Clinton and Biden: topline thoughts
I’ll admit it, I sold President Clinton a little short today.
When asked about my thoughts (biases, really) going in to the Wednesday night speech, I wrote this:
The Dem Party of Bill Clinton circa 1992,3,4,5,6 is not the Dem Party of BHO 2008. The Big Dawg may not love that, may even be bitter (imo) that he is not being given more credit (earned or not) for what he “accomplished” in the 90s, but both Clintons know that what is best for them is what’s best for the Democratic Party this cycle–and that is the election of Obama-Biden this November.
Bill might not give the best speech of his career, but he will embrace BHO in word and spirit–at least for public consumption.
But Bill Clinton exceeded my expectations by a goodly amount. First, Clinton wholly embraced the Obama candidacy, with lots of full-throated “I support Barack Obama,” “Barack Obama is the man for this job,” and “Barack Obama is ready to be the president of the United States.”
Clinton neglected—wisely—to say that Obama would be ready on “day one.”
My favorite lines from the Big Dawg’s speech (transcribed from scratch-pad notes):
Barack Obama knows the world will be more impressed with the power of our example than the examples of our power.
and
America can do better, and Barack Obama will do better.
Joe Biden met my expectations, but maybe just barely.
I have often thought of Biden as an informed speaker, but not so much a great orator (I don’t think I am alone here). Tonight’s speech basically confirmed that belief. It had the “red meat” that every anchor and pundit told us that this speech must contain, but it didn’t soar rhetorically. It was a little long, and peppered with those much too over-used call and repetition lines, which have mostly failed (as they did here) ever since Al Gore trotted out “It’s time for him to go” back in 1992.
Joe Biden’s best moment—and, again, I am sure I am not alone here—was his “Freudian slip,” accidentally calling John McCain “George.”
Biden—along with so many at this convention—stressed that John McCain just represents a continuation of the failed Bush Administration. Polls show that this argument tracks very well with voters. In this case, I am happy that the Dems are poll-driven.
- Original article
- FILED UNDER: Guest Blogger
- August 27, 2008
BARF BAGS AT DOOR!!!!
.
Bill Clinton almost played hardball but didn’t. A laundry list is still only a little dirty laundry.
Joe Biden absolutely didn’t play hardball.
This was the worst convention in history.
Let me explain something. People want to feel safe. Even though we KNOW the Republicans have made us less safe, devastated our Armed Forces, bankrupted our economy, still, they come out fighting. People respect that.
If I hear “resonate” once more, I am going to puke. We don’t need to hear “kum by ya” and “let’s open the window to the bright and shiny light that is tomorrow’s day”.
We need to hit the Republicans.
DICK CHENEY WAS NOT MENTIONED ONCE.
GUANTANAMO TORTURE WAS NOT MENTIONED ONCE.
I heard Katrina mentioned only once and as part of Bill's laundry list of words.
I NEVER HEARD WALTER RIED MENTIONED ONCE.
I NEVER HEARD THAT WE WERE MISLED INTO IRAQ.
I NEVER HEARD THAT IT’S A CRIME THAT WE HAVEN’T CAUGHT BIN LADIN.
When I say mentioned, I mean blasted. "Republicans have devestated this country and lied us into a war. They don't take care of our soldiers. They didn't give them the proper equipment, look at Walter Ried". Now, that is a good place to start. Only, guess what? It's too fucking late. The convention is nