Yes it was. It was so much fun, I watched it several times. And yes, again the inflection in his voice - the combination of bewilderment and certainty - was absolutely perfect.
Two years before Obama was elected, I'd been elected to our school board. In the second year of my term, the superintendent asked to meet with me. I was aghast when he showed me the upcoming budget figures. It was December, and news of the economic crisis had barely registered with the public, but it was plain to see on those spread sheets that the tax base that school district's depend upon had already crashed.
How bad, how long, I stammered? To which the superintendent replied, years, it looks like we're entering another depression. You mean, the great one, you mean the Great Depression, I managed to ask? He nodded yes, and explained he'd asked to meet with me, because I represented our school district on the common interest group, and we needed to be prepared to explain to our respective districts, and the public, how serious it was.
That common interest group was the brilliant idea of our county supervisor. Once a month, an elected representative from every jurisdictional entity in our region met to pool our collective knowledge, resources, talents, experience, and brains on behalf of our community. As a result, our little rural town, schools, and community was a bright and shiny example of what government can, and should do.
Unfortunately, no amount of explaining could penetrate the minds of the public. It was almost two years, before the foreclosures hit and people began to wake up. By then Obama was in office and the vast majority of the public was blaming him for Bush's economy.
Our little "common interest" group, managed to keep things stable and keep working towards our goals. For the first time ever, our school district reached the status of distinguished schools - a mark of excellence.
When the public was finally, and fully awake, all Hell broke loose and local officials bore the brunt of their fears, confusions, and burdens. Unfortunately, terrified people do terrifying things. For local officials, it was a frightening and violent time.
Humility is fine, but only to a point. Refusing to point fingers of blame at Bush was fine, but only to a point. By refusing to place the blame on Bush, then failing to take credit for his economy during his own presidency, then Trump's presidency, Obama unwittingly left the little people, elected at the local level, hanging out to dry.
For me, Obama's remarks were vindication - long overdue vindication. You better believe, Trump inherited Obama's economy and he inherited the healthy, robust economies in small towns like mine as well. We're the people who did the work, took the risks, and kept on building - not Trump.
Sorry for such a lengthy reply. Apparently, I needed to get that experience off my chest. :)
