Obama's Speech Heavy In Specifics And Direct Hits -- Thanks To McCain's Attacks!
The ultimate irony of tonight's speech may be that John McCain's attacks on Obama as a celeb lighweight may have actually forced Obama to make a stronger, more grounded, and more politically-effective speech than he otherwise might have.
Obama proved tonight -- again -- that he's one of the few most gifted public communicators of the last generation. But this time, he proved it by not excelling in soaring rhetoric or delivering a speech that will be remembered for the ages. Rather, he recognized that tonight's speech didn't have to be an effort to join the Rhetorical Hall of Fame.
Obama has been getting hammered for weeks now by Republicans as a puffed-up showman who loves the sound of his own voice when it fills stadiums. This clearly created some consternation among Dems and Obama advisers, and Obama adjusted accordingly.
No question, Obama hit plenty of emotional and rhetorical high notes as he ran through his bio and promised a tough fight with the Republicans. But the speech was strong because of its specificity -- because it laid out a detailed case as to why he's the right choice, and McCain's the wrong choice.
Indeed, the McCain campaign's response shows that the speech was effective. It said nothing whatsoever about the specifics that were in the speech. McCain's response could have been written before Obama ever delivered his speech:
"Tonight, Americans witnessed a misleading speech that was so fundamentally at odds with the meager record of Barack Obama. When the temple comes down, the fireworks end, and the words are over, the facts remain: Senator Obama still has no record of bipartisanship, still opposes offshore drilling, still voted to raise taxes on those making just $42,000 per year, and still voted against funds for American troops in harm's way. The fact remains: Barack Obama is still not ready to be President."
Obama's speech was effective precisely because he adjusted to the circumstances created by the weeks-long relentless attack on him by McCain and the GOP. As a result, Obama made the choice between him and McCain as clear as he could have. How about that?
Video soon.
Late Update: Ben Smith aptly points out that the McCain campaign's sneering response to the speech seems at odds with the McCain ad released earlier today that promised to lay off the negativity for this special day.
The Temple? For crying out loud, it was a White House set. These guys are clowns.
August 28, 2008 11:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I think that was a pre-made statement put out by the mccain campaign. They were complete idiots when they put out that statement.
And OBAMAS SPEECH WAS AWESOME
August 28, 2008 11:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not surprised that they had something written beforehand - in fact I assume that's standard operating procedure for Republicans and Democrats alike, just in case they need to get a response out quickly and can't think of anything real to say.
And in this case, they clearly couldn't think of anything real to say.
August 29, 2008 12:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
But, alas, Nielson says only 9% have been watching. The other 91% of the country may well believe what they're told by the great POW. And did I mention how honorable he is?
August 29, 2008 12:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Nielson says only 9% have been watching."
Maybe, but how many were watching streaming video like I was?
Quite a few independent voters, IMO.
August 29, 2008 12:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. I rarely watch news and politics on TV. I have seen most of the speeches on TPM and/or read the transcripts. Many young people watch very little news on TV from what I hear (other than Colbert and Stewart). The ratings are meaningless in this era.
August 29, 2008 4:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
No offense but how in the hell would you know that?
Unless you work there - those numbers don't come out for several hours.
August 29, 2008 12:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
yeah, I watch the ratings of various shows, and even ratings from cable news shows take at least a day to release. So, how can these numbers come out this fast, unless it was a prediction of the number of people who were expected to watch.
Pray 4 Rain Back Fire on Republicans
August 29, 2008 1:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I said "have been watching" the Convention. I wasn't speaking about last night.
August 29, 2008 8:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sullivan's best ...
"I've said it before - months and months ago. I should say it again tonight. This is a remarkable man at a vital moment. America would be crazy to throw this opportunity away. America must not throw this opportunity away."
Time to stand up and do our part, folks. And I know we all have been. But it might be time to do just a little bit more and then a little bit more after that.
Time to get Barack elected.
1 ... 2 ... 3 ... go!
August 29, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rope-a-dope
August 28, 2008 11:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
thats the same thing Andrew Sullivan said. Andrew analysis is spot on.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/the-hope-we-con.html
August 28, 2008 11:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lets have less later-period Ali, more Hagler in his prime from here on out.
I'm all in favor of making, like Chaucer's Knight, "virtue of necessity," but let's get at McCain's very real and profound weaknesses and let them drive the story going forward.
August 28, 2008 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
exactly.
lure them in, take their best shots, tire 'em out and then....BOOM!
KNOCK 'EM FLAT OUT THEIR BACKS!
August 28, 2008 11:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Holding fire on Phil Gramm's "nation of whiners" and saving it for tonight seems like a brilliant tactic.
McSame is toast. Count on it.
August 29, 2008 3:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
He held fire while we all (and I have to include myself, the last few days) were jumping up and down screaming for him to call John a geezer, or go after his connection to G. Gordon Liddy, or marital history, etc etc etc.
And then he just knocked them out of the room, with a gravitas that was only possible because he had been so restrained for so long. He shamed them by showing them what real political disagreement, without pettiness, ought to look like.
Wow. I don't envy John McCain tonight.
August 29, 2008 12:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
rocky 3.
"He's getting killed!"
"Naw, he ain't getting killed, he's getting mad!"
August 29, 2008 12:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent post.
Obama has the great benefit that for all the high expectations people pretend they are setting for him, they never fail to underestimate him.
One school of attack is rapid, mean, eye-for an eye, immature. The other is what exactly Obama is doing.
August 29, 2008 12:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hope-a-dope
August 29, 2008 7:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
WOW!!!! I loved it!!!
He told Americans who he was, that he was a fighter and gave his vision for a better America.
Now time for he and Biden to hit the ground running...
:)
August 28, 2008 11:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
yeah, they are coming to my home state of Michigan monday, I suspect, it will be a wonderful event to have both Obama/Biden there. The speech was absolutely fantastic and I wish he could make that speech everyday.
Pray 4 Rain Back Fire on Republicans
August 29, 2008 12:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wonderful speech!
And yes, that McCain response was written before the speech. They had to write it before because right now, they're all still whimpering and whining from that mega smackdown Obama delivered!
August 28, 2008 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
MASTERFUL ORATORY AND DEVASTATING SUBSTANTIVE ATTACKS AT THE DNC IS EXCELLENT NEWS!!! FOR MCCAIN!!!
August 28, 2008 11:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans, in their response, were speechless (and ridiculed by the likes of Brokaw with their dazed and incoherent response) and are gonna have a difficult time answering...I think Obama caught them flush in the jaw with a punch they didn't think he could land. They are reeling...
