Mark Warner's Speech...
...wasn't really the keynote speech of the convention at all. It was the warm-up to the main event of the evening, which is coming soon.
Warner made some noise yesterday about possibly sounding a "bipartisan" message that would upset his partisan audience, causing consternation among some Dems who worried that Warner might undercut efforts to draw a sharp contrast with McCain.
Warner, it's true, didn't really draw a meaningfully sharp contrast with McCain, though he uncorked a few predictable lines about us not being able to afford four more years of Bush policies.
But rather than ideologically stiff-arm the left, Warner, who has succeeded in a historically red state by playing the role of post-partisan technocrat, sounded mostly predictable bipartisan tones that weren't at all out of sync with Obama's talk about reaching across party lines to get things done, etc., etc.
Full text of Warner's speech here.
SUCKED
August 26, 2008 10:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
indeed
August 26, 2008 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw Janet Napolitano speak at the Colorado State Democratic Convention. She brought the house down!
Missed opportunity. Big time!
August 26, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
you guys are lame. That speech was great. He was clear, honest and substantive. Just because he didn't do what you guys wanted him to do, which is rip McCain apart doesn't mean his speech wasn't good. He laid out clear differences between the candidates.
Joe Scarborough Vs. David Shuster and Whats Up With Shovels
August 26, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
no, he didnt.
i dunno what speech you were watching, but i don't think it was the same one i saw.
August 26, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought he did a good job --- I know I felt my enthusiasm for the campaign rising and wished we could have had him on the ticket.
August 26, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Warner was throughly uninspiring. What a waste of a keynote.
I heard it on the radio. It sounded like the sort of speech that you would write for a screenplay if you needed a scene with a generic, lightweight Dem politician. Pure styrofoam.
I'm glad he'll win the VA senate seat, and I hope he holds it for many years. Now get him off the stage.
August 26, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I concur. I didn't see it live (living in Canada with only 3 broadcast channel (sigh...) but I read the text, and I was very impressed with the message it sent, making it frankly one of the better political discourses I have read (to quote my post last night on Huffington) Was the delivery lackluster or something? Because anyone who expected Warner to go for the jugular clearly doesn't actually know anything about the man. He is a rising star, and after Obama fixes America, Warner will be in a fine position to be president of a new, post partisan nation.
Or, I'm a dreamer...
August 27, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Some of these bloggers were apparently watching a different DNC than the one I watched. Sen. Casey's speech was OK, but his delivery was at best pedestrian - he looked like he was reading the speech - all of them were, of course, but good politicians never look like they're using the teleprompter - and he spoke much too fast. Gov. Warner, on the other hand, gave a great speech, and the networks should be ashamed they didn't carry it - the keynote speech, for crying out loud! Warner's delivery was first class, he looked great, and if he isn't a serious presidential candidate in 2016 (two years into his second term in the Senate) I'll be very surprised.
He isn't an attack dog. Neither is Obama.
August 27, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
He looks like a dentist. He lectures like an accounting teacher. Blecchhh!
August 26, 2008 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Josh is right
Casey was way better. I am glad Warner's headed for the Senate, and that he is off the stage
August 26, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah Casey was great.
August 26, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was an okay speech for the convention...but for a keynote? I'm not so sure.
I guess I'm just waiting for someone - ANYONE - to stand up and vocalize why I'm so fricking pissed off about what this administration has done to this country over the past 8 years. Why aren't people more fired up?
August 26, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
SchrodingersCat: Check this thread:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/recommend-if-you-want-to-see-n.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0lQtetrIME
"McCain has NO IDEA how bad it is out there! NONE!"
August 26, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was the keynote in name only.
August 26, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess I'm the only one that thought Warner was good. I've been saying for years that I have so many reasons to dislike Bush/Cheney that I've forgotten most of them. Mark Warner reminded me of a few that I've forgotten, and I think that his appeal to our inner competitiveness will resonate with regular Americans.
