It is that common American identity -- which Barack Obama exemplifies, heart and soul -- that enables us as Americans to speak with moral authority to all of the peoples of the world to inspire hope that we as human beings can transcend our limitations to redeem the promise of human freedom.

CNN: Transcript: Al Gore's speech at Invesco Field

No, thought Whitman: soul and body are equals, and people should write as they think and speak.

ECONOMIST: American poets