“For a politician whose rise to prominence was largely built upon his powers as an orator, Obama is well versed in the arts of speech-making. But today’s effort will tower over all previous ones.”

I don’t think it did. Although it was’nt bad. But perhaps he should stick to writing them himself if he can find the time.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/20/barack-obama-inauguration-us-speech

He can actually do better than this speech, in comparison its wooden.

He has already given flesh to parts of the speech in the last few days. I think the speech is very him.

Perhaps the world needs a group hug now and then. As an analogy – I remember with fondness the early rave parties I attended.

But yes, if I saw a photo of back then I’d probably be embarrassed.

Will he disappoint? Of course on many points he will. The hopes are just set to high. On balance I hope he will achieve a lot though.

As to your quoting his speech, like most US presidents he didn’t write it, he just read it.

He’s not a horrible person, but he is not a god. Our Ralph Waldo Emerson put it best, “Every hero becomes a bore at last.”

As I read all the blogs like yours, I feel like I’m in an international group hug. It ain’t pretty.