People who have been bashing "inspiration" all these months don't understand its POWER

[Political Heretic]

Thoughts after Obama's historic speech...

Inspiration is transformative. Inspiration is unifying. Inspiration is galvanizing. Inspiration is the fuel behind every social change, every positive policy revolution, every victory won for social justice. History shows us over and over that change is facilitated by inspirational figures that are able to help rally and mobilize real people - figures who give HOPE (another word dissed here) which provides the initiative for the work of substantive shifts in both our politics and culture.

Inspiration is the stuff of historically significant leaders. In-depth knowledge of the cold political system isn't what makes a great leader. Those things can be taught, and frequently are taught. Some of the worst leaders in history were intimately familiar with all the inner workings of government and had a life time of experience in that system. Obama not only has enough technical qualifications and political experience to be president, but he also has a wealth of attributes and abilities that Hillary Clinton utterly lacks. And he is running for president in a time and a place in American History that is tailor-made for his leadership.

You can't teach the qualities of leadership that Obama possesses. He is a once in a generation leader. And what both Hillary Clinton herself and many of her supporters have been glibly, cynically trashing all this time are the exact qualities you find in each of the most dramatic leaders for social and political change in American history. Obama has the intellect to be president. He has the gravitas to be president. He has the vision to be president. He has the diverse and unifying history to be president. He has the values to be present. He has the judgment to be president. He has the history of political, social and community-level experience to be president. And he has the inspiration to be president.

Oh yeah, and he also has the pledged delegates, popular votes, super delegates, most states won and most money raised to be both the nominee and the president.

[chyjo]

1. I would speculate

that those that have been bashing inspiration this election cycle, have never been inspired , at least not by a politician. I definitely am by Obama, and was in 2004 by John Edwards who is still very close to my heart. In 2004 I went to see him at the Polish Cadets hall in Buffalo .......... I got there a half hour early, but still ended up in the overflow room. Edwards came out after his speech to talk to the overflow crowd(the speakers in the overflow room had shorted for about eight minutes so he wanted to make sure we got to hear him). Leaders like Obama and Edwards will always inspire me, while standard politicians will always bore me. The idea of an Obama-Edwards ticket still warms my heart - and the idea that both of them could still be President in my life makes me ungodly happy.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Why was the speech historic?

Has it not been given in one form or another for years?

You want INSPIRATION. I was seriously contemplating the Priesthood until I discovered the POWER of Pussy.

You tell us what Obama possesses. Don't forget the baggage. There is not a politician in America who does not have baggage. If you can chatter on with unproven generalities so can I. I guess we should unite.

Today's speech was damage control. Nothing more, nothing less. The politician who gave it wishes he didn't have to.

[Political Heretic]

11. Because it was one of the most frank and candid discussions of race to be heard in politics.

As my father said today, "His speech will be referenced for years to come."

[jlake]

19. It wasn't a "discussion" it was a damage control speech.

[The Doctor.]

20. He took it past 'damage control'.

"Damage control" was his first denunciation of Wright's words, today's speech broached the topic of race in a way in a way that discussed the issue frankly while highlighting commmonalities. He effectively discussed black perspective without going on a diatribe.

He not only did 'damage control', he put the Wright issue to bed and brought the right issues up. It was substantive and frank.

It was proto-Presidential.

[niceypoo]

25. Bill Clinton gave an almost identical speech in 1995

http://www.cnn.com/US/9510/megamarch/10-16/clinton/update/transcript.html">Are they implying history repeats itself?

:rofl:

[LWolf]

3. I understand its power too well.

I understand that inspiration without foundation has the power to do further harm.

I understand that when emotion confronts logic, objectivity goes out the window.

I understand that people are easily manipulated with inspiration.

I understand that political leaders are not prophets and that politics run like a religious revival invites corruption.

I understand that citizens have a duty to base their votes based on substance, not on inspiration, and not on polarized bigotry of any kind, and that those who allow themselves to be "inspired" by speeches, rather than being inspired by the leaders who walk the talk, ARE the problem.

[Political Heretic]

6. Response:

"I understand that inspiration without foundation has the power to do further harm."

And we're fortunate that Obama's capacity to inspire rests on his foundation of intellect, gravitas, vision, values concretely defined, and judgment, political, social and community-level experience - a nice blend of qualitative and quantitative characteristics that firmly ground the inspiration.


"I understand that when emotion confronts logic, objectivity goes out the window."

Objectivity is a myth. Neither emotion, nor logic alone paint an accurate representation of the world. It requires both, in harmony.

"I understand that people are easily manipulated with inspiration."

Which is why inspiration must have a solid foundation. And we're fortunate that Obama's capacity to inspire rests on his foundation of intellect, gravitas, vision, values concretely defined, and judgment, political, social and community-level experience - a nice blend of qualitative and quantitative characteristics that firmly ground the inspiration.