August 28, 2008 11:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
The MSNBC crowd has also decided that Obama was so mean to McCain that the Republicans will be justified going even further into the gutter.
This was a great night for Obama and the Democrats. But I won't be convinced that the media won't be conspiring to bring Obama down until he's sworn in as President.
And, of course, then their job of making him ineffectual and despised by the "average american" will begin in earnest.
August 29, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't see it happening. I am not questioning Chris Matthews sexuality but it looked like he had a hard-on after that speech.
And I saw nothing in Obama's speech that was remotely near the gutter...except John McCain after being pummeled by the cold hard facts.
August 29, 2008 12:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope you're right. But Mitchell, Williams and Brokaw all acted as if Obama had called McCain's mother a whore.
The traditional media still wants McCain to win, and they will overlook any smear, no matter how vile, and overlook any gaffe, no matter how troubling, while treating Obama's counterpunches and misstatements as incontrovertible proof that Obama shouldn't allowed within a mile of the White House.
Only time will tell.
August 29, 2008 12:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't watch the post game festivities for too long but I thought Williams, Brokaw, Todd and Matthews reacted very positively to it...in addition to Krauthammer, Kristol and Buchanan of all people.
I can't wait for the debates...a mentally sharp and lucid Obama versus a dim John 'The Iraq-Pakistan border' McCain? That could be the knockout punch that not even the media could prevent if they wanted to...
August 29, 2008 12:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pay attention to who will be moderating (if that's the word I want - there is nothing moderate about the MSM) the debates. The MSM. They are famous for funneling the debate where they want it to go. And in the direction they desire.
August 29, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not according to the AP's hack.
August 28, 2008 11:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
AP is going bankrupt soon... forget about AP
August 29, 2008 12:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
AP:FU!
August 29, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
That article is out-f*****g-rageous. It's the shabbiest, most pathetic piece of journalism-for-hire I have ever read, and I am not excluding propaganda releases put out by China and Russia.
I've already written the goddam AP a week ago, so I think it's time to start writing the local media outlets that carry their garbage.
August 29, 2008 12:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
That was the most amazing, powerful speech I've seen. Perhaps there have been better speeches, but I've not seen them or they're less powerful because I can't relate to the time in which it was given. But to see this, tonight, live and to have it relate so much to my life, it's beyond description.
And I hope you all saw the closing prayer. Even that was powerful and inspiring. For all faiths.
Someone just quoted Edward R. Murrow which is so fitting:
"He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle."
Who's going to Washington for the inauguration?
August 28, 2008 11:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Barack Obama is not a pussy. And he's not stupid. He knows what McCain is up to, and he will always be smarter than McCain. He knows what needs to be done. McCain wants a fight? He's got one.
August 28, 2008 11:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Co-Sign!
August 28, 2008 11:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
O yeah. O hell yeah.
Obama is smarter than McLame, than the media, and he's way smarter than most of us, too.
He's a hustler - do not shoot pool with him. He just hustled the everliving fuck out of John McLame and the Repugs. And Greg - who thinks it's the other way around - McLame attacks made Obama a better candidate. I don't think. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
I'm enjoying this so much.
August 29, 2008 1:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know..it is almost as if...
I don't know where exactly this vision comes from but it has been on TV and the movies thousands of times.
Remember the short pissed off guy and the tall guy holding the top of the short guys head? The short guy's fists are flailing trying to land a punch, while the tall guy, looking bored, holds him away at arms length.
McCain..you are so out of your league. Stop now and go home before you hurt yourself.
August 29, 2008 1:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Republican response was a masterful bit itself, I believe it may have set a record for most lies in a single sentence.
How shameful.
August 28, 2008 11:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't see it, so if they hoped to convince me of lies in Obama's speech, the missed.
August 28, 2008 11:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was actually pretty weak. I was a little disappointed, quite frankly. I think they were stunned and weren't quite sure what to say.
August 28, 2008 11:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just another "YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!" cane-shaker from the McCain/Brimley '08 team.
August 29, 2008 8:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
That was Brokaw's most open smackdown ever. If the question becomes whether McCain has the temperment for the job rather than if Obama is ready, the election will have a very different tenor.
August 28, 2008 11:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
My jaw is still agape over that response by Brokaw to the Repub weak response.
August 29, 2008 12:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
What did Brokaw say ?
August 29, 2008 12:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Brokaw felt it was just a ridiculous response that seemed frorced, scattershot, and not really responsive to anything Obama said.
Taken from Kos:
Tom Brokaw on McCain's lame response: "I guess by tomorrow they will have their act a little more in order."
August 29, 2008 1:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Obama took the last couple of weeks off to get rested for the final push and to recharge. He allowed the Repubs to feel confident and the polls gave them reason to feel good. The covention and the speech tonight has them reeling. Obama nailed it, and the retirement home bingo week next week will pale in comparison. After next week, the choice will be clear, if it isn't already.
August 28, 2008 11:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
See why he needed a week of vacation?
August 29, 2008 12:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Whistling. Past. The. Graveyard.
McCain's boys, make no mistake about it, are feeling dizziness and waves of nausea right now.
A kick in the solar plexus will do that to you.
August 28, 2008 11:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
hurry with the video! i need to see it again!
August 28, 2008 11:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, he's good!
August 28, 2008 11:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I never go on a push like this but seriously.... DONATE!
Convention is over, and all this money goes to maintaining the momentum!
August 28, 2008 11:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
$250 just donated. i don't really have it (yet), but AMEX does. :)
goddam credit crisis. :)
August 29, 2008 12:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just dropped $120.
(Good thing it's the end of the month....)
August 29, 2008 12:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
My best friend in the world died last month and he loved this election season as much as I do. I miss him more than I can say but tonight he was with me cheering our party on to victory. My tears were sad & happy at once.
Feel free to donate to the campaign in the memory of my dear friend Michael DeCasper. He loved this country and was a proud American.
August 29, 2008 1:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure McGoo's speech will be just as good.
Tickets, btw, are still available.
August 28, 2008 11:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pat Buchanan just called this the "greatest convention speech" ever. I know I'm giddy, but McCain could be done.
August 28, 2008 11:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
And you know old Pat was dying ridicule Barack
August 29, 2008 12:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pat was totally bowled over by Barack. He was effusive with his praise of the speech, and I had to laugh when they had to cut him off as he was ready to quote and comment on another part of the speech. If Pat thought the speech was simply good, he would have spoken his usual right-wing talking points. Obama flat out floored Buchanan, and I sure as hell know he floored me!
