By Jean Lavin

America has heard its share of stirring inaugural speeches – and its share of unmemorable, uninspired rhetoric as well. Certainly the bar is always set high for any presidential inaugural address, but expectations were lofty for President Barack Obama’s inaugural address. Here was a man who rode into office in great part on the back of his stellar public speaking skills. The country and the world expected nothing but soaring oratory.

As other presidents had before him – Lincoln and FDR, for example - President Obama had a great challenge: in the midst of crisis, how to strike the right tone? The speech needed to inspire, while acknowledging the challenges at hand and instilling hope in the future. Quite simply, it needed balance to reflect the times.

While it might not have been a transcendent speech, it was excellent, hit all the right notes and inspired the crowd. Obama came across as a leader by exuding confidence and vigor. He did not use passive language – no “I think” just “we will”.

He got right down to business by immediately stating that he was humbled by addressing the troubles the country faces, readily admitting that “every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.”
The speech was infused with a somber sense of realism by stating that the “challenges we face are real”, and addressing the “sapping of confidence across our land.” There was no glossing over the current economic crisis, and crisis of confidence.

But he shifted the tone by energetically asserting that the challenges America faces will be met, evoking the past and reminding his listeners of the sacrifices that previous generations made to ensure freedom and prosperity. He connected the past to the present and reminded the audience of how crises faced in the past had led to the emergence of a stronger nation.

President Obama struck just the right note by addressing the realism of the economic crisis, yet imparting optimism for the future.

(jlavin@ecdinsight.com)