This is a copywriting exercise where I am taking an excerpt from Barack Obama’s website and re-writing it for my own use. Since I plan on running for office in the somewhat near future, I thought this an excellent piece to re-write.
“On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States, winning more votes than any candidate in history. He took office at a moment of crisis unlike any America had seen in decades – a nation at war, a planet in peril, the American Dream itself threatened by the worst economic calamity since the Great Depression. And yet, despite all manner of political obstruction, Obama’s leadership helped rescue the economy, revitalize the American auto industry, reform the health care system to cover another twenty million Americans, and put the country on a firm course to a clean energy future – all while overseeing the longest stretch of job creation in American history. On the world stage, Obama’s belief in America’s indispensable leadership and strong, principled diplomacy helped wind down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, decimate al Qaeda and eliminate the world’s most wanted terrorists, shut down Iran’s nuclear weapons program, open a new chapter with the people of Cuba, and unite humanity in coordinated action to combat a changing climate.
In times of great challenge and change, President Obama’s leadership ushered in a stronger economy, a more equal society, a nation more secure at home and more respected around the world. The Obama years were ones in which more people not only began to see themselves in the changing face of America, but to see America the way he always has – as the only place on Earth where so many of our stories could even be possible.”
Mr. Obama’s about page from which I have pulled this excerpt is informative and dreamy. It’s informative because it hits the high points of his administration and it’s dreamy because of the verbiage used. It’s well-written but also very flowery in the way it’s presented. He ties the issues he helped to solve back to well-known times in history, so there is some contrast going on. The second paragraph here sums everything up very generally and I am now going to attempt to re-write part of it for my own use. Part of this will be fictional because I have not been elected yet, but you can imagine with me.
In the 34th year of Matthew Modlin’s life, he decided to start his campaign to become the youngest President of the United States. The years he would serve as president were set to be the toughest years in history. America was on the precipice of a war with China, its national debt was more than it’s GDP, and there was a near revolution in the land, not unlike the war that started this great country. Even amidst all this turmoil and strife, Matthew had the vision to see America through these trying times and lead it to the heights known as the greatest country on earth. His leadership would end the wars, pay down the debt and calm those who were ready for a revolution. His strong background in ministry, finance, business, and public service was the pool he pulled the skills needed to accomplish the rebuilding of the American dream. After Matthew’s election, the world realized that once again America was not to be trifled with and the evil of the world shook at the administration of Matthew. Matthew saw to it that the American people were employed, free of civil strife, and had the means to achieve their dreams.
Matthew will work tirelessly to ensure that the quality of America's life is what the generations beforehand experienced. This will take the talent, resourcefulness, and immense skill set which Matthew possesses to ensure that he can deliver on his promises. He enjoys a challenge and has the stamina to see America in the future it deserves.