Very true. How all too often though is the American public one to say what they want and then vote the other way... something that even ties indirectly into what Obama is speaking about... fear of knowing... ?

This thing couldn't end quicker though!

JW

Obama = the next United States President.

If not, I'll eat my hat.

So... Does he write his own speeches? Humility is refreshing in politics, but I want to know that it isn't the result of handlers and gifted writers.

Best Wishes, Wendy

I am sorry but I don't get how these statements made by Obama would steer anyone into voting for him? I am not dogging him, I dig him but I am lost. Out of all the rah-rah speeches topped with his Martin Luther type quality of speaking, this is what pushes him over?
You could pick from loads of lines that he has said and done in the charismatic way he says things, these statements are the ones that win the votes?
He has the "IT" factor, no doubt. However we have superstars in every area ONLY due to the God given gift of the "IT" factor and talent has dick to do with ANY of it! They must pinch themselves daily as I'd do if in some of their shoes praying that nobody catches on.
Again I am not saying I wouldn't vote for him, or he's not honest or anything negative at all. I just am a boat misser at this entry.
As far as Hilary bashing goes? I don't read this blog all the time but I assume you are against her. I have a lot to say on that one but I will pass. I know it's a tough one for some guys to accept, I suppose. Still there is some stuff I wonder if people ever even consider, even logically speaking? :)

To Wendy and Marshall...

Wendy, yes, I'm sure there are speech wrtiers, but Obama's no slouch when it comes to the written word, check out his first book to see some pretty good word smithing...and to Marshall, I don't think it's as much the "words" or "phrases" he used (although "This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected." is a pretty good line) it's more the overall candor and forthright nature of the speech that I think was impressive.

You speak of an "it" factor, of superstars having a God given "it" factor, but then dismiss a lack of "talent". I would submit that a person's "it" factor has very much to do with their talent. Michael Jordon has an "it"factor, Ronald Reagan had an "it" factor, (yes, I mentioned them in the same sentence) one a great athlete the other a great communicator, but I feel it is because of their talent and not the lack of it that gave rise to their "it" factors. I feel a person's "it" factor is their ability to communicate and/or showcase their talent and in my experience there are very few talentless people that have a so called "it" factor. I feel their "it" factor is informed by their talent.

But, I think in this regard, with Barack, his "it" factor is his depth of character. It took a good chunk of it to go on TV today and not dodge, to not placate, or to obfuscate, but to take the subject head on, to engage in the complexities of the subject and not pander to the masses with sound bites and platitudes. The fact that he stated the obvious about race and hope (or loss of it) without sugar coating or dumbing it down, is what's impressive...if only for the fact that (as simple s it may be) most politicians don't.

Whether this speech "steers" anyone to or from Obama I don't think is the point. I feel the point is that unless someone confronts these obvious and difficult challenges head on, in an honest, open, and real way...then, as Barack said, "...I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change."

-RTA

On a lighter note, for those who know "Smokin' Aces" was a bigger deal to me than most, for two reasons:

One, it premiered on my 40th birthday, and two, I proposed to my lovely lady after we saw it. (i posted the video on the blog last year)
She had come down from Texas to celebrate my birthday...we went to see the movie to have fun and kick off the celebration, little did she know I would surprise her a few hours later in front of a pub filled with friends and family.

Well, it all came full circle a few weeks ago (March 1st) when we jumped the broom and tied the knot.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj310/rta_bsa/RTA_BSA_1.jpg

Thanks again to all those from SJC who wished us well, and thanks to JC for helping to kick it all off!

Peace,
RTA

Wendy: He writes some of them, including the '04 DNC speech that made him famous, but according to Newsweek (http://www.newsweek.com/id/84756), Jon Favreau writes some of them (no, a different one).

Marshall: This may not be *THE* reason to vote for him, but it certainly doesn't hurt his cause. He unabashedly confronts personal issues like this and is entirely honest about his life, despite the negative effect it may have in the eyes of some voters (like his teenage drug use or his agnosticism during his twenties).

Personally, he has my vote for other reasons than the inspirational speeches or the rockstar hype. His voting record, for one. I agree with most of his positions and his words match his actions. He also pushes for a lot of policies that I feel are important, like foreign diplomacy over threats, a push for transparency in government to restore some of the trust in the gov't that has been increasingly lost for the past 60 years, and a pledge to reverse all the garbage that Bush has "executive privileged" into being.

