Obama: "I Don't Know What Kind Of Lives McCain Thinks Celebrities Lead"
One noteworthy nugget in his speech: Obama delves into his biography and directly takes on McCain's "celeb" sneer attack.
Obama runs through the story of his mom, who raised him and his sister and once needed to turn to food stamps; his work organizing on the South Side of Chicago on behalf of laid off steel plant workers; and his grandmother, who made tough economic choices and "taught me about hard work."
Then Obama hits the celeb line...
I don't know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but this has been mine. These are my heroes. Theirs are the stories that shaped me. And it is on their behalf that I intend to win this election and keep our promise alive as President of the United States.
It must be said that that's artful. It's mocking, rather than defensive. Rather than saying, "No, I'm not a celebrity, as McCain says," he's saying, "McCain's silly buffoonish celeb attack shows that he's the one who's out of touch with what ordinary people want from a president right now."
The speech pads this out with an extensive populist attack on McCain, and a detailed explanation of what Obama will do differently from McCain on the economy.
Good.
I'm so freakin' psyched! Go get 'im! "extensive populist attack!!"
Hoo-rah Barack!
August 28, 2008 10:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
FIRED UP.
READY TO GO!!
August 28, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
$100 donated. Happy.
August 28, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Still not reading Greg!
August 28, 2008 10:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree it's artful - but he usually is, Greg.
He's been mocking his opponents all along. He mocked Hillary with Bill's words. He's fairly gentle, but it's lethal.
August 28, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's David Strathairn's voice on that video. That's fantastic.
Remember? He played Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, And Good Luck
August 28, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
So great to get him to narrate.
August 28, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thanked you on the last thread. I couldn't figure out whose voice it was and it was driving me NUTS.
August 28, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw. =D And you're welcome. And like I said over there, I'm a movie nut and amateur critic, so... I pay such close attention to all that stuff. Politics and film are my passions. =)
August 28, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
He came out early - ha ha! I wonder if that has anything to do with the rude interruption McLame is perpetrating.
August 28, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
The man takes the stage
August 28, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good God. I'm already tearing up. See you after the speech.
August 28, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
This completely obliterates the celebrity meme. McCain can, and probably will continue using it after tonight, but Obama has set the stage for a serious populist backlash.
I like they way he's thinking.
August 28, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG!
August 28, 2008 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
He looks nervous
August 28, 2008 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
ENOUGH!
August 28, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
EIGHT IS ENOUGH!!!!
August 28, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
8 is enough? OK, that's like McCain old!
August 28, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
is hillary there?
I haven't seen her. That seems odd after two days of Clinton-mania.
August 28, 2008 10:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Y'all will have to tell me if McLame's ad comes on - I don't think it will show on C-Span.
August 28, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a C-Spaner as well
August 28, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn straight!
August 28, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
That choked me up. I'm all weepy now.
August 28, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
That will be his finest parry of the night. Put those idiotic commercials to bed.
Meet the new Boss!!!!!!
August 28, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg's key word is "SILLY."
It's just the right word for this game -- it diminishes and dismisses and infuriates all at once, just like the word "hysterical," which conservatives like to use against Democrats.
Just keep saying it: "That's just Silly John again..."
August 28, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is rocking
I wish I was there
August 28, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad he's talking about moral obligation. It's time to reclaim the moral high ground.
August 28, 2008 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
he used the word temperment..yes!!!
August 28, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've never been brought to tears by a politican before. Obama is doing it.
August 28, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow.
August 28, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love CSpan! And that speech rocked!
August 28, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
O wow.
Is Joe Biden the happiest Veep candidate you've ever seen? I mean, the guy just beams all over himself everytime the camera picks him up -
August 28, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is beaming. He looks like he can't quite believe it's all happening.
August 28, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even he teared up at the end
August 28, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've never been more proud of my party. And of my country.
Quite a guy. Let's get him elected.
August 28, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I second this. Never in my life have I been so proud. Never.
August 28, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know, me too.
I'm so proud to be an American and to be a Democrat!
August 28, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
We'll be analyzing this night along with the pundits and historians for the balance of our lives. I've been rather cynical since O. won the nomination, and I was all for him since Edwards dropped out. Something huge and beyond describing happened this evening. I think the Repugs are still sitting and staring at the T.V. screen with their mouths agape, thinking 'oh shit' to themselves. The historical truths behind tonight's event combined with the PERFECT staging leaves me to think that this election is already over. It's in the bag.