Barack saved up the hits, absorbing them while keeping things tight in his camp. He had a plan and he unleashed it brilliantly, and he has knocked the wind out of the right. McCain's camp even had to go against McCain saying that the fight would resume tomorrow and their releasing that lame-assed, pre-written statement they pulled out of the filing cabinet.
This is history being made, and we all got front seats!
August 29, 2008 6:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
"They had to stop Pat Buchanan gushing over Obama's speech to save time."
K.O.
August 28, 2008 11:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought he hit a grand slam... http://enewsreference.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/barack-obama-gives-electrifying-acceptance-speech/
August 28, 2008 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the ball is still traveling through the air!
August 29, 2008 12:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
GET THEE BEHIND ME, John McCain!
SPECTACULAR SPEECH!
August 29, 2008 12:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
in other words, mccain lied AGAIN, when he said in his magnanimous ad (that was only shot and for time was only bought because he has to blow massive amounts of cash in the next few days) that, "TOMORROW we'll be back at it."
August 29, 2008 12:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't the McCain campaign promise they would use this speech against Obama? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Oh man, this will be really good. I cant wait to see it.
August 29, 2008 12:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
This has to be a home run. This was a a magic night...
A masterful speech indeed!!!
One that will be remembered and one which can not be beaten!!!
August 29, 2008 12:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain promised he wouldn't attack tonight!
They just did! McCain lied on that ad. Oh my word, the hypocrisy...McCain lied on the very ad that was supposed to make up for all his smears and crap!
Hahahaha!
August 29, 2008 12:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
I like the avatar!
August 29, 2008 12:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
What better testament to how hard McGoo just got kicked in the pud.
August 29, 2008 12:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can't believe how good I feel. I haven't felt like this since I was a little kid.
I just don't have a worry in the world right now.
August 29, 2008 12:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hear you!
It's like the way Dickens wrote of Scrooge waking up on Christmas morning and finding out he has another chance to make things right, a new lease on life.
Obama-Biden '08!
August 29, 2008 12:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Welcome to the Republican Nightmare. If we work hard, put some sweat into it and not just comment on it, and stand proud against what has been done to this country and the world over the last eight years and for the things we know will work, they won't be able to wake up from it. Nor should they. You make the bed, you sleep in it.
Let's do this thing, people!
August 29, 2008 12:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
That was a terrific speech by Obama. Strong, reassuring. In fact, the whole convention was extremely well done. On to November!
August 29, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Word.
Chuck Todd put it well.
There were several good/great speeches during this convention, but Barack Obama showed that his ability is just a level above everyone else.
August 29, 2008 12:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh where, oh where are our faithful trolls tonight? Was there something that occured today that somehow took the wind out of their sails? Tough day, little trolls?
August 29, 2008 12:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
)))))))))))))))-crickets-(((((((((((((((((
August 29, 2008 12:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
They are all up under some bridge cowering in fear
August 29, 2008 12:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Run away...run away!!!!
They have bravely buggered off...
August 29, 2008 12:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Some of them actually converted! But I guess if you're capable of changing your mind, you weren't technically a troll in the first place.
August 29, 2008 12:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
That was the most magnificent political speech I have ever heard in my lifetime. I'm 39, so take that how you will.
Any Democrats wobbly in their support of Obama are firmly won over now.
Game on.
August 29, 2008 12:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
The one he will give on the Capitol steps in January will be even better. Trust me.
August 29, 2008 8:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Every night the ratings increased. Last night 26 mill watched. I cant wait to hear about the ratings tomorrow.
August 29, 2008 12:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't get suprised if this speech was watched by 50 million people in the US alone. How many more saw it around the world?
This is history in the making, period.
August 29, 2008 12:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has a comfortable confidence in a liberal vision for this country unlike any Democratic nominee in my lifetime. This speech demonstrated that. In the context of a declining conservative agenda, this speech laid the groundwork, built the case for liberal ideology to be given the opportunity to lead this country. It was a hell of a speech, with equal parts poetry and prose. Obama showed he can lead this party, lead this country and lead a movement.
Yes we can.
http://www.pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 29, 2008 12:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
A stump speech, perhaps, but my God, what a stump speech,
My film professor friend always said Casablanca was better than Citizen Kane, because Michael Curtiz didn't know he was making Casablanca when he made Casablanca, and Welles wasn't aware of anything besides the fact that he was making Citizen Kane while making Citizen Kane.
Casablanca is great because it's the greatest movie of all time -- it ain't 'film' and it ain't 'cinema'. It's a movie.
It wasn't "I Have a Dream", or Webster's Second Reply to Haine, or the Lincoln Second Inaugural. It wasn't like Cuomo's '84 stemwinder, because of the policy prescriptions.
But you sure as hell saw the Casablanca of stump speeches.
August 29, 2008 12:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent analogy, I'll have to think give it some thought.
August 29, 2008 12:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Which just means he has the text already for the next two months. That's a damn good stump to stand on.
August 29, 2008 12:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's amazing how such a powerful speech can change one's perspective.
I no longer see McCain as an opponent. I see him as a roadbump over which we need to roll.
August 29, 2008 12:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice feeling, isn't it?
Seeing Mile High full to the brim with cheering Democrats was pure bliss!
August 29, 2008 12:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here in Southern Ohio (aka no-where-land), the pugs have run the "Hillary- all he has is a speech" add at least 3 times in the last 30 minutes. It is almost like they are repeating it to try to dilute whatever thoughts people were having after that kick-ass acceptance speech.
What a bunch of dumbf*cks. Plays right into the small-ball warning that Obama just made, if indeed the target is people who just saw his speech.
My new phrase is life, or at least until Nov. 4th: Time for them to OWN their FAILURES.
Guess I will have to go ahead now, click on the "go all-in" email from Plouffe, anty up and max out.
August 29, 2008 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
And we will bring Ohio firmly into the Obama column on November 4th!
August 29, 2008 12:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I may go up to Dayton and hold up an Own your Failure sign at McCain's rollout tomorrow. I hear they are looking for people so they dont have to rope off half the hall.
Since I am black, it would be my luck that someone thinks I am Ken Blackwell (useful idiot) and get put on the sycophant stage (hiding sign until the right time).
One can only dream...
