This is one of my favorite speeches. It speaks to his convictions, and so clearly demonstrates that this President knew exactly what he was up against and how hard it would be to bring about change. This speech, and the other one he did in Independence, MO (about patriotism), are two of my favorites. He’s simply amazing, and consistent.
Me too! This and the night before the election in Virginia…who am I kidding, anything that comes out of his mouth, somehow soothes my soul, lifts me up and gives me a sense that all things are not only possible, but will be. The audacity of HOPE.
I know – it’s hard to single out favorites among all the wonderful words he’s spoken. Even as I was writing my last post, I was thinking, “Well, I also like that other one about call to service, and the inauguration speech, and the convention speech, and the speech he did last week and…”. He’s just a treasure trove of goodness and inspiration.
Soooo true… The race speech, ALL of his commencement speeches, the Tucson speech, the National Prayer speech just this week, the Cairo speech, the Prague speech, The Nobel speech, and on and on…
I know, there have been so many great speeches. This is a great campaign speech, but some of those you mentioned above will definitely go down in history.
I like this one because he has fire in his belly. His baritone voice gives gravitas to his words–which are incredible. Put the voice, words and his delivery together, he would have made one damn good preacher.
WOW! I haven’t seen that in a couple of years…….makes me feel warm, hopefull, and just reinforces my total belief in him…….and his goodness & determination to fix this country and leave it better for everyone…………..
I agree, that definitely was a Hillary smack-down. But it doesn’t matter who that was aimed at, his message was universal, it was the truth. I’ve always liked the saying, “Imagination is more important than knowledge”, for the same reason. Without the spark of inspiration change/discovery is not possible. Hope both moves us and fortifies us.
He has that unique ability to express himself in a manner that is a cut above most public servants. JFK is another example and MLK touched me in a different heartfelt way.
Hiya Lovepolitics2008, I can’t take credit for it at all – stylishgurl VERY kindly sent me a link to the video and asked me to post it. I actually had completely forgotten this speech, so it was a joy to hear it again – so THANK YOU stylishgurl! What might be a good idea is if I set up a category for all the President’s greatest speeches so they’re easy for us all to find – leave it with me 😉
No thanks necessary, you do alot more than that! thank you for posting it.
I came across it while watching the other youtube flashbacks….I hadnt seen this video before, I was so excited and wanted everyone else to see it too incase they missed it like me in 2008 😀
please check with the C-SPAN archive of the campaign since it usually stores both the video and transcript. a clue about the date is was given or the location would help you narrow your search
Part of an article in the Buffalo News, NY, January 20, 2009, Edition: Central, Section: Lifestyles, Pg: C1, author: Paula Voell, News Staff Reporter, titled “TEACHER RECALLS OBAMA WAS A FOCUSED STUDENT.” Teacher: Barbara Nelson of Kenmore (NY): Copied from the article: As a high school teacher of British, Biblical and Middle Eastern literature, Nelson taught Obama. “He wasn’t usually the first one to speak, but he was an attentive, active listener,” she said. “While the others might be bouncing off the surface, he came straight from the center. He picked up on the patterns of ideas and then he’d make a statement that moved the class to the focal point. “He also had a lovely, engaging sense of humor,” Nelson said. “He was firm, but he wasn’t aggressive or in your face.”
During one class the question was posed “of what should we be most afraid.” Drawing answers that included “death,” “hell,” “biological warfare,” “fear” and “isolation,” said Nelson. “I recall Barack sitting in the back of the room,” Nelson said, demonstrating a hands-behind-his-head pose and describing his lanky, outstretched legs. “When he pulled himself upright I thought “Bingo, here we go,” she said, expecting the discussion to move to a new level.
“And he said, ‘Words. Words are the power to be feared most. Every individual has an unmonitored arsenal and whether they are directed personally or internationally, words can be weapons of destruction.’
I wonder how many books will be written about this man. I own ten and they are a part of my Barack Obama shelf on our bookcases. There are many other books that I have not read.
Is it just me, or do you think that the number of books written about him this early on is unusual?
Dorothy, I think it’s quite unusual to have the vast number of “credible” books written about him at this stage of his presidency–that’s not including the plethoria of anti-Obama crap that’s out there that won’t cut the mustard and won’t be a part of any significant literary holdings that will have a place in history (thank God). However, of all the books written about President Obama so far, the two he has written himself, especially “Dreams From My Father,” far exceed the caliber of books written by his contemporaries in terms of insight into Obama, the man.
I pray that I’ll have a chance in the future (hopefully after 2016 after he has served a second presidential term) to read his presidential memories that chronicle his experiences in the White House. I’m sure they will be fascinating to read.
This man is surely a great man. i’ve just been checking his facebook page and he’s got over 18 million fans. i don’t think any politician in history has had such fans before.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Yay! I loved it, I hope everyone else does 😀
thank you Chipstick
This is one of my favorite speeches. It speaks to his convictions, and so clearly demonstrates that this President knew exactly what he was up against and how hard it would be to bring about change. This speech, and the other one he did in Independence, MO (about patriotism), are two of my favorites. He’s simply amazing, and consistent.
