BIG DOG BARKS

As we prepare to tune in to tonight’s Vice Presidential Debate it's good to remember that the big story news of the campaign this week already happened two days ago down in Florida.. That's when Bill Clinton finally came off the sidelines and delivered as strong stump speech for Obama. A great stump speech, well worth study.

Who ever wins tonight VP psychathon it will really just be more of the same – a struggle between hero and antagonist. Of course each voter gets to choose who is which. It is unlikely that the debate will actually move the story forward. If you are like me, I'm sure you will be sure your hero won. To move forward we have to get to the point of AWARENESS, a simple clear moment of decision when we really know what we need to do to make things right.

On the big screen the classic is the voice of Obi Wan Kanobi telling Luke Skywalker “Trust the Force, Luke” Luke does, and the Republic lives on.

That call to clarity, to making the right decision under pressure is what Clinton’s speech in Florida is all about. And notice how many times he uses the word decision.

Do yourself a favor and listen to it. If you like oratory, if you like listening to a a great storyteller capture the crowd’s imagination about something really important, do yourself a real favor and listen to the whole thing.

The best version I’ve found on the web is from the folks at Crooks and Liars (a great site BTW). Click here to see it. Go on. Click. 

My favorite part? After talking about how the mess we are in is the result of bad decisions not accidents, Clinton adds, “We have a saying in back in Arkansas, “If you find a turtle sitting on top of a fence post, it’s not there by accident.”

Comments

[R. Subito]

Thanks for the link to Bill Clinton's rousing reminder of what this is all about.

[Amy Lenzo]

Richard,

I always appreciate your astute political critique and your clear understanding of what gives a political story its power and impact. I was away and missed Clinton's speech but I'll definitely study it as you suggest; thanks for the link.

I know what kind of profound influence writers can have in helping to form public opinion and how important the values they bring to their work are. So I very much appreciate the kind of awareness and values you (and Robert) bring to your own work as writers; here on the blog and in your other writings both individually and collectively, including The Elements of Persuasion.

You both (and perhaps other colleagues) might be interested in adding your name to an initiative that came out of an author's retreat I recently attended, called authors4obama.org. Have a look and see
what you think. Even if you're not called to participate, your thoughts would be much appreciated, and if you are, add your name via the comments at the bottom.

Amy

[Amy Lenzo]

OUCH! I gave you the wrong address for the authors4obama site... it's .com not .org.

Sorry!