And I'll end my blathering with a word on Hillary: I'm not a supporter, but I have a huge amount of empathy for her. For decades, she has been the target of the Republican Hate Machine, and she has survived all of it. The problem is that it turned her into what she fought for so many years. This is why the hype for Obama; there's no bitterness, no partisan hackery, no fear-mongering... he's unlike any politician any of us have ever seen.

he certainly has more candor than you joe, with all your bullshit cryptic comments, and your lies about every major actor who has given you the boot

Wow, 2 much, 2 many thoughts from some of the replies on this thing to address. I'll say to Fred, damn, life must seriously suck for u dude, sorry. RTA, the "IT" factor, omg, it has made serious stars from actors that sound like they are reading off cue cards but the camera digs them and so there you go. Also, give someone a good PR person and tell the public how amazing and hot someone is and the herd will believe the hype and follow and it is painful and it usually doesn't last long. The "real deals," have lulls but the truly talented Pacino, Hopkins etc..they may go off for a few years like a decade in Al's case then boom, back around around. Where as I look at some of these jokers and know in 5 years we will not know there name or music or they will be in so B the are D films. I'm not saying that to be mean it's just the way it plays out.
The "IT" types I am talking about and LORD have mercy, what the heck are u pulling Mike into it? He does have it all as far a "SUPER IT" and the baddest cat to play the game, he is not close to what I am referring to!!!!!
I get the Obama story and point but????? I sure a sh.. would not vote for anyone based on that pitch. Hallmark with true heartfelt meaning, kindness and candor but that story is not going to convince me he's the next Prez. I am not saying he's not or again that I don't dig him, I do just betting there would be a more convincing story to push me over not leave me like HUH?
As far as Hilary goes? BALLS 2 the WALL, not a damn thing to lose and I can feel it in my gut and that is a rare, unbiased thing that occurs within me and that alone, for me is a huge hurdle to beat.
I know, slam away...makes no sense, I know. It just does to me and that is good enough for me feelings aren't debatable. I just feel it when she says what she is going to do. She is GOING to do it come hell or high water.
She has been around the scene, behind the suit, listening, watching, observing and taking notes on what NOT to do and mistakes to NOT repeat and what TO do to avoid, win, kick a.. and do it all her own way which finally we get to see.
Hell, I'd put her in the ring with Tyson in his prime just on what she has endured that we KNOW of let alone what we don't and she has kept going with all the humiliation, then idiots making her a joke while in pain and we never saw it, nasty words, name calling and everything else ALL BY "ADULTS" which is truly disgusting.
Damn, she has to have a true love for this damn country or how much would u have to hate yourself to throw your name in the hat for some cash and knowing you'll be taking an asswhipping everyday for the next 4 years?
Hell, I know some tough acting dudes that can dish it out and can't wait to roll their opinions out even when not asked but can't take a wisecrack or a critical comment (that is true) about a scene in their film or a verse in their song without getting their panties in a bunch and I think, "Pour it in your purse and tell the waiter 2 take out the umbrella before it gets to our table, please!"
Anyway, they are both good but no kidding Hilary and Obama aren't even in the same stratosphere as far as endurance. Of course he's all chipper and not bitter! That dude has no reason to be bitter, damn, he's landed in it! I am not saying not deserving but he hasn't been through jack compared to her and she has been in IT ALL...EMOTIONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY. AS A CANDIDATE, MOM, BILL'S BEOTCH...ALWAYS SOMEONE'S SOMETHING! It takes a winner to stand back, wait their turn and then despite all that crap she's made it through she STILL steps up to the plate! All while knowing she's probably going to take one up and in on the dome or even at the elbow for a possible career ender! Yet she's still going to suit up, F the DH and swing for the upper deck.
The experience of everything, the genius behind the genius' but she probably has been the smartest one of all of them. Yet with, dignity and class she kept it on the down low 2 a degree. Trust me, if she finally gets her shot, no more campaigning BS, games, bla bore....she's definitely got a shot at hitting a dinger straight out dead center field.
I am sorry, if that wouldn't make people happy or feel empowered given what we all have watched, unfortunately and witnessed ALL THE JOKES, DURING AND THE AFTERMATH yet what we all forgot, of course... some of us were low, not compassionate and actually had never once flipped the script. I'd wish it on nobody and mainly, whoever wins whatever? Be kind, be better or shut up.

