San Antonio College students' network for the 2008 election
Barack Obama 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfaGW6NxNPg
A train slowly takes off from the station on the track to a new destination. What sounds like a faint heartbeat, grows into the steady melodic sound of music; music of determination as if nothing could possibly get this train off course. The phrase “we have the power” fades in along with quotes from John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. As the train continues and gains speed, images of Martin Luther King are shown along with more quotes and more phrases. All these combined give off the message of hope and unity: the hope that this country can come together toward our common goals. These leaders from the past that have made an impact on this world and who are viewed to be inspirational are used to show the likeness of views Obama has with them. The train maintains its speed as we hear Obama’s voice discuss his stand on war, running for the presidency, and how to best advance the progress of change for a better tomorrow. The ad closes with the words ‘we need change’ and we hear the sound of Barack Obama’s voice saying “…engaged citizens working together can accomplish extraordinary things”. This strong closing statement emphasizes the coming together of America and the possibilities of great change that can happen.
This ad grasps our emotion and common interest to create a new and better tomorrow. The person to aid us in the change is the one and only Barack Obama. The idea of people coming together to help make this change falls into the category of liberalism based on George Lackoff’s conceptual metaphors for liberalism. Alec Mac Gillis of the Washington Post writes, “Despite being rated the most liberal senator in 2007 by the National Journal, Obama has sought to confound easy categorization.” Although Obama doesn’t want to be seen at just one end of the spectrum, the views and messages given through this political video fit perfectly with a lot of Lackoff’s metaphors. According to Lackoff, “liberal politics centers on a family-based morality...”, specifically, the nurturant parent model (13). The nurturant parent model “view the family as a community in which children have commitments and responsibilities that grow out of empathy for others” (13). A great example shown in this political ad is when Obama says, “When ordinary people come together, they can achieve extraordinary things”. The message of “coming together” is evidence of that community and the achievement of extraordinary things are the commitments made by American citizens. Lackoff thinks that “children are taught self-discipline in the service of nurturance: to take care of themselves, to deal with existing hardships, to be responsible for others, and to realize their potential” (13). Through this political ad, you feel comforted in knowing that Obama is aware and cares for the needs of the people and the country through his positive interaction with both.
Just as a family has a set of principles, the liberal “model of the family induces a very different set of moral priorities which can be characterized by another set of metaphors for morality” (14). One category is morality as empathy. To have empathy for a person, you feel what another person feels or you know what the other person is going through based on experience. An example shown in this video is when Obama says, “Today our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common sense way”. Many people today feel this same way about the Bush administration. Obama understands our concerns and shows this through this statement. He knows how we feel because he too sees this same problem. In a memoir written 11 years ago, Obama openly confessed to the use of marijuana and other drugs. Lois Romano of the Washington Post writes, “Obama said he admitted using drugs because he thought it was important for ‘young people who are already in circumstances that are far more difficult than mine to know that you can make mistakes and still recover’”. Because Obama knows what it’s like, he feels like he can be a voice of hope for those who seem trapped in the drug world and empathize with them that they can still recover and make something of themselves. Some people find comfort in this empathy. Robert Gibbs, Obama’s spokesperson said, “I believe what the country is looking for is someone who is open, honest, and candid about themselves rather than someone who seems endlessly driven by polls or focus groups” (qtd. in Romano). Many Obama supporters would have to agree on that one: after all, honesty is the best policy.
Another metaphor for morality is morality as nurturance. Nurturant parents care for their children because, according to Lackoff, “A child is helpless and to care for a child, you have to care about that child” (14). In a recent interview on which presidential candidate they chose and why, Scott O’Brien says, “America wants a leader who has their best interest in mind and I feel Obama best represents my interests”. In an article in the New York Times about Edward M. Kennedy endorsing Obama, Kennedy says, “With Barack Obama, there is a new national leader who has given America a different kind of campaign, not just about himself, but about all of us”(Zeleny, “Kennedy Backs Obama”). In the political video, Obama mentions reading emails of citizens and even speaking to a number of them through his travels across the states. He sees the common interests they have and has spent some time thinking of how he can best aid in the progress of change. Obama cares about his country and its people and he wants to do all that he can to help them. Alec MacGillis of the Washington Post writes, “…he [Obama] favors expanding the government’s role in delivering health care, and would pay for that by ending President Bush’s tax cuts for the rich”. In comparison to Lackoff’s “Nation-as-Family” metaphor, “…it is the duty of the older and stronger children to help out those that are younger and weaker, so in a nation it is the duty of citizens who are better off to contribute more than those who are worse off” (16). By ending the tax cuts for the rich, Obama can use that money to deliver the health care needed by the “worse off” citizens. On the other end of the spectrum, liberals like to instill moral self nurturance as well. Lackoff states, “You can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself. Part of the morality of nurturance is self-nuturance: maintaining your health, making a living, and so on” (14). Although you do continue to care about the child, as the child grows up, the child should learn to care for themselves. In an article in USAToday about a speech Obama gave in March, DeWayne Wickham writes, “He told blacks to take more responsibilities for their own lives and urge whites to acknowledge that discrimination-past and present- continues to plague blacks”. This is a great example of moral self nurturance and in order for this world to achieve any successful change we need to take charge of our own lives.
