Behind the Scenes With Michelle & Barack
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Written on October 11, 2008 | Posted in 2008 election, Video, barack obama, democrats | Leave a comment
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCeNPAaGVVY[/youtube]
Dem convention finally gets rolling on day 3
OMG WTF! Obama makes a surprise appearance? NO WAY!?…
Of course he was going to make an appearance, silly. But with the way the convention has rolled out so far, it was easy to see how the Dems might have missed the opportunity.
With the presumptive Democratic nominee appearing on the same convention stage as the rest of the doyen Democrats, Sen. Barack Obama capped the third night of the festivities with a surprise walk-on appearance and off-the-cuff plaudits of his fellow Democrats.
With Sen. John Kerry, former President Bill Clinton, and Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden all lauding Obama and tearing into McCain, the Democrats finally began showing their teeth.
If Kerry and spoken at the 2004 presidential debates the way he spoke last night, he could very well have been president. And if there were any lingering doubts of the Clintons’ commitment to Obama, the speech given by the last Democratic president put those doubts to rest. The rift between the Clinton’s and Obama might not be totally healed, but the commitment to victory has been sealed.
And what of the keynote?
Starting out his acceptance speech slow and sappy, it felt like Biden thanked the entire universe before lethargically tossing platitudes of American goodness, raising his voice only when urged by applause from the convention-goers. Ten minutes into the speech the person sitting next to me turned and asked, “Why do you like Joe Biden again?” With the first half of the speech lackluster at best, I was beginning to have doubts myself.
Since the start of this blog last May, I’ve believed that Biden’s foreign policy credentials, Washington experience, blunt speaking style, and personal integrity (hokey, I know) made him the best Democrat to best the Republicans this election. With all the candidates virtually the same in policy preferences, he appeared to be the best choice to carry a majority of independents and enough Republicans. Needless to say I was pleased when Obama chose him as his running mate. But halfway through his vice presidential nomination speech, I was starting to sweat.
Then the red meat.
After describing John McCain as his friend (who doesn’t?), Biden launched his attack, something he’ll need to ramp up and perfect in the next couple months.
Sen. Joe Biden’s acceptance speech
“John McCain was wrong and Barack Obama was right” chanted Biden during his acceptance speech, a simple and hardly memorable line, but it worked for Biden. That simple and hardly memorable line has in many ways defined the Democratic convention, and Biden’s speech was a microcosm. As I noted previously the Obama-Clinton drama has been the real highlight of the convention, the rest has been a yawn and a stretch. With a slow build up, peaking strongly, then capped with a unique ending (Obama’s appearance), Biden’s speech reflects the entire 2008 Democratic convention: Starting slow, peaking on the third night with red meat, and ending uniquely with Obama speaking in an outdoor stadium.
Love the Dems, but God I’m bored to tears.
Which leads to the question of my next post:
How can the techieset Democratic convention ever, feel so dated?
Stay tuned.
Image: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200808/20080827wap_obidenstagea_500.jpg
Dem Convention Posts:
Clinton to Dems: Keep Going
Late night impressions of day 2 of the 2008 Democratic convention
“Grand slam” said MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann at the conclusion of Hillary Clinton’s keynote speech. After a sleepy first convention day, the Democrats finally hit their stride at the end of day two, with Sen. Hillary Clinton’s grand slam of an endorsement for the man who edged her out in the primary. But before her historic keynote, the day started out much as the day before, with sluggish speeches and too many visuals of dancing Democrats in sporting funny hats.
Three major speeches caught my attention.
The first was by former Virginia governor Mark Warner. It was easy to imagine this man being a contender for the Democratic nomination. While robotic at first, his speech exhibited passion and punch, with short sentences that were easy on the ears and laced with vigor. MSNBC commentators noted that Warner’s speaking slot was moved up due to his reluctance to attack John McCain. Obviously Warner was acutely aware of his own political future, and the opportunities afforded the keynote address (See: Obama, 2004 keynote address). That he used his time to talk about good ideas transcending party is discouraging at best, playing it safe, too safe to be exciting in the foreseeable future. We’ll see where he’s at in eight years.
The most entertaining and fun speech was delivered by Montana governor Brian Schweitzer, cheerfully rolling his round body back and forth as he bashed presumptive Republican nominee Sen John McCain, calling for each state’s delegation to literally and figuratively “stand up!” Which they did, cheering and smiling. Who know a mountain man could be so jolly? As Schweitzer concluded, former president Clinton could be seen mouthing the words “He was good.” And he was. Hopefully we’ll see more of Schweitzer in the future — and not only because his name scores 27 points in Scrabble.
