Alvin Greene; the young, virtually unknown Democratic candidate for the United States Senate from South Carolina, made his first major public speech today. Initial news reports don't include any silly ideas or other gaffes that many expected from the political newcomer. In fact, he seems to be following the highly lauded campaign strategies of our current president - attack your would-be predecessor in front of a friendly crowd and make vague promises you have no idea how to keep.

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While the unemployed military veteran doesn't have the smooth speech pattern of President Barack Obama (or maybe he just doesn't have the speechwriters and teleprompters Mr. Obama has had access to since he appeared on the national stage), Mr. Greene does seem to have mastered the art of telling people what they want to hear. "My campaign is about moving South Carolina and America forward," he said in the speech at his hometown's chapter of the NAACP. He started with national job loss statistics and South Carolina's poor rankings in standardized tests and then went on to attack incumbent Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) saying, "South Carolina and America cannot afford six more years of my opponent. We cannot let my opponent keep this country hostage." (source) You can almost hear the word "inherited" from would-be Senator Greene.

The remainder of Mr. Greene's speech touched on the issues he believes are important saying, "Now is the time to implement alternative forms of energy such as solar, wind and methane. These efforts will create green jobs and save Americans money. For example, Americans can save money on their electric bill and at the gasoline pump."

He also commented on education, "We need better education for our children. Parents need to take a more active part in their child's education - especially parents of under-performing students. Instead of doing less for education, we ought to be doing more."

But, like Senate Candidate Obama, Presidential Candidate Obama and now President Obama; Mr. Greene offered no specifics for how he would make improvements in these areas. (source)

In short, Mr. Greene's first public address was not the laughable gaffe-fest many predicted. It was sad, useless and frighteningly reminiscent of the speeches President Obama is still making every day. Hopefully a large segment of the American people will learn from Mr. Greene what they did not learn from Mr. Obama in time: successful candidates must offer voters new ideas, substance, experience and candor. Our country does not need more novelty acts who will cast blame on others and tell us what they think we want to hear; it needs real leadership.