When I attended President Obama's inauguration in 2009 in Washington, DC, I listened carefully to see if he would mention innovation in his speech. Although I was inspired by his speech and the excitement of watching him in person, I was surprised that he did NOT use the word innovate or innovation in his speech.
During his first State of the Union speech in 2010, he mentioned the "I-Words" just 3 times and during his recent State of the Union Address on January 25, 2011, President Obama was able to "communicate-to-innovate" as he used the words "innovate" or "innovation" a total of 11 times during his 6,995 word speech. For your inspiration, I've included his 11 excerpted quotes below in the order that they appeared in his speech.
Communicate-to-Innovate, Gerald "Solutionman" Haman
"Quotes on Innovation" from President Obama's 2011 State of Union Address
"We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world"
"The first step in winning the future is encouraging American innovation."
"In America, innovation doesn't just change our lives. It is how we make our living."
"Our free enterprise system is what drives innovation."
"We didn't just surpass the Soviets; we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs."
"We need to get behind this innovation."
"If we want to win the future -– if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas -– then we also have to win the race to educate our kids."
"If you show us the most innovative plans to improve teacher quality and student achievement, we'll show you the money."
"All these investments -– in innovation, education, and infrastructure –- will make America a better place to do business and create jobs."
"Cutting the deficit by gutting our investments in innovation and education is like lightening an overloaded airplane by removing its engine. It may make you feel like you're flying high at first, but it won't take long before you feel the impact."
"Our success in this new and changing world will require reform, responsibility, and innovation."
