Obama's Speech Tonight: What to Expect?

There are some weird dynamics surrounding Obama's speech tonight. All of them, I think, point to a more subdued and workmanlike performance than many Democrats are hoping for.

(1) Obama delivered the speech of his career in 2004. Is it possible to give a better performance? Probably not, especially considering how the myth of that speech has grown. Obama may decide to give a different kind of speech tonight — not a barnburner like in 2004, but instead a deeply serious and policy-heavy speech that suggests Obama is ready to lead in difficult times. It wouldn't serve him well to try and fail to recreate 2004's magic.

(2) Today is the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Does Obama want to show that up? Does he want to risk the appearance of showing that up?

(3) The McCain campaign is slamming Obama daily for his "celebrity" status. Anything that works 75,000 adoring fans into a tizzy is just fodder for opposition ads. If Obama can do avuncular, this might be the night to do it. (Admittedly, there may be little Obama can do here. There will be 75,000 people there. They will go nuts.) The challenge is to do avuncular without failing the media's (and his supporters') massive expectations.

I think the campaign originally saw this as a culminating moment for the Obama movement. He would speak on the anniversary of King's speech in front of 75,000 people. King was a vanguard for change, creating a mass movement that followed behind him and revolutionized the country. If you remember some of Obama's early rhetoric, there was a strong strain in it that suggested Obama saw himself as the same sort of figure. But the idea of a "movement" has been turned from a positive into a negative. What was once universally acknowledged as a wonderful development in American politics — young people, minorities, and others traditionally uninterested in public affairs finally finding inspiration — has been turned into a liability.

Once upon a time, Obama wanted to be carried into office on the back of a movement; today, he may do what he can to pretend one doesn't exist.

Comments

Jonathan,

"What was once universally acknowledged as a wonderful development in American politics — young people, minorities, and others traditionally uninterested in public affairs finally finding inspiration — has been turned into a liability"? Only because some reporters (like you) are repeating McCain's spin. Those voice represents potential votes and increased turn-out. That's what counts, in the end. That hasn't changed. That's NOT a liability.

Posted by: gotv on 08/28/08 at 11:29 AM Respond

"But the idea of a "movement" has been turned from a positive into a negative. "

Huh? Says who? The "movement" is a perfectly natural reaction to the bush presidency...

Obama has the best opportunity of his campaign to inspire the american voter to stand up and vote this year. He won't pass it up.

Posted by: disdaniel on 08/28/08 at 1:00 PM Respond

Who cares what the mcsame camp thinks or does? They are so over and so out of here.

Go Obama! He's a rockstar!

Posted by: Cheryl Fontaine on 08/28/08 at 1:06 PM Respond

It is the downside of your job. You will always be someone who watches rather than acts, who questions instead of believes. Lonely job. No interest in it myself. At least your not one of the confederacy of whores on TV.

HAIL CSPAN!

Posted by: Patrick on 08/28/08 at 1:22 PM Respond

Talk about speeches! Browse up "Bill Clinton on Inter-
dependence". Yes, it's the
opposite of independence.
It was part of his inauguration speech and later
reiterated in a cnn interview.
He even went on mentioning,
like Bush did, the need for
tools in order to keep us
safe. The role of
government in helping Americans think better,
helping foreign nations to
better compete with the US
and lots of other foresights
that are now bearing fruit.

I say it's high time that
both McCain and Obama
address this interdependence.
Heck! it even rhymes with
treason.

Posted by: josephjsalas on 08/28/08 at 3:28 PM Respond

"The challenge is to do avuncular without failing the media's (and his supporters') massive expectations."

Well Jonathan, who excactly gives a damn about the media's expectations? It was the media that got everyone whipped up for war 7 years ago. What were their massive expectations then?

As for Obama's supporters, I for one will not make any comparisons between Obama and MLK. I think you're on your own with that thought.

Posted by: Joe Paycheck on 08/28/08 at 4:41 PM Respond