Monday, June 08, 2009

An Insight Into Obama Speechifying

Roger Cohen asserts that

Obama is arguably our greatest speechmaker without a single memorable line.


but explains his rhetoric:

You guys over there — read Afro-Americans, Muslims, Iranians, Palestinians — have your history, your suffering, your grievances, your hopes. And you guys over here — read whites, Christians, Americans, Israelis — have another past and pain, other resentments and aspirations.

So let us view these differences honestly, air them, recognize our common humanity, overcome mistrust, build coalitions through seeing our shared interests, and rise above hurt by valuing the future’s promise over the past’s scourge.

...The Cairo speech was a brave idea executed with sensitivity. It furthered the strategy of an American rapprochement with Islam to isolate “extremists” (terrorists no longer). It restored balance to U.S. diplomacy on Israel-Palestine by speaking of the “intolerable” situation of Palestinians.

It acknowledged the realities of the Middle East by opening the door a crack to Hamas, urging it to unify Palestinians and recognize Israel. It re-branded America as a power that listens rather than imposes. It beckoned Iran and it summoned the region’s repressed youth to educational opportunity.


Cracks are most dangerous when there's a flood out there.

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