President Barack Obama is a powerful speaker. His style is both eloquent and articulate, as Ted Sorensen, a former speechwriter for John F. Kennedy described. So perhaps it comes as no surprise that then Sen. Obama has claimed not one—but two—Grammy Awards.
As told by the Los Angeles Times:
Barack Obama won his first Grammy in 2005 for the audio version of his memoir "Dreams from My Father," which claimed the prize for best spoken word over "The Adventures of Guy Noir: Radio Private Eye" (Garrison Keillor), "The Al Franken Show Party" (Al Franken), "Chronicles: Volume One" (Bob Dylan) and "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?" (George Carlin).
"Dreams from My Father" was originally published in book form in 1995, but it was re-released in print with audio spinoff after he delivered the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004.
Obama accepted another Grammy in 2008 for the audio version of his book "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream."
Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Hillary Clinton have also received Grammy Awards. As the Los Angeles Times noted:
No Republican politician has won one of the spoken word categories since Illinois Sen. Everett Dirksen prevailed in 1967 for "Gallant Men."
Republicans may not be as savvy at spoken word as Obama, however, the more essential skill is for a leader to be able to keep their word. In spite of his oratorical finesse, I doubt Obama will be winning an award for that anytime soon.
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