The success of a speech can be measured, among other benchmarks, by not only how well it communicates information to a specific constituency, but also by how effective it makes potentially less-appealing information at least tolerable to a wider, experientially diverse, and ideologically motivated audience. As is evidenced by how often this formula results in epic, consequential failure, crafting and delivering a meaningful and memorable speech is not a simple or uncomplicated endeavor.
The more prepared and polished the speaker appears to be, the convention goes, the more sticking power the speech will have. Just as important to the efficacy of any public presentation, and the appeal of the person delivering it, is the venue at which a disquisition is presented. While perhaps just as true and relevant, impassioned protests and lofty promises, rendered harsh and tinny when hollered through a megaphone from a street corner, will likely not have the same impact as similar pronunciations made in rich, accessible tones from behind a stately lectern on a well-appointed stage.
Delivered from the elevated podium in the House chamber, President Obama's 2013 State Of The Union address, the first of his second term, was markedly less ethereal than his previous three addresses, but no less positive and inspirational. The president lauded our nation's accomplishments, made more difficult under these current conditions of persistent economic recession and strong domestic political division, and highlighted several proposals he thought worthy of Congressional consideration.
President Obama began his address to the Congress with three main points: The wars are coming to a close, our brave soldiers are returning home in increasing numbers, and Americans are slowly but surely getting back to work. "Together, we have cleared away the rubble of crisis," he confidently opined, to the enthusiastic applause of his supporters. The president concluded the opening section of his speech with a firm assertion: "It is our generation's task, then, to re-ignite the true engine of America's economic growth . . . to restore the basic bargain that built this country . . . to make sure that this government works on behalf of the many, and not just the few."
Far less enthusiastic, however, were the palpably pursed protestations of those who do not share the president's vision for the future, and indeed have openly and angrily (and often pettily) opposed nearly all of his positions and policies. Along with the many members who noticeably withheld their applause, several reactions looked to be somewhere between aloof, purposeful absence and intolerant, grimaced fuming. In one camera-captured moment, former Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan was shifting in his seat and making faces like a bored kid doing after-school detention.
In spite of obvious Republican consternation—typified by speaker Boehner's disrespectful eye rolls—President Obama spent the bulk of his time at the podium laying-out some universally sensible, decidedly liberal proposals for America's continued forward momentum. "We know what needs to be done . . . let's get it done," he said. The president spoke of ending the unfair advantages our nation's current tax code grants the wealthy, and raising the federal minimum wage; decreasing the outrageous costs of higher education, meeting the inexorable challenges presented us by our changing climate, and investing in better job-training and retraining for all under- and unemployed Americans.
The crescendo of the address came near its conclusion. President Obama spoke of respecting the survivors of recent, high-profile incidents of gun violence—several of whom were present at the address—by putting his proposals for firearm safety regulations to an honest congressional vote. Several of the members, known for their fervent opposition to almost any gun safety regulations, and financial dependence on firearms manufacturers to fill their campaigning coffers, stayed seated and stone-faced. As the president pressed forward and said some of the victim's names, more and more members applauded and shouted out in agreement with his call for a vote on these rational proposals.
In the end, the 2013 State of the Union address focused less on breaking new ground, and much more on moving the nation in a direction that continues to raise the standard of living for everyone. "We were never sent here to be perfect . . . we were sent here to make what difference we can . . . to secure this nation . . . we were sent here to look out for our fellow Americans," he said. The president is not only the head of our government, he's the face of leadership for our people—for our way of life. Every reasonable person in this country knows we're all dependent on each other to help those coming after us climb up to that better living standard. As President Obama put it, "We are citizens . . . our rights are wrapped up in the rights of others." Our nation's future depends on all of us realizing the truth of those wise words.
LSL - 021913/08:47