August 29, 2008 12:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Get a McCain sign, but put the Own Your Failure sign under the McCain sign. Get positioned behind McCain, then rip off the top part of the sign and bam! Instant internets celebrity.
August 29, 2008 12:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since I am black, it would be my luck that someone thinks I am Ken Blackwell (useful idiot) and get put on the sycophant stage (hiding sign until the right time).
One can only dream...
LOL!
August 29, 2008 1:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Masterful speech. The Republican response, as floated by the National Review, is going to be that Obama was "angry" and irrational. There's an obvious subtext to the "angry" statement that Rove et. al are just salivating to dig into. Nevermind that the people have something to be angry about. Before we all pat ourselves on the back, I think it's time for the Obama team to in the frame shop and drive the debate.
August 29, 2008 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's how you know they know they're screwed. It ain't even September and they're already getting ready to whip out the angry black man argument.
August 29, 2008 12:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Check out The Corner. They're losing it. I remember back when Hillary was the threat they loved Obama. Then they switched to Hillary. Now, all they have to turn to is McCain - and they don't like him. And they know he is no match for a unified Dem party - not this year. You can tell from their posts that they know this was a great evening for Obama and the Dems. Not because they are admitting it but because they're posts have a chaotic feel to them. VDH - who seems obsessed with Obama - put up like four or five posts in a row. K-Lo says "normal Americans" (and, pray tell, Kathryn, who are "normal Americans"?) are telling her it was "mean". And she tries to pretend that this speech must make the McCain camp happy.
They know they are fucked. I put on Fox for a second and was shocked to see Krauthammer actually say that he though this speech would work because it appealed to the working class and to the "generic Democrat" in a year where winning over the "generic Democrat" is all you need to do. Hume tried to swing it back by asking, "but do you think it will appeal to the small business owner?" Charlie said, "no", but then said they weren't the target - he was going after working class folks, Hillary supporters, Reagan Democrats and that, with that crowd, the speech was effective. I don't think Brit expected Charlie to say this. It's not that Charlie was happy - of course he wasn't - but he didn't sound like the rest of the wingers in response to what was clearly a home run for Obama.
They were prepared for Berlin. Obama gave 'em hell, details, and Bill Clinton. They're shitting their pants. As others have noted, even the "Greek Temple" didn't come through for them as it looked nothing like that.
August 29, 2008 12:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I mentioned in the last thread that they were bitching like a bunch of jealous little girls over at The Corner.
They know that McCain is screwed. They know that Obama pulled a lot of formerly undecided people into his corner tonight. They know that the GOP convention is going to look like a funeral parlor compared to what they saw tonight.
They saw the future, and it doesn't include them. And they're hating life right now.
August 29, 2008 12:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Superb speech. McSidekick and Oxygen Thieves have their work cut out for them. I hope they do an endless parade of tired old wankers the contrast will be stark.
August 29, 2008 12:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here we go: Ben Stein on Larry King saying that he didn't like Obama attacking the character of someone who spent 5 1/2 years in prison.
August 29, 2008 12:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
O, for the love of pete! By that logic, I guess McCain can go out and fuck puppies and run down grandmothers with his bus...because, you know, he was a POW.
Grasping...and desperate.
August 29, 2008 12:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Then Stein proceeded to whine about how Obama promised he was different and was going to run a different kind of campaign but then turned around and resorted to the same "chicago-style slash and burn" politics.
I almost kind of feel sorry for them...I don't think they saw this coming at all.
August 29, 2008 12:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ben Stein? The actor?
August 29, 2008 12:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, Ben Stein, the host of "America's Most Smartest Model".
August 29, 2008 12:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actor/republican hack - same difference.
August 29, 2008 12:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I do so agree with the Most Smartest Model that it's regrettable when in a campaign, candidates criticize one another. That just troubles me.
August 29, 2008 12:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
And who can forget that Ben Stein is the star of that fact filled movie "Expelled".
Dumping on Darwinism and actually screaming discrimination when the radical evangelicals step over the line and get fired.
Remember that game show a while back "Win Ben Stein's Money"? I actually thought the guy was intelligent. As Emily Latella would say....nevermind.
August 29, 2008 2:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
ben stein the actor/comedian, lawyer, professor, writer, and proud member of the nixon white house.
August 29, 2008 12:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Of course Obama praised the McCain who spent 5.5 years as a POW in Hanoi. And after that, Obama destroyed the McCain who has spent much of the past 25 years, and at least 90% of the last 8 years, not watching out for the welfare of ordinary Americans.
August 29, 2008 1:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, I generally have distrusted Andrew Sullivan just because, but I'm with him on this (can't believe I'm saying it.) I think you're wrong that being attacked somehow annealed Obama - you sell him so short.
NO - you, McLame, the Repugs - sold him short and he hustled the fuck out of you. The entire convention was structured to build in an almost genius way and y'all were suckered. He took the punches and people are all moaning "He's weak!" just like everyone said: "O Bill is going to blow it."
BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
This is how he does it - Obama suckers his opponents and hustles them into thinking he's not strong and they make fools of themselves.
IF it was just as you suggest, Greg, Obama would not be where he is. I knew there was something remarkable about the way the man campaigns and that's it - he hustles his opponents.
And they are fucking destroyed!!!
August 29, 2008 12:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Would it be nuts to think that Obama and the Clintons had this planned all along. Days of hand-wringing - is Hillary over it. Then Hillary comes out strongly for Obama in her speech. The wingers say, "but she didn't say he would be a good commander in chief." The next day, the Big Dog - who WAS commander in chief - says just that. They expect chaos on the floor during the roll call. Hillary steps up and calls for Obama's nomination. They obsess over Greek Temples and anticipate a soaring speech, full of empty rhetoric. The "temple" looks nothing like a "temple", the stadium is filled with thousands of "normal" Americans. And Obama gives a tough, meat and potatos speech, targeted towards working Americans.
Rope and dope, indeed.
August 29, 2008 12:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Holy smokes, I spelled, "potatoes", wrong. Somebody get Dan Quayle on the horn.
August 29, 2008 12:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Some of that is just good luck. And some of it is the silver lining that comes with bad luck -- like a long, close-fought primary. But wow, what a year, for pure political drama. I've never seen anything like it.
It's like someone got a scriptwriter to set it up. Every time we get confident, Hillary wins New Hampshire, or John McCain releases a nasty, effective ad, and things get tight again.
But then every time we start to despair, Barack and his team pull through -- and reveal that they've been underestimated, even by their own supporters!
This is definitely one for the history books.
