University of Montana grad to head up Obama campaign


This doesn't have anything to do with Griz sports but it's worth noting: Jim Messina, a 1993 University of Montana graduate, will be serving as chief of staff on Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Let me take this time to formally endorse Obama; move over Al Gore.

After the jump is an editorial I wrote for a class a few months back, citing one of the reasons I think he should be the next president.

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The economy, foreign policy, education, healthcare, national security, immigration. All are legitimate issues in the ongoing presidential primaries and the coming general election. There is one issue or ability that is equal to and encompasses all of these: oration and the public perception it creates. While CNN will never cut to their fancy touch-screen and pull up a pie chart of results for a poll titled "Americans who said eloquent speeches were the most important factor," a candidate's ability to convince this nation and the international community to believe in his or her policies should not be undercut.

If there were such a poll, it's likely that democratic candidate Barack Obama would lead by greater than 90 points. In a speech Tuesday night by republican candidate and likely nominee John McCain, he told Americans not to be deceived by Obama's "eloquent but empty call for change."

Obama's supporters are not deceived. They are convinced. Convinced that major change is a realistic goal. When millions of Americans buy into Obama's eloquent cries for hope and change, those speeches become more than 45 minutes of well-done oration. His words reverberate not only through the arenas, but through the tens of thousands of people inside and millions watching at home. Suddenly, people are ready and willing to give whatever policies he introduces an honest chance. Then, it is impossible to call these cries for change empty.

Sit for a moment and try to think of the greatest presidents this country has seen. One thinks about more than their names, their faces and the things they accomplished. You think about the things they said. You recall reading over Lincoln's famous Ghettysburg address. Images of John Kennedy telling Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you—but what you should do for your country" come to mind. The United States needs a president who has the same stirring affect on the population.

Right now, there is a relatively large group of Americans who not only believe that our current president is awful at his job, but also that he is incoherent and unintelligent. He's the most powerful person in the world and millions of people think he's an idiot. This isn't particularly comforting to Americans or the rest of the international community.

After an individual who many believe to be the least eloquent president in history, the United States needs to do a 180. We need a president who will make people stop and listen, even if it's not only because of what he's saying, but how he's saying it.

Barack Obama's graceful speeches should not be seen as mere icing on the cake or a campaign tool used to fool the unknowledgeable masses. They are a valuable asset to any great president.

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Comments (3) Read through and enter the discussion with the form at the end
- June 19, 2008 11:26 PM

YA. WE REALLY NEED THIS MARXIST ASSHOLE FOR PRESIDENT. WHEN YOU GROW UP AND GET A JOB AND RAISE A FAMILY YOU MIGHT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. I LIKE YOUR BASKETBALL BUT WHEN YOU START WITH THE POLITICS I HAVE NO TIME TIME FOR YOUR UNINFORMED OPINIONS.

Colin - June 20, 2008 8:12 AM

Comments like that are almost half the reason I cannot wait for him to be president.

Fred Conners - June 20, 2008 10:43 AM

I am not in support of Obama, however i feel like this is colins blog and he can write what he wants man. so you know mr anonymous, your the one that sounds unintelligent and uninformed. If you had a case you would not stoop to using name calling.

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