Obama's "Change Has Come to America" Victory Speech

The 2008 Presidential Election has brought with it many 'firsts'. President-elect Obama is the first African-American man to be elected President of the US. Obama's campaign was the first to openly refuse monies from the controversial Political Action Committees. The Obama campaign was also the first campaign in history to successfully leverage Internet fund-raising.

Another obvious 'first' was Barack Obama's victory speech on the evening of election night in the US which has received an abundance of praise. It was, in fact, the first solid speech from a US President in almost 10 years. Characterized as a "once in a decade" speech, clearly Obama hit a home run and he appeared quite reserved and humble while delivering it.

Oddly enough, an outstanding performance wasn't really necessary as Mr. Obama did not have a hard act to follow. The last 10 years hasn't had a presidential speech that even comes close to comparing.

One may recall President Bush's victory speech in 2000 which was completely overshadowed by the election recount. At that time, the Democratic Party was crying foul at the recount resulting in the Republican's favor. Consequently, Bush only spoke of healing the rift between the two parties and his admiration for his opponent.

Characterized as more of a gaffe than a speech, in 2003 President Bush declared a US victory in Iraq in his historic "Mission Accomplished" speech aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Unfortunately this episode in Bush history was well-remembered and must-discussed for all the wrong reasons.

While this performance was not a bright spot in contemporary American history it did not prevent President Bush from being re-elected in 2004. This presented another opportunity for a presidential victory speech which, as history recalls, was not particularly memorable either. Bush did mention John Kerry's concession and a need for national unity but too much of his words were spent congratulating and thanking campaign personnel and GOP cronies.

Therefore it's no surprise when Obama delivers a speech which will inspire classroom teachers to request students to commit the words to memory for many years to come, the country stands a little straighter and holds its head a little higher. The speech met and exceeded the expectations all Americans have whenever their President takes the podium. No doubt the American people are hopeful that the election of Barack Obama is the first step towards restoring the country's pride and opinion of itself as well as repairing the foreign opinion of the US which has suffered so greatly in the last 8 years.

The reality is, though, that sometime in his administration Obama will need to deliver an unpopular message. A few months into office when "the honeymoon is over" and Obama is still finding his stride, the protective shield and euphoria of election victory will be forgotten. The messages delivered by Obama may spark debate and controversy and the abundance of praise may be missing. He may once again deliver a "once in a decade" speech but it may be unique for entirely different reasons.

It is at this time that Americans need to think back to the 'firsts' that came with the election of Barack Obama. Perhaps there will be a consensus that the American people must be the first to accept the good with the bad and support their President with the same fervor that they showed when welcoming him to office. Then we would know that "change has come to America" - that is, when Americans are truly loyal to their President and their country.