Me too! This and the night before the election in Virginia…who am I kidding, anything that comes out of his mouth, somehow soothes my soul, lifts me up and gives me a sense that all things are not only possible, but will be. The audacity of HOPE.
I know – it’s hard to single out favorites among all the wonderful words he’s spoken. Even as I was writing my last post, I was thinking, “Well, I also like that other one about call to service, and the inauguration speech, and the convention speech, and the speech he did last week and…”. He’s just a treasure trove of goodness and inspiration.
Soooo true… The race speech, ALL of his commencement speeches, the Tucson speech, the National Prayer speech just this week, the Cairo speech, the Prague speech, The Nobel speech, and on and on…
I know, there have been so many great speeches. This is a great campaign speech, but some of those you mentioned above will definitely go down in history.
I like this one because he has fire in his belly. His baritone voice gives gravitas to his words–which are incredible. Put the voice, words and his delivery together, he would have made one damn good preacher.
Incredible man.
WOW! I haven’t seen that in a couple of years…….makes me feel warm, hopefull, and just reinforces my total belief in him…….and his goodness & determination to fix this country and leave it better for everyone…………..
Hee hee. This was after Hillary had showed out and was constantly on the attack. Prez looked a bit irked. Love him.
I agree, that definitely was a Hillary smack-down. But it doesn’t matter who that was aimed at, his message was universal, it was the truth. I’ve always liked the saying, “Imagination is more important than knowledge”, for the same reason. Without the spark of inspiration change/discovery is not possible. Hope both moves us and fortifies us.
He has that unique ability to express himself in a manner that is a cut above most public servants. JFK is another example and MLK touched me in a different heartfelt way.
Just powerful ;o)
WOW! WOW!….I’m speechless.
What a wonderful idea to post this speech today, Chipsticks. Thanks !
Hiya Lovepolitics2008, I can’t take credit for it at all – stylishgurl VERY kindly sent me a link to the video and asked me to post it. I actually had completely forgotten this speech, so it was a joy to hear it again – so THANK YOU stylishgurl! What might be a good idea is if I set up a category for all the President’s greatest speeches so they’re easy for us all to find – leave it with me 😉
No thanks necessary, you do alot more than that! thank you for posting it.
I came across it while watching the other youtube flashbacks….I hadnt seen this video before, I was so excited and wanted everyone else to see it too incase they missed it like me in 2008 😀
does anyone know where i can find a transcript of this speech
please check with the C-SPAN archive of the campaign since it usually stores both the video and transcript. a clue about the date is was given or the location would help you narrow your search
thanks will try that
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Part of an article in the Buffalo News, NY, January 20, 2009, Edition: Central, Section: Lifestyles, Pg: C1, author: Paula Voell, News Staff Reporter, titled “TEACHER RECALLS OBAMA WAS A FOCUSED STUDENT.” Teacher: Barbara Nelson of Kenmore (NY): Copied from the article: As a high school teacher of British, Biblical and Middle Eastern literature, Nelson taught Obama. “He wasn’t usually the first one to speak, but he was an attentive, active listener,” she said. “While the others might be bouncing off the surface, he came straight from the center. He picked up on the patterns of ideas and then he’d make a statement that moved the class to the focal point. “He also had a lovely, engaging sense of humor,” Nelson said. “He was firm, but he wasn’t aggressive or in your face.”
During one class the question was posed “of what should we be most afraid.” Drawing answers that included “death,” “hell,” “biological warfare,” “fear” and “isolation,” said Nelson. “I recall Barack sitting in the back of the room,” Nelson said, demonstrating a hands-behind-his-head pose and describing his lanky, outstretched legs. “When he pulled himself upright I thought “Bingo, here we go,” she said, expecting the discussion to move to a new level.
“And he said, ‘Words. Words are the power to be feared most. Every individual has an unmonitored arsenal and whether they are directed personally or internationally, words can be weapons of destruction.’
Wow! “Words”… how profound! He still has that “hands-behind-his-head pose” 🙂
From my twitter timeline:
RT @habibh: I hope Mubarak makes it to cake cutting! Wedding in Tahrir square gets 1 Million attendees http://yfrog.com/h2wybbj #Egypt #Jan25
I wonder how many books will be written about this man. I own ten and they are a part of my Barack Obama shelf on our bookcases. There are many other books that I have not read.
Is it just me, or do you think that the number of books written about him this early on is unusual?
Dorothy, I think it’s quite unusual to have the vast number of “credible” books written about him at this stage of his presidency–that’s not including the plethoria of anti-Obama crap that’s out there that won’t cut the mustard and won’t be a part of any significant literary holdings that will have a place in history (thank God). However, of all the books written about President Obama so far, the two he has written himself, especially “Dreams From My Father,” far exceed the caliber of books written by his contemporaries in terms of insight into Obama, the man.
I pray that I’ll have a chance in the future (hopefully after 2016 after he has served a second presidential term) to read his presidential memories that chronicle his experiences in the White House. I’m sure they will be fascinating to read.
This man is surely a great man. i’ve just been checking his facebook page and he’s got over 18 million fans. i don’t think any politician in history has had such fans before.