Obama's Speech a 'Home Run'

As daughter Malia puts it, 'better be good'

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama has a reputation as a great orator, so most are expecting a soaring and eloquent inaugural address today. But Obama’s speech can’t just be pretty, writes Tom Brune in Newsday. “He has work to do.” Obama must:

• Define the moment: Specifically, define it as the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
• Give hope (but not too much): Obama must restore confidence in the economy, but without raising unrealistic expectations.

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama’s first speech as president was not “a joyous audacious document, not a call to arms,” writes Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal, “but a reasoned statement by a Young Sobersides.” That’s not a criticism: Moderate and moderated, Obama’s address said exactly what it needed to. It was not “especially moving or rousing,” but “it was worthy, had weight, and was adult.” More»

New president's speech emphasized how a bright future comes from old traditions

(NEWSER) - A conservative might have expected President Obama’s inaugural address to feature soaring language masking hackneyed ideas. Funny thing, writes Michael Gerson in the Washington Post: It was just the opposite. "It is simply mysterious how such tired language could sound appropriate to the ear of Obama the writer,” but the speech’s substance “shows deep understanding of America, which remains moral to its core.” More»

Inaugural address praised as masterful use of language

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama's inaugural address showed a literary mastery of language, assorted authors tell the Los Angeles Times. The president's plain speaking and restraint is commended, along with his use of "we" instead of "I." Author Ted Wilmer hails the president's use of "tight language, short sentences and strong images," and his evocative references to past presidents and other historical figures. More»

Inaugural address may hint at a more respectful administration

(NEWSER) - All presidents swear to uphold the Constitution when they take the oath of office, but John Nichols is pleased that Obama went further than that in his inaugural address today, he writes for the Nation. Invoking Ben Franklin, Obama rejected “as false the choice between our safety and ideals,” adding that generations of Americans have shed blood to protect "the rule of law and the rights of man." Those ideals won't be sacrificed "for expediency," he vowed, setting a tone of Constitutional respect that has been sorely missing for the last 8 years. More»