One last metaphor for morality shown in this video is moral growth. I see this through the use of the train on its track. I feel it is used as a metaphor for time. Through time, one comes across many obstacles or situations just as a train comes across many different stops and locations. It is throughout this time that one learns how to better handle or deal with this obstacles and situations. Similarly, it is throughout the many times passing these different stops and locations that one begins to familiarize themselves or become acquainted with the area. According to Lackoff, “Where moral growth differs from physical growth is that moral growth is seen as being possible throughout one’s lifetime” (15). We as children don’t necessarily know the concept of morality. We merely shadow what is taught to us. Through time as we grow more aware of ourselves and our environment, we understand these moral standards instilled into us and try to use it as a basis for living. Similarly, this nation’s capability can only grow through time and practice of these moral standards. In an article in the New York Times about John Kerry supporting Obama, Kerry said, “Since the birth of our nation, change has been won by young presidents and young leaders who have shown that experience is defined not by time in Washington or years in office, but by wisdom, instinct and vision” (Zeleny, “Kerry Endorses Obama”). It is through time that one can gain this wisdom, instinct, and vision. This is not taught. This growth is only possible through time and continues throughout one’s lifetime.
This video definitely grasps our emotion and attention through the music used and the quotes made by very inspirational leaders of the past. The fact that John F. Kennedy quotes were used to show the likeness in Obama in conjunction with the fact that Edward M. Kennedy (brother of JFK) is an avid supporter of Obama and sees the potential he has, give credibility to the video. This video sends out a strong message of working together to achieve extraordinary things. Through much research of liberal metaphors and views held by Obama, the video gains its impact on that message.
Going into this paper, I didn’t know much about the candidate other than the fact that he is charismatic. Reading articles about what others think of him has helped me better see why he is liked by so many. His stand on healthcare, war and discrimination seems as though he has our best interests in mind. Lots of these issues are of common concern to Americans and looking at this video along with reading many articles, I too agree that Barack Obama is a great person to take on the role as President of the United States of America.
A train slowly takes off from the station on the track to a new destination. What sounds like a faint heartbeat, grows into the steady melodic sound of music; music of determination as if nothing could possibly get this train off course. The phrase “we have the power” fades in along with quotes from John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. As the train continues and gains speed, images of Martin Luther King are shown along with more quotes and more phrases. All these combined give off the message of hope and unity: the hope that this country can come together toward our common goals. These leaders from the past that have made an impact on this world and who are viewed to be inspirational are used to show the likeness of views Obama has with them. The train maintains its speed as we hear Obama’s voice discuss his stand on war, running for the presidency, and how to best advance the progress of change for a better tomorrow. The ad closes with the words ‘we need change’ and we hear the sound of Barack Obama’s voice saying “…engaged citizens working together can accomplish extraordinary things”. This strong closing statement emphasizes the coming together of America and the possibilities of great change that can happen.
This ad grasps our emotion and common interest to create a new and better tomorrow. The person to aid us in the change is the one and only Barack Obama. The idea of people coming together to help make this change falls into the category of liberalism based on George Lackoff’s conceptual metaphors for liberalism. Alec Mac Gillis of the Washington Post writes, “Despite being rated the most liberal senator in 2007 by the National Journal, Obama has sought to confound easy categorization.” Although Obama doesn’t want to be seen at just one end of the spectrum, the views and messages given through this political video fit perfectly with a lot of Lackoff’s metaphors. According to Lackoff, “liberal politics centers on a family-based morality...”, specifically, the nurturant parent model (13). The nurturant parent model “view the family as a community in which children have commitments and responsibilities that grow out of empathy for others” (13). A great example shown in this political ad is when Obama says, “When ordinary people come together, they can achieve extraordinary things”. The message of “coming together” is evidence of that community and the achievement of extraordinary things are the commitments made by American citizens. Lackoff thinks that “children are taught self-discipline in the service of nurturance: to take care of themselves, to deal with existing hardships, to be responsible for others, and to realize their potential” (13). Through this political ad, you feel comforted in knowing that Obama is aware and cares for the needs of the people and the country through his positive interaction with both.
