http://letterneversent.disqus.com/enSun, 31 Aug 2008 13:03:38 -0000http://www.letterneversent.com/the-obama-speech/2541/#comment-1941011You could tell it was a good one because the Republicans instantly started<br>saying how mean he was.csivoriSun, 31 Aug 2008 13:03:38 -0000http://www.letterneversent.com/the-obama-speech/2541/#comment-1940920We watched it live (on PBS) and I thought it was very good. <br><br>It is so difficult to strike a balance of being specific and outlining a vision in a speech like that, but I thought he nailed it. Naysayers of political speeches will usually respond to a visionary speech with "there were no specifics, no details" and they'll respond to detailed, line-by-line speeches with "I got lost in the details, there was no vision" ... well, he did both.<br><br>The other thing Iiked was how he is at least trying to defuse some of the 'culture war' crap by saying "we might disagree on ____, but we should be able to agree on ____". Obama needs to keep this election about real, everyday problems, not the hot-button divisive issues that Rove wants it to be about (and what the choice of Palin is obviously trying to do).<br><br>I also liked his tone when he told McCain and McCain supporters to not question his patriotism ... I think that will at least help diminish some of that crap (but it won't go away completely).<br><br>After watching a speech like and then seeing McCain speak it boggles my mind that McCain might even have a chance ... but, that's just me.BrianRSun, 31 Aug 2008 12:52:15 -0000