Barack Obama, Audacity of Hope

 Barack Obama burst into the national spotlight when he delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.  That speech was arguably the best speech at the event, overshadowing the speeches by the candidates for president and vice president--and the nomination speeches.  

Obama rallied the gathered faithful in a way few speakers have at these typically dry events.  Anne Richards (the late, former governor of Texas) speech at the 1992 convention was probably the last speech of comparable power...and of comparable media attention.  That was her "poor George speech," in which she said about the first President Bush, "Poor George.  He can't help it.  He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Barack Obama's speech was different from Richards' in meaningful ways, though.  Obama did not level humorous attacks at the opposition.  Instead he turned to his tradition of using logically constructed arguments.  All good speeches engage the emotions, but Obama used rational arguments about emotional issues to build his case for his vision of a better United States.  Obama, unlike Richards, did not use colorful colloquialisms to attract attention.  Instead, he spoke as a statesman, albeit a very young one at the time.

In the intervening years, Barack Obama has served as Senator from the heartland state Illinois.  His time in the Senate has been one of careful, conscientious learning.  He's learned how the legislative branch works; he's learned even more about issues of great importance to his nation.  He has used this time to mature beyond his years.

(Click Here for More Obama Books)

This morning (10/22/06), Barack Obama appeared on Tim Russert's "Meet the Press."  He more directly indicated that he is seriously considering a run for the Presidency in the 2008 election than I have heard him say before.  He did so, of course, with his carefully measured humility.

I'm sure his publisher hoped that much of the time on "Meet the Press" would be used to promote his new, very favorably reviewed book, The Audacity of Hope.  Instead, Obama characteristically focussed upon national issues rather than personal book promotion.  Granted, the conversation probably served both objectives.

The Audacity of Hope is not Obama's first book.  I have assembled what I might call the "Barack Obama book list," on this page.  Click here.  There you will find several books by and about this important man.  You'll even find a cook book there!

Enjoy...whether you buy these books or borrow them from your local library.