The Meat Matters
Mark Bauerlein, professor of English at Emory University and blogger for The Chronicle, penned a thoughtful post last week on, as he puts it, “the decline of the great tradition of American oratory.” Mr. Bauerlein argues that most political speeches are today little more than vacuous cheerleading sessions.
Specifically, he highlights Ronald Reagan’s 1964 Republican Convention address:
Take a look at this speech by Ronald Reagan at the 1964 Republican Convention. He sounds many themes that would characterize conservative thinking for the subsequent 36 years, especially small government, private property rights, and anti-Soviet stances — even a shot at Harvard. It’s a feast for the audience, but observe how the attendees react. Applause moments are few, hurrahs rare. Reagan proceeds from one beloved point to another, and the audience listens and takes it in. In other words, it’s a lecture, not a call-and-response, or rather, prompt-and-applaud ritual.
That our politics today is so empty despite so many words is perhaps obvious to the serious observer, but Mr. Bauerlein’s point, I think, is well taken.
How often do we watch the news or listen to our public servants for an honest and rigorous discussion of the issues of the day? It seems more often than not we tune in, rather, to gain self-assurance or vindication of our beliefs and biases.
The first man who comes along with real meat to back up his words will work a miracle. It would be a more significant sea change in American politics than the Regan Revolution’s impact on our national pride.
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