And then the grand slam. Wearing bright orange to contrast the soft blue background, the longest applause of the convention serenaded the longest lasting Democratic primary candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton. Poised, passionate, and perfectly pitched, Clinton’s speech exceeded all of the considerable expectations placed upon it. “Clinton Delivers…and Then Some” headlined Huffington Post. With a parity of grace and strength, Clinton wove a passionate tale of her life, civil right’s movements, and Democratic values, tying them neatly together in a narrative endorsing Barack Obama.
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Hillary Clinton’s keynote address
“Nothing but the fate of our nation and the future of our children depend on it,” she said, highlighting the serious nature of this presidential election.
A few notable phrases:
“No way, no how, no McCain”
“She greeted me with her bald head with my name painted on it”
“sisterhood of traveling pantsuits”
“My mother was born before women could vote. But in this election my daughter got to vote for her mother for president. This is the story of America. Of women and men who defy the odds and never give up,”
She also again noted how many Americans are invisible to the current administration.
“Grand slam” said Keith Olbermann immediately following her remarks, “I don’t know how it could have been better.” Fox News pundits sure could, as they seized upon the speech’s coattails to deride Clinton for not “fully” embracing Obama, stating that she didn’t say he was ready for the presidency, and that he would make the best president. But why the hell should she? Clearly she thinks she would make the best president, all the presidential candidates do. What Clinton did with her speech was help unify the Democratic party by embracing the extent of her honest support for Obama, without lies, without stretching the truth. “Were you in this campaign just for me?” she asked the audience.
But that wasn’t all. Clinton also delivered the convention’s most searing attacks upon John McCain, something only hinted at with the Democratic convention already half over.
Clinton’s message: Unite behind the party, push forward with the weight of history behind us, for nothing but the future of our country and our children depends on it. — Moving words from a powerful persona.
Curious how now, with former president Bill Clinton and presumptive vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden both speaking tonight, that the convention feels like it has already reached its apex. Sure we’ll watch the next two days, but I can’t help but feel like the convention is already winding down, and with only passing mentions of McCain, and few new reasons to vote for Obama.
We’ll see tonight how our nation’s ‘first black president’ speaks about our nation’s first black president. And don’t be surprised if Biden exposes his fangs (someone has to).
Don’t let us down, doyen Dems! There’s only two quarters left, and America is still waiting to be fired up.
Images: cnn.com, huffingtonpost.com
Dem Convention Posts:
Former Clinton adviser wants the Dems to turn up the offense on the Bush, McCain, and the Republicans.
Wired: “it’s a celebration of social media, high-definition video and really kick-ass internet connectivity.”
Convention Day 1: Safe, warm, and slow
‘Anticipation’ is the one word that comes to mind when summarizing the first day of the 2008 Democratic Convention.
The evening had the potential to be a powerful force, with Jesse Jackson Junior’s strong words, a tear-jerking tribute to and speech by the doyen senator Ted Kennedy, personal introduction of Michelle Obama’s by her brother Craig Robinson, and Mrs. Obama’s headline speech. But something got in the way. Assurance was there, but the sad part is, in between was a whole lot of nothing.
Cable commentators were even saying that this had been a wasted night for the Democrats. While certainly not a waste–the Obama’s appear much more family centered after tonight–the build up of excitement wasn’t quite there. It’s hard to see how any independent voter would want to tune in tomorrow after watching tonight’s broadcast… BROADCAST being the important word, as in FUN TV. Was it moving? Yes. But not engrossing. What it did do is play to the base, and cast Michelle Obama and her family in a softer light.
Undoubtedly, Michelle Obama gave a beautiful, graceful, well-crafted speech. Hat tip to her. But as minute-to-minute choreographed as these events are, I was surprised at how much down time there was between speeches and videos. When Chris Matthews appears to run out of things to say half way through the first convention day, you know you’re in trouble.
My parents once took me to a local minor league baseball game, and during each potential lull in the action something choreographed occurred in the stadium to keep the audience wrapped in attention, be it a video on a screen, the announcer leading the fans in song, or, my personal favorite, an vehicle driving on the sidelines shooting t-shirts and hotdogs (without condiments) wrapped in plastic into the stands. Was it hokey, sure, but it kept everyone’s attention, and moreover, it was fun.
Day 1 forgot the fun, but not the hokey. At the end of Michelle’s speech, she spoke with Barack via video with her two daughters. Every time those kids are on TV, you can be sure another voter inches towards Obama.
