Last Monday I was shown Obama’s “Fired up, ready to go” speech in a corporate meeting. It was at the end of the meeting, as a motivational video.
Now I know that it wasn’t the original video, it was Obama retelling the story doing campaign for Hillary Clinton. This is the video, and I recommend you to see it:
There’s another previous video where he tells the story of “Fired Up! Ready to Go!”, from his final rally in 2012.
If you don’t want to enjoy the video, this is the original story: In June 2007, then-Senator Barack Obama visited the small town of Greenwood, South Carolina, as part of his campaign efforts. When he arrived at the town’s civic center, late at night and in a driving rain, he was surprised to find a room of only 30 supporters. A woman, noticing the look on the candidate’s face, yelled out to those assembled with her usual chant, “Fired up!”. The room responded, “Fired up!” Obama, surprised by the enthusiasm, turned around to see Childs as she continued, “Ready to go!”, to which the room again responded, “Ready to go!”. Soon after the campaign stop in Greenwood, the same chant was repeated at a larger Obama rally in Aiken, South Carolina. Before long, volunteers were carrying signs and wearing shirts printed with the slogan, and the national press almost become crazy with this.
That woman is real, named Edith Childs. She even has a Wikipedia page! As you could imagine, in December 2009, then-President Obama invited Childs to the White House for the first holiday celebration.
Here you’ll find another video about this story, and about Edith, check it out:
I don’t usually believe in fortunate coincidences, and this “anecdote” is so perfect… The story, the chant, what became, part of the history. Maybe it did happen or maybe didn’t happen this way, but the story is still cool. And what could I say about that slogan “Fired up, ready to go” which became a chant on Obama’s election campaign. Can’t imagine the huge amount of merchandising around this phrase!
Also, you can like him more or less, but you may admit that Obama is one of the greatest speakers and orators. He connects with the audience, has great control of his body orientation and great use of the cadence when he speaks, and last but not least has a very elegant sense of humor.
The best part from this speech is when Obama finish the story and starts motivating the crowd:
“One voice can change a room… And if it can change a room, it can change a city. And if it can change a city, it can change a state. And if it can change a state, it can change a nation. And if it can change a nation, it can change the world. So I just have one question for you New Hampshire – Are you fired up? Ready to go? Fired up? Ready to go?”
Barack Obama before Election Day, doing campaign for Hillary Clinton
Isn’t it motivating? I hope you enjoyed the video and the story as I did.
Now what? Are you fired up? Because then you might be ready to go ;)
I hope you liked it. If so, please share it! Do not hesitate to add your comments. And, if you want to stay up to date, don’t miss my free newsletter.
Thanks for reading!
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