Obama, another thought

I just finished watching Obama's victory speech last night, and as I was watching it a thought that's been percolating in my mind for awhile started to crystallize. We all know the man is an eloquent speaker, echoing the best of Martin Luther King at times and the best of Abraham Lincoln at others. My point here is that that is a very powerful skill, particularly if he really becomes president. I have a suspicion that he could use that eloquence to lead and convince people on the merits of his policy objectives, organizing the power of the people to force the inside the beltway operatives to get things done. I have a feeling he could even inspire people to rise above their own petty needs and wants for the better common good. And, I think that's something that's been sorely missing for way too long in American politics.

My hope is that if this is true, and if he wins the presidency, his policies will be sound. It would be easy for someone with his speaking skills to lead us down the garden path in the wrong direction. Look at how that worked even for someone with lousy speaking skills back in 2001-2004.