August 26, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I liked the speech as well. It was optimistic and forward looking. He warned against being mired in petty and harmful division. Like some of Obama's speeches, Warner's speech made me feel less cynical.
Warner convincingly argued that McCain is continuation of the last devolved eight years.
It was a very good speech.
And Greg's snarky-ass remark that Warner's keynote speech is a a mere warm-up to Hillary's main event--give me a break. Have some respect for things non-Clinton, please.
August 26, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Warner followed by Schweitzer. This works for me.
August 26, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can someone elaborate on Josh's post about Fox News being in charge of the camera feeds? Does this mean Fox is directing camera and audio? I was just thinking tonight how horrible the audio mix is. The crowd sounds so muted. You don't get any sense of the excitement. That arena is FULL right now, but is sure doesn't sound like it.
August 26, 2008 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hartmann made mention of this in his show this morning. Among other things, he noted that during the cutaway shots, whenever Fox showed enthusiastic people, they just happened to be black; whenever they showed white people, they invariably looked bored.
Didn't see it myself -- not a TV watcher -- so I can't speak to its accuracy.
If it's accurate, the Democrats handed the enemies of this Republic a major weapon. For no apparent reason.
OTOH, given all the corporate money the party is sucking down at this convention, maybe it does make sense on a meta-level.
August 27, 2008 1:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
That speech sucked canal water. My God ... 'good ieads come from both sides ...' Can you IMAGINE what that piece of shit Giuliani will say next Tuesday? Once again, Democrats refuse to take their own side in a fight.
August 26, 2008 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Poorly written, poorly delivered. What a waste. Only one good line--the one about Bush not asking anything of America after 9/11. He has zero future as far as I am concerned.
August 26, 2008 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
It doesn't matter if it has an R or D by it? BS. That kittens and puppy dogs crap doesn't work in presidential politics. Rudy Giuliani is going to bite the head off that puppy; and the American public will cheer with pavlovian predictability. Warner was clearly giving a speech that would only help Mark Warner.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 26, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rudy can stick it. The middle of the roaders I know will love Warner's speech and despise Rudy or anyone else who disparages it. Shit -- I wished he could been on the ticket rather than old politico Joe.
August 26, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
he sucked
August 26, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I find myself agreeing with Rachel Maddow and, oddly, Pat Buchanan. Warner's speech was worthless for the DNC but probably fine for Mark Warner.
Self-inflicted kindness wounds. I guess we'll never learn.
August 26, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
i know. where's the anger? bush has trampled our rights, eroded our constitution, allowed TORTURE for crying out loud, and no one seems angry or even passionate about the boy king.
August 26, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
It wasn't as weak as his 2006 response to SOTU
August 26, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
As I posted on another thread, his speech will go well with those of people around here in Indiana. People are freakin' scared about the future, not just about how they going to pay for gas but that entire regions of the state are just going to be the next Appalachia Mountains, just a lot more pot holes and empty factories (at least the ones that haven't been razed now).
And they are tired of bickering politicans. They want ideas and they want a politican with ideas that might bring a better future.
And Hillary is the real key note speaker.
August 26, 2008 10:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
As well as creating the internal dialogue: "And, hey, if that guy Warner is for him, Obama just might not be some kind of socialist."
August 26, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indiana? Yeah, that works. I think he's a neo-Bayh.
August 26, 2008 11:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I said it before. Gov. Schweitzer should have been the keynote speaker. He's working the crowd right now, and all the major networks are ignoring it.
August 26, 2008 10:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Opps, CNN is showing it now.
August 26, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer shows them how it's done. Rally the troops.
August 26, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer is freaking great. This vindicates my support of him as VP. I am happy with Biden, but Schweitzer would have been wonderful, too.
August 26, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was just going to post something similar. Hitting the right notes, calling McCain out on his horrbile energy records with a dash of humor thrown in. Very well delivered.
I also agree with another poster that the sound mix seems horrible. When someone's talking it sounds like people are milling around. I'm curious as well about who's in control of the sound.
