[konaice]

I rate it among the top 5 of the 20 second-inaugurals in our history. Lincoln's profound sermon "with malice toward none" is incomparable, but Bush's second was better than Jefferson's mean-spirited pouting at "the artillery of the press."

I rate it better than any I've heard. It even sounded good with W's stilted speaking style. It reads better than it sounded. I think its a masterpiece, and would have loved to hear Ronnie give that speach.

ok, now before everybody dumps on me about my "W's style" remark... let me say oratory is not his strong suit. He doesn't NEED it to be.

[neverdem]

It reads better than it sounded.

I was distracted intermittently when he gave it. After I read it, I thought it was great, the best he ever gave.

[karnage]

Bush43 is not an orator in the Churchill tradition. But he is a visionary, and he's at his best when he's himself - straightforward, down-to-earth, and also linked to the giants of history through his themes and references. We had an extremely articulate, emotionally resonant and empathetic President recently, from a state that borders President Bush's home state of Texas - and almost every word that exited his lips was a lie.

Sometimes, Dubya can sound a bit arrogant, or second grade teacherish - and he was neither on this glorious occasion.