I don’t know the technology behind MSNBC’s Audience Reaction-O-Meter. You know – that running line chart that shows the positive or negative reaction of an audience to a speech. Tonight the “React-O-Meter” showed the real time (Is it really? OK.) response of Obama voters and McCain voters to Obama’s first Congressional address. Again, I don’t know how it works, but tonight, the blue line and the red line converged solidly in the positive, and overlapped like worms wrestling each other to the surface. People agreeing? G’wannnn.
Maybe it was the guest list: Hope arrived on time like any good regular guest. Then determination and pride burst through the door, threw back their Scotch, laughed loudly, clapped everyone on the back, and sat down for a long dinner.
See, while reminding us that we need to focus on “Energy, Healthcare, and Education," and leading the cheer to “Rebuild, Recover and Emerge Stronger” (Gimme an R! R! E! S!) Obama added this call-to-pride thing.
The message was: “Time to get busy. No more pessimism. No more cynicism. Time to get up. Time to keep up. Oh, and get your ass back in the class room. No more slacking off with the pot and the video games. How old are you anyway? Can you graduate? Can you give me another year of school after that? This ain’t no rodeo, son. Tonight, I said that we are going to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. So, crack a book and show some pride. You need to help save our healthcare system. And find us a new source of energy. Ready? Go.”
And, then there were other guests, like that banker who gave his $60 million bonus to his co-workers, past and present. Oh! And, that 8th grader, Ty'Sheoma Bethea, sitting next to Michelle Obama who is stuck in an under-performing school where the adults admit that all is pretty much crap. She wrote Congress asking for help. She wrote Congress asking for help, because she and her peers want to succeed. She wrote Congress, and borrowed money from her Principal for the stamp so she could tell congress, “We’re not quitters.” The Obama/McCain voter reaction worms crawled off the screen, and broke the surface into the sunshine.
Of course, I’m a sucker, so I cried.
Go Team.
Oh, and Governor Jindal? Happy Mardi Gras to you too.
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14 comments:
CoyoteFe, you KNOW I loved it! BHO is the FDR of our time! And just when we need him... Truly...
I just wish his folks had named him something that began with an "R" instead of an "H" for a middle name...
For he IS righteous, and he was righteous toNIGHT! HA!
TRXTER! I have missed you! Are you feeling better? I hope-hope-determinedly so! (Can you tell I am in a very good mood?).
I thought Obama's speech was such a call to arms. And, I felt proud. There! I said it. As for his middle name. His is Hussain; mine is Anne. Yea!
Heal On, Wiley Coyote!
I'd like to play poker with you.
Bring the deed to the ranch.
sj
It is amazing the feelings that rise up when Obama speaks. This speech was a call to arms, a call to right the wrongs, and a call to stop complaining and start doing something. I'm feeling ... hopeful, energized and inspired. We CAN do this!
Now tell me how you really feel! Ha!
I have to read his speech on the internet because I kept dozing off last night! Argh!! Yeah, this little grasshopper was not feeling well and even the Big O couldn't keep me awake.
But I did see some parts. Inspiring, uplifting, honest, no-nonsense, no more handouts... yessir, hallelujah, I saw that! Can I get an Amen?
His approval rating after the speech went up to 80%. 80%! And he is so full of good energy that he just brings a whole different mood to the House/Congress/White House. This man believes. And this man wants YOU to believe. This man has hope. And this man wants YOU to hope. And this man works hard and is educated. And this man wants YOU to work hard and get yourself educated.
Can I get an Amen?
Can I get an AMEN?
My 29 year-old daughter I think has a crush on him - as does every other woman I talk to. Intelligence is just the greatest aphrodisiac, isn't it?
SJ -
Do I look the COMPLETE fool? You'd SLAUGHTER me in poker! And, Monopoly. And, Pinochle. And ...
Pat! Really, really like call to arms that actually call us to do something meaningful. Kinda feels like we really are expected to come together and work toward something of consequence. Nice!
Rebecca-san -
I hope you are feeling better too!
And, let me give you an "AMEN!" Make it an even dozen so you can pass on a few. I am perfectly willing to hope and believe (natural state) as long as we - not he, WE - keep moving forward into the light.
Amen < --- baker's dozen
I'd have a crush too if he weren't so skinny and so very married - ha!
Fe another fine post. I cried also. I was sitting in Union Station in Winnipeg on a layover when Obama's great speech was on and when it ended the station broke out in applause, employees and travellers. He inspires us all, now we have to get off our duffs and help!
Smiles and thanks for sharing.
Halllooo Carolyn!
Hope you trip is going well! Glad ato hear that we are so energized! ANd, you are right: It is us who have to do the work, and it as everyday thing. Talk about breaking through the ice!
It was an inspiring speech and those guests were inspiring examples.
And as to your reflections on the evening--INSPIRING!
Thank you for allowing me to re-experience it all through your eyes and mind and tears.
Though I usually follow politics avidly, I've been out in the southern Utah canyons for a week with no TV/radio/computer, so it was interesting to read your take on the address and audience reaction. I've never known what to think about that ridiculous react-o-meter thingie. But I'm glad people seem to be supporting Obama. He has such a big mess to clean up, I think most folks (Rush Limbaugh excepted) really, really wish him well, if only because it's in their own best interest. Anyway, it's clear I need to look up the speech on the internet and catch up on my NY Times reading.
San!
Thank you! How have you been?
Janie!
Hope the canyons were wonderful! I would not want to put all my faith in, or make decisions based on that technology, but I hope the level of support is close to reality as Obama needs all the help he can get.
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