David Gergen says Obama's inaugural speech was not 'one for the ages'

CNN senior political analyst David Gergen sounded a bit let down by President Barack Obama's inaugural speech.

"It was not as lofty as I would have anticipated," said Gergen, noting that Obama had visited sites such as the Lincoln Memorial for inspiration. He said that while previous presidents had given inaugural speeches "speaking to the ages," Obama's speech "was speaking to this generation. It was very rooted in the here and now."

— Greg Braxton

(Photo courtesy Jeff Christensen / AP)

Comments

[Jennifer]

Then I say David Gergen is an idiot.

[Eileen CG]

I agree with Mr. Gergen and was disappointed, too -- at first, but it seems that the speech had a weight to it, that after so many lofty speeches, this one needed to have more gravitas. We needed to hear this, in exactly this way. I do wish, however, he had added something like "We are Americans! We are Americans. We are Americans!" Seems to say it all. Great chant.

[Alan]

Could Gergen have any more of a tin ear? It just isn't true that you must ignore the present in order to speak "to the ages," any more than it's true that you must ignore individual specificity in a novel in order for readers to identify with your characters. This is a moment of crisis, and the President's speech was addressing this moment of crisis. Speeches directly addressing moments of crisis do endure for the ages because they separate one era from another and remind us of the possibility of changing course.

[Richard]

this speech was the most horendous inauguration speech i have ever heard in my entire 32 year life!!! it completely lacked any substance whatsoever!!! but what did i think would come out of the "mindless dribble masters" mouth anyways??? and what about that sad pathetic excuse for a poem??? that lady needs to go back to elementary english class!!! simply pathetic!!! or how about the touch of racism provided that sorry excuse for a preacher during the rantified benidiction??? all in all, this was disgusting, mind-numbing rubbish that completely contridicted itself with the talks of self-responsibility in one breath and the complete and utter socialist drool (government solving private citizens problems).... Obama is a hack and an empty suit and it was only fitting for his speech to show the complete lack of gumption that this sad pathetic excuse for a man has!!!! America you get what was PAID for... an 'obamanation!!!!!

[Jane]

NBC, where are the jokes about Ted Kenndey and KKK member Robert Byrd? You were full of jokes about VP Dick Cheney being in a wheel chair! Now I'm waiting for the jokes about the two Democrat Senators being taken off in wheelchair/ambulance.
Now let's be fair! Let's show the American spirit that Obama has asked for!
Can't do it, can you? What happened to reporting the news and not putting your slant on the news? Gone with the wind, I guess.
How is Chris Matthews today! Bet he has used a dozen Depends so he won't have all the "trickling" down his legs!

[Mimi]

I loved the speech. It was heartfelt, and spoke to me. David Gergen -- whom I admire and generally agree with -- should listen again. It soared, and I soared with it.

[thecookie]

I thought it was exactly - EXACTLY - as it needed to be.
http://lifeisacookie.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/inahhhhhhhhguration/

[Andy]

very dull

[the gossip queen]

I think this speech was wonderful and it touched millions of people so all the people that voted for McCain sorry he lost obama is our president so get over it obama is wonderful and will take us far in the future so go obama stop talking about him bad he is till our president obama you rock!!!!!!!

[anne]

gergen really has nothing to say-boring. but the speech fell short of being memorable-it was really flat.

[Gustavo Cohen]

I understand why many people didn't like the inaugural speech. We usually expect a more uplifting, hope filled speech for such moment. But I think it was an intended wake up call at day one. Between lines, or hidden between words, I understood things like: We must stop our bad habits, we must re arrange our priorities. It was more than a speech. I am not a democrat not a republican and that speech made me feel as if a "good friend" took the time to sit with me and talk to me out of pure best interest, to let me know what things he can see from outside, and that he cares. Heroes are good, speakers are as mentioned before, uplifting. But I think we need right now a Realist we can relate to and that we could see ourselves changing and evolving side by side with.

[robert matthews]

waht happened to my comment I made last night?