Other hokey video phone calls:
2001 (film)
The Jetsons
So with a soft overture to start, the Democratic convention has begun on a fuzzy note. Now we know that Ted Kennedy is a lovable family man who likes to sail, Michelle Obama is a warm mother, the Obama girls are cute as can be, and Barack Obama knows how to buy ice cream.
Now about that whole president thing…
Watch Michelle Obama’s speech
TRANSCRIPT: Michelle Obama’s Convention Speech, Monday, August 25th, 2008:
As you might imagine, for Barack, running for president is nothing compared to that first game of basketball with my brother Craig.
I can’t tell you how much it means to have Craig and my mom here tonight. Like Craig, I can feel my dad looking down on us, just as I’ve felt his presence in every grace-filled moment of my life.
At 6-foot-6, I’ve often felt like Craig was looking down on me too…literally. But the truth is, both when we were kids and today, he wasn’t looking down on me — he was watching over me.
And he’s been there for me every step of the way since that clear February day 19 months ago, when — with little more than our faith in each other and a hunger for change — we joined my husband, Barack Obama, on the improbable journey that has led us to this moment.
But each of us also comes here tonight by way of our own improbable journey.
I come here tonight as a sister, blessed with a brother who is my mentor, my protector and my lifelong friend.
And I come here as a wife who loves my husband and believes he will be an extraordinary president.
And I come here as a Mom whose girls are the heart of my heart and the center of my world — they’re the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night. Their future — and all our children’s future — is my stake in this election.
And I come here as a daughter — raised on the South Side of Chicago by a father who was a blue collar city worker, and a mother who stayed at home with my brother and me. My mother’s love has always been a sustaining force for our family, and one of my greatest joys is seeing her integrity, her compassion, and her intelligence reflected in my own daughters.
My Dad was our rock. Although he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early thirties, he was our provider, our champion, our hero. But as he got sicker, it got harder for him to walk, it took him longer to get dressed in the morning. But if he was in pain, he never let on. He never stopped smiling and laughing — even while struggling to button his shirt, even while using two canes to get himself across the room to give my Mom a kiss. He just woke up a little earlier, and worked a little harder.
He and my mom poured everything they had into me and Craig. It was the greatest gift a child could receive: never doubting for a single minute that you’re loved, and cherished, and have a place in this world. And thanks to their faith and their hard work, we both were able to go on to college. So I know firsthand from their lives — and mine — that the American Dream endures.
And you know, what struck me when I first met Barack was that even though he had this funny name, even though he’d grown up all the way across the continent in Hawaii, his family was so much like mine. He was raised by grandparents who were working class folks just like my parents, and by a single mother who struggled to pay the bills just like we did. Like my family, they scrimped and saved so that he could have opportunities that they never had for themselves. And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you’re going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them, and even if you don’t agree with them.
And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and to pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children — and all children in this nation — to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.
And as our friendship grew, and I learned more about Barack, he introduced me to the work he’d done when he first moved to Chicago after college. You see instead of going to Wall Street, Barack had gone to work in neighborhoods devastated when steel plants shut down, and jobs dried up. And he’d been invited back to speak to people from those neighborhoods about how to rebuild their community.
The people gathered together that day were ordinary folks doing the best they could to build a good life. See they were parents trying to get by paycheck to paycheck; grandparents trying to get by on a fixed income; men frustrated that they couldn’t support their families after their jobs disappeared. Those folks weren’t asking for a handout or a shortcut. See they were ready to work — they wanted to contribute. They believed — like you and I believe — that America should be a place where you can make it if you try.
And Barack stood up that day, and spoke words that have stayed with me ever since. He talked about “The world as it is” and “The world as it should be.” And he said that all too often, we accept the distance between the two, and we settle for the world as it is — even when it doesn’t reflect our values and aspirations. But he reminded us that we also know what our world should look like. He said we know what fairness and justice and opportunity look like. And he urged us to believe in ourselves — to find the strength within ourselves to strive for the world as it should be. And isn’t that the great American story?
It’s the story of men and women gathered in churches and union halls and high school gyms — people who stood up and marched and risked everything they had — refusing to settle, determined to mold our future into the shape of our ideals.
It is because of their will and determination that this week, we celebrate two anniversaries: the 88th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, and the 45th anniversary of that hot summer day when Dr. King lifted our sights and our hearts with his dream for our nation.
I stand here today at the crosscurrents of that history — knowing that my piece of the American Dream is a blessing hard won by those who came before me. All of them driven by the same conviction that drove my dad to get up an hour early each day to painstakingly dress himself for work. The same conviction that drives the men and women I’ve met all across this country:
People who work the day shift, kiss their kids goodnight, and head out for the night shift — without disappointment, without regret — see that goodnight kiss a reminder of everything they’re working for.
