The election of 2006 was a revolution that was barely televised in New Hampshire. The State House, Senate and Executive Council all gained a Democratic majority, which neither the pundits nor the media had predicted. That the state also retired its two Republican Congressmen and sent Democratic replacements to Washington was icing on the cake.

So, when it came time for 1500 licket-holders to celebrate our victory in Manchester yesterday, a strong contingent of media keen on catching up with the news was to be expected. But, that doesn't seem to be why a dozen videographers, an equal number with still cameras and a host of people with note-pads were in attendance. And the morning-after coverage doesn't even suggest that all those media folk were there. So, what was going on?

Well, it seems that the invitation to Senator Obama to deliver a key-note speech set the script that this was the opening of yet another presidential campaign. And that's what the stories are all about.

I intend to make my report a little different.

In going over the Senator's presentation in my mind, I was left with the impression he'd come with a list of words and phrases that had tested well with audiences. Perhaps this perception was influenced by the fact that he frequently continued speaking before the audience applause was done, as if the response was expected and not particularly significant. (The Boston Globe reports numerous "standing ovations" but fails to mention that the audience had no choice, since the only people provided with chairs were the dignitaries on the stage).

The Senator's apparent lack of sensitivity to the audience's response contrasted with our two new Representatives, who preceded Obama at the lectern. Their appreciation of the crowd's enthusiasm for their achievements was plapable. Carol Shea-Porter in particular has learned the art of listening well and responds to interruptions with a smile and an appropriate pause.

In any case, after the pro-forma expressions of appreciation for having been invited and recognizing the electoral achievements of those present, on the stage and in the audience, the Senator launched into an address which included the following words and phrases:

We the people

public servants and public service

leaders and leadership

activists and agitators

audacity

symbol

citizen

American values

will and imagination

ideology

Not necessarily in that order. Though "ideology" seemed sort of an after-thought and not quite in keeping with the rest. Then I learned from David Sirota that this is the word of the week at the Democratic Leadership Council.

While I was personally gratified by the reference to politicians as public servants and appreciated his throw-away line that politics is not a game, Senator Obama seems to be suggesting that the country's leaders being (once again) out of step with what the American people want is to be corrected by changing the leadership, rather than recognizing that the people are in charge.

Strangely, although there was mention of the Declaration of Independence and the addition of various groups to the ranks of citizenship, individual rights went largely overlooked, even as social obligations seem to be restricted to providing for the welfare of the very young and the very old--those for whom "will and imagination" are not sufficient to get them what they need.

Also, although the audience responded with great enthusiasm to the topic of Iraq, whatever the Senator's position is was lost to me in the observation that "tough and smart" needs to take the place of "tough and dumb"--a laugh line designed to erase a thought?

Finally, from my perspective, the Senator's approach to the health care mess is perhaps most disappointing. Although he seems to have a good grasp of the waste and misadministration which sustains the most expensive system on the face of the earth, while leaving fully one sixth of the entire population out, his suggestion that we tinker with the record-keeping to reduce the cost boggles the mind. One can only hope that the role of the phramaceutical cartels and the insurance middle-men hasn't already been conceded.

Senator Obama is an effective speaker and, if political involvement is an acquired taste, adds a certain sparkle. But, one gets the sense that the hard work will have to be done by someone else.