# Obama's speechifying **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 16, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837 "2011-01-16T17:26:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/41 "2011-01-16T22:41:01Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > This is a salvageable thread. > He sounds amazing after eight years of George Bush, who was unquestionably the worst-spoken President at least since the invention of machines that can record sound, Nah…just the worst since 1992. The mangled syntax gene just seems to run in the Bush family. SS ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/42 "2011-01-16T22:46:47Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > If I copyright “liberal hypocrisy”, can I make tighty rightys give me dollar everytime they say it? OK, but I get a buck every time they say “Libs think Obama is the Messiah.” ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/43 "2011-01-16T22:58:04Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > And brevity having value for itself is bullshit. Ridiculous. The ability to convey the same meaning in 50 words rather than 500 is invaluable. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/44 "2011-01-16T22:58:55Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I think it’s a natural word to him, because he uses it when it doesn’t even work, in the middle of more formal sentences. It’s also a word that is very commonly used by a lot of black people, and while he grew up surrounded by whites he’s spent the last 15 or 20 years in Chicago surrounded by black folks. 🙂 I think you’re confusing the word “folks” with “peeps”. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/45 "2011-01-16T23:13:06Z")
Well, OK, what should he say? What word would convey the same informal generic but would be untainted by elitist condescension? True, for me, when he says “folks”, it often rings like a lead bell, but I wouldn’t know what to advise. He’s trying to convey “me talking to us” rather than “me talking to you”. An admirable sentiment, in my estimation, but I’m at a loss for how it might be better expressed. Of course, some of you guys are smarter then him, so you’re damn sure smarter than me, I await your counsel with bated breath. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/46 "2011-01-16T23:19:31Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > I totally want to hear him call someone “brah”. He had his opening, when Jon Stewart called him “dude”. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/47 "2011-01-16T23:47:10Z")
I am a leftist Independent (further left than Obama, ftr, who is a centrist, moderate pragmatist like Clinton) but voted for him anyway. Not because I felt he needed my vote to keep the McCain/Palin ticket out of the White House (hell, he’d won by a landslide before the polls here on the west coast had CLOSED!) but because I sincerely LIKED the man and what he had to say. I still do. Even though I grind my teeth now and then that he doesn’t go as far or as fast as I would prefer (as on health insurance/care reform and otherwise compromising endlessly with those who have zero interest in working with him but seek only to destroy him :smack:) . But this man has accomplished a TREMENDOUS amount thus far regardless…it is a sure measure of his radical accomplishments that the Right has thrown so much effort into REPEALING THEM, obstructing others and getting his ass out of office. Do not discount the reforms he DID manage to get past the corporate and right-wing obstruction and misinformation; these are crucial reforms which move us far on the path to eventual single payer health care in the U.S. And do not be deceived into thinking there is any other alternative, at this point, to either supporting Obama and his reforms, in health care or otherwise, OR opting to lose them all and go BACK to the status quo. Here’s a link to a long list of his accomplishments to date: > **[hopeandchange.net](http://www.hopeandchange.net/2010/09/updated-obama-achievements-list.html)** > > This domain may be for sale! Considering the almost unprecedented level of crisis AND obstruction/ resistance he has faced, he has done wonders, imo. As a speaker, he is above par, imo. And yeah, coming on the heels of Bush jr., he seems even MORE brilliant! 😃 I have managed to hear many of his speeches (despite the fact that they are seldom carried on the major networks as in days of old…like, a decade ago…and one has to seek them out). ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/48 "2011-01-16T23:57:53Z")
Sure, when he tries to be inspirational he is accused of not rising to the ideals. But when he uses the cerebral, “professorial” tone, then he’ll get blasted for THAT (_arrogant elitist!_), much as W got knocked for keeping the Texas-boy affect even in fancy society. Political leaders just can’t win, it seems: it’s phony or patronizing if they adapt their speech pattern to the expected audience, and it’s a sign of being out of touch (either too condescending or not sophisticated enough to adapt) if they don’t. Sometimes we knock someone for being inauthentic just because\*\*\* we\*\*\* already expect someone like him/her would speak a certain way. I don’t know if Obama’s mother’s family (those who really raised him) used “folks” heavily in everyday conversation, and that stuck to him. It may sound artificial to someone who is just not used to hearing it in that context, yet just be what he’s used to saying. Obama’s speechifying, in general terms, is IMO articulate and intelligent-sounding as befits a man of his station, and _just_ emotional enough, without getting too glurgy or maudlin, that he could obviously “sell” a message to a receptive audience – but it’s hopes and ideals, not guarantees. It’s not hypocritical to aspire to do much good, try to, and fail. (BTW I am unimpressed by the idea of leaders as emoters-in-chief. Show basic human decency and empathy and that’s enough for me.) As for the quality of brevity, let’s just be glad it’s not Early Bill Clinton all over again. Og, did that boy have some endurance on the stump! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/49 "2011-01-16T23:58:59Z")
