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Obama's Speech Resonates, But Also Raises Questions

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 30, 2008

Barack Obama is such a dynamic orator that you could almost overlook the boilerplate liberal tenets in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night: Increase taxes on corporations, but spare the middle class; use government to lift the poor and increase the minimum wage; help families pay for college and make it easier for unions to sign up workers.

Obama knew he needed to get specific and address exactly how he would change America. And in a rousing speech before 84,000 supporters in Denver's football stadium, the Illinois senator met the challenge: He wants to end the war in Iraq and focus on the terrorists in Afghanistan, eliminate the nation's dependence on foreign oil, stop tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas, rebuild the nation's cities and infrastructure, and cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans.

But while Obama's vision became more clear, how he would accomplish his goals remains sketchy.

It's hard to imagine that Obama could accomplish his ambitious agenda and cut taxes for the middle class. And were he to rescind President Bush's tax cuts, he would be raising taxes on businesses, which will affect their revenues, hiring practices and ability to be competitive in the global marketplace.

That's why business owners are nervous about this Democratic headwind. They fear Obama will bend to expensive and inflexible union demands, create onerous regulations and hurt their competitiveness.

Still, while the speech raised questions about his policies, it should dispel some of the attacks on Obama as a man. Attack ads have painted Obama as more a celebrity than a leader, a self-possessed elitist who is not "one of us." Some have questioned his patriotism.

The poignant video of his life showed Obama the man, who was raised by a single mother and devoted grandparents who shared American middle-class values.

A high point came when he listed the people who had inspired him in life, including his grandmother and unemployed factory workers. "I don't know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but this has been mine. These are my heroes. Theirs are the stories that shaped me. And it is on their behalf that I intend to win this election."

The first black ever to be nominated for president, Obama didn't dwell on race even when noting the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. He clearly sought to convey he was running as an American, not as a minority.

Obama tried to combine confidence and humility throughout the night and emphasized that the change he hopes to bring to Washington will come not from him, but from a citizenry ready for a new kind of leadership.

And while Republicans - and some Democrats - have raised doubts about his toughness, Obama was plenty feisty, roughing up McCain's economic policies and challenging his judgment.

"Sen. McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than 90 percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a 10 percent chance on change."

Obama drew a distinction between criticizing policies and attacking a candidate's character. He praised McCain's military service and stressed that his opponent loves America, just as he does. It was a nice touch.

Throughout the convention, questions about the sincerity of the Clintons' support for Obama were a distraction. But both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton gave spirited endorsements. In Obama's speech, he praised Hillary as an inspiration and credited President Clinton with growing the economy.

Say what you will about Obama's policies, and there's much to be concerned about, he gave a commanding performance. His seriousness of purpose made it tougher for Republicans to dismiss him as an egotistical lightweight.

Still, a campaign that centers on specific issues, which would be welcomed by voters of both parties, will be an advantage for John McCain.

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