The military families who say grace each night with an empty seat at the table. The servicemen and women who love this country so much, they leave those they love most to defend it.
The young people across America serving our communities — teaching children, cleaning up neighborhoods, caring for the least among us each and every day.
People like Hillary Clinton, who put those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, so that our daughters — and our sons — can dream a little bigger and aim a little higher.
People like Joe Biden, who’s never forgotten where he came from, and never stopped fighting for folks who work long hours and face long odds and need someone on their side again.
All of us driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won’t do — that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be.
And that is the thread that connects our hearts. That is the thread that runs through my journey and Barack’s journey and so many other improbable journeys that have brought us here tonight, where the current of history meets this new tide of hope.
That is why I love this country.
And in my own life, in my own small way, I’ve tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That’s why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us — no matter what our age or background or walk of life — each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.
It’s a belief Barack shares — a belief at the heart of his life’s work.
See it’s what he did all those years ago, on the streets of Chicago, setting up job training to get people back to work and afterschool programs to keep kids safe — working block by block to help people lift up their families.
It’s what he did in the Illinois Senate, moving people from welfare to jobs, passing tax cuts for hard-working families, and making sure women get equal pay for equal work.
It’s what he’s done in the United States Senate, fighting to ensure that the men and women who serve this country are welcomed home not just with medals and parades, but with good jobs and benefits and health care — including mental health care.
See that’s why he’s running — to end the war in Iraq responsibly, to build an economy that lifts every family, to make sure health care is available for every American, and to make sure every child in this nation has a world class education all the way from preschool to college. That’s what Barack Obama will do as president of the United States of America.
He’ll achieve these goals the same way he always has — by bringing us together and reminding us how much we share and how alike we really are. You see, Barack doesn’t care where you’re from, or what your background is, or what party — if any — you belong to. That’s not how he sees the world. He knows that thread that connects us — our belief in America’s promise, our commitment to our children’s future. He knows that that thread is strong enough to hold us together as one nation even when we disagree.
It was strong enough to bring hope to those neighborhoods in Chicago.
It was strong enough to bring hope to the mother he met worried about her child in Iraq; hope to the man who’s unemployed, but can’t afford gas to find a job; hope to the student working nights to pay for her sister’s health care, sleeping just a few hours a day.
And it was strong enough to bring hope to people who came out on a cold Iowa night and became the first voices in this chorus for change that has been echoed by millions of Americans from every corner of this nation.
Millions of Americans who know that Barack understands their dreams; Millions of Americans who know that Barack will fight for people like them; and that Barack will finally bring the change we need.
And in the end, And in the end after all that’s happened these past 19 months, the Barack Obama I know today is the same man I fell in love with 19 years ago. He’s the same man who drove me and our new baby daughter home from the hospital ten years ago this summer, inching along at a snail’s pace, peering anxiously at us in the rear view mirror, feeling the whole weight of her future in his hands, determined to give her everything he’d struggled so hard for himself, determined to give her something he never had: the affirming embrace of a father’s love.
And as I tuck that little girl in and her little sister into bed at night, You see I think about how one day, they’ll have families of their own. And one day, they — and your sons and daughters — will tell their own children about what we did together in this election. They’ll tell them how this time, we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. How this time, how this time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming. How this time, in this great country — where a girl from the South Side of Chicago can go to college and law school, and the son of a single mother from Hawaii can go all the way to the White House — that we committed ourselves, we committed ourselves to building the world as it should be.
So tonight, in honor of my father’s memory and my daughters’ future — out of gratitude for those whose triumphs we mark this week, and those whose everyday sacrifices have brought us to this moment — let us devote ourselves to finishing their work; let us work together to fulfill their hopes; and let us stand together to elect Barack Obama president of the United States of America.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
Image: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/conventions/, http://weblogs.redeyechicago.com/iphoneblog/images/2008/05/08/jetsons_video_phone.jpg, http://davidszondy.com/future/Living/Phone1.jpg
Dem Convention Posts:
Biden FTW! We couldn’t be happier.
After a titillating rollout of vice-presidential proportions, CNN reported on Larry King Live at 1AM that ‘reliable sources’ have confirmed that Sen. Joe Biden is Sen. Barack Obama’s choice for his vice presidential candidate.
Thank Goodness.
Can you imagine the Saturday morning yawns over cereal and cartoons after learning Evan Byah was Obama’s veep choice? Luckily, you don’t have to. With Biden, Obama displays wisdom, practicality, humility and political savvy.
