Something extraordinary beyond the "improbable" candidacy of Senator Barack Obama has happened this election cycle. The Democratic frontrunner has delivered not one, not two, not three, but FOUR remarkable speeches. In fact, remarkable may be an understatement. Phenomenal might be a more accurate characterization. Everyone knows of the Senator's powerful oratory skills, but to deliver four great speeches in one year is truly impressive. Additionally, each speech has come at critical moments in the campaign. I give links and some context to them below.
This speech was delivered at the Iowa State Democratic Jefferson Jackson dinner on November 10, 2007 - just a couple of months before the Iowa Caucuses, where Obama earned his first victory. What's impressive in this speech is that he resisted the temptation to, like his opponent, Senator Clinton, vilify Republicans. He took his message of transcending party differences to the state's most active Democrats and he struck a chord: here
This speech was (oddly enough) Senator Obama's concession speech after his second place finish in the New Hampshire primaries on January 8, 2008. It has been dubbed the "Yes We Can" speech and is absolutely marvelous. He connects the themes of his campaign in a dynamic way to the story of America: here
And of course, it inspired this music video of support produced by will.i.am, which is perhaps the most unique and revolutionary phenomenon of this year's election cycle: here
Senator Obama delivered this speech on February 5, 2008 in Chicago after a strong showing on Super Tuesday. This night was important because many, most importantly those running Senator Clinton's campaign, had previously predicted that February 5th would be the end of the Primary, but what it marked was the beginning of Obama's incredible run (where he built his insurmountable lead) through the rest of February. One of the best rhetorical phrases uttered in this election cycle he delivered here: "We are the ones we've been waiting for." The phrase and the speech echoed a major theme of his campaign, that his candidacy is a movement of the people - something that is bigger than himself: here
Again will.i.am produced a song inspired by the speech: here
Finally, on March 18, 2008, during one of the darkest and most challenging hours of his campaign, Reverend Wright Part I, Senator Barack Obama delivered perhaps the most important speech on race given in the last 40 years. Many said that he did not go far enough in denouncing Wright, but none suggests that he did not give the history of race in this country and its enduring legacy honest, open and forthright treatment. This may be the best and most important one of the campaign for its historical significance. Titled appropriately, "A More Perfect Union": here
