An American story : the speeches of Barack Obama : a primer

Barack Obama’s superb and captivating oratory style has earned him comparisons to John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, and this collection of his complete speeches—presented for the first time in their entirety—exposes politicos, voters, and fans of Obama to the words that have catapulted his remarkable rise from underdog to future U.S. president. First capturing America’s attention with his keynote address to the Democratic National Convention in 2004, all of Obama’s key speeches are presented as he discusses themes of race, identity, community, and above all, his hoped-for vision of a new America. Interspersed throughout the collection, political columnist David Olive reveals lesser-known stories and facts about Obama, his career, and the campaign trail, while also exploring the controversies—from his shedding of his American flag lapel pin and the remarks made by Reverend Wright to his anti-war stance, his strong Christian faith, and his often racially charged remarks. This book is truly a primer for readers who want to examine the substance of his thought and reflect on the inspiring words of a gifted orator. Sacramento Book Review With truly inspirational speeches and the back story for all of them, [this]is a feel-good read . . . stays just as interesting as the actual campaign was or even more so. Barack Obama, junior senator from Illinois, first captured America's attention with his keynote address to the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Now, as presumptive Democratic candidate for President, Obama's superb and captivating oratory style has earned him comparisons to John F. Kennedy and even Martin Luther King – and on the campaign trail Obama has achieved near rock-star status. Obama speaks on themes of race, identity, community, and above all, his hoped-for vision of a New America. His legions of supporters gravitate towards his unblemished idealism. Still, as David Olive writes, “even the most ardent supporters of Barack Obama... might wonder at times if the mesmerizing orator is more style than substance.” Here, interspersed with the entire text of Obama's key speeches, Olive explores the controversies: Obama shedding his American flag lapel pin, Reverend Wright, his anti-war stance, his strong Christian faith, and his often racially charged remarks – and the victories: passage for more than 280 bills in his last two years in the Illinois state senate, his actions towards social justice, and his remarkable rise from underdog to potential future president of the United States. Bookended with Obama's'04 keynote at the Democratic National Convention and “A More Perfect Union” – called the only historic speech of this 2008 campaign – An American Story exposes politicos, voters, and fans of Obama to the speeches that gave rise to the current phenomenon. Barack Obama, junior senator from Illinois, first captured Americas attention with his keynote address to the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Now, as presumptive Democratic candidate for President, Obamas superb and captivating oratory style has earned him comparisons to John F. Kennedy and even Martin Luther King and on the campaign trail Obama has achieved near rock-star status. Obama speaks on themes of race, identity, community, and above all, his hoped-for vision of a New America. His legions of supporters gravitate towards his unblemished idealism. Still, as David Olive writes, even the most ardent supporters of Barack Obama ... might wonder at times if the mesmerizing orator is more style than substance. Here, interspersed with the entire text of Obamas key speeches, Olive explores the controversies: Obama shedding his American flag lapel pin, Reverend Wright, his anti-war stance, his strong Christian faith, and his often racially charged remarks and the victories: passage for more than 280 bills in his last two years in the Illinois state senate, his actions towards social justice, and his remarkable rise from underdog to potential future president of the United States. Bookended with Obamas 04 keynote at the Democratic National Convention and A More Perfect Union called the only historic speech of this 2008 campaign An American Story exposes politicos, voters, and fans of Obama to the speeches that gave rise to the current phenomenon. Copyright......Page 5 Table of Contents......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 14 Introduction......Page 16 The Politics of Hope and Reality......Page 24 Barack Obama on the Major Issues......Page 64 Michelle Obama: The Achiever......Page 88 A note on Barack Obama’s Oratorical Style and its Impact......Page 110 Iraq War......Page 114 National Unity......Page 120 Prosperity and Fairness......Page 130 Education Reform......Page 140 Literacy......Page 150 Veterans......Page 160 A Caring Society......Page 168 Global Warming......Page 176 Religion and Politics......Page 188 Stem Cell Research......Page 206 Compassion......Page 212 Resolving Iraq......Page 216 Health Care......Page 232 Terrorism......Page 240 The Golden Rule......Page 260 Political Reform......Page 268 Race in America......Page 276 Foreign Policy......Page 294 Economic Renewal......Page 310 Nobility of Public Service......Page 318 Patriotism......Page 328 Victory Speech......Page 340 Inaugural Address......Page 348 An Obama Primer......Page 358 Internet Resources......Page 386 Bibliography and Selected Reading......Page 388 The politics of hope and reality Barack Obama on the major issues Michelle Obama: the achiever A note on Barack Obama's oratorical style and its impact Speeches. Iraq War ; National unity ; Prosperity and fairness ; Education reform ; Literacy ; Veterans ; A caring society ; Global warming ; Religion and politics ; Stem cell research ; Compassion ; Resolving Iraq ; Health care ; Terrorism ; The golden rule ; Political reform ; Race in America ; Foreign policy ; Economic renewal ; Nobility of public service ; Patriotism An Obama primer Internet resources. "Bursting on the national scene at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, Barack Obama is favored to become the first African-American leader of a major industrialized country. And that might be the least interesting thing about this young, charismatic intellect, who seeks to restore America's reputation abroad, and the well-being of Americans at home."--BOOK JACKET Explores the victories and controversies of Obama's campaign through his mesmerizing speeches.