Loyal readers know that I’ve been pulling for Biden since the beginning, seeing him as the best Democrat suited to take on the Republicans this year (See past articles at the bottom of this post). By far, Biden was the most presidential of candidates with respect to his foreign policy experience, bi-partisan legislation, Washington know-how, personal gravitas, and passion for the issues and his constituents. Biden brings much to Obama as a running mate, filling in the perceived (and real) gaps Obama has in his resume’.
When choosing a vice presidential running mate, there are several ways to go. Conventional wisdom dictates one of two methods: you choose someone who reinforces your message–such as Clinton choosing Gore, both as Washington outsiders–or you choose someone who fills in your weaknesses with strengths. As the latter, Biden is a pragmatic choice for Obama, overflowing the Democratic ticket with foreign policy and Washington experience. Biden rounds out the ticket.
Presidential candidates also have to be careful not to choose a running mate that will overshadow the top of the ticket. As a doyen elder in the Democratic party, one might think Biden has this potential, but as the Delaware senator stated on the June 22, 2008 edition of Meet the Press:
SEN. BIDEN: Of course it would, because the–if the president–if the presidential nominee thought I could help him win, am I going to say to the first African-American candidate about to make history in the world that, “No, I will not help you out like you want me to”? Of course, I’m–I’ll say yes.
Biden has shown himself to be a true statesman throughout the entire Democratic primary, and will clearly do whatever it takes to help Obama become president, including playing the role of an attack dog while reinforcing Obama’s judgment and readiness to be president. While it is easy to see the ticket as Biden/Obama, Biden will be an outstanding #2.
As Biden showed in the debates, he can clearly attack an opponent with a dash of humor, a serious plus in politics:
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Biden showed his skill taking on Giuliani in the early debates
Biden might be known for his verbal gaffes, but he has accrued great respect from his colleagues during his time in the senate and during the 2008 primary, both points demonstrated in the following debate video:
[flv]http://garlinggauge.com/videos/obamabiden.flv[/flv]
Biden and Obama speak about Biden’s heart and qualifications
Biden is also known for being accused of plagiarizing a speech during an earlier campaign. The current entry in Wikipedia on Joe Biden explains this falsehood succinctly:
Then in September 1987, the campaign ran into serious trouble when he was accused of plagiarizing a speech by Neil Kinnock, then-leader of the British Labour Party. Though Biden had correctly credited the original author in all speeches but one, the one where he failed to make mention of the originator was caught on video
But what would make a Biden veep truly useful to an Obama administration is his ability to guide Obama in making the ‘change we can believe in’, the changes Obama proposes for Washington. If elected, Biden’s peerless knowledge of the inner workings of Washington can help Obama’s theoretical vision of Washington become a reality. Biden knows how government works and how to get things done in a bi-partisan way. While Obama might seem to have his head in the clouds, Biden’s feet are firmly grounded on terra firma - the perfect balance of vision and feasibility.
Now admittedly, I was rooting for Sen. Clinton after Biden dropped out, but the reasons for my interest in a Clinton presidency went beyond her health care plan and her historic ascendancy as the first woman nominee. In many ways she appeared to be the perfect antidote to the atrocious policies of George Bush’s administration, the opposite of him in policy but similar in tactics. For a long time I’ve believed that the Democratic party needed to run for office like Republicans, solely because Republicans won, even when most voters disagreed with their policies. Hillary Clinton has demonstrated that she can certainly run that way, but she was bested by Obama’s ‘change’ movement, with him demonstrating that a ‘new kind of politics’ can actually work.
So now, after Kucinich’s UFO sighting, Clinton’s crying, Richardson’s rambling, Edwards’s echoing son of a mill worker story, Dodd’s glowing hair, and Gravel’s splashing rocks, we finally have not only a nominee, but a ticket. And funny enough, it mirrors that of the Bush’s 2000 ticket: A Washington outsider and newcomer at the top of the ticket, with the erudite adviser rounding out the bottom.
In many ways, Obama/Biden compensates and satisfies my desire for a President Hillary Clinton. Like a reverse mirror image of Bush/Cheney, Obama/Biden appear as the good side of the Force, counteracting the dark and evil years of the Bush administration. But instead of a stubborn, intellectual neophyte running the country, easily swayed by myopic neocons, we have a thoughtful visionary counselled by a steady, worldly hand. And that is progress, folks.
Thank Goodness. Biden FTW!
Image: http://z.about.com/d/usliberals/1/0/t/3/ObamaBidenChrisGannon.jpg
Read articles about Biden from the primary:
A news conference about an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission will air in Denver during the DNC event.
Michael Kinsley of TIME makes a cogent argument on why Hillary supporters should back Obama .
