Before reading any further, please watch 30 seconds of this video. It will get you in the mood for what you are about to read.
Obama’s speech was straight out of that classic hit, “We are the World”. Read some of the lyrics below:
There comes a time
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on
Pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God's great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me
There you have it folks! Obama could have read the lyrics to that song in Berlin!
Obama mentioned the word “World” 30 times in his 30 minute speech. That’s once a minute in case you’re not a math major. I was waiting for Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Ritchie and Bono to come out on stage with him after and sing!
Look, all kidding side this was a golden moment for the Obama campaign. Are you going to tell me that the McCain camp wouldn’t love an overflow adoring crowd in the tens of thousands chanting his name? Of course they would love it so no matter how you slice it this speech was a big winner for the Obama campaign. The photo-op was priceless.
As for the content, I mean what sane person doesn’t want an end to genocide in Darfur or a cleaner environment or discrimination to end? John McCain wants all that too. The difference here is that Obama has tapped into something. It’s not easy to explain but he has been able to forge an emotional connection with people that we haven’t see for a very long time and you know what? Yes you have to be strong on the issues but ultimately people like voting for someone they like. I call it the “earthy crunchy granola” feeling. You know what I’m talking about right? It’s where people believe the change rhetoric and feel like Obama is the one who can bring it about. He talks of hope, change and listening and talking to those perceived as our enemies. Remember the song “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love”? Bingo! Americans and those around the World are eating that up. Hey folks, it is what it is. And the McCain camp is pulling out its hair…or what’s left of it.