Barack Obama has three words for you in his speech; and no it's not "Yes We Can"; it is ethos pathos and Logos.

I read two of Barack's Speeches in the past few days. One was Barack's Anti-war speech at the Chicago Anti-war rally in 2002, and the NH Primary Speech (more famously known by the name: the "Yes. We. Can." speech). It truly is wonderful rhetoric. Besides the fact that Barack is a great public speaker, his words have a clear, persuasive, emotional, and authoritative message. The fact that he speaks well is just a plus.

The Anti-War speech.

In front of a large crowd of anti-war ralliers, Barack says that he is not, in fact, against war entirely. He comes out and throws this opinion to the crowd. I wonder what feelings ot stirred. Nonetheless, he claims authority right off the bat with that one line: "(published speech)Let me begin by saying that this has been billed as an anti-war rally, I stand before you as someone who is not opposed to war in all circumstances" (said at rally-added lib.-"and as I look over this crowd today, I see that there is no shortage of patriots or patriotism."). What he is opposed to is a "dumb war", a "rash war", a "war based on passion" and "not on reason". He is straight forward with his message. He cares about what he believes in. Barack also uses allusions; all the time. They give his speeches the emotion that comes with a strong message. His purpose is backed up with logic and actual occurrences.

Link: Barack Anti-war Speech

"Yes. We. Can." Speech... to be continued...