Just as a family has a set of principles, the liberal “model of the family induces a very different set of moral priorities which can be characterized by another set of metaphors for morality” (14). One category is morality as empathy. To have empathy for a person, you feel what another person feels or you know what the other person is going through based on experience. An example shown in this video is when Obama says, “Today our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common sense way”. Many people today feel this same way about the Bush administration. Obama understands our concerns and shows this through this statement. He knows how we feel because he too sees this same problem. In a memoir written 11 years ago, Obama openly confessed to the use of marijuana and other drugs. Lois Romano of the Washington Post writes, “Obama said he admitted using drugs because he thought it was important for ‘young people who are already in circumstances that are far more difficult than mine to know that you can make mistakes and still recover’”. Because Obama knows what it’s like, he feels like he can be a voice of hope for those who seem trapped in the drug world and empathize with them that they can still recover and make something of themselves. Some people find comfort in this empathy. Robert Gibbs, Obama’s spokesperson said, “I believe what the country is looking for is someone who is open, honest, and candid about themselves rather than someone who seems endlessly driven by polls or focus groups” (qtd. in Romano). Many Obama supporters would have to agree on that one: after all, honesty is the best policy.
Another metaphor for morality is morality as nurturance. Nurturant parents care for their children because, according to Lackoff, “A child is helpless and to care for a child, you have to care about that child” (14). In a recent interview on which presidential candidate they chose and why, Scott O’Brien says, “America wants a leader who has their best interest in mind and I feel Obama best represents my interests”. In an article in the New York Times about Edward M. Kennedy endorsing Obama, Kennedy says, “With Barack Obama, there is a new national leader who has given America a different kind of campaign, not just about himself, but about all of us”(Zeleny, “Kennedy Backs Obama”). In the political video, Obama mentions reading emails of citizens and even speaking to a number of them through his travels across the states. He sees the common interests they have and has spent some time thinking of how he can best aid in the progress of change. Obama cares about his country and its people and he wants to do all that he can to help them. Alec MacGillis of the Washington Post writes, “…he [Obama] favors expanding the government’s role in delivering health care, and would pay for that by ending President Bush’s tax cuts for the rich”. In comparison to Lackoff’s “Nation-as-Family” metaphor, “…it is the duty of the older and stronger children to help out those that are younger and weaker, so in a nation it is the duty of citizens who are better off to contribute more than those who are worse off” (16). By ending the tax cuts for the rich, Obama can use that money to deliver the health care needed by the “worse off” citizens. On the other end of the spectrum, liberals like to instill moral self nurturance as well. Lackoff states, “You can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself. Part of the morality of nurturance is self-nuturance: maintaining your health, making a living, and so on” (14). Although you do continue to care about the child, as the child grows up, the child should learn to care for themselves. In an article in USAToday about a speech Obama gave in March, DeWayne Wickham writes, “He told blacks to take more responsibilities for their own lives and urge whites to acknowledge that discrimination-past and present- continues to plague blacks”. This is a great example of moral self nurturance and in order for this world to achieve any successful change we need to take charge of our own lives.
One last metaphor for morality shown in this video is moral growth. I see this through the use of the train on its track. I feel it is used as a metaphor for time. Through time, one comes across many obstacles or situations just as a train comes across many different stops and locations. It is throughout this time that one learns how to better handle or deal with this obstacles and situations. Similarly, it is throughout the many times passing these different stops and locations that one begins to familiarize themselves or become acquainted with the area. According to Lackoff, “Where moral growth differs from physical growth is that moral growth is seen as being possible throughout one’s lifetime” (15). We as children don’t necessarily know the concept of morality. We merely shadow what is taught to us. Through time as we grow more aware of ourselves and our environment, we understand these moral standards instilled into us and try to use it as a basis for living. Similarly, this nation’s capability can only grow through time and practice of these moral standards. In an article in the New York Times about John Kerry supporting Obama, Kerry said, “Since the birth of our nation, change has been won by young presidents and young leaders who have shown that experience is defined not by time in Washington or years in office, but by wisdom, instinct and vision” (Zeleny, “Kerry Endorses Obama”). It is through time that one can gain this wisdom, instinct, and vision. This is not taught. This growth is only possible through time and continues throughout one’s lifetime.
