Michael Waldman's Opinion of Obama's Inauguration Speech


When Michael Waldman was working on Bill Clinton’s first inaugural address in 1993, he taped some rules above my computer screen. “No quoting dead people.” “No reversible raincoat sentences.” Every one of the rules was broken by the time we were done drafting the address. So he hesitates to give advice to a speaker who has such a clear sense of self and moment. Waldman says Barak Obama has wielded oratory as a political weapon in a way not seen since Reagan, and he’s shown impressive discipline, fitting the style to the occasion. Waldman thinks that the speech calls for more vivid writing, bigger themes and a touch of formality. Obama's Inaugural address tends to fall into two categories: those that demand “action now,” like F.D.R. or those that seek unity and summon the “better angels of our nature,” like Lincoln. Many think Obama will do a "bring us together" speech.

Response

I agree with Michael Waldman about Barak Obama making a combination speech of F.D.R and Lincoln. When I think of President Lincoln and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, I consider them to be two of the best presidents ever. President Roosevelt was a "action now" president and right now the United States needs a president similar to that and a peaceful president like Lincoln.