeful that I’ll see much in the way of
substance in the debates either. It’s like
both candidates seem to think that all they have to say is “I’m not that guy.”
Where’s the beef?
