Andrew McCarthy breathes fire about Obama’s speech

Many, even on the Right (this, for example), are applauding Obama for striking the correct tone with his Cairo/Muslim audience.  I agree that one cannot simultaneously insult people and then expect them to listen, so it was appropriate for Obama to put a positive spin on as many things as possible.  Nevertheless, as Andrew McCarthy points out, Obama went beyond softening his message and into the realm of outright lies, all of which served as a springboard for pushing his usual Leftist agenda.

As you know from my own rundown of the speech, Obama said some things that needed to be said and said them well (something I acknowledged).  I agree with McCarthy, however, that the speech was tendentious and dishonest, and I agree also with those pundits who noted that it was an exceptionally self-involved bit of oratory.

Lastly, speaking of oratory, I have to say that it was boring.  Compared to McCain, Obama’s a good speaker.  Compared to real orators (Churchill, Roosevelt, Kennedy, King, Reagan), he’s pompous, self-referential, and dull.

Which leads me to a question:  Are there any great orators living today?  By that I mean, are there any men and women whose speeches are a pleasure to listen to for any audience except for the true haters (who could never derive pleasure from the speech)?