"Will we make the right changes to restore the people's trust in their government and meet the great challenges of our time with wisdom and with faith and the values and ability of Americans for whom no challenge is greater than their resolve, courage and patriotism? Will we do that?
Or we will heed appeals for change that ignore the lessons of history and lack confidence in the intelligence and ideals of free people. I will fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change that..."
Obama addressed this concern in his speech, talking about the value of hope and the importance/hard work of change. He said:
"All these things are possible, if you are ready for change. But I have to say that there are a lot of people these days who are telling you not to believe. They're trying to persuade you that, "Well, Obama may have good ideas, but he hasn't been in Washington long enough. We need to season and stew him a little bit more and boil all the hope out of him."
But I think you understand and the American people understand that the last thing we need is to have the same old folks doing the same old things, making the same mistakes over and over and over again."
"There are those who would say that you have to be wary about inspiration because you might be disappointed, who say that Obama may make a good speech, but what is really going to make a difference is how you work our government.
But I have to say that it is my central premise that the only way we will bring about real change in America is if we can bring new people into the process, if we can attract young people, if we can attract independents, if we can stop fighting with Republicans and try to bring some over to our side."
"I know that there are some who say, "Well, what about John McCain?" And I revere and honor John McCain's service to this country."
"He is a genuine American hero. But when he embraces George Bush's failed economic policies, when he says that he is willing to send our troops into another 100 years of war in Iraq, then he represents the policies of yesterday. And we want to be the party of tomorrow. And I'm looking forward to having that debate with John McCain.
But, you know, there's something deeper in this argument we've been hearing about inspiration. It really has to do with the meaning of hope. Some of you know I talk about hope a lot. And it's not surprising, because, if you think about it, the odds of me standing here are very slim."
He goes on to talk more about hope, how he came from a bad background etc. He also says stuff like the only good things that every happened in this country happened because of hope. So here is the real question:
Can McCain win a campaign against hope? Does it almost sound defeatists to argue against it?
Those who may wonder about Obama's substance, I recommend watching this speech. He outlines many policies covering issues from health care, tax structure, minimum wage to Iraq, the war on terror, genocide in Darfur and global warming. He also speaks to what he thinks is necessary to create these policies. You may argue that he is naive to believe that he can do all of this, but then what politician doesn't over claim what they plan to achieve. More importantly, I'm not sure we can say any longer that the calls for "change" lack substance.
Thoughts?
Obama's speech http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/19/AR2008021903257.html
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