"I understand that political leaders are not prophets and that politics run like a religious revival invites corruption."

Politics run like Politics as usual is what invites corruption. The only reason you put the phrase "religious revival" in there is because of its inspirational quality. The content was substantive and pertinent. The issues are real. The solutions are concrete and politically based. And every historically significant political leader in American History has had the same capacity.

"I understand that citizens have a duty to base their votes based on substance, not on inspiration, and not on polarized bigotry of any kind, and that those who allow themselves to be "inspired" by speeches, rather than being inspired by the leaders who walk the talk, ARE the problem."

No, the problem are people so ideologically entrenched that they ignore leaders that posses both the inspirational, motivating, mobilizing ability unity communities of people (critical components of real leadership) and walk that walk daily.

If there's one thing that Hillary Clinton has conclusively proved in the twilight of this democratic primary season, it is that she is the one who's guilty of failing to walk the talk. She's shown that her ultimate passion and concern is absolutely nothing but herself and winning at any cost - interests of the party, interests of the public, interests of the future of the country be damned. She's out to claim her "birthright" and to hell with everyone and everything else. She's acting exactly like George W. Bush, with the same stubbornness, the same refusal to change course, admit mistakes, or put the interests of country or party first.

That's exactly the qualities we do not want at any cost in a Presidential leader.

[LWolf]

15. We have a fundamental disagreement.

I see Obama's capacity for inspiration, but I don't agree with the qualities you think it's based on.

Intellect? Yes. Intellect can be used for good or for harm. Vision? Not mine. Gravitas? I don't think so. Values? Perhaps; but not necessarily values that I share. Judgment? I find it lacking.

I do agree with the "harmony" you speak of. The disharmony I experience with Obama is exactly that; I don't find harmony between his walk and his talk, or between his vision and my own.

I put "religious revival" in there because that is exactly what the Obama campaign reminds me of. Which, from my perspective and life experience, is repulsive. That's part of my emotion kicking in. Enough time spent being bullied by family members who wanted to dictate my spiritual choices, and enough time listening to preachers thunder from the pulpit and walk a completely different talk outside the church, and I'm not likely to be moved by the speeches or the flocks fervent "amens" or speaking in tongues.

I don't need politics run like "business as usual." I'm a persistent advocate for change. Obama just doesn't offer the change I'm looking for.

Finally, my perspective on Obama has absolutely nothing to do with HRC. She won't get my vote, either.

[knixphan]

13. hmm...

"I understand that people are easily manipulated with inspiration."

Even more easily with FEAR. I'll take inspiration.

[LWolf]

17. I'm manipulated by neither.

I find inspiration in many places; Obama isn't one of them. My vote isn't bullied, and is never based on fear.

[metalluk]

23. A four-year revival meeting and Washington grid-lock.

My sentiments exactly, LWolf.

I was going to post something along the same line, but you've said it exceptionally well and succinctly.

If Obama becomes President, we're in for a four-year revival meeting and Washington grid-lock.

[LWolf]

24. That's what I see.

There are those who will fervently campaign on "gridlock" being preferable to mccain. That might be true. Add the revival meeting tone to the gridlock, and I have to :puke:.

Not all of us have pleasant associations with christian revivals.

[journalist3072]

4. My message to you: inspiration alone doesn't get the job done

Give me a break.

The only leadership that Barack Obama has demonstrated, is the ability to lead one of the most divisive campaigns in modern history.

Let's examine the facts here:

- He is the one who made the sexist comment that "the default candidate in this race was always going to be Hillary Clinton because she's Hillary Clinton as opposed to Hillary Rodham." What? His comments suggest to me that he thinks she's only where she is because of her husband, not her own merits.

_ Then, there was his comment to Tavis Smiley that "There's no doubt that if we consolidate the Black vote, that would have a profound shift in the national polls." (Read: He wants every Black person to engage in group think and blindly get behind the Black candidate). As an African-American woman, that disgusts me.

- Let's also revisit one of his favorite talking points: that if he wins the nomination, Sen. Clinton's supporters will vote for him, but he's not so sure that if she wins the nomination, his supporters will vote for her. He said: "I have no doubt that I can get the people who vote for Senator Clinton. ... It's not clear that Senator Clinton can get all the people I'm getting." Newsflash, Barack Obama: I am a Clinton supporter. How dare you try to speak for ME and suggest I will support you if you are the nominee.

- While we're at it, let's go back to the memo the Obama campaign circulated in which they referred to Sen. Clinton as "Hillary Clinton (D-Punjab)."

- Not to be outdone, let's talk about Obama supporter Laurence Tribe's comment that "She's not really a phony, though she plays one on TV."

