I can’t recall ever looking forward to an inaugural address. They’re usually soon forgotten because there’s rarely anything memorable about them. William Henry Harrison of Tippecanoe and Tyler Too fame spoke for nearly two hours during his inaugural address in 1841 and the only thing that speech is remembered for is that he delivered it in cold weather without a coat, got sick and died a month later.
It’s probably not a stretch to call Barack Obama an orator and I’m anxious to hear his speech on Tuesday, hoping for substance as well as soundbites in this harsh economic climate. This inaugural is partly an homage to Lincoln, born 200 years ago, and his Gettysburg Address, just 272 words, is widely considered the most famous speech in American history. It would be so easy…
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Bob Gorrell |