August 26, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Same here. I like Biden, and he'll be a good choice, but I was really pulling for Schweitzer. This moment here is just one of the numerous reasons why.
August 26, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think they should have given his slot to Dennis Kucinich. Who happened to be awesome! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/26/kucinichs-democratic-conv_n_121622.html
August 26, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer's hammering away on the energy policies. Very good stuff.
August 26, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer is bringing it home!
He was my favorite for VP with Biden.
August 26, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
The line about Bush's failure to mobilize the nation after 9-11 in a meaningful way has potential.
Still a yawner by-and-large, though.
August 26, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer!
August 26, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer is killing it!
August 26, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rock on Schweitzer!
August 26, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer knows energy and the environment so fucking well. He's so impressive. And he's going RIGHT on the attack against McCain. God, I love this guy!
August 26, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Clean coil is his pet issue but luckily he didn't go off on a tangent with it.
August 26, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I actually thought Warner was one of the better speakers tonight.
On TV, this convention is coming across as quite lackluster. I don't know if it is the speakers, the venue, the staging, the lighting, the design, the lack of a real theme, the banal talking points or a combination of all of these factors.
The speakers tonight have been particularly awful. Thank god Sebelius was not the VP nominee -- her speech was beyond dull.
You know you are in trouble when Bob Casey is the most dynamic speaker of the night.
August 26, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone have a link backing up Duval Patrick's statement that McCain wants to abolish the Dept. of Education?
On McCain's website there is this line included in one of the Education policy planks: "The Department of Education would competitively award the funds to a national scholarship administrator who would manage the student applications, monitoring, and evaluation of providers."
Of course, it is McCain, so saying he's going to abolish something, and elsewhere saying it won't be is not unexpected, but I can't find a quote where he ways he would abolish it.
August 26, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer is FANTASTIC!
Can't believe the networks aren't showing this.
He was talking about offshore drilling and said, "Even if you drilled in every one of McCain's backyards - even the ones he doesn't know about"
HAHA
August 26, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Line of the night so far.
August 26, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer: "The most important barrel is oil is one that you don't use."
SO GOOD!
August 26, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, why is PBS not showing Brian Schweitzer!! I can't believe this.
August 26, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't have cable and missed Schweitzer as well. I can't wait to see what all the posters are raving about!
August 26, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer: "The petro-dictators will never own American wind and sunshine."
I think I'm in love. HAHA!
August 26, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I loved the Petro-Dictators nic. It's a keeper.
August 26, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer should have been keynote, however Virginia is more important.
That being said Warner's message is Obama's message. Sure you might want some highly partisan bodyshots thrown, but as has been mentioned, if undecideds are tuning in they are likely centrists and Warner was all about making them feel comfortable with Obama. Obama wants to be post-partisan, wants to work with the Republicans whenever possible. Remember the RBC where Obama had the votes to split Michigan 50-50, but it was a slim majority, and he opted to take a lesser return if it meant more people were on board.
This is the first opportunity a lot of people are getting to see what Obama is all about. They saw a great glimpse with Michelle last night, saw a great rallying cry from Ted Kennedy, and now saw Mark Warner, and will see Hillary later on tonight. The McCain camp has made him out to be some mix of air-headed celebrity and a boogie man, this convention is all about introducing him to the GE masses, to make people comfortable with him. The Country is in shambles, but people are leery about him, they want to vote for him but are unsure. Joe Biden was brought on to help in that area, as is the whole of this convention.
August 26, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Duval Patrick was pretty darn good. Why couldn't the let him do the Key Note.
August 26, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
The networks aren't showing Schweitzer?! That's fucking criminal, I swear.
This guy is on FIRE!
August 26, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
NBC wasn't. I turned on the tv and, over Peggy Noonan's shoulder, saw "Brian Schweitzer" on the main display and immediately started flipping through the channels.
August 26, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
PBS (WETA) is showing it in DC.
August 26, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
PBS and CSPAN are f-ing sweet! Would probably be insane by now if it wasn't for them!