This video definitely grasps our emotion and attention through the music used and the quotes made by very inspirational leaders of the past. The fact that John F. Kennedy quotes were used to show the likeness in Obama in conjunction with the fact that Edward M. Kennedy (brother of JFK) is an avid supporter of Obama and sees the potential he has, give credibility to the video. This video sends out a strong message of working together to achieve extraordinary things. Through much research of liberal metaphors and views held by Obama, the video gains its impact on that message.
Going into this paper, I didn’t know much about the candidate other than the fact that he is charismatic. Reading articles about what others think of him has helped me better see why he is liked by so many. His stand on healthcare, war and discrimination seems as though he has our best interests in mind. Lots of these issues are of common concern to Americans and looking at this video along with reading many articles, I too agree that Barack Obama is a great person to take on the role as President of the United States of America.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jennyfer Marchand on -
Your paper is very good, very detailed. You do a great job of describing what Obama stands for. I like the video you chose. I can see Obama as following a path. You dont always know where the path is going or what is in the end, but it shows how Obama can take you to the finish line.
Your paper stood on topic. I understood Lakoff's point on your paper and how it applies to Obama. The examples and quotes were also really good. the ending of the paper was really good to. You researched what his accomplishments and his ideas towards health care and other issues. You also did a great job when you admitted that you didnt know much of the canidate until you began researching his point of view and his ideas for America. Obama is a great canidate and your paper does a great job in representing him. I do believe America could use someone like Obama. (Like you I did not know much about him until I began my research) and I learned that America would do great under Obama's presidency.
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Permalink Reply by Hilary Franceschini on -
In my opinion, you have the, if not one of the, best papers in class. I guess I'm joining the club when I say that I really did not know much about Obama until this paper. I agree with Jennyfer that you have some really good research of his policies, opinions, and plans concerning major issues backing your project, and your paper’s progression is logical and easy for any reader to follow.
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Permalink Reply by Maggie on
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Thank you Jennyfer for your reply. I like your insight and how you interpreted the whole "train on track" concept. When choosing this video, the concept immediatly grabbed my attention. Without seeing the entire video, i felt that if a video can start off with an instant relation to Lackoff, it must be a keeper. Keep it i did and am glad i stuck with it. Vewing this video along with the research has taught me many a thing about the candidate.
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Permalink Reply by Zaira on
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Wow! Your really researched your information. This is without a doubt the most Obama informative essay I have read until now. If I though I knew enough about Obama, you proved me wrong. You were entirely on topic the entire time, and appropriatley integrated his Lackoff's writing to further explain Obama's standing in the labels that Lackoff gave us. I am a stong follower of Obama and your writing is totally for Obama - I love it! You gave us a summary of all his past accomplishments and many of his inspiring quotes. I like your honesty in telling us that just like us, you learned a lot more about Obama after writing this essay. Your research was outstanding, and like I said before by far the best in all of he posting I have read so far in the forum. Good job!
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Permalink Reply by Maggie on
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After reading my second draft, i realized that i was concentrating my paper more on the sources that i found. I went back and found the comparison of the video to Lackoff's work. I just inserted the examples i found in the video. I knew that I had to somehow keep the focus of how the video related to Lackoff while just supporting it with the sources. Thank you Zaira for your compliments.
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Permalink Reply by Leslie on -
I love your choice of video. You explain everything so well what is going on scene to scene. You have really stepped up and blown everyone else’s paper right out of the water. You use Lakoff example right in every way. I wasn’t sure if I was a Oboma fan or not but when someone writes an essay like this it’s hard not to agree with such a noble candidate. Great work you can tell that you took your time and made sure everything was up to date.
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Permalink Reply by Maggie on
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Thank you Leslie. Its funny because I chose the video last minute just to have something to turn in and it seemed to just blossom into what it is now. I took a lot out of peer responses and tried to look at things at every possible angle. I want to say that i got lucky in finding lots of relation to Lackoff's work.
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Permalink Reply by santiago on
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That essay was as was the video, it was a defining journey along the track of coneptual rhetoric. The video could not have been described so well. I appreciate the interpretation of Lakeoff's nuturant parent model, and the correlation between Obama and the readins of the letters, and the speaking of the people. The way you described the ad, "grasping our emotion and common interest" it did, it was a journey, paving a new way into a new era, and your writing supported the idead of Obama supporting, nutureing, and morally supporting the people. This was defentily the scope of the ad and that was captured quite well. It's also very informitive hwo you tied togehter the quotes from John Kerry, and Kennedy's brother Edward, and how they place Obama in high hopes for office.
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