August 29, 2008 1:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Luck is where preparedness meets opportunity. By that line of reasoning, Obama is a very lucky man.
August 29, 2008 7:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Word 'em up, Tena.
August 29, 2008 12:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
If the repugs go with the angry theme it would play right into the economic populism theme of the Obama general election which I have to assume is no longer "hope" or "change" but "promise." In politics, genuine anger is the hardest emotion for the opponent to counteract if the voter accepts that he's angry for them -- see "Network."
August 29, 2008 12:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
In the one sense, there's no need for anger. Republicans just need to own their failures.
Republicans: Owning failure together!
A Party of failure. Right now they're failing to put together their Convention in an orderly way, because of a typical major failure: their arrogance amid grotesque inability to deal with Gulf Coast storms. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/28/AR2008082803165.html?hpid=topnews
August 29, 2008 12:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Over the past weeks, I was having my doubts that Obama had the toughness and tenacity to win.
I will never underestimate him again. He is the Man, and this is his Moment.
August 29, 2008 12:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now that's change you can believe in
August 29, 2008 1:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
There was a momentary scene from the audience tonight that had me almost sobbing. It was two lovers or spouses -- they couldn't have been anything else -- embracing one behind the other in that settled, companionable way. It was just after Obama's speech, and they both had tears. One was a white woman, and one was a black woman. No words were needed for those two, in that place, at that time, to speak volumes and volumes about what is at stake.
August 29, 2008 12:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lol I've been looking at a lot of political blogs to read about peoples thoughts on the speech and the trolls are shitting in there pants. The Republicans did not expect this type of speech from Obama and there is confusion in the ranks.
August 29, 2008 12:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Told ya!
roflmao!!
Don't for the love of god shoot pool with Barrack Obama. Or play hoops against him.
August 29, 2008 12:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love you Tena, but stop spelling Barack's name wrong!
August 29, 2008 1:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans have been shat upon from a great height.
August 29, 2008 12:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Word!
August 29, 2008 12:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fast-forward to McSame's "speech" next week. Can you imagine what a rhetorical train wreck that will be after Obama's speech tonight? The Obama people should add drinking events to their meet-ups next week: Participants must take a drink every time McLame says "My friends . . .", two drinks each time he blinks, and three drinks every time he flashes one of his insane grins. There will be some very wasted folks by evening's end . . .
August 29, 2008 12:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
You want to hear McLame's speech? I bet I could do their entire convention:
Everyone will tell John McLame's story- but only 5 years of it.
It will be one long POW POW POW POW POW POW POW POW until everyone is thoroughly sick of it.
August 29, 2008 12:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
No doubt, Tena. McSame is being made the Republican Poster Child for victimhood. It's not very becoming for an old soldier, is it?
August 29, 2008 12:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
I already have a "My friends" counter up and ready.
RNC'08: A series of accidents waiting to happen!
August 29, 2008 12:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
I really hope so. Please keep talking about the past. Please wear out the POW line.
August 29, 2008 1:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Everyone except the MSM, of course. They'll be breaking out the new kneepads hours in advance.
August 29, 2008 8:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Folks, I've been saying for weeks that we weren't trusting Obama (and his staff) enough. They don't need to follow our conventional advice about how they must become what the GOP has been in the last elections.
I agree with them. Why should we elect them if they're going to be just like the people who have oppressed us?
No, they are going for something higher. "Wise as serpents and innocent as doves," since everybody is quoting Scripture tonight.
The kicker, of course, is that the more virtuous way actually works better. Not the wimpy way, but the genuinely good, patient, attentive, purposeful way that doesn't even let your own supporters panic you into changing your play strategy before it has played itself out.
I congratulate us all for having found this man -- or having had him find us. He won't be a messiah -- to turn back the usual ridiculous accusation. He'll need a lot of help, but the same humility that has made him confident and open to a charge of arrogance will lead him to get the help he needs, from all kinds of sources.
When he said he would listen to us all, he didn't just mean the humble and distressed. He meant experts, too.
August 29, 2008 12:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think many of us have been nervous because John Kerry's "turn the other cheek" strategy in 2004 failed so miserably. But this is a different time, and Obama is a different man.
August 29, 2008 12:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
LMAO, Olbermann to McCain: "Grow Up!"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26271658/
August 29, 2008 12:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Two theories on the responses of those like the folks on The Corner:
1) They know he nailed it and they're scared. So instead of trying to pick apart the speech analytically, they freak and act like it was a disaster, like Obama screwed up big time. To read their reponses - most of them, at least - you'd think Obama lost the election tonight.
2) These people honestly think that Americans are 100% behind their wacky, feed the rich, conservative ideology and that they just need to wake up and realize that they love wingnuttery. The reality is that most Americans actually agree with liberal/Dem policies. Obama promoted his policies - Dem policies - loudly, strongly, and proudly, not like many other Dems in the past, who thought that doing so would make them look weak. As a result, the wingnuts think he's doomed. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.
So, is it "1" or "2", a mix of both, or something else entirely?
August 29, 2008 12:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would caution us against such characterizations of the GOP. They will backfire like their stupid false accusations against Obama do.
There can't be more than 50 Republicans in the country who support McCain because they want to "feed the rich." Do you really think that's why the majority of white Southerners (many of them poor) support him? If we are to oppose him, we mustn't blithely mischaracterize them.
August 29, 2008 1:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree w/ all that the speech was great, definitely a more subtle negativity than used by the GOP. But. The real test will be the media spin tomorrow. Will it be the too tough, or just tough enough meme.
Reality is not made, it is created.
August 29, 2008 12:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans, in Ron Suskind's article a couple of years ago, said that they created their own reality. Well, it seems to me that Obama and his campaign are doing a bit of that themselves. Could it be possible that they are making the nattering nabobs of the cable news channels irrelevant this year?
August 29, 2008 12:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
This, of course, is the hope. I do think, though, that the margins will be made by the media. There is certainly a chance that Obama can create such a groundswell as to render the media obsolete. But this is far from assured.
August 29, 2008 12:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
O bullshit.
The truth is the truth.
You have to realize - perception is reality, but only up to a point. Beyond that point there is the truth and it will surprise you to learn this, but most people really want it and oddly enough the truth seems to know that.
To put it another way: the old hacker's maxim: information wants to be known.
I believe that and I believe in the truth. Really repressive regimes have tried very hard to keep the truth under control and have almost never succeeded.
Don't give our idiot press so much imagined power.