August 27, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, look at this guy. He's getting everyone out of their seats, whether they want to or not.
This is great stuff!
August 26, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG Schweitzer is the next Democratic Prez of the USA after Obama.
2016 - Schweitzer / Michelle Obama ticket?
:)
August 26, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can we have a VP re-do?
August 26, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The "everyone stand up" is going to live long past this convention, key note or not.
August 26, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm liking Schweitzer ALOT....I've never heard him speak before. Can we do a mulligan and have him give Warner's speech?
August 26, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Patrick and Schweitzer are hitting home runs. Can't wait to hear Clinton's speech.
August 26, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God for Montana!
August 26, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer is the star of this convention.
August 26, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
SCHWEITZER OWNS!
August 26, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keynote speech was lukewarm at best.
The latest comment that stated "McCain is the same as Bush" really is being overused. I agree that the convention speakers should change it up and say how much McCain would be worse for our country because all the facts point to him extending the decline of the USA.
I fear for this country if McCain is foolishly elected. We will surely lose our superpower standing if a hothead is president.
August 26, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not a VP re-do, but definitely a keynote re-do.
Even Bill Clinton was standing and liking it.
August 26, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even Fox was forced to air Schweitzer, man's awesome!!
August 26, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh God, now it's time for Hillary's eulogy. Here's hoping that she sucks it up and gets the crowd going for Obama.
August 26, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
On the bright side, Warner was an excellent set up man for Schweitzer and Clinton
Heckuva job Mark
August 26, 2008 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer had the one-liners that Obama desperately needs...
Hopefully Obama was taking notes.
August 26, 2008 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's with the Hillary hagiography? Did she win the nomination? Guess I messed that.
August 26, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was just wondering if this was supposed to be her convention video.
August 26, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I switched from MSNBC to CNN because MSNBC was ignoring Schweitzer. I like what he's saying. And I dig the bolo tie!
If the intent of Warner's speech was to speak to independents tired of partisanship and attacks, to help Obama win VA (Warner doesn't really need help in his race), to champion Obama's calls for bipartisanship, then I guess it was OK. And if it works as expected, great. But I think it was, well, a little flat. It wasn't a bad speech - not at all. But it didn't go after McCain at all. No fire. I know Obama's 'O4 speech focused heavily on overcoming partisanship nastiness, but it got me fired up at the same time...and inspired. Warner's? Not so much. But then he's not Obama.
Schweitzer is getting 'em all fired up. But half the nets won't air it. Good stuff. Great stuff, in fact.
Andrea Mitchell ask some Dem official if the party gave the Clintons too much time at the convention. Ke-rist, Andrea...how about asking if the media is giving the Clinton's too much time. Talk about obsession. If I see another cutaway shot of Bill - and I love the guy - I'm going to hurl.
I have high hopes for Clinton's upcoming address but I'm also well prepared to see those hopes come crashing down in a fiery wreck. Please, Hill, it can't be all about you or glass ceilings or your wonderful supporters - it needs to be about the party, about this country, and about getting Obama elected.
August 26, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Watch it on C-SPAN.
The cable networks are garbage.
August 26, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary is going to bring it home for the Dems.
Make me like you again Hill!
August 26, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
she's the last shot for the night, so yeah, all our hopes are on her.
and even i, one of the biggest andi-clintonites, am looking forward to seeing her.
but maybe that was plan. make every one else suck, so hillary will win the night hands down.
August 26, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like I said, there's a reason Schweitzer was my #1 choice for VP. ;D
August 26, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Once I learned a little about him, I found him very intriguing too. I knew he wouldn't be picked this year but I'm very curious to see if he ends up going for a national office someday.
August 26, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Warner started out nicely - making a good case for Obama going forward and the possibilities of an Obama administration - but dissolved into post-partisan pablum.
Schweitzer seems to be doing a fine job, though limited, lacing into the energy issue with gusto and verve.
