Obama the Orator: The Return of a Communicator

Image courtesy of Twitter.com/BarackObama

I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. - Barack Obama

November 6th saw the re-election of President Barack Obama, and the return of a communicator reaching the heights of communication skills not much seen since 2008.

Four for You President Obama, You Go President Obama: Changing Immigration for the Youth of America

Image courtesy of White House Flickr stream

"Put yourself in their shoes. Imagine you’ve done everything right your entire life—studied hard, worked hard, maybe even graduated at the top of your class—only to suddenly face the threat of deportation to a country that you know nothing about, with a language that you may not even speak." - President Barack Obama, June 15th 2012.

President Obama issued an executive order to the Department of Homeland Security that will secure his place with the Hispanic demographic. In a struggling election year where Mitt Romney has recently outraised Obama for the first time in the race, it's a bold move for the President. The Romney campaign recently raised a total of $76.8m compared to Obama's $60m in May. The DREAM Act was initially part of President's 2008 campaign, and one of the promises he made before taking office. Since then, the United States has seen the deportation of over one million immigrants.

Quick Comment: Birth Certificates, Reptiles and Obama, Oh My.

Courtesy of White House flickr stream

You've heard them all before. Obama's not American. Obama's not human. Obama runs a secret balloon animal society with Bo. Okay, so I totally made that last one up, excuse the hyperbolic example but I think you're getting the point.

Quick Comment: Comeback Kids and the Women's Vote

Michelle Obama. Image courtesy of White House flickr stream

Politico published an article this morning which discussed Bill Clinton as the Obama campaign whisperer. Anyone who is surprised by this statement only needs to look at the popularity of both men to see why it makes sense. Clinton  understands the rhetoric that the Obama campaign need to use after disappointing  many of his original supporters during his first term. The former president also apparently understands that Mitt Romney's biggest vulnerability during this race is not his media hyped reputation of ideological flip flopping but the missing support within one crucial demographic: the women's vote. Politico point out that Hispanics and moderate independents are also an important factor to the Obama campaign. However, the gap within the gender vote is significant enough to look promising for Team Obama.

Quick Comment: Game Change

“It's not that she doesn't know the right answer, it's that she clearly doesn't understand the question." - Game Change, 2012

HBO's Game Change premiered in the UK on Sky Atlantic this weekend after a successful debut in the United States.

How to.. Blog & Get Noticed

The internet is a colossal space filled with blogs and aspiring writers, so how does one stand out in the mass of talent on a growing platform of user generated content? When I see my traffic increase I occasionally want to burst into song,  'Hello.. Is it me you're looking for?', I always wonder if they stumbled upon me or sought me out.

There are blogs on every and any subject, there are personal blogs, professional blogs, and academic blogs, so how do you reach your audience? It can all be done with a few simple steps in the right direction.

Nuts and Bolts: The iPad 3

Apple have launched a new model of the much loved tablet the iPad, so what's with all the hype? Read more for a deliciously quick and easy to understand overview of Apple's new addition.

Quick Comment: "Our alliance is essential."

What the US and British alliance can do for the Obama campaign

Photo courtesy of The Prime Minister's Office's flickr photostream 

"We Americans and Brits speak the same language most of the time. David, we are chuffed to bits that you are here."

- President Barack Obama, March 14th 2012. 

Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha's first official visit to the White House comes on the heels of disappointing poll results for the Obama campaign. This morning, both President Obama and the Prime Minister addressed the press at a ceremonial event at the White House.

The visit has been widely covered across the media, highlighting Mr Obama's hospitality towards the British leader and illuminating a comfortable dynamic between the two to remove the stigma of a transatlantic relationship which was once hostile during Gordon Brown's leadership of the UK. The synergistic visit will surely be one of significance and strengthen both leaders image in both foreign and domestic opinion. Critics will claim that the visit suffers from glorified media coverage and forced anecdotes such as both men's comments on Mr Obama taking the Prime Minister to a basketball game during the visit.

Highs and Lows of the Obama Presidency (Timeline)

Highs and Lows of the Obama Presidency in Office and the Media

Image courtesy of White House Flickr stream

 "Now is the time to keep our foot on the gas, not put on the brakes. And I am not going to settle for a country where just a few do really well and everybody else is struggling to get by."

Tripling the national deficit, a decline in public approval ratings, and  failing to fulfil his major campaign promise of closing Guantanamo, Obama's first term has been rocked with turbulence and hostility, on top of an inherited economy crisis unseen since the Great Depression.

I've compiled a list of the highs and lows of Barack Obama and his reputation, including legislation, appearances and state visits, and a few things which show that Barack Obama finds the time even on a national holiday to think of the American people.

Quick Comment: Video Games

Photo taken from official trailer of The Road We've Traveled.

The trailer for The Road We've Traveled, the 17 minute David Guggenheim documentary chronicling President Obama's first term in office, was released yesterday.

Critics will claim that the documentary is an extended campaign ad in disguise, over hyped and brimming with sensationalism, glossy effects and forced interviews in favour of Barack Obama's record. Even the sceptics can't deny that it is a clever move at this point in the race where voters are bombarded with the dirty ads of the GOP candidates and the Republican electorate is at a clear divide. President Obama is pushing the positivity at this stage, before the gruelling race against the ultimate GOP winner begins and the gauntlets are thrown down, when that stage is eventually reached.