August 29, 2008 1:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I was there tonight. It was unbelievable.
August 29, 2008 12:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am jealous.
August 29, 2008 12:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me too.
August 29, 2008 12:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me three.
August 29, 2008 3:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me three.
August 29, 2008 3:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me three.
August 29, 2008 3:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
To quote Napoleon Dynamite:
Lucky!
August 29, 2008 1:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
O wow - how wonderful for you! O tell us.
August 29, 2008 1:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
ahh sorry - iPhone ran outta juice. I, along with about 40 other people, took a bus from St. Louis. The atmosphere in Denver has been incredible. Thousands of people in Obama tees everywhere. We stood in a mile-plus line to get into invesco, but it moved very quickly. Got to hear Tim Kaine, Bill Richardson, Sheryl Crow, Stevie, Al Gore... But Barack just blew it out. An unforgettable night.
August 29, 2008 2:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
After this speech the Republicans are going to have to rethink their convention slogan which was:
McCain/Pawlenty, "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... *snort* Wha? Wha?? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
August 29, 2008 12:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain-Pawlenty'08: A POW and a Who?
August 29, 2008 12:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Two time gov of MN who did not win more than 50% of the vote in either election. No foreign policy experience unless making sales calls for Hormel in the Czech Republic counts as experience. One year older than Barack.
August 29, 2008 1:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Also, this is off topic, but I think Obama should use the single parent upbringing as a counter attack to the POW strat. used by McCain.
For example:
McCain: You are an elitist snob
Obama: When I was growing up without a father, with my mom working nights to feed my sister and I...
It should work, esp. by shifting focus from war to domestic issues.
August 29, 2008 12:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes it could work.
It would be great if a surrogate would say -
"Yes Barack grew up with a single mom after his dad left...very similar to how McCain left is first wife and kids. :)
I know it will never happen...but the comparison was just too good to pass up.
August 29, 2008 2:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tim Pawlenty wheeeeeeeee the excitement is not even remotely palable lmao
August 29, 2008 12:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps tonight's speech will cause McCain to make a last minute switch to Romney or Joementum in order to make a splash.
August 29, 2008 1:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
We can only hope and pray.
August 29, 2008 1:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. I will pray tonight wearing both a yamaka and the mormon underwear thingy.
August 29, 2008 1:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
McSidekick has lost the plot. His campaign's response today was godawful. Defense wins championships and McSidekick and the Oxygen thieves revealed a petty, puerile and pathetic response.
August 29, 2008 1:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Feel The PAWLENTUM baby!!!
August 29, 2008 1:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
A lamebuger, smothered in weaksauce, with a extra large side of FAIL...would be just one way I would describe Pawlenty.
August 29, 2008 1:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am all set for Good n' Pawlenty boredom.
August 29, 2008 1:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
On the McCain VP selection. One can speculate that McCain wanted to wait until after Obama's speech tonight before making the VP choice. Now that he has seen what he is up against in this tough Obama, perhaps the safe choice of the unknown Pawlenty (Mr. Bridge to the bottom of the Mississippi) is too risky. Pawlenty gets only a few % of the Republican delegates in a poll. Instead, McCain will have to go with Romney who gets 30-40% at least. And forget about Lieberman.
August 29, 2008 1:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
watched most of the night on pbs. i think it was very well done. i think they hit a lot of the right notes. and obama's speech was very effective. of course the coverage on pbs was much better (david brooks excepted) than the coverage on the news channels. the regular people in between the politicos were some of the best parts. so, very difficult to imagine how it seemed to the viewers who tuned into the crappy news channel coverage. and beyond that, what's really important is what the pundits and talking heads will tell people to think about the speech since most people didn't even watch the crappy news channel coverage....
BUT: instead of winning me over tonight (i can not bring myself to vote for anyone who voted for the FISA fuck-over), i felt more insulted than anything really whenever the speakers (including obama) made claims about correcting constitutional abuses and 'spying on americans' or however they phrased it. don't piss on my shoes and tell me its raining.
so, count me unpersuaded. (and i was hoping to be persuaded.) i can't help but feel that obama is just telling me what i want to hear. and even in the things i'm certain he's sincere about, i'm just not convinced that he can get it done. if you tell me you stand for one thing but don't actually deliver it, you don't get to put it on your CV.
August 29, 2008 1:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
YOu are an idiot. YOu know fuck-all about FISA and fuck-all about the constitution and fuck-all about how to get your head out of you ass.
And I don't believe a word you say.
August 29, 2008 1:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
you, tena, are a rude cunt.
and it should be pointed out that YOU have been shown repeatedly to know fuck all about the changes to FISA. you are a fucking joke. telling people that 'absolutely nothing has changed' in the FISA revision!!! ha!
August 29, 2008 1:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
YOu want to tell me what about your 4th amendment rights changed between FISA as enacted over 30 years ago and now?
I'm waiting...
you know fuckall about it -
August 29, 2008 1:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
what do i need to add to everything that everyone who voted against it has already said about it??
but i'll humor you since you are playing(?) dumb. take for but ONE example how it allows the gov't to conduct data collection/wiretaps without even identifying individual targets. and removes requirements for descriptions of the specific information sought.
August 29, 2008 1:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
hey fuckface, sorry, you don't get to call Tena the "c" word here. You do get to go fuck yourself though.
You go on about the constitution. You mean the constitution that considered black people to be 2/3 of a human being? The constitution that allowed slavery for nearly 100 years? The constitution that was amended to make alcohol illegal, and then amended to make it legal again? The constituition that didn't allow women to vote for nearly 150 years?
That constitution? The FISA bill is just a law. It is not an amendment to the constitution, which itself is not and has never been a perfect document. You FISA haters don't understand that politics is about comprimise and timing. Obama getting his hands on the ultimate lever of power in the Whitehouse is worth far more than suicide charge up FISA Hill.
He said clearly that he will revisit the whole issue as president. And he will, but no thanks to numbnut assholes like yourself.
August 29, 2008 3:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
actually if tena is a rude cunt, i do get to say so. if anyone doesn't want to be called a rude cunt they have the option of not being one in the first place.
and your being a rude cunt yourself didn't make your unpersuasive straw man arguments any more persuasive. but, thanks for playing.
August 29, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whoa!!!! In the words of the GEICO caveman, THAT IS NOT COOL.
You have disqualified yourself, you moron with the idiotic screen name.
Go hoist your McCain Pawlenty banner & fill one of those empty seats in Ohio tomorrow.
