obama and athens

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/26/barack-obama-usa1
"The New Cicero"
by Charlotte Higgins
November 26, 2008
The Guardian

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122844800734282227.html
"Daschle Launches Push for Health-Care Overhaul"
by Laura Meckler
December 5, 2008
The Wall Street Journal

The first article discusses Obama's use of classical (i.e. Greek and Roman) rhetorical techniques in his speeches. The second article's title is pretty self-explanatory. Two interesting facts:

"Mr. Daschle, who Obama transition officials say will be nominated secretary of Health and Human Services, will suggest that Americans hold holiday-season house parties to brainstorm over how best to overhaul the U.S. health-care system. He will promise to drop by one such party himself, and to take the ideas generated to President-elect Barack Obama. The parties are part of an effort by the new administration to apply organizing tools from the presidential campaign to the more-complex task of governing."

"Already, the Obama transition office has posted two health-care videos on its Web site, www.change.gov, and it is soliciting comments and ideas from people via the site. So far, it has received more than 10,000 comments, according to Mr. Daschle's prepared remarks. Those who want to host health-care parties are asked to sign up on the site."

I've talked to some people who were involved in the Obama campaign. They were really taken by the feeling that they had made a difference, that they personally had helped elect Barack Obama. (I hear that Grant Park was otherwordly, the night of the acceptance speech). What seems to be the case - what I hope to be the case - is that Obama is bringing back more than rhetoric from ancient Athens. He seems to be concerned with the question: how do we get people, at an individual level, in a nation of more than three hundred million people, involved in politics? (There's been faint noise in the rumor mill about a new national service program, or programs; that would be something else). How do we get people to believe in democracy?

It is noble goal. I hope he can pull it off. (I hope these parties are more than just show, and that there's more to come).