Drenched In Lincoln: Obama’s Victory Speech

November 4, 2008 by John H. Taylor | Filed Under Barack Obama, Culture 

11 p.m. in Chicago: Staging is an anti-Denver statement — just a Sandy Quinn row of American flags and a clunky podium. Smart move. And that gorgeous family.

“…Arc of history, and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day”: Quoting MLK. Both President-elect Obama and Sen. McCain lead with race.

Reciprocal tribute to McCain: “We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader”: In the almost friendly remarks of both these leaders, dare we dream of a true meeting in the great middle ground of American politics?

Checkers moment: Sasha and Malia getting a puppy.

It’s a gracious candidate who so fulsomely thanks his staff: “You made this happen…”

Lincoln quote: A self-consciously American speech.

“Worst financial crisis in a century?” Not quite.

He’s lowering expectations — “there will be setbacks and false starts”; everything not done in first term; “government can’t solve every problem.”

“So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to work harder and pitch in and look after not only ourselves but others.” Ronald Reagan couldn’t have said it better.

Talking now about Republican values; and an “humility and determination to heal the divides.”

Lincoln again: “We are not enemies, but friends…” David Eisenhower, aficionado of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural, will be eating this up.

“A new dawn of American leadership is at hand.”

Ann Nixon Cooper?

Mixing “yes we can” with longer, sonorous phrases; Bill Safire will be eating this up.

His best speech; a great American speech; a Republican-quoting speech; a hopeful and healing and uniting speech. He said, “Our union can be perfected.” Indeed — but at the center, sir, not on the left.

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