wow Obama is good. watching him speak at rally in Pennsylvania. just discovered this week that I get C-Span - happened onto channel by mistake, heard authors speaking as part of Lincoln Bicentennial. and now here's Obama at a rally. it seems to me must be awfully difficult to keep saying the same things over and over, and over, and still mean it. once more with feeling. 'sing me another love song but this time with a little dedication sing it sing it.'
and he sounds aggressive. yes, he is saying the same things I've heard, of course, the same policy plans, but what is striking me is what seems like an additional boldness. ah: 'audacity.' saying things one could argue against, specific, strong statements. fighting statements! maybe it's that sounds very real to me, that's why seems bold? saying things that are the case. just saying them!
re "McCain & Palin talking about change. stole my sign, my slogan. he's got to think of his own stuff." then immediately addresses what the commodification that could suggest: "Change is not just a slogan. It's in your heart, it's in your gut."
specific about change: "jobs. the tax cuts for 95% working Americans - how many of you make less than 250,000? sounds like a majority - you will not see your taxes go up, not your income taxes, capital gains taxes .. vs McCain tax cuts to richest, corporations. health care: if you like your plan, only change is premiums will go down. ... broadband to rural communities."
and again, addresses the counter point I am thinking of: They say how are you going to afford it? I say, we are spending 10,000,000 (~) in Iraq, I say we can spend some of that money right here in Philadelphia. "
"when I am President." and also aggressive speaking about individual responsibility. "We will do this, and this ... but that will not help unless parents get their kids away from video games. unless fathers are around." I d n remember th words, but he sounded like he was coming down hard. this is more usually a conservative thing, to emphasize what people themselves need to be doing, right? but maybe Democrats have been saying this kind of thing as much as Republicans? I don't know.
"that America is a place where you can make it if you try." I think that's a good line. good cadence.
there was a lot more. maybe this is the first rally speech I've listened to at any length? I'm impressed. especially by how strong he looks and sounds. and inclusive:
"together we will change this country."
does he say anything I don't believe?


now, C-span showing poll. 38% whites supporting Obama (that's all?) & 50+% McCain (oh). 96% blacks Obama, 1% McCain. hispanics "also trending toward Obama" 66%. well that's understatement to call 96% vs 1% 'trending toward'.