An Era of Shared Responsibility
My first impression of President (yes, President!) Obama's first speech is that it was more sober, less inspirational than it could have been. But my favorite parts were about how we shouldn't debate over big government or small government, but government that works; and that the market has to be put under a "watchful eye," and that "a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous."
Advertisement
He's going to have to save some of the soaring rhetoric for his second term. Let's face it, we're in a rebuilding year.
January 20, 2009 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree that the substance of this speech is in the idea of an "era of responsibility" and that it lacked the dripping drama of previous Obama speeches. But it was the perfect speech for the moment. By its nature, responsiblity is hard work, it's not sexy, and not all that inspirational.
The moment itself is inspiring, the opportunity to remake this country in the image of our Founders and in the image of great Americans like MLK. This chance at change is inspiring enough for me, and obviously enough for the millions currently staging the World's biggest block party in DC.
January 20, 2009 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink