The Obama Speech

He almost lost me… had me booing at the screen… near the beginning when he made what I thought were a couple unfair cheap shots at McCain… and during the riff ripping Republicans for advocating economic policies that told people “you are on your own”. That reminded me just how many issues I actually disagree with Obama on.

But then he started the section on foreign policy and he brought me right along. And then he started on his post-partisan message and he once again had me completely. Yes, clapping, cheering, even some tears. This is the stuff that had me in 2004 and made me say then that Obama would one day be president. No… had to one day be president.

In the end the speech as a whole had a lot of policy. More than I needed. But as the single event of his that more people will be watching than any other, it made sense that it was there. And deflects the “no substance” attacks.

And for that matter he systematically included bits to deflect almost all of the current attacks against him.

The build up and rhythm was not as intense as the 2004 speech, or even some of the speeches during the primary. But… but… there was something more important here.

He looked Presidential. Completely. Totally. This was almost not a campaign speech. This was almost a State of the Union speech. He was confident. He was in his element. He was in control. He knew what he believed and he knew what needs to be done. I disagreed with him on a variety of things. But even on those things, he was strong, commanding… and convincing… on some things he even made me start wondering he is right and I am wrong.

He was not just someone to have a beer with, or a competent administrator, or a nice guy. He was a leader.

This is what a President should be.