George Gerber: Barack Obama and the Phillies: Eloquence, Grace and Hope

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by George Gerber
 
Last night, Barack Obama appeared on a nationally televised 30-minute campaign ad just prior to the start of the World Series. With equal parts of eloquence, grace, and hope, he hit the ball "out of the park." The Phillies then took the stage and, for the first time in 28 years, won baseball's golden crown in the city where our nation's Liberty Bell resides. It was clearly fitting that by chance of weather and game postponements, both events occurred on the same night one after the other. Baseball is America's national game and Barack Obama, by all signs, will soon be America's national gain. Both Senator Obama and the Philadelphia Phillies represent what is best about our country. They have become iconic symbols of hope, hard work, and unity in a country that has suffered from a lack of hope, declining jobs, and divisiveness for the past eight years.
 
While John McCain refers to the Obama ad as an "infomercial" and CNN shamelessly picks up the chant, the truth is Senator Obama's decision to run the ad was another example of his brilliance and his inventiveness. He dealt with specifics in the ad. He clearly outlined his proposals for fixing the country while conveying a clear sense of optimism. He looked presidential, spoke like a president and was mesmerizing in his presentation. This was no infomercial with a slick salesman shouting the information while showing an overacting assistant trying to mop the floor using old fashioned methods. As I have said before, McCain's attempts once again to classify Obama by attaching a label woven of hate, is the only thing the Republican has left. The fact is John McCain has run out of ideas and has lost his moral compass.
 
At the end of the taped portion of the speech, the camera cut live to Barack Obama in a packed Florida stadium. Without a delay or glitch of any kind, he closed the ad with a personal appeal; the timing was perfect. He spoke live with strength and self-assuredness. He spoke with principle, purpose, and conviction. An hour and a half later, the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series. They too acted with purpose, strength, and conviction. They acted as a team united and, like Obama, gave the credit to their fans.
 
All told, last night was filled with eloquence, grace, and hope sorely lacking for the past eight years. New feelings were stirred and for one brief shining moment it felt as if Camelot had reappeared on the American landscape.

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION