I just watched Obama speaking live in Jacksonville. He brought tears to my eyes. It was one of the best speeches I've ever seen. He pulled out all the stops in a way I haven't seen before. There is a school of rhetoric developed by Southern US Baptist Ministers. Martin Luther King was its most famous master, but far from its only expert practitioner. Today, Obama used these techniques in Jacksonville to stunning effect. I really want him to win.
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Just watched McCain speaking in Virginia. By far the best speech I've ever seen from him. He started slow and wobbly, but gathered strength and finished on a triumphal flourish. Very impressive, but not in Obama's league. With Obama, I know he's not telling the truth about lowering taxes. With the current US deficits, taxes are going to go WAY up no matter who gets elected. But Obama's lack of truth on this issue doesn't bother me. I feel like he can't afford to be honest or he'll get squewered by the Republicans. They are already hammering him as a socialist. When McCain says he's going to lower taxes, lower energy prices and raise home prices, it sounds like he's out of touch or intentionally lying.
Anyway, its an interesting day to watch CNN. The four candidates are speaking multiple times live today. A political junkie's heaven.
