I am not one to tear down Democrats just when we need them the most. But in this last week I heard two Democrats give the kind of blazing speeches I long for and have not heard for the better part of this never ending mid term election.
I know, I know--- that whole messaging thing Dems are famous for dissing Dems for. But y’know, it’s not just about the messaging, which I actually think the Democrats are doing a decent job of this election. But “decent” is not good enough anymore. We need fiery passion born of facts, intelligence, hope and belief. We need barn burner speeches, the kind our competition are giving on the other side of the aisle more often than we are.
We cannot wallow around in well thought out policy and logic. No. We have to appeal to the visceral, and I don’t think we’ve done that anywhere near as well as I would wish for. That thing that just makes you stand up and cheer. I have seen precious little of that.
And maybe, it’s always reserved for the last minute? Maybe our election cycles are so darn long that we would all tire of the passion I’m going to underline below. And yet, and yet. Somehow, even though I can’t think of one republican who I think is a great orator, I can think of many WHO GO THERE. And when I say that, I mean they will say whatever they need to say. They will make up things and lie through their teeth and not be put asunder. Is that passion? I dunno. But the media sure loves it, and we seem to be eternally loping behind the latest GOP testimony. Perhaps just because what they say is so shocking we can’t stop talking about it---and it’s working for them. I see it everyday on this site where conservatively, 75% of the content is to REPEAT the words of the very people we abhor. To let THEM lead the conversation.
Do I want to be like them? NO, SIR. But I want to challenge them with the passion for truth and righteousness that will give them a run for their money---and I do mean their money---and their lies, and their politics of grievance, racism, misogyny and classism. Yeah, classism. Now there’s a term almost retired these days, but one that deserves a re-birth in terms of relevancy.
Here are the two guys who I think did it. Who I think really went there in the best of ways. Who used their opponent’s weaknesses to make you want to rise up. And I wish there was more of this. One of them is well known to y’all so he goes second. The one who I think many of you might not know about is Jamal Bryant, who gave this amazing speech.
I really sure hope y’all took time to watch this, because IT IS SOMETHING!!!! Hearing this was like honey to a soul who has looked for some sweetness of justice and righteousness for so freaking LONG!
The second guy who did it, was Barack Obama. And no matter what you think of him, or what arguments you had with him, he is imo, probably the most glorious orator we’ve got going for us. And NOT just because he’s well spoken, but BECAUSE he knows where to go to hit your heart and soul.
Again, the latter won’t be much news to most of you. But the former, Pastor Jamal Bryant, just might be. What a thing to behold!!!!!!
I guess it’s getting pretty late in the game, and yet, things are far closer than they ought to be in a country that still values decency. And maybe that’s because WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT VALUES DECENCY. Or at least, half of us don’t.
And I wonder when more than a few of our Democratic leaders are going to stand up and give the kind of speech these two men did. No matter what happens in the mid terms, I’m pretty damn sure we’re going to need A LOT MORE OF THIS.