"Obama said things like: 'We are one nation; we are one people; and our time for change has come.'"

"Clinton said things like: 'I founded in the Senate the Bipartisan Manufacturing Caucus.'"

Shouldn't we prefer flat-footed competence to cheerful generalities? Yes, but conceding that you're boring doesn't make you more competent, inspiring people is part of the President's work, and the capacity to deliver a fine oration doesn't entail some corresponding incapacity.