- Oh, and then we have to examine Obama supporter Congressman Jesse Jackson's comment that Sen. Clinton never cried for Katrina victims, and that we need to examine "the tears that melted the Granite State." And while we're still on Congressman Jesse Jackson, let's talk about how he's approached certain superdelegates, telling the superdelegates "if it comes down to the last day and you're the only superdelegate? ... Do you want to go down in history as the one to prevent a black from winning the White House?" And then threatening the superdelegates that if they don't support Obama, they may face challenges in their primaries when they run for re-election.

So make no mistake about it...Obama has run one of the most divisive campaigns in modern history. His actions DO NOT match his rhetoric.

[Liberal Veteran]

5. It only became divisive when he derailed Hillary's preordained coronation.

That was the turning point.

Obama didn't start this the vitriol, that came originally from the Clinton camp when they stuck their noses in the air and got all bent out of shape when he was 2/3 of the way to winning before she even bothered to start a real campaign.

[Political Heretic]

10. Which is why we're fortunate not to be relying on inspiration alone

We're fortunate that Obama's capacity to inspire rests on his foundation of intellect, gravitas, vision, values concretely defined, and judgment, political, social and community-level experience - a nice blend of qualitative and quantitative characteristics that firmly ground the inspiration.

Your "points" in support of the so-called "divisive" campaign are weak, at best. His actions match HIS rhetoric just fine. Whereas you produce a long list of supporters not speaking for the campaign, I can go straight to the candidate Hillary Clinton for examples a mile long of divisiveness and discord.

[silverweb]

7. Well said.

Obama has had my support from early on and I am absolutely convinced on every level that he's the "real deal" -- not some silver-tongued charlatan, as his more desperate detractors pretend.

Inspiration and genuine leadership can motivate people to a greater effort than they ever imagined possible, and Obama has shown that he's got what it takes.

We need him and the time is now.


GObama! GObama!

[OhioBlue]

8. So very true. I agree, they have never been inspired. it's sad.

We are facing a lot of very, very challenging issues in our country. We need a trans formative President that can deal with Iraq, Health care, the Economy, the housing issue, education, etc. We need a President that can inspire the nation and offer hope to those hurting.

Obama is the person that can do the job right now. We will have to build a coalition of people, politicians and leaders to accomplish the things that need to be done in our country. We need someone that is not afraid to tackle these large issues in open minded and new ways.


Hillary and McCain are both the past. He is the future.

[K Gardner]

9. K&R

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

12. America was founded on categorical skepticism of, and even contempt for Power

Inspiration is how you get people to do things that you cannot reason them into doing.

One might have though George W. Bush would have cured everyone of these adolescent empowerment fantasies about "leadership" and "inspiration," but it seems some folks are just turned on by it all and want their own maximum leader.

[knixphan]

14. Bush cured me

of any infatuation I might have had with political dynasties...

[Political Heretic]

16. Not only are you wrong, but you are also completely ignorant of history

First of all, America wasn't founded in skepticism of power. It was founded on the principles of ensuring that wealthy white land owners would retain power and a buffer between the direct action of the uncouth masses. Some great things came out of the constitution. But over-romanticized fictions about the founding fathers or the origin of America do us all a great disservice.

As to inspiration vs. reason - the suffrage movement, nineteenth and early twentieth century labor movement, civil rights movement, the anti-war movement were not successful because people were coolly "reasoned" into action. Period. Reason without inspiration is dead and useless. Inspiration without reason is dangerous and corruptible. Great leaders possess both reason and inspiration.

[depakid]

18. I don't know what books you've read

but apparently they overlooked the influence of Montesquieu....

[Political Heretic]

21. Try A People's History of the United States....

..for starters.

[depakid]

26. Decent book- but seems to me though, reading what was written at the time

and what influenced people's thoughts is better way to understand history... if understanding is actually your goal, rather than polemics.

[sunnystarr]

22. Thanks for expressing what I feel ...

you're so right. While it doesn't seem that every generation actually produces a leader who has these rare qualities, we're witnessing history and the emergence of a great leader. For all those who question this, either out of loyalty to your candidate or the ones who are here only to cast doubt and poison, I say this:

Just a speech???!! If it was that easy then all politicians should be able to give speeches that inspire and move a populace. Why don't they?? Why don't you??

Empty words?? Try writing them and try speaking them with the authenticity that can only surface when it comes from the heart.

I'm 65 years old and have seen presidential campaigns come and go. Never in my lifetime have I seen this. We bear witness to greatness. And if the country votes in the likes of John McCain ... a man who today announced 3 times that Iran was training Al Quaida and sending them into Iraq ... then they all deserve the next hundred year wars.

If you honestly can't see it ... you have my sympathy and I'll pray for your enlightenment.