Attack me... but his 2004 keynote is still untouchable as his finest

[George_Bonanza]

Some of my favourite Obama speeches have been his impassioned speech after his gut-wrenching victory in South Carolina, and his reassuring ode of gratitude to his supporters at Chicago campaign HQ after he secured the nomination. And of course, tonight's historic acceptance speech.

But man, 2004 was as musical as spoken prose could get. It was absolute poetry. I suppose Obama can't do much more of those anymore since he's the man now and has to provide the meat and potatoes. But I could listen to his 2004 keynote over and over every day for the rest of my life.

[Diane R]

1. Yes...two masterpieces, each in their own way. This one does not subtract from '04.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

2. This one was better because he spoke more on policy and really went after the

Three Stooges: Dumbya, Darth Cheney, and McSame!

[Darth_Ole]

4. If you look at context, this speech was more impressive.

He had more expectations and had to walk a thin line between inspirational rhetoric and concrete policies.

And that he wrote this largely by himself, with only the aid of a couple of his closest advisors, makes it all the more amazing.

I'll never forget this. Never.

[eshfemme]

3. Yes, I agree-- it's probably because nothing can beat the whole story of the complete unknown

swooping in and capturing all of our hearts with the universal patriotism that was hidden in all of us. That was the genesis and in being the seed of everything that has flowered since then, it is the purest form of Obama.

In retrospect, I think that speech at the 2004 DNC is probably why Kerry gave that patriotism speech at this DNC. He was returning the favor. :)

[PBS Poll-435]

5. Umm... Tonight was his "Assessment of the Union"

He knows what is very wrong with our Nation.

He is going to put the best possible team in place to fix it.

[democrattotheend]

6. I can't decide which was the best

His 2004 convention speech and his South Carolina victory speech were amazing...so was the one on race...so was tonight. They're all amazing....I can't decide which is the best!

[indie_voter]

7. I don't think you can compare them

Two different speeches for two different moments. This was untouchable in it's own right. When he accepted the nomination, in the proverbial blink of the eye, changed our history.

I think you hit it though, the first speech was from a different point in his life. He has grown by leaps and bounds, and this speech was deeper, in that he spoke to needs, he spoke to the suffering he has seen and he spoke to those who seek to destroy our tomorrows.

[TheDonkey]

8. They were totally different. Both extraordinarily great

04 put him on the map. I hope 08 puts him in the WH.

[Beregond2]

9. He didn't have the complex agenda then that he had to address

this time. Not really a fair comparison.