A VC - Latest Comments in Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

Harry — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:56:35 -0000

Did you use such slang with previous, white presidents?

I think it's tacky and undermines your personal brand, Fred. Makes you sound like Don Imus or Rush Limbaugh

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

Geoff — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:26:12 -0000

Thanks for the link. Even on his website it is still a YouTube video.

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

Steve Kane — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:45:22 -0000

the media has made this a youtube thing but obamam IS using his own transition site as the primary source:

http://change.gov

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

fredwilson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:32:02 -0000

That's slang

I agree its not PC

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

Sam Smith — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:23:53 -0000

Really? Ghetto? is that the word you really want to use?

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

vincentvw — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:10:32 -0000

I think the danger of viewing things too "globally," is that you end up forgetting about the local. America needs to do a lot to fix itself, one of which is certainly opening up to international regulation, but other national issues were addressed in Obama's video: unemployment, lack of innovation, etc. Whether these two are incompatible, I hope not and I hope that Obama will do what is right, both for the global economy and for the people that elected him.

Disclaimer: I write this as a European.

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

Geoff — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:37:29 -0000

Impressive that he is using YouTube rather than his own site, quite a coup for Google.
I wonder if he will go walkabout on future addresses.
It all rather reminded me of the Queen's annual Christmas message.

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

ambivalence — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:46:07 -0000

I think it's a fine line trying to rally the people here whose self interests are presumably aligned with what his job is as president (elect), as well as appealing to the citizens of the world as a whole who can't quite assume that Obama has their best interest in mind.

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

danrua — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:39:34 -0000

Interesting thought Fred. I don't see it as black and white as you do: one nation vs. one world. I'm much more comfortable with a president-elect who appreciates both national interests and world interests have a role in any solution. As such, mentioning both in the address seems very appropriate...

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

Guest — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:46:52 -0000

The full sentence is:
"If this financial crisis has taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers -- in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people."

A more accurate phrasing would be:
"If this financial crisis has taught us anything, it's that a thriving Wall Street led to the whole world suffering"

This fantastic account of what had happened is an absolute "must read":
http://www.portfolio.com/ne...

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

fredwilson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:23:45 -0000

Agree on both Ken

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

kenberger — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:22:28 -0000

Ghetto works for me well, for a *change*. Better than a portrait behind him of Kennebunkport.

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

kenberger — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:19:49 -0000

Off to a great start w/ this.
Best part is the length: 3:34, like the average pop song video. Retains stickiness.

"Make no mistake" (at 1:08)-- ditch the Bushism.

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

fredwilson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:17:46 -0000

I know but the fact is that he needs the cooperation of the world, not just
our country to fix what's wrong

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

dan — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:11:45 -0000

He's President-elect of the United States, not President of the World.

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

fredwilson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:58:56 -0000

Right

I am not being critical

He's doing most everything right so far

But I kind of wish he'd be a bit more global at the end as well

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

arikan — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:46:47 -0000

By addressing the nation on YouTube, Obama is already addressing the "global nation".

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

fredwilson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:13:59 -0000

i noticed it too. kind of ghetto for the next president of the US

Re: Obama's First Weekly YouTube Address

mattmaroon — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:01:17 -0000

Am I the only one who noticed that early '80s looking wood paneling in the background? That's one notch above smoke-stained floral-print wallpaper.