He was a brilliant orator and I subscribed to many of his views, although many of my positions have become more Libertarian since then.
But I don’t watch SOTU’s any longer, preferring to read them.
However, no president since Reagan came close to his presentation style until President Barack Obama.
Here’s what he’s been quoted as saying night before last:
“How can we make our politics reflect what’s best in us, and not what’s worst? The future we want – opportunity and security for our families; a rising standard of living and a sustainable, peaceful planet for our kids – all that is within our reach. But it will only happen if we work together. It will only happen if we can have rational, constructive debates. It will only happen if we fix our politics. Our public life withers when only the most extreme voices get attention. Most of all, democracy breaks down when the average person feels their voice doesn’t matter; that the system is rigged in favour of the rich or the powerful or some narrow interest."
Pretty powerful stuff, and “progressives” were proudly paying homage to Obama for saying them as if they’ve never been said before.
However, I suspect Obama is happiest when his side wins the political debate, just as Reagan was. After all, there are different perspectives on how problems are solved and politics is the art of getting one’s proposed policies enacted using the political process.
The point is I humbly submit that soaring rhetoric like this from politicians is solely to get their ideas accepted, not the other sides.
I am more skeptical these days so agree more with Ambrose Bierce, from The Devil's Dictionary when he said:
"Politics, noun. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage."
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Links
Approval Ratings Bush & Obama - Gallup
This may be President Obama's time, but it's still Ronald Reagan's era - CNN
