Instead of focusing on Obama's oratory skill, let's acknowledge that he is one of our great THINKERS

[rudy23]

This is what really gives me confidence in him. This is why I'm so insulted by the charge that all Obama does is float empty rhetoric. He's one of the most exciting thinkers to hit mainstream American politics that I've ever experienced.

His entire brand of political framing, which he has engineered by taking the best of the best from diverse influences of political thought, is so innovative and so effectively communicated--it's hard not to be excited about it. It's hard to be cynical about it. That is by design, and it is also intuitively what he senses that we all really want right now.

It is artful the way he attacks a problem. It's refreshing and inspiring to watch. His strategies and solutions so far in this campaign have exemplified some of the best traits of creative thinking, tactical thinking, logic, and empathy--it's belittling to say that there's nothing more than words fueling his campaign.

Let's hear it for Obama, the Thinker.

[saltpoint]

1. rudy23, I second that. With enthusiasm.

[babylonsister]

2. Great post and thank you for your analysis.

I really think his approach is novel and important. You put it into words for me. :thumbsup:

[Levgreee]

3. This is why I preferred him from the first debate I saw, because he spoke as an intellectual

not so much as a politician

[Skip Intro]

4. What would be example one?

[Cant trust em]

7. A refreshing approach at dealing with "rogue" nations is a fine example

Going against the current paradigm of freezing out our enemies is a great start.

[Withywindle]

5. Yes!

That is exactly it. None of his ideas are new per se, in a vacuum (and whose ideas ever have been?) but he is a brilliant synthesist, and that's what most people hailed in history as "brilliant" were REALLY good at!

Also, US politics have degraded to a point where actually making speeches "by an adult for adults" as Bill Maher said, seems radical and refreshing. I embrace it like someone in the desert for years finding clear, cool water!

[TexanDem]

6. here here -- well said!

[Whisp]

8. it's such a shock to hear an Obama after listening to

Jr.s word salad over the years, I can maybe see why some people are still dizzy at the great contrast and call Barack empty worded in their confused state.

[Cha]

9. Yes, and Obama can put

his thoughts into action.

[elleng]

19. How

do we know that?

[stillcool]

10. Articulating what one thinks...

whether it be in writing or in speech is a gift. Add to that a person who has the most diverse life experience that I know of, and experience as a legislator, and a teacher of Constitutional Law on top of that, and what do you get? An empty suit of course!! Knowledge is Contagious!

[FrenchieCat]

11. I do believe that you are 100% correct!

For the well educated to have flocked to him first means something to me. It means that those who aren't easily fooled were able to pick up on just that fact; Obama is a thinker, and he is making others think. That's exactly what that speech did for many.....

What choice are we going to make? that was the question Obama posed to us. Thinking about it is the only way to answer the question.

[Diane R]

12. Hear, hear. He's the whole package...brains, integrity, charisma, great communicator.

[PerfectSage]

13. I agree 100%, Obama's got more brains than #### for brains Hillary.

In 2004 when Hillary was wondering whether or not to wait for 2008... ...betcha she didn't think it would be this hard.

Warning: This post contains sexist material which may be offensive to people who are afraid to think for themselves.

Gobama!
Go Dean's 50 State Strategy!
Go Grassroots!

[elleng]

20. Sage,

is there a reason to post such, other than to foment a fight? Can't we keep this an informative discussion?

[dkf]

14. Yes!! That is a much better way to put things...

In my heart I believe he will be a GREAT President.

I can hardly wait!

[AgadorSparticus]

15. I agree. He has vision and integrity and it comes out loud and clear.

[JustinL]

16. absolutely

A major factor in my becoming an Obama supporter was reading The Audacity of Hope and being impressed by his nuanced and deeply thought-out views on important and difficult topics. His speech on Wednesday was a dramatic reaffirmation of that impression, and threw into the starkest contrast the difference between him and the current resident of the White House.

[Jensen]

17. Bravo, that is exactly what he is the "Thinker" and after these 7 + years

of a non thinker you would think that the American people Dem's and Repug's could overwhelmingly come together for the World sake and ! What does it say about US???!!



Kudos to you for pointing it out!
:toast:

[Guava Jelly]

18. It has been to long since we have had a thinker in the whitehouse

It will be nice to have one again