Start questioning the theory

There’s a common saying about a failed socio-economic model that goes something like, “it’s great in theory…”

Really? If it’s such a great theory, why does it always result in such disastrous consequences?

Isn’t the very basis for determining the value of any given theory its ability to prove valid in actual practice? Otherwise, any crack-pot theory can be considered great, even when shown incorrect in an infinite number of tests.

And so I’ve also come to question the theory that President Obama is a brilliant orator. I’ve heard it a number of times from dozens of people, on both sides of the aisle, but the evidence is beginning to pile up against this claim.

The theory began shortly after the 2004 DNC speech, in which Obama negated VP Nominee John Edwards’ “two Americas” rhetoric, saying there is only one America — not two Americas divided by wealth or race or ideology. It was a great line in a great speech and a great moment for our country. It came at a time when members of his party were blaming President Bush and the Republicans for every conceivable problem, including global environmental issues and even the 9/11 attacks. Obama’s speech was memorable because its tone was such a stark contrast to the rest of the Left’s venomous, divisive rhetoric, from Kerry and Edwards to Al Gore, Al Franken and Michael Moore.

Since that time, Obama has continued to flirt with bi-partisan, conciliatory messages, giving occasional lip service to conservative ideas and concerns, naming Republican statesmen he admires and rhetorically distancing himself from his allies on the extreme Left. He has done this to various degrees in a handful of his major speeches, perhaps most notably on election night, when he praised the Republican party, its founders, and its core values and promised, “I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.”

In practice, however, Obama has charted a wildly Left-leaning course, being one of only a handful to oppose both of President Bush’s Supreme Court nominees, championing as President some of the most audaciously statist policies this country has seen in decades, and surrounding himself with the country’s most radical activists, from 9/11 Truthers and animal rights extremists to population control advocates and brazen opponents of free speech.

If one of the hallmarks of a brilliant orator is the ability to communicate one’s true beliefs, then, Obama’s claim to the title is in serious jeopardy.

But it’s more than just Obama’s blatant insincerity, exposed by off-the-cuff comments such as “I won,” “acted stupidly,” and “don’t do a lot of talking.” It’s also the marked lack of any memorable statements, words that ring true and are repeated. The Obama campaign had some, of course: Hope, Change, Yes We Can, and “We are the change we’ve been waiting for,” among them. Not all of these chants were original to Obama, however.

But what lines and phrases from Obama’s speeches have actually stuck around and become a part of the national dialogue? Sure, there was the time Obama went overseas to deliver his “citizen of the world” address, in which he promised his Presidency would be identified as the moment the ocean tides would recede and “our planet began to heal.” He also said the Berlin Wall’s destruction represented the defeat of divisiveness, rather than communism. Were these the lines we were supposed to remember and repeat?

Obama also gave major speeches at the Democratic national convention and at the Inauguration. I have heard that each of these were the greatest speeches ever given in the history of mankind. But what remains of these? What are the words that linger? Are there any?

And what of Obama’s two addresses to joint sessions of Congress?

After the first, all the political pundits in media wanted to talk about was Bobby Jindal’s response.

And earlier this week? “You lie,” might as well have been the only words spoken all night, and they weren’t even uttered by Obama.

If we’re to judge Obama’s effectiveness by media play alone, we must conclude that he delivered both addresses in vain.

Is Barack Obama better at giving prepared speeches than George W. Bush was? At the surface level, absolutely — putting aside his over-dependence on the teleprompter, of course. But you must admit the bar was set rather low.

Obama is certainly capable of so much more than he’s delivered thus far. Until he’s willing to actually follow through with all his talk about unity, the speeches he delivers will remain “just words.” Until he’s ready to lead the nation through its hours of peril and speak on behalf of all of us, and not just his party, he will never live up to the hype.

It’s much too early to make a final judgment, but for now it appears the Left’s communicator has lost his alleged greatness.