I am still waiting for someone to really draw the contrast between Obama and McCain. The oft-repeated line of "more of the same" doesn't cut it for me. Voters perceive McCain as being independent. We need to use McCain's own words praising the Bush agenda against him. And even more effective, what about McCain's pointed criticism of the Bush tax cuts he now supports? Someone? Please?
August 26, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
The video on Hillary it's... all about Hillary.
August 26, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
and my msnbc web feed feed dies just as Chelsea steps on stage. awesome.
August 26, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Moment of truth starts now. Don't disappoint, Hill. Do the party proud. And help get a Dem into the WH. That's the top priority right not, even though that Dem isn't you.
August 26, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
This has to do about more than just this election but the Democrats in the early 21st century. The world is watching.
August 26, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
(can't help myself) no clap clap point point
August 26, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
You forgot the "nod, nod" move.
August 26, 2008 10:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bill mouthing "I love you, I love you I love you" to himself...
August 26, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you saying he only loves himself?
August 26, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was saying it to Hillary on stage...
August 26, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I was kidding. I am an enigma wrapped in a riddle etc etc.
August 26, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
...wrapped in bacon...Mmmmm bacon
August 26, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess it all depended on what the definition of you is.
August 26, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jonze: Ha! Good one!
August 26, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right into the uniting stuff, that's a good sign.
August 26, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice! Bill stood up when she said "I'm a proud supporter of Barack Obama." She's doing good. Thank you, Hillary.
August 26, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
"No Way, No How, No McCain"
Great.
August 26, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
So far so very, very good!
August 26, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
No way, no how, no McCain.
Hillary, you are forgiven.
August 26, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
No way, no how, no McCain.
August 26, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome line.
August 26, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
No way, no how, no McCain. I want that on a bumper sticker.
August 26, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's a feed of just Bill's reactions on CNN.COM...
August 26, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do we love the Clintons so much? So weird... But I love the Big Dog, and I wish I had a "Don't Tell Mama, I'm for Obama" t-shirt. There pull on people (at least me) is frickin' strong. Wow.
August 26, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
That laundrey list of economic issues needs to show up in Obama's speech, and he needs to feel it. Not gloss over it.
August 26, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone have Michelle's cell number? Can you please call her and ask her to smile? I can already see the media stirring that shit up.
August 26, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry I had any doubts, Hillary. Home-freaking-run. Holy cow!
August 26, 2008 11:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Warner was pretty good. I think this is a guy who your average voter would find appealing. His hits on GOP policies were much more partisan than I expected. Even the "bipartisan" schtick is a dig at GOP-style partisan warfare.
August 26, 2008 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like Mark Warner and am glad he is on track to win the Virginia Senate seat but jeez, this was lame. He sounds like an automaton robotically repeating silly platitudes about bipartisanship when he needs to be ripping the flesh off John McCain. As Josh would say, an opportunity lost.
Brian Schweitzer, on the other hand, was animated, folksy, warm, conversational, and went right for McCain's jugular. I'd never heard this guy speak before but he's a superstar -- I want him to run for president after Obama completes his second term.
As for Hillary, what can I say? The lady hit a grand slam. You can't plausibly argue (although the Fox/CNN/MSNBC slimeballs will try) that she didn't give Obama a strong, robust endorsement. Don't see how she could have gotten the message across any more strongly than she did.
August 26, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I actually liked the speech. I think it was in line with the Obama mantra of holding the higher ground. It wasn't a speech that fired me up by any means. But it was a speech that appealed to my better angels and it made me think. I am a partisan Democrat, yet I felt Warner's speech would appeal to independents and reasonable republicans.
In my opinion, it was a great speech!
August 27, 2008 1:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
This was a good speech with much stronger campaign themes than the breathlessly hyped speech by the primary loser that came later.
I muted my tv and read the speeches on closed captioning. If you take away the crowd reaction (tepid for him, wild for her) and just read the words, Warner's was far and away the better speech.
August 27, 2008 8:43 AM | Reply | Permalink