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Like Michael Jordan in the Eastern Conference Finals with 10 seconds left on the clock, the president sank the speech that would help shape his presidency for much of 2011.
Utilizing his opportunity to address the nation after the unfortunate shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the Obama speech in Tucson, Ariz., was reflective of the decency that allows our president to transcend the pettiness of his adversaries: He stood his ground without fighting his enemies and reminded the country that "we can all do better."
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The president encouraged those listening to communicate "in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds." The Obama speech also conceded that there is no way to know who was responsible for the shooting that killed six and injured 13 others.
He did say, though, that our nation's polarized political conversation can be handled in a way that is respectful and productive:
"I believe we can be better," said Obama. "Those who died here, those who saved lives here -- they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
The president shared personal notes about all of those who died in the shooting. He also stated that it is okay to engage in debates on gun control and the killer's reasons for shooting his victims. At the same time, he explained that the rhetoric need not be malicious in order to be meaningful:
"At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized, at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do, it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds."
The president also shocked the crowd by informing the audience that Giffords opened her eyes for the first time during his visit to the hospital.
The Obama speech also struck an emotional chord with the crowd by reflecting on 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green, the only child who was killed that day. The president noted that Christina was the only girl on her little league team and wanted to become the first woman to compete in Major League Baseball. He also noted that she was born on Sept. 11, 2001, and that there was a picture of her in a book about 9/11 babies, where she is splashing in a rain puddle.
"I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it," Obama said. "If there are rain puddles in heaven, Christina is jumping in them today."
One of Obama's greatest political assets is himself.
When he addresses the public, he is able to influence and impress with his smooth rhetorical abilities and extraordinary charisma. While I am not interested in even beginning to compare President Obama with Martin Luther King Jr., he does share a sense of dignity in his presentation that reminds us of the great one. History will surely remember this man forever.
Watch President Obama in one of his greatest moments here:
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (49)
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By: bob on 1/13/2011 10:01AM
the president only influences and impresses the weak minded liberal hacks like you cookie monster. He did read the speach that was written for him well though, just as nilly vinilli did. What did he mean when he said we will never know who's fault is was? Anybody who doesn't know whos fault is was is an idiot! Boyce obviously does not know so I will tell him. The man that shot them!
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By: idiot hater on 1/18/2011 7:35PM
bob, you are just an idiot commenting like that. Enough said
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By: girlking on 1/13/2011 1:14PM
Bob,
I guess you believe that Ronald Reagan (Peggy Noonan and Peter Robinson were his speechwriters), Gerald Ford (Robert Hartmann was his speechwriter, Jimmy Carter (Chris Matthews and Gordon Stewart were his speechwriters), Bill Clinton (David Shipley and Paul Glastris were his speechwriters, George H.W. Bush (Christopher Buckley was his speechwriter), and George W. Bush (Matt Latimer, Michael J. Gerson and David Frum), wrote own their speeches. Most people know that the President of the United States does not write their own speeches.
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By: lincolnmanor on 1/13/2011 3:23PM
Only PALIN can read from the palms of her murdering hands huh?
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By: Epyphyny on 1/13/2011 4:57PM
BOB is an idiot of ENORMOUS proportion! LOL And we all know you have to pity the mentally challenged. It was noted in several newspapers today how the President worked on & re-wrote much of his speech up to the last minute, even on Air Force One! So unless you were sitting next to his speech writer or next to him on his plane STFU, because it is obvious your only intent is viciousness and to reflect the ugliness of your spirit...The very mental concept which our President warned us to fight against and try to avoid. It is people like you who feed on discourse and public anger. It is parasites such as yourself who keep this country from reaching it's full potential, by refusing to even attempt to look for anything good. I pity you, and I pray for you.
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By: Bruce on 1/13/2011 10:12AM
I thought he did an excellent job. The whole event was very good.
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By: Ron on 1/13/2011 10:28AM
A powerful heart moving speech.Thank you Mr. President.
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By: correct you fool lol on 1/13/2011 11:03AM
Bob you fool. Lol. First of all its speech not speach fool. My foolometer is jumping right now. Also its milli vanilli not milly vinilli fool. Dont knock the president because he did a great job. The people that liked his speech obviously feel he did a great job in wake of all this turmoil. Take a chill pill bob. That's your prescription for your foolery. :)
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By: rbk84 on 1/13/2011 12:10PM
Although endearing and thoughtful at its core, the presidents speech hightlights whats wrong with America. Words sound so beautiful when rendered at a time of crisis. They convey a hope for peace and justice, they touch places in the heart that needs healing and direction. But words without action is just that words. Words like ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, means nothing when in reality those words were spoken by a slave master. Words like LETS BE A CIVIL SOCIETY, are hollow comming from a person who is leading a military that is anything but civil in killing innocent people all around the world. What were the expectations of OBAMA's speech other than a platform to utilize his gift of oratory but after the speech its business as usual, the game continues and the opportunity for worldwide peace is lost again. There is a world beyond the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We do inhabit this great planet with our other earthly brothers. They have tragic moments in their lives that our government causes for them. If we are a peace loving society, then should'nt we take the time to look at the pain our present course in the world is producing in others. We have to stop this notion that an American life is more sacred than any others. Words that inspire me came not from a politician, but from real spiritual beings. Words like,LOVE THY BROTHER AS THY SELF, words like, THOW SHALT NOT KILL, words like, THOW SHALT NOT BEAR FAULSE WITNESS, these words were spoken by individuals who lived by those creeds and paid a price for there rendering. I am not in anyway condemming OBAMA for his efforts, they could be sincere but his ACTIONS while in office is contradictory to what he is conveying. A good start for me in the direction of civility is to stop this crazy war, quit buliding bases in IRAQ, address the suffering of all your constituents, THAT MEANS THE POOR IN THIS COUNTRY who has been left behind in this America and has felt the brunt of being ignored for political reasons. There is a phrase that is always a focal point when confusion and anger makes it impossible to think clearly. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO.
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By: fred on 1/13/2011 11:27AM
Yes he made it crystal clear that we shouldn't start throwing blame around, I guess the radical left wing BV writers didn't catch that part though.
Obama is a good speaker i'll give him that but
It was really disturbing when the people in the audience were hooting and yelling at a memorial service though, showed a definite lack of class
on their part.
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