Obama's speech at Fort Hood
Was the president's eulogy for Fort Hood's victims his "best speech ever"—or just more speechifying?
Barack Obama speaks at Fort Hood near the helmet and weapon of a murdered soldier.
(Reuters/Corbis/Kevin Lamarque)
President Obama was put to the test in his first major speech as "healer-in-chief" after the Fort Hood tragedy. While eulogizing Maj. Nidal Hasan's victims, Obama had to soothe bereft families, navigate the thorny issues of Islam and terrorism, and reaffirm the American spirit, all without sounding trite. For some, he also needed to erase the memory of his first, much-criticized public remarks on the massacre. (Watch Obama's speech at Fort Hood.) While some commentators are calling the eulogy his "best speech ever," others don't agree.
Typical Obama—not real, but dignified: Obama gave a "fine eulogy," almost making up for the "weird 'shout-out'" in his first Fort Hood comments, says David Frum in New Majority. But which is the real Obama—"that ghastly shout-out, or this solemn remembrance? How does one begin even to guess?" Unlike George W. Bush who couldn’t "fake anything," Obama is "a man of artifice," even if his "dignity rarely, if ever, fails."
"Obama at Fort Hood"
It's a speech for the history books: "I guarantee: they’ll be teaching this one in rhetoric classes," says Marc Ambinder in The Atlantic. "It was that good...yes, I’m having a 'Chris Matthews chill running up my leg' moment." Obama’s "elegiac address" was a rare occasion when the right man found the right words for a demanding moment.
"The best speech Obama’s given since...maybe ever"
Impressive rhetoric—now let's see some action: Words are "nice," but it’s deeds that matter, says Boston Herald editor Jules Crittenden in his blog. "If Obama believes everything he said about the sacrifice of soldiers…perhaps he will stop trying to second-guess his field commander by increments...and give [Gen. McChrystal] what he needs to do the job in Afghanistan."
"Great words, great deeds"
Excessive media analysis has clouded the speech's value: "Lincoln was lucky," says David Von Drehle in Time. His Gettysburg address wasn’t televised. Obama’s Fort Hood eulogy was "larded in so much [media] analysis, before and after," that no one could connect with his words in any "genuine, visceral way," except perhaps the 15,000 people at Fort Hood — the only listeners "free to react without coaching."
"Obama’s Fort Hood speech: Lost in translation"
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FOR MORE ON OBAMA'S ACCLAIMED SPEAKING SKILLS, SEE:
• Top 5 Obama "best speech ever" speeches
SEE THE WEEK'S LATEST COVERAGE OF FORT HOOD:
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• Fort Hood: What the world is saying
• Red flags at Fort Hood
• Sunday Talk Show Briefing: Religion's role in Fort Hood (Video)
• Fort Hood: Obama's "flippant" speech
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214 Comments
Posted by bon, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 1:04 pm I agree with Drehle's take.
Posted by mark, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 1:25 pm Words without feeling are words without meaning. The speech was meaningless.
Posted by doreen, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 1:35 pm it was meaningless. i see absolutely no reason for him to be on tv every minute of the day. i still wonder how he won the election.there isn't any shine in his eyes.. i do not believe a word he says.
Posted by MJ, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 1:41 pm He read what someone wrote for him . He said what would make the American people look at him and forget all the lies he's telling!
Posted by Jose Lopez, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 1:43 pm I loved his speech... very genuine.
Posted by robera, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 1:44 pm The most powerful and very well delivered.
Posted by jim ware, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 1:47 pm if his lips are moving. he is lying. He is far worse liar than Bill Clinton and much less likeable.His Muslim roots are showing. Obama what about tjobs real permanent private jobs. The economy will over take you.Heonly reads what is written for hiom, he is incapable of speaking for himself.
Posted by Lisa, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 1:52 pm I don't understand how he got elected. I can't believe our country trust and believes in him? He's the wolf in sheep's clothing. You can't put Muslims in charge of our future or our country! They don't believe the way we do nor were they brought up like us!! IN GOD WE TRUST!! AND WE COULD PRAY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, OFFICES, EVENTS!! Our founding fathers are rolling in their graves wondering WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? The sad part is we now have to live like they do shootings, BOMBS SUICIDE BOMBERS!! Fort Hood is just the beginning!
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