Critique of a Political Speech - Essay Example

On the 4th of November 2008, Senator Barack Obama spoke at the rally in Grant Park in his hometown, Chicago, Illinois, after winning the competition for the seat of the President of America. After his victory, the first black president of the United States gave a speech before an enthusiastic audience of 240,000. This speech was marked as one of the most awaited, watched, and reviewed political address in history. Obama’s voice echoed in the world, his slogan of change and his strong political campaign were praised.

He mentioned the fundamental issues faced by the United States and the rest of the world. He also mentioned about his late grandmother who died just two nights before this date. The speech referenced some of the influential leaders of the US history. Words and thoughts of John F.Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King were discussed. The voice of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” was revived. There were echoes in favor of democratic principle, Abraham Lincoln’s “a government of the people, by the people and for the people” were heard in President Obama’s manner.

The speech granted a deep sense of hope despite of adverse circumstances, an optimistic approach in hard times of tough goals. President Obama also directly quoted Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address in these words:” As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection." Indeed, history was made on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. The impact of the elections result and the speech was tremendous; the sense of joy was carved on the faces of millions listening to the speech.

Long term impacts of the slogan “YES WE CAN” and Obama’s speech were written in journals and newspapers throughout the globe (Saldin). The performance of