Oh Bama! “The belief in things not seen.”

The National Review.Com ^ | 7-28-04 | Rich Lowry

[hope]

Boston, Mass — Barack Obama's keynote speech at the Democratic Convention here has gotten a rapturous critical reception, justifiably so. Here are a few more follow up points about it:

NATIONAL UNITY. His litany in which he made the simple phrase "there's a United States of America" a rallying cry of unity and togetherness was simple and powerful. Most of the unity rhetoric this week has had a false ring, especially coming from people who have done more than their share to divide the country. Obama's call seemed more deeply felt and was more resonant, wrapped in patriotism: "We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America." Subliminal message: We are not the party of Dukakis — we like pledging allegiance.

HAWKISH NOTES. He made this week's best, most trenchant criticism of the Iraq war, saying we should "never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect the world." The criticism reflects a hawkish attitude: We need more troops. It invokes the opinion of the world but also with a hawkish tinge: The world should respect us, because when we confront an enemy we do it right.

"AN AWESOME GOD." The emotional high point of the speech may have been his declaration that "We worship an awesome God in the Blue States." He thus rebutted the notion that the Democrats are the secular party, and did it in authentic, unashamed language. The theme of faith was woven throughout the speech, from near the very beginning when Obama talked of "a faith in the simple dreams of [America's] people, the insistence on small miracles." This is language that Democrats often can't muster, and it gives added oomph to two other key themes from the speech.

"MY BROTHER'S KEEPER." Democratic social programs often seem mushy or purposeless or pandering. Obama connected them with one of the deepest of all ethical imperatives — to love our neighbors as ourselves: "It's that fundamental belief — I am my brother's keeper, I am my sisters' keeper — that makes this country work." This is a liberalism with some emotional depth, and a meaning much more profound than the dollar signs next to line-items in a federal budget.

"THE AUDACITY OF HOPE!" We've heard a lot of talk of how important it is for the Democrats to be optimistic. But the optimism of forced smiles and focus-grouped phrases can be a wan thing indeed. Obama's optimism was expressed in the language of faith. When he talked of "the audacity of hope!" he was reaching for something inside the breast of every religious believer, and connecting with the audacious hope that has fueled heroic American projects, from the nation's very founding to the civil rights movement.

For all of these reasons, by the end, when Obama said "the people will rise up in November," and "this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come," it seemed more than garden-variety political rhetoric. Because it was.

	http://www.nationalreview.com/lowry/lowry200407281612.asp

[Dragonspirit]

*yawn*

So much hype, from a bored media eager to echo DNC talking points.

That speech was rather generic, and let's be honest - the ONLY reason he is getting this acclaim is because of his race. Think the Dems would hype a man who hasn't even won a senate seat so much otherwise?

[jwalburg]

Democrats: We love our neighbors as ourselves, the ones we don't abort, that is.

[marron]

I was impressed with his speech. It was sadly wasted on a candidate like Kerry, but a party of men like Bama would be a party in good hands. A party of men like Bama would be a party worthy of the White House.

Unfortunately, Bama is a distinct minority in the present day Democratic Party. A man who actually believes in God is sadly out of place over there. But if he can call out the moral remnant that remains in the party, if there still is such a remnant, maybe that party can still be redeemed. I fear he will be forced to adapt himself to his party, in which case he and his party are lost. And we are lost if we follow them.

I'm sure I don't agree with him on practical solutions, not for nothing is he a Democrat. But a Democrat Party with a moral center, wouldn't that be a concept?

[Paul Atreides]

The emotional high point of the speech may have been his declaration that "We worship an awesome God in the Blue States."

Have you ever noticed that straight white males are the only ones of the Dim party not allowed to make such statements?

[VOA]

" "AN AWESOME GOD." The emotional high point of the speech may have been his declaration
that "We worship an awesome God in the Blue States." "

But Obama doesn't agree with Jesus Christ's exclusive claim to being the conduit to G-d.
See my post #143 at this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1179467/posts?q=1&&page=101

[SunnySide]

Democrats: We love our neighbors as ourselves, the ones we don't abort, that is.

and a house in the Hamptons, don't forget the house in the Hamptons. You haven't arrived unless you have a house in the Hamptons.

LOL

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Problem is, being your brother's keeper is very anti-liberty.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

They only love immoral neighbors.

[aruanan]

For all of these reasons, by the end, when Obama said "the people will rise up in November," and "this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come," it seemed more than garden-variety political rhetoric.

Right, and they'll re-elect GW Bush.

[anniegetyourgun]

How will the Dems juxtapose this guy's one America speech against Edwards and his two Americas?

[jwalburg]

With more than one maid.

[bpjam]

Obama basically ripped off the speech that W gave in 2000 at RNC Convention. I don't recall the left having an orgasm over it then.

There was not a single thing in his speech which virtually anybody disagreed with, which basically means that he didn't say anything.

Does anybody know what his speech was about? I doubt it. And a week from now, the only thing people will remember is that he was a good speaker. Hitler was a great speaker also, but nobody can remember what he said. Can anybody can style over substance?

[anniegetyourgun]

Then Obama serves a different Jesus and embraces a different gospel. A God of his own making...and he calls his god awesome?

[bayourod]

Obama may be the Democrat's version of Alan Keyes.

It don't make no difference how well he sings and dances speaks, the powers that be aren't going to let him off the plantation.

Hillary can't risk a black VP in four years. Besides, they already have the black vote, bought thru brother Jesse. (Jesse don't know what to think about this new kitten. His meow don't sound right.)

[cyborg]

That's a bunch of BS coming out of Obama's secular humanist mouth.

[Trust but Verify]

You are exactly right. White liberals will never vote for a black man for President, or even the Senate. Never.

[DaiHuy]

"We worship an awesome God in the Blue States."

I live in the Red States, and we to worship and awesome God.

My God is an awsome God he reigns from Heaven above, with wisdom, power and love, my God is an awesome God.

[DaiHuy]

Sorry this should have been posted with my other comment.

I can almost see Obama becoming a Pubbie in the future, or maybe at least another Zell Miller.

[tobyhill]

Some stations are pulling out old tapes because this year's DNC is so boring. Twana Brawley's daddy is still riding that donkey to nowhere!