August 29, 2008 1:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
what the fuck are you going on about???
August 29, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you, like, La Belle Dame Sans Mercie? Hiding behind your fan letting the competing suitors dance before you to earn your favors?
God damn it, that's not what's going on here. He's offering us a chance to fight together to save our country. He's not auditioning before frowning judges who should judge him for talent, evening gown, swimsuit and -- God help us -- congeniality.
We're in trouble here, and this grudging, "He didn't convince me" from some superior balcony is getting pretty old.
If you prefer the neocon reconstruction of our country's whole character (which, alas, is the only other choice we have before us at the moment), then at least have the human decency to say so.
August 29, 2008 1:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
no, i just have principles.
obama is clearly the lesser of two evils.
doesn't mean i can bring myself to vote for him.
August 29, 2008 1:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
A lot of people had principles in 2000. Principles got us Bush appointed president. And that got us war with Iraq, hundreds of thousands dead and hundreds of billions of dollars flushed down the toilet.
Principles are fine, but when we truly only have two choices, we have to choose the one that is not practically guaranteed to result in more senseless death and disaster.
As far as I'm concerned, voting for Obama is a moral obligation.
August 29, 2008 2:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
wrong. nader voters have never had principles. nader voters are political faddists who don't know (or actually care) a gnat's twat about policy. nader voters are self-indulgent, self-righteous babies who deny durverger's law the way christ-ers deny evolution.
i, on the other hand, will be a reluctant non-voter come november. while i have no problem voting for the lesser of two evils (which, as i have consistently said, obama very clearly is), i consider the FISA vote to be a threshold issue. i can not in good conscience cast a vote for anyone who helped pass the FISA 2008 revisions (or the Protect America Act that came before it) into law.
we all have our minimum standards. mine are just different than yours. i am not trying to persuade you or anyone else to apply my standards over your own. it's just that for me, this is one of those things where if you stand for anything, you stand for nothing.
August 29, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude, you really are full of shit. By your premise it appears that the only thing that would've persuaded the high and mighty you is if Obama said my vote for FISA was a mistake. Uh, that would've been SO smart politically, huh. You, sir, are either a troll or a holdover for the Nader days and we have neither the room or time for either.
August 29, 2008 1:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
yeah, i'm a troll.... what the fuck ever.
how does anything i said make me full of shit???
you obviously don't know me. maybe you should slow your roll a bit and not make baseless accusations. it makes you seem foolish.
August 29, 2008 1:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I"m waiting for your legal explanation of why and how your 4th amendment rights were altered by the the amendments to FISA.
I'm waiting -
August 29, 2008 1:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Really don't go there Tena, no need to. You know I was a big critic of Obama on the FISA vote, and you and me went at it a bit in the past on his stance, but that issue is so over right now...ancient history. :-)
And anyone who tries to bring it up now is only trying to distract and divide...
Time for some sleep...as I doze off with a satisfied smile on my face. G'night... 8)
August 29, 2008 1:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
with all respect libertine, i was not trying to distract or divide. merely stated my honest reaction. and did so in very matter-of-fact, non-inflammatory way that in no way should have provoked the disproportionate responses it got.
August 29, 2008 1:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
There have been quite a lot of negative reactions to the speech online. And this morning Andrew Sullivan says much better what I'd have said to you last night if I had had the ability:
August 29, 2008 8:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
not really sure how that would be a response to me...
i'm a left-wing independent. sullivan is a right-wing independent. naturally sullivan likes obama because obama swings far enough to the right to pick up voters like sullivan (who agreed with obama on FISA). but that swing to the right is precisely the reason why i won't be voting for obama.
August 29, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
no you're not.
you're closing your eyes and covering your ears and still pretending that you haven't lost every argument about FISA. not that you've ever actually made any credible arguments about FISA. you've only ever made absurdly false statements and personally attacked anyone who had the nerve to disagree with obama and side with the majority of the democratic party on the issue.
August 30, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
no you're not.
you're closing your eyes and covering your ears and still pretending that you haven't lost every argument about FISA. not that you've ever actually made any credible arguments about FISA. you've only ever made absurdly false statements and personally attacked anyone who had the nerve to disagree with obama and side with the majority of the democratic party on the issue.
August 30, 2008 11:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
The best honest quote I've found so far, from The Atlantic's Ta-Nehisi Coates:
Goddamn. Owned. And all that other good shit. Dude he killed. That didn't even feel half as long as folks said it would be. In the words of Wu--shackling the masses with drastic rap tactics.
August 29, 2008 1:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
My only regret is that Obama did not use McCain's quote about how Americans would not do hard work for $50 an hour. Maybe he doesn't have the quote, though that would seem surprising. It's far more effective than the one about how the economy has made progress. It shows contempt for republicans and democrats as well as being totally out of touch with reality. And it's better thanthe 5million line.
In the context of that speech it would have devastating. McCain just doesn't understand. Let's hope he gets it into the stump speech.
August 29, 2008 1:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah I hope its one of those things he will roll out later.
August 29, 2008 1:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm dying of envy - I would kill to have thought that up - ooooooo
August 29, 2008 1:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Word. Tomorrow is Wu Tang Clan day in my house.
August 29, 2008 1:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Because Obama would've had to spend time explaining the context of the comment then make sure he wasn't trying to suggest Americans should be out picking lettuce. Plus the $5 million comment got far more airplay.
August 29, 2008 1:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree wholeheartedly with Greg's points. This was a remarkably self-contained speech and it's going to give the McCain camp fits. It was not what i expected and I wanted to believe I could expect the unexpected.
August 29, 2008 1:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
After the most interesting primaries ever, get ready for the most epic general election campaign ever.
The tracking polls on Monday, September 8 (that will cover the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after the RNC) will be the baseline for the battle -- that will likely be decided by the debates.
August 29, 2008 1:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can you imagine what a turgid, rancid, tired, (insert your adjective for old and dying here) show the GOP is gonna put on next week? The contrast should be devastating.
August 29, 2008 1:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually I do not expect it will be "tired". I expect there to be lots of fearmongering goodness that will get them all riled up and frothing. Maybe each day of their convention will have a different Alert Level. They will trot out Tom Ridge to announce it. Monday will kick off with Gore Green and by Wednesday it will be at Obama Orange.
August 29, 2008 1:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good point! Maybe they'll hand out decks of those terrorist playing cards. The Iraq version, not the Afgani ones.
