With the line to enter the Marts Center at Wilkes University stretching around the block, it seemed as if Led Zeppelin was having a reunion concert and everyone had a ticket. Unfortunately, even if you had a ticket to see the in-demand personae known as Barack Obama, chances are that you would have been turned away from the entrance if you were not in line by 9:45 AM. I was honored to be one of the many denied entrance to hear Obama’s speech despite my waiting for an hour and a half just to get a door slammed in my face accompanied by rude State Police lingo. Through my struggles in line this past Tuesday (April 1) along with reviewing Obama’s speech on the internet (thanks to poconorecord.com), I have realized that his reputation as a charismatic presidential candidate who constantly reinforces positive “change” for this country has consequently left him with Rock Star status.
Being a rock star has its ups and downs, but when it comes to public appearances you should always have stage presence that gets a crowd pumped. Obama said to 1,500 plus in attendance, “over 10 billion dollars are spent on the war per month, that money could be spent here in Pennsylvania…right here in Wilkes-Barre!” It was nice to hear him try to appeal to this small town, but I question his sincerity in saying money should be spent in Wilkes-Barre. Every lead singer that has come to the Wachovia arena in Wilkes-Barre has started the show by giving a shout out to our town through his or her own particular genre of music. Barack Obama gave his shout out regarding two sensitive issues to people in this town, the war and money. That was a rock star move, one I do not believe he needed to make.
I can only hope he did not try to use the same tactic in other arenas across this country, because there is no way he could please every town he has visited in the past few months if he becomes president. It’s okay to be enthusiastic about revitalizing our falling nation, but a potential leader who has as many people invested in his campaign as he does needs to cut back on the rock star entrances and stick to the politics for the nation. Appealing to a small town does not mean he has to bend reality to seem as if Wilkes-Barre is the only place that matters in this nation. Take it from a life-long resident; I think we know where we stand when it comes to this country’s political agenda.
David Lewis '10
Wilkes University
Communitcation Studies/English
Being a rock star has its ups and downs, but when it comes to public appearances you should always have stage presence that gets a crowd pumped. Obama said to 1,500 plus in attendance, “over 10 billion dollars are spent on the war per month, that money could be spent here in Pennsylvania…right here in Wilkes-Barre!” It was nice to hear him try to appeal to this small town, but I question his sincerity in saying money should be spent in Wilkes-Barre. Every lead singer that has come to the Wachovia arena in Wilkes-Barre has started the show by giving a shout out to our town through his or her own particular genre of music. Barack Obama gave his shout out regarding two sensitive issues to people in this town, the war and money. That was a rock star move, one I do not believe he needed to make.
I can only hope he did not try to use the same tactic in other arenas across this country, because there is no way he could please every town he has visited in the past few months if he becomes president. It’s okay to be enthusiastic about revitalizing our falling nation, but a potential leader who has as many people invested in his campaign as he does needs to cut back on the rock star entrances and stick to the politics for the nation. Appealing to a small town does not mean he has to bend reality to seem as if Wilkes-Barre is the only place that matters in this nation. Take it from a life-long resident; I think we know where we stand when it comes to this country’s political agenda.
David Lewis '10
Wilkes University
Communitcation Studies/English
No comments:
Post a Comment