Posted by
Mike Bates on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 6:08:50 PM
Certainly there's enough domestic adoration of Barack Obama. A year
of consistent failure has done little to diminish Obama's support among
the mainstream media, Hollywood celebrities, and academics. Overseas,
the fascination with Obama also continues. Associated Press writer
Kirsten Grieshaber reports
"Obama musical set to open in Germany." The article begins:
A musical about Barack Obama's "Yes we can" election
campaign premieres in Germany this weekend, including love songs by the
president to his wife Michelle and duets with Hillary Clinton. . .
In all, 30 singers, actors and dancers are to perform in the
musical "Hope - the Obama Musical Story" when it opens at the
Jahrhunderthalle concert hall in Frankfurt in a bilingual mix of
English and German. The audience may recognize that many songs quote
from the politicians' stump speeches during the 2008 U.S. presidential
campaign.
The venue for the premiere seems appropriate since the optimism of
Obamania remains largely intact in Germany, about a year after Obama,
an accomplished public speaker, became America's first black president.
What's interesting is how Obama's simply described as "an
accomplished public speaker." Then again, what else could have been
said about him? That he had a short, mediocre term as a U.S. senator
during much of which he ran for president? That his undistinguished
record as a state legislator was most memorable for his "present"
votes? That after graduation he went to work for a law firm with close
connections to the Chicago political machine? That his community
organizing efforts were less than a success?
Even claiming he's an accomplished public speaker is pushing it.
We've seen the trouble he can get in without his trusty teleprompter
close by to protect him.
There will be songs based on Obama's campaign speeches. Maybe
there'll be one about his health care reform being televised on
C-SPAN. Or a tune about not signing bills with earmarks. Or a ditty
about allowing five days of public comment before signing legislation.
No, reality would be too much to expect. No doubt the show will be
gushingly worshipful. Hollywood types are probably kicking themselves
for not coming up with "Hope - the Obama Musical Story" first.