Editorial Desk :
It was the last time that he boarded the Air Force One, and also the last time to address a sold-out crowd as the world’s most powerful public office holder. Yet, the popular but politically humbled Barack Obama has delivered a landmark farewell speech containing a mix of optimism, warning and grievances. His voice, at moments driven by emotion, recounted a presidency that saw setbacks as well as successes. However, reflecting back at his core message regarding many key issues it was one full of many underlying messages too.
However, his political commitment on smooth transfer of power to the President – elect Trump is that of extended political goodwill and decency. He sees it as battle of ideas and expects politicians to reflect the basic decency of the people. This has been a traditional hallmark of all US presidential farewell addresses echoing respect for democracy emphasising strength of democratic institutions for living and progressing together. Concerning democracy his stance was clear unlike many of his predecessors, he was outright blunt to state that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity and despite all outward differences all Americans were together aiming either to rise or fall together. He implored his supporters to be vigilant in protecting basic American values which he fears could come under threat. The outgoing president acknowledged that his historic presidency was not a panacea for the country’s racist past. Most importantly, he admitted that race still remains a potent and often a divisive force within the American society. Though he repeatedly pledged to cooperate with his successor but his speech was a thinly veiled rebuke of several of the positions Mr. Trump staked out during the campaign – ranging from climate change to barring Muslims from entering the country to repealing his landmark health care law. There were also nostalgic moments within the speech too as he recalled the 2008 campaign that started him on his incredible journey to the White House.
Lamenting on the perennially low voter turnout rates, he urged Americans to become more politically involved in national affairs. More to it was a clearly disguised informal accusation to the hacking scandal when he stated that – “If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the internet,” He said, “try to talk with one in real life.”
He warned that “laws alone won’t be enough” in resolving persistent differences between Americans. “Hearts must change”. It appeared more of a call of humanity against cruelty and harshness of autocrats. Lastly president Obama’s farewell address last Tuesday night was less a recitation of accomplishments than a reassurance of his faith in the people for happy future and stability.
He ended his speech showing his readiness to serve his obligations as a citizen in nation building and placed his hope in people’s power as agent of change –Yes We Can.
It was the last time that he boarded the Air Force One, and also the last time to address a sold-out crowd as the world’s most powerful public office holder. Yet, the popular but politically humbled Barack Obama has delivered a landmark farewell speech containing a mix of optimism, warning and grievances. His voice, at moments driven by emotion, recounted a presidency that saw setbacks as well as successes. However, reflecting back at his core message regarding many key issues it was one full of many underlying messages too.
However, his political commitment on smooth transfer of power to the President – elect Trump is that of extended political goodwill and decency. He sees it as battle of ideas and expects politicians to reflect the basic decency of the people. This has been a traditional hallmark of all US presidential farewell addresses echoing respect for democracy emphasising strength of democratic institutions for living and progressing together. Concerning democracy his stance was clear unlike many of his predecessors, he was outright blunt to state that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity and despite all outward differences all Americans were together aiming either to rise or fall together. He implored his supporters to be vigilant in protecting basic American values which he fears could come under threat. The outgoing president acknowledged that his historic presidency was not a panacea for the country’s racist past. Most importantly, he admitted that race still remains a potent and often a divisive force within the American society. Though he repeatedly pledged to cooperate with his successor but his speech was a thinly veiled rebuke of several of the positions Mr. Trump staked out during the campaign – ranging from climate change to barring Muslims from entering the country to repealing his landmark health care law. There were also nostalgic moments within the speech too as he recalled the 2008 campaign that started him on his incredible journey to the White House.
Lamenting on the perennially low voter turnout rates, he urged Americans to become more politically involved in national affairs. More to it was a clearly disguised informal accusation to the hacking scandal when he stated that – “If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the internet,” He said, “try to talk with one in real life.”
He warned that “laws alone won’t be enough” in resolving persistent differences between Americans. “Hearts must change”. It appeared more of a call of humanity against cruelty and harshness of autocrats. Lastly president Obama’s farewell address last Tuesday night was less a recitation of accomplishments than a reassurance of his faith in the people for happy future and stability.
He ended his speech showing his readiness to serve his obligations as a citizen in nation building and placed his hope in people’s power as agent of change –Yes We Can.