Wow, 2 much, 2 many thoughts from some of the replies on this thing to address. I'll say to Fred, damn, life must seriously suck for u dude, sorry. RTA, the "IT" factor, omg, it has made serious stars from actors that sound like they are reading off cue cards but the camera digs them and so there you go. Also, give someone a good PR person and tell the public how amazing and hot someone is and the herd will believe the hype and follow and it is painful and it usually doesn't last long. The "real deals," have lulls but the truly talented Pacino, Hopkins etc..they may go off for a few years like a decade in Al's case then boom, back around around. Where as I look at some of these jokers and know in 5 years we will not know there name or music or they will be in so B the are D films. I'm not saying that to be mean it's just the way it plays out.
The "IT" types I am talking about and LORD have mercy, what the heck are u pulling Mike into it? He does have it all as far a "SUPER IT" and the baddest cat to play the game, he is not close to what I am referring to!!!!!
I get the Obama story and point but????? I sure a sh.. would not vote for anyone based on that pitch. Hallmark with true heartfelt meaning, kindness and candor but that story is not going to convince me he's the next Prez. I am not saying he's not or again that I don't dig him, I do just betting there would be a more convincing story to push me over not leave me like HUH?
As far as Hilary goes? BALLS 2 the WALL, not a damn thing to lose and I can feel it in my gut and that is a rare, unbiased thing that occurs within me and that alone, for me is a huge hurdle to beat.
I know, slam away...makes no sense, I know. It just does to me and that is good enough for me feelings aren't debatable. I just feel it when she says what she is going to do. She is GOING to do it come hell or high water.
She has been around the scene, behind the suit, listening, watching, observing and taking notes on what NOT to do and mistakes to NOT repeat and what TO do to avoid, win, kick a.. and do it all her own way which finally we get to see.
Hell, I'd put her in the ring with Tyson in his prime just on what she has endured that we KNOW of let alone what we don't and she has kept going with all the humiliation, then idiots making her a joke while in pain and we never saw it, nasty words, name calling and everything else ALL BY "ADULTS" which is truly disgusting.
Damn, she has to have a true love for this damn country or how much would u have to hate yourself to throw your name in the hat for some cash and knowing you'll be taking an asswhipping everyday for the next 4 years?
Hell, I know some tough acting dudes that can dish it out and can't wait to roll their opinions out even when not asked but can't take a wisecrack or a critical comment (that is true) about a scene in their film or a verse in their song without getting their panties in a bunch and I think, "Pour it in your purse and tell the waiter 2 take out the umbrella before it gets to our table, please!"
Anyway, they are both good but no kidding Hilary and Obama aren't even in the same stratosphere as far as endurance. Of course he's all chipper and not bitter! That dude has no reason to be bitter, damn, he's landed in it! I am not saying not deserving but he hasn't been through jack compared to her and she has been in IT ALL...EMOTIONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY. AS A CANDIDATE, MOM, BILL'S BEOTCH...ALWAYS SOMEONE'S SOMETHING! It takes a winner to stand back, wait their turn and then despite all that crap she's made it through she STILL steps up to the plate! All while knowing she's probably going to take one up and in on the dome or even at the elbow for a possible career ender! Yet she's still going to suit up, F the DH and swing for the upper deck.
The experience of everything, the genius behind the genius' but she probably has been the smartest one of all of them. Yet with, dignity and class she kept it on the down low 2 a degree. Trust me, if she finally gets her shot, no more campaigning BS, games, bla bore....she's definitely got a shot at hitting a dinger straight out dead center field.
I am sorry, if that wouldn't make people happy or feel empowered given what we all have watched, unfortunately and witnessed ALL THE JOKES, DURING AND THE AFTERMATH yet what we all forgot, of course... some of us were low, not compassionate and actually had never once flipped the script. I'd wish it on nobody and mainly, whoever wins whatever? Be kind, be better or shut up.