There are plenty of other areas of our newspaper and Web site where you can read about our soon-to-be President Barack Obama.

So I ask readers not to grimace to find this space, intended to be devoted to a daily dose of diversion via entertainment news and watercooler buzz, filled with more about Obama today.

But I want to share something I find interesting about Obama's polished presence which helped him secure these next four years leading our country.

As many readers know, in addition to my time here in the newsroom, I also teach communication and writing courses at Valparaiso University and Purdue University North Central.

The textbook I use for my Introduction to Public Speaking course is "The Art of Public Speaking" by Stephen E. Lucas.

Beginning with the 2006 edition of this book, Lucas began including Obama's photo on the cover of the book as well as using him as the example shared during the introduction for Chapter 5 "Analyzing Your Audience," pointing to the public persona and communication power he displayed as a "young and unknown senator from Illinois" asked to address the 2004 National Democratic Convention.

The author explains "Obama's speech displayed that good public speakers are audience-centered, knowing that the primary purpose of speech making is NOT to browbeat the audience or blow off steam, but rather to gain a desired response."

And despite whether you are a Republican or Democrat and whether you voted for Obama or not, there's no denying this is a man who is an excellent public speaker and communicator.

The textbook chapter continues with:

"When Obama delivered that keynote address on July 27, 2004, he was still running for the senate seat in Illinois and he needed to present himself and his message in a way that would make a favorable impression not only on the convention delegates but also on the television audience and the national media. Even Obama's associates could not have predicted how successful he would be.

Stressing moral values, personal responsibility, political hope and the American dream, he reached all parts of his audience with his remarkable effectiveness. Knowing he was a stranger to most listeners, he described himself as 'a skinny kid with a funny name' and explained his background as the son of an American woman and a Kenyan immigrant who had come to the United States for a better life.

Speaking with charisma and eloquence, humility and confidence, Obama reaffirmed the importance of hard work and individual initiative, spoke optimistically about the future, and reaffirmed the need for national unity to bring about a brighter day for all Americans.

When Obama concluded, the convention delegates cheered wildly, the press responded with universal praise and television viewers judged the speech a resounding success. It set off what commentators called 'Obama Fever' and 'the Obama Phenomenon' and 'Obamania.' The media said Obama had 'instantly established his credentials as a national political force' and PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer remarked the speech represented 'a bit of history being made.' "

I agree with textbook author Lucas.

And now, it's time to see what Obama will do not just with his words, but his actions.

Words might change public opinion, but it's actions that change the world.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

celebBirthdays

Director Mike Nichols is 77. Country singer Stonewall Jackson is 76. Singer Eugene Pitt of the Jive Five is 71. Singer P.J. Proby is 70. Country singer Guy Clark is 67. Actress Sally Field is 62. Singer Glenn Frey is 60. Newscaster and California First Lady Maria Shriver are 52. Actress Lori Singer ("Fame," "Footloose") is 51. Actor Lance Kerwin is 48. Bassist Paul Brindley of The Sundays is 45. Singer Corey Glover (Living Colour) is 44. Actor Peter DeLuise ("seaQuest DSV," "21 Jump Street") is 42. Actress Kelly Rutherford ("Melrose Place") is 40. Actor Ethan Hawke is 38. Actress Thandie Newton and model-actress Rebecca Romijn are 36. Actress Nicole Dubuc ("Major Dad") is 30.