So, I’ve got two ways I could go here. I could write about the speech. Or, I could point out an opportunity for each and every one of you to acquire free gum in honor of today’s inauguration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Well, I’m a speech teacher by trade so I’ll go that route first. There’s a lot of good analysis out there. Sullivan and Goddard are two of my favorites. Both key in on different and important aspects of the speech’s stark call to service amid perilous challenges. Stylistically President Obama was typically solid, though greatly subdued compared to some of his best known campaign speeches. The real quality of this speech was in the rhetorical and historical context. Remember, during the campaign it was pointed out that Obama would be the most “liberal” president in U.S. history. But the President delivered a speech that was at its core conservative. I don’t mean politically conservative, obviously, or even cautious, but rather focused on the continuation of values and self determination. A conservative Republican could have delivered vast portions of this same speech. (Though, particular portions were particularly enjoyable for liberals and quite a bit less so for conservatives). For me, the line that stood out was about how the future was less about whether government gets bigger or smaller, but rather whether it works. That’s a distinction that could serve as a great salve for a bitterly divided political structure. Politically, that’s an argument that an effective Democratic administration could win again and again. It comes with accountability, though, and risk. That is the whole point.
Oh, and I didn’t forget. Free gum for all! Send Trident a picture of your best “Joe Biden” smile and they’ll send you free gum. Go to www.joebidensteeth.com. Offer good while supplies last.
(Thanks to Freebies4Mom, my wife’s frugal blog pal, for the tip).
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