About a month ago, we talked about Barack Obama creating a presidential exploratory committee, and today, Obama made it official, giving a strong speech in front of what appeared to be thousands of very cold supporters in Springfield, Ill.
The Obama campaign’s website has the video, but it seems to be facing quite a bit of server strain right now. An NBC affiliate in Chicago has a similar clip posted, if you’re interested.
Obama’s campaign has, for quite a while, suggested that he’s not only bringing about political change, but more importantly, generational change. The point couldn’t have been more clear this morning — Obama used the word “generation,” by my count, 12 times in his announcement speech.
“Each and every time, a new generation has risen up and done what’s needed to be done. Today we are called once more – and it is time for our generation to answer that call….
“Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age…. And as our economy changes, let’s be the generation that ensures our nation’s workers are sharing in our prosperity…. Let’s be the generation that ends poverty in America…. Let’s be the generation that finally tackles our health care crisis…. Let’s be the generation that finally frees America from the tyranny of oil…. Let’s be the generation that makes future generations proud of what we did here. Most of all, let’s be the generation that never forgets what happened on that September day and confront the terrorists with everything we’ve got.”
Obama didn’t come right out and say he’s picking up JFK’s metaphorical torch from the baby-boomers, but he came close.
It also gave a big hint about how Obama will draw a distinction between himself and Hillary Clinton.
This was the part of the speech that’s likely to generate the most attention:
“I recognize there is a certain presumptuousness – a certain audacity – to this announcement. I know I haven’t spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I’ve been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change.
“The genius of our founders is that they designed a system of government that can be changed. And we should take heart, because we’ve changed this country before. In the face of tyranny, a band of patriots brought an Empire to its knees. In the face of secession, we unified a nation and set the captives free. In the face of Depression, we put people back to work and lifted millions out of poverty. We welcomed immigrants to our shores, we opened railroads to the west, we landed a man on the moon, and we heard a King’s call to let justice roll down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
My take on this is similar to what Greg Sargent wrote this morning:
Obama’s deliberately Kennedyesque references to generational transformation accomplish more than they appear to. They allow him to subtly raise doubts about Hillary and his other opponents — he’s reminding his audience that their generation of leadership has had its chance — while maintaining a lofty tone. This is an important goal, given his criticism of “petty politics” and his promise to be a uniter and a healer. The message is, They had their chance and failed; we deserve our chance and will succeed — delivered without mentioning the “they.”
All in all, aside from the weather, Obama couldn’t have asked for a better kick-off. Moreover, everything I said a month ago still holds true. Obama enters the race in the top tier, which now appears to be a triumvirate of John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, and Obama. Anyone who doubts whether the rookie senator can make a serious run for the nomination is underestimating a rare political talent who inspires supporters, can raise money with ease, can compete anywhere in the country, has a top-notch staff, picked up quite a few chits campaigning for other Dems throughout ’06, and enjoys rock-star appeal everywhere he goes.
And one last word about experience. Clearly, in his third year in the U.S. Senate, Obama enters the presidential race with the least federal experience among the leading Democrats. But I have a hunch this isn’t going to hold up as a credible knock on Obama’s candidacy, and here’s why:
Years in elected office:
* Obama: 10 years (7 state Senate, 3 U.S. Senate)
* Clinton: 8 7 years (8 7 U.S. Senate)
* Edwards: 6 years (6 U.S. Senate)
* Giuliani: 8 years (two, four-year mayoral terms)
* Romney: 4 years (one four-year gubernatorial term)
* McCain: 25 years (4 U.S. House, 21 U.S. Senate)
In this respect, Obama’s background doesn’t look that thin, does it?