President Obama took full grasp of his opportunity on Monday to speak directly to the majority of Americans who voted him into office for a second term. He was passionate and direct throughout most of his address, and was clearly taking the opportunity to highlight some of the more divisive points of his liberal agenda for the next four years. Specifically, Obama touched on gay rights, immigration and climate change as areas where he felt that America needed to move forward in unison.
The President also took some time during his speech to use a tactic often employed by the Right - he aligned his vision with that of the Founding Fathers. Long a favorite play of Conservatives, tying a current set of political ideals to those of men like Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams always seems to strike a chord with some Americans. "That is our generation's task – to make these words, these rights, these values – of life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – real for every American. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life; it does not mean we will all define liberty in exactly the same way, or follow the same precise path to happiness," Obama said.
That tactic was an interesting play from the President - and perhaps one that is quite brilliant. The Right has long laid claim to the fact that its values are more aligned with those of the Founding Fathers. But if the President is able to unwind that perception in the minds of the American people - and he'll certainly get some help from the media on this one - then he may have only increased his political leverage for his second term.
And while speeches and feel-good moments are fine for now, the President and Congress face months and years of very difficult decisions - most of which they will try desperately to avoid actually making. It's likely going to get far worse in Washington before it gets better, but yesterday was a day for the President to bask in the victory and the vision that he has created.
The President also took some time during his speech to use a tactic often employed by the Right - he aligned his vision with that of the Founding Fathers. Long a favorite play of Conservatives, tying a current set of political ideals to those of men like Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams always seems to strike a chord with some Americans. "That is our generation's task – to make these words, these rights, these values – of life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – real for every American. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life; it does not mean we will all define liberty in exactly the same way, or follow the same precise path to happiness," Obama said.
That tactic was an interesting play from the President - and perhaps one that is quite brilliant. The Right has long laid claim to the fact that its values are more aligned with those of the Founding Fathers. But if the President is able to unwind that perception in the minds of the American people - and he'll certainly get some help from the media on this one - then he may have only increased his political leverage for his second term.
And while speeches and feel-good moments are fine for now, the President and Congress face months and years of very difficult decisions - most of which they will try desperately to avoid actually making. It's likely going to get far worse in Washington before it gets better, but yesterday was a day for the President to bask in the victory and the vision that he has created.