> [@InterestedObserver](#): > > As a speaker, he is above par, imo. And yeah, coming on the heels of Bush jr., he seems even MORE brilliant! To be fair though, a lot of that is just the light from his halo. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/50 "2011-01-17T00:04:42Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, OK, what should he say? What word would convey the same informal generic but would be untainted by elitist condescension? True, for me, when he says “folks”, it often rings like a lead bell, but I wouldn’t know what to advise. He’s trying to convey “me talking to us” rather than “me talking to you”. An admirable sentiment, in my estimation, but I’m at a loss for how it might be better expressed. > > Of course, some of you guys are smarter then him, so you’re damn sure smarter than me, I await your counsel with bated breath. Much as I hate to unbate your breath, “people”? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/51 "2011-01-17T00:09:36Z")
Or “friends, Romans, countrymen”, which has fallen out of favor lo these past 2000 years for reasons I don’t quite understand. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/52 "2011-01-17T00:18:50Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > To be fair though, a lot of that is just the light from his halo. As opposed, maybe, to the hot air coming out of Bush’s ASS? 😕;)LOL…sorry folks, Obama is neither the Messiah OR the Antichrist…he is just a MAN and I don’t know anyone left of Palin who thinks otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![freemal2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/fbc32d/32.png) [@freemal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freemal2)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/53 "2011-01-17T00:20:25Z")
I really don’t care if he grunts, uses morse code or signs. My main question is are his actions a legitimate attempt to fulfill his words. Often it seems not. I agree with the people who feel that his main accomplishment will be to maintain the status quo. He had a golden opportunity to make significant changes but opted to compromise with those who were not interested in compromise but rather their own power. Obama and the majority of democrats are either the dumbest and most naive people in the world in believing that the right wanted compromise or there is more going on such as campaign donations and lucrative jobs in the private sector after office. Obama’s speeches are an attempt to keep himself and fellow democrats in office. It failed rather miserably. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/54 "2011-01-17T00:20:54Z")
> [@InterestedObserver](#): > > As a speaker, he is above par, imo. And yeah, coming on the heels of Bush jr., he seems even MORE brilliant! 😃 As a reader of good speeches he’s above par. Take away the teleprompter and he’s all “and ah ums”. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/55 "2011-01-17T00:42:14Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Much as I hate to unbate your breath, “people”? While actual examples of how Obama has used “folks” don’t spring to mind at the moment, I think that at least in phrases such as referring to an audience as “you folks,” substituting with “people” just wouldn’t work. For whatever reason, “you people” is a really bad thing to call the people you’re talking to, not at all equivalent to “you folks.” ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/56 "2011-01-17T00:43:10Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > As a reader of good speeches he’s above par. Take away the teleprompter and he’s all “and ah ums”. Which is still head and shoulders above anyone the Republicans can offer. As evidence, I suggest you watch him utterly embarrass the Republicans at [last year’s Republican Caucus](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOzyk9smcQ0). Needless to say, they didn’t invite him _this_ year. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/57 "2011-01-17T00:48:49Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Which is still head and shoulders above anyone the Republicans can offer. As evidence, I suggest you watch him utterly embarrass the Republicans at [last year’s Republican Caucus](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOzyk9smcQ0). Needless to say, they didn’t invite him _this_ year. Gingrich would shred him in a debate. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/58 "2011-01-17T01:08:45Z")
> [@freemal2](#): > > He had a golden opportunity to make significant changes but opted to compromise with those who were not interested in compromise but rather their own power. Rightly or wrongly, his administration decided at the start of the health care debate that they wouldn’t be able to take on the Republicans, the health insurance industry, and the pharmaceutical industry. Given that the law was controversial and took forever to barely pass, they may have been right. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/59 "2011-01-17T01:18:00Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Gingrich would shred him in a debate. I can only hope he gets the chance. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837/60 "2011-01-17T01:23:37Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > As a reader of good speeches he’s above par. Take away the teleprompter and he’s all “and ah ums”. Not even you believe that. I don’t think **anybody** who uses the “Teleprompter-in-Chief” snark really believes it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837.md?page=4)