Obama stepped into the Legislative chamber a wounded man needing to make major changes to his presidency or risk being a one termer. Politically, this speech was both timely and important for a few reasons. First Republicans were now beginning to have a sense of hope—real or unfounded—about their 2012 prospects after a long period of dissatisfaction with their nominees. Second, after the downgrading of the US economy and insurmountable unemployment rates, there was a simmering feeling that Barack Obama and the Democrats may after all be vulnerable.
I think the White House read the political temperature perfectly. With the GOP race gradually heating up and a solid front runner in the person of Rick Perry emerging; what Obama sought to do was to take back the narrative.
In this speech Barack Obama tried to sound feisty and combative. He tried to appear presidential and authoritative. Watching Obama deliver the speech you get the feeling he almost wanted to invoke a Regan’s “Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall moment”, moment: “Members of Congress, pass this bill”. It would have been nice if he actually succeeded in doing that but at such a volatile moment the last thing Obama wanted to do was to invoke drama. It was a risk he wasn’t willing to take. So he ended up with a somewhat toned down “Pass this bill and….” which came off as more persuasive rather than authoritative. Time will tell whether his strategy will pay off.
However, on the positive side, he did have some specifics. There will be tax incentives for small businesses which make new hires, an overall cut in payroll takes and Medicare and a direct attempt to reinvigorate the US economy through public sector investments. Though the speech was focused on jobs, Obama used the opportunity to address other important sectors such as education and infrastructure. Having heard several Obama speeches you sometimes wonder if he can meet his own standards repeatedly. Barack didn’t disappoint in this aspect. He gave another soaring call to action trademark speech. Whether this will resonate with a polarized congress and achieve the desires results is another matter. Personally I believe the time has come for Americans to hear Obama speak from his heart. This was a game-changing moment in his presidency and I think Mr. Obama should have abandoned the teleprompter for a minute or two and spoken directly to the American people.
For instance he could have said “Fellow Americans, I know there are many who are looking at this as yet another political speech to save my presidency. Tomorrow morning pundits across the news circuit will analyze how this speech will affect the 2012 race. Some will perform rhetorical analysis on every word and sentence I’ve spoken tonight while yet still others will engage in body language interpretations. Score keepers will bring out their stash of cards asking you to grade my speech. But I’m here to tell you tonight that I’m no more interested in saving my own job than in saving those of the 14 million Americans. Country men and women, I’m here to tell you tonight that if pushing this Jobs Act, if reaching out across the aisle, if making public sector investments, if asking all of us to rededicate ourselves to the letter and spirit of our union—the United States of America—will cost my presidency then this is a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”
We’ve heard the professorial, bully pulpit, campaign trail, media-savvy, debate prepped Obama speak. Now is the time to hear the inner Obama.
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