Barack Obama’s speech at the Tuscon memorial service this week was the most inspirational thing I’ve heard in ages. He completely sidestepped the debate around inflammatory political rhetoric and focused entirely on the tragedy and how we can learn from it. It would do his call for unity and compassion a disservice to draw comparison with Sarah Palin’s more aggressive and retaliatory response, but if nothing else it went to show how head and shoulders above her he is as a leader.
While Palin spent most of her airtime attacking her critics, Obama with dignity and humility, dedicated his speech to the victims and their families. He spoke of empathy, humanity, faith and hope, and I was left feeling moved and inspired. That the right-wing Fox network – normally vitriolic in their criticism of Obama – thanked him for “becoming the President” speaks volumes.
No doubt American politics will soon revert back to the more familiar hyperbole, point-scoring and manipulative rhetoric. But for a moment this week they could all look to a leader that can, on occasion, transcend political divisions.
