Reagan on oration
Here’s one of the many differences between Obama and Reagan, both considered effective orators. In Reagans’ farewell speech he said:
And in all of that time I won a nickname, “The Great Communicator.” But I never thought it was my style or the words I used that made a difference: It was the content. I wasn’t a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn’t spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation – from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in the principles that have guided us for two centuries.
That’s true humility, as opposed to fake.
I don’t remember his ever saying “I won.” either. That’s quintessential Obama – I, me, my, etc.
Also, I wonder, and don’t know the answer, did Reagan spend a lot of time trashing and blaming President Carter for the mess he inherited – including the hostage crisis on Day 1 Hour 1 of his presidency? As I said, I don’t know the answer, but I have pretty strong suspicions about it.
I miss grownups like Ronald Reagan. Heck i miss even the not so famous grownups.
I hope to be similarly inspired by Obama’s farewell speech.
I can hardly wait to hear it, in fact… The sooner I get to hear it, the happier I’ll be.
In Reagan’s farewell address at the 1988 convention: “But I want you to know that if the fires ever dim, I’ll leave my phone number and address behind just in case you need a foot soldier. Just let me know, I’ll be there – as long as words don’t leave me and as long as this sweet country strives to be special during its shining moment on earth.”
http://www.reagansheritage.org/reagan/html/reagan_rnc_88.shtml
scroll to the bottom.
“kcom Says:
October 1st, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I don’t remember his ever saying “I won.” either. That’s quintessential Obama – I, me, my, etc.”
Yeah, once while reading someone the riot act, he said “luckily the people elected me”… to someone who worked for him but was not going the way he told them… but even there, he fit in the public over himself…
“I know all the bad things that happened in that war. I was in uniform four years myself.”
(as an actor)
–President Reagan, in April 19, 1985.
That’s true humility.