August 28, 2008 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was a phenomenal speech... I'm speechless. Completely speechless. It was brilliant. It was wonderful. It hit all the right notes... Thank you, Senator Obama. Yes. We. Can!
I was teary eyed when he walked on stage, and when Biden came out at the end...
P.S. Great song there at the end. Good ol' country!
August 28, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Barack: Thank you so much!
The change we need: signed, sealed and delivered!
Now, let's make history on November 4th.
PD: If somebody knows what's the name of that instrumental music, please let me know.
Obama-Biden'08: For the change we need!
August 28, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn
August 28, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, Tweety's going off. Good for him.
August 28, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did I imagine it, or was Tweety actually choked up?
August 28, 2008 11:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think he was.
Tweety's a weird guy, but despite his flaws, and they're numerous, I have no doubt that this guy sincerely loves politics and loves what he does. He's so sincere, I'd almost call him naive at times.
Despite all the bazaar antics that come with Tweety, I can't help but like the guy most of the time.
August 28, 2008 11:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Naive is a great word for it, in sense of complete childlike transparency and externalization of emotion that Schiller analyzes it.
August 28, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I watched it online so I didn't see that. But the man IS passionate about his country. I think he gets a pretty bad rap in here.
August 28, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
We all ought to write to C-Span and thank them for this unbelievable coverage - it was really about as close as I could get to actually being there.
It was - stupendous!
August 28, 2008 11:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes...if you get an email or contact, can you post it for us? That was GREAT coverage...like I remember when I was a kid. No ignorant, overpaid, assmunches who never had the balls to run for anything.....
August 28, 2008 11:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Already did.
viewer@c-span.org
August 28, 2008 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
O thanks!
August 28, 2008 11:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sent mine. Thanks for the addy.
August 29, 2008 12:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
He hit it completely out of the stadium. God, I would be so proud to have this man represent my country to the rest of the world.
August 28, 2008 11:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a pretty cynical guy. But I have to say, that was one of the most amazing, adept, brilliant, jiu-jitsu, heartfelt, serious, pitch-perfect, generous, and inspiring speeches I've ever heard. No, I take that back, it WAS the most of all the above.
It wasn't just a home run - it was a grand slam moon shot into the third level of the upper deck in straight-away center field. I am just in awe. To be honest this is the first time I've actually listened to him at significant length.
And to think I just saw him a couple nights ago on ESPN Sportscenter schooling Stuart Scott one-on-one in a pickup basketball game.
August 28, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
The speech was fine, but the production number at the end was fucking amazing. It was like the end of the world's best opera.
August 28, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL! I know. I loved little love duet between Barrack and Michelle. And I realized something - she's as tall as he is. I hadn't realized that.
August 28, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is. You'll notice that she never wears heels. I just love her style and grace and class.
August 28, 2008 11:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just noticed the flats tonight.
I love her style - her style is just the best I've seen on a First Lady since - don't shoot me, please - Nancy Reagan. Say what you will about Nancy, she's not so bad after the fact and she has impeccable taste.
So does Michelle Obama.
August 28, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree with all of the above. :-)
August 28, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
i'm in northern virginia and that mccain ad just came on with the whole crap about "he doesn't know what it's like to be us ... he'll raise your taxes ... blah blah blah."
it's fucking HYSTERICAL in the wake of that speech, where he said -- even punctuated with a "NOW LISTEN TO ME" -- that he will hook 95% of families up.
ANYHOO ... that was fucking amazing. i have never been so proud. of everything.
August 28, 2008 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to giggle at Madam Speaker. She does that "Yes we can" rather like a Junior League member trying to put some fire in her ladies.
I love her - but -
August 28, 2008 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Having her out there, Madame Speaker, reminds Hillary malcontents, if any remain, that the "glass ceiling" is a bit of a phony (or overstated) accusation. I.e., reinforces the message that this campaign is for everybody.
August 28, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fox News is hitting a new low in their analysis. Juan Williams is an uncle tom.
August 28, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
turn those douchebags off.
August 28, 2008 11:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
What kind of name is Juan Williams? Seriously?
August 28, 2008 11:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
an utter and complete douchebag. Don't listen to those people, they lower your goddamn IQ, I swear.
Just turn them off.
August 28, 2008 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I never listen to them. I'm just asking what kind of name is Juan Williams?
August 28, 2008 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
His name used to be John McCain, but he changed it.
August 28, 2008 11:40 PM | Reply | Permalink