J.F.K’s “Lesson” About Hope To Barack Obama: Advice From The Grave?

Posted on April 12, 2008
Filed Under Journalism, commentary |

obama by thirty30photographyBarack Obama, as everyone knows by now, has positioned himself as the candidate of hope, though few of those who would vote for him seem to be able to articulate exactly what they think he means by that and, more important, what they think it means?

So, while reading Susan Jacoby’s new, bestseller, “The Age of American Unreason,” I couldn’t help but notice a passage about John F. Kennedy, who also spoke about hope during a 1963 speech at American University.

kennedy pic by p-x-gBut, the difference between Kennedy’s use of the word “hope” and the way Obama uses it is remarkable and significant.

Attainable Goals vs. Unattainable Dreams

Writes Jacoby: “Drawing a distinction between attainable goals and unattainable dreams, Kennedy said, ‘ I do not deny the value of hopes and dreams, but we merely invite discouragement and incredulity by making that our only and immediate goal.’”

Many compare Obama to J.F.K–though I , for one, don’t really get it. But, if that is the comparison they wish to make, they should compare how Kennedy spoke of hope with how Obama does and think about which makes more sense ?

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