I finally got around to reading the entirety of Gore's Martin Luther King Day speech, and it was as good as everyone says. He brings meticulous logic and a wealth of historical authority to the argument that the Bush administration has distorted constitutional government beyond all recognition, and he ties it in to Martin Luther King by via King's persecution by the FBI (in the service of 'national security'). It's the sort of articulate, logical, erudite speech many of us have despaired of hearing in America.
Unfortunately, I think Commander Sue has it exactly right:
But as I was enjoying the speech for myself the practical side of my brain knew that it wouldn't appeal to the "average American." I mean, I keep the Word of the Day on my blog so that I can scroll down to it and reassure myself that I almost always know it, and he used some words that I had to look up. They were, of course, perfectly accurate in their meaning down to the most precise shading and historical usage. But my joy in such a thing (a leader whose intelligence and accuracy are great enough for me to admire) was probably rare....I think Gore's speech serves us well by setting out clearly and convincingly what is at stake. I fear it won't make much difference to public opinion; for that we need someone who can connect on a more visceral level.
So while appreciating Gore's MLK Day speech for myself I was also reminded that Martin Luther King, Jr. was a communication genius whose "I Have a Dream" speech has echoed in the soul of America for over thirty years. Mr. Gore, wonderful impassioned wonk that he is, has informed us. Now can he make us dream?
[That's all, folks]
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