Yes We Can, The Speech & The Song

Until I saw Barack Obama give this speech in New Hampshire, I really wasn't sure who I was going to vote for. Now I have no doubt.

Never can I recall being truly inspired by a politician's speech like this before. And a concession speech at that!

As I went to bed that night thinking about what he had just said, I realized that what we need for this country is not necessarily the most experienced politician, but a real leader. Someone that you can respect, someone that you can look up to. Someone that inspires the people around him to work hard and accomplish things that they never thought they could do. One man (or woman) cannot do it all alone. What I love about Obama's campaign is that it is less about what he will do as president than it is about what he will challenge us all to help him accomplish if he is elected.

A couple of years ago, I was languishing in my job, wondering if I was in the right position -- or even right company for me. Then I got a new boss. My new boss wasn't necessarily any smarter or more experienced than my old boss, but my new boss challenged me in ways my old boss never did. He made me want to get things done that I would have simply let pass by. My new boss inspired me -- he lead me. Now I'm happier than I've ever been in a job in my career and I really believe it is due to the influence of my new boss. Because of him, I have hope that there is a bright future for me in my company.

Obviously, I'm not the only one that saw Obama's speech and was inspired. Many people have written many things about that great speech. However, my favorite result of that speech so far is the excellent Yes We Can video created by Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. Regardless of whether or not you agree with the politics of the candidate, I expect you will agree with me that this video is an extremely well-done mashup between Obama's speech and an original artistic piece produced by Will.i.am.



If Barack can inspire me and Will.i.am, I wonder what he could do for our country if we just give him the chance.

V O T E