Inspiring Words

Hillary Clinton isn't the only person to criticize Barack Obama for his eloquence, but I find these arguments to be tissue paper. Do you attack a singer for his voice? Of course, they try to frame the argument by implying that eloquence and action are mutually exclusive, but Bill Clinton orated well while also running an effective administration.

I know I'm not alone in missing an eloquent speaker in the White House. Nearly eight years of "misunderestimating" is enough, and I thought that four with Dan Quayle as VP was bad (what's up with Republican high-office holders who can't say shit unless it's been speech-written for them?).

Obama bears eloquence in abundance, and I love the fact that he's reminded Ms. Clinton and others that the power of words matter. He's absolutely right. A large portion of a President's duties is to explain and, more importantly, mobilize the public along a national course; not just his party's base, but the entire electorate.

The night that Obama came a close second in New Hampshire, he delivered a buffo speech that motivated will.i.am, the front man for the Black Eyed Peas, to wrap a melody around it and gather a group of Obama-supporting celebrity friends to sing it. His friends called their friends and, within 48 hours, the music video was on the Web. It's a good effort, and proves Obama's point rather eloquently.