August 29, 2008 2:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes we cannot get too comfortable. You guys think the RNC's soiree is going to be a graveyard? Not when they have megastars like this on their side.
This could be a presentation of tremendous newsworthiness, if past coverage of this mega-celebrity is any indication.
August 29, 2008 2:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Peeps, thank you for letting me share this really astounding evening with you.
In fact, this whole astounding week.
It's a great time to be a liberal and Democrat - and to be an American.
Good night.
August 29, 2008 1:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's great time to be an American, for me, because we are fighting back hard, together, against great wickedness, and we are determined to take our country back from the swine, the knaves, the lawbreakers, the enemies of civil society.
August 29, 2008 3:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting poll on MSNBC's website. 78 percent of people are more likely to vote for Obama now. The board is full of REPUBLICANS saying they will vote for him now. McSame is toast, It won't be easy to clean up the wreck the Repubs left behind. With this man we can do it.
August 29, 2008 3:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is not toast, never underestimate the Repugs. Also, I expect whatever bump we do get from this will be cut into somewhat by the Repug convention next week.
August 29, 2008 3:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
People are rejecting the AP coverage of the speech. Olberman criticized it. It doesn't even seem as though the guy listened to the speech. My guess is that he read the excerpts and wrote the artical without watching the speech... just a guess partly based on the fact that he initially said the speech was 9 minutes shorter than it actually was...
August 29, 2008 3:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
The AP has become sub-National Enquirer.
August 29, 2008 8:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know you can't underestimate them. I just have a deep intuitive feeling this is a turning point, in the election and our history. Just my opinion.
August 29, 2008 4:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Also how ironic is it that their convention will happen during the same time a hurricane hits New Orleans. Just a reminder of their biggest domestic failure yet. It is sure to bring up memories of Katrina.
August 29, 2008 4:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Very ironic. But hopefully that storm does not hit NOLA. I am hoping for a near miss with zero casualties and very little property damage, but maximum MSM coverage.
August 29, 2008 4:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
And wasn't it James Dobson who just a few weeks ago (jokingly, he claimed) urged his followers to pray for terrible weather for Obama's speech.
Maybe God has a little joke of his own?
:o)
August 29, 2008 5:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
heh.
August 29, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, you do not get it. This is not some miraculous happenstance borne out of conditions created by other people and forced upon Obama. This is the strategy. This is who the campaign is.
THIS. IS. SPARTA!
August 29, 2008 4:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Word.
August 29, 2008 8:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just watched the speech online. Wow. Home Run!, Touchdown!, Gooooooooooal!, and for the lefty with the nice stroke - Swish!
Got another donation from me. If I keep giving every time Obama delivers I might be broke by November....
August 29, 2008 5:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans just figured out that Obama is not a celebrity, he is not an elitist, he is a phenomenon! I have only seen one like him in my life, JFK, and I believe Obama is even more extraordinatry. I was blown away by the entire convention and the stadium was...well I'll never forget it.
We should never doubt Obama's ability to come back with a hard hitting right. Remember the Wright mess, and Obama came back, not explaining or on the defense, but on the offense with a speech on race that will go down in history. Obama does not have a glass jaw, he is f-ing Rocky.
August 29, 2008 6:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain has spent a lot time pushing the idea that Obama was not just a celebrity, which everyone would agree he is, but a vacuous celebrity like Hilton and Spears. Many Americans tuned in for the first time and discovered that he was not an empty suit, that up there on the stage wasn't Hilton or Spears, but a man of substance and passion.
And I am sure there many of these Americans who did not really know Obama before this who said at least silently to themselves: well, that's why 85,000 turned out to see him with such enthusiasm, that's why the crowd greeted him in Berlin with such enthusiasm, that is why his supporters have been carried his campaign forward with such enthusiasm. Now it all makes sense.
August 29, 2008 7:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Anybody know where I can find the Obama introduction film?
August 29, 2008 7:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here is the video of the biography played before the acceptance speech.
Took me a minute to find it - it's apparently not on the You Tubes yet.
August 29, 2008 7:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama should come out with an celebrity ad against McCain. After all, McCain has starred in so many movies, SNL skits, and late night talk shows to get a Screen Actors Guild card....
August 29, 2008 7:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I got 4 hrs of sleep last night. i was so buzzed, i had to get up and read something last night to calm me down so i could sleep. But i have a feeling that i am no the only on who will be going to work today groggy.
August 29, 2008 8:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I loved the speech because it didn't shy away on anything. It went right at McBush on position after position, character, morality, guns, you name it. And it showed that Obama can be really tough, and still play by his rules. The closest to a smear was "He doesn't get it" which I'm sure will be claimed an ageist remark. It was unabashedly liberal, but reminded us of the weakness that traditional liberalism suffers and owned that, personal responsibility. McCain's response was so lame they didn't really have a way to go. There were 15 minutes of direct hits, he's too punch drunk to even have a response until today. This was a "thanks very fucking much for your congratulations' speech, game on!
August 29, 2008 8:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like the speech left McCain in shock and meke him take a major gamble:
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin looks to be his VP.
August 29, 2008 8:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
make him. Typo.
August 29, 2008 8:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Got, like, a SOURCE for that?
August 29, 2008 8:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know the instrumental music theme used last night:
Is from the Denzel Washington's film "Remember The Titans".
August 29, 2008 8:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
It was a great speech and, ultimately, a great convention. We all need to stop living and dying day-to-day thinking every blow is the end. The Obama campaign has been pretty brilliant most of the time. Sure, we need to nudge them now and again, but overall we need to trust them. They're getting the job done.
August 29, 2008 8:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pawlenty confirmed its not him.
I'm surprised but it is smart. McCain needs do something to change the playing field or Obama would simply crush him.
August 29, 2008 8:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
The folks over at The Corner seem to think its Palin...
August 29, 2008 8:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
The folks at MSNBC and CNN is pointing at Alaska's Gov, Tom Ridge and Joe Liberman. The 3 of them have huge issues with their own base or ethical issues.
McCain of 2008 should pick McCain of 2000.
August 29, 2008 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Palin, Ridge Lieberman...I don't think so! I'm guessing that McShame will go with Lindsey Graham. Our first (that we know of) gay VP nominee (once he comes out of the closet).
It doesn't matter who he picks. They are toast. No, they are beyond toast. YEAST!
August 29, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I saw JFK on the stump just before his win. This is the only thing that's ever approximated that night. Electrifying.
August 29, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
testing. one. two. test. test.
August 30, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink