by Henry Amon

Created on: June 30, 2008   Last Updated: July 11, 2008

Why is it politicians love to give speeches as the answer to a problem, particularly when it's a polling problem? Haven't they heard that actions speak louder than words? I understand the urge to want to talk your way out of trouble. However I guess politicians with the gift of gab maybe onto something, because it does seem to change the minds of a few and it's what all their advisors suggest.

Political speech usually does nothing to make a real impact. Barack Obama in a speech said that words matter by quoting some famous words, such as I have a dream. However those words were backed up with action. Words mean something when there is something behind them. Empty words are wasted words.

We as citizens of the United States and really people everywhere need to see behind political speeches as marketing tools. When Mitt Romney was running for the republican nomination, he gave a speech about his Faith because it was a perceived and probably a real problem for him in getting enough votes. But that speech, even though Mr. Romney said he believes in Jesus, did not make Mitt Romney a Christian. In other words the speech did not help because there was nothing backing it. It sounded good but that's what politicians are good at these days.

Barrack Obama is known for his smooth sounding speeches when he is on the teleprompter. So when Mr. Obama has a problem, naturally he thinks he can fix it all with the right words.

Barrack Obama gave several speeches trying to redirect his problem with the Reverend Wright, but none of them seemed to help him until he decided to leave Rev. Wright's church. Now Mr. Obama is giving a speech on patriotism. This is most likely because he is perceived as unpatriotic. Obama did have a particular problem with stories about him not wearing a flag pin or holding his hand over his heart during the national anthem. On top of that, democrats come off perceived as unpatriotic because of their strong anti-war support and messages. If Barrack Obama wants to really come off as patriotic he's going to have to do more than give a speech.

To make matters worse Mr. Obama frequently uses the words of others in his speeches, and doesn't always give credit to the original authors. So Obama's powerful words of change are not even his own. or new.

Be on the lookout for Mr. Obama to say he had to dodge bullets during his upcoming trip to the Middle East. Maybe he'll even copy some of the stuff Ms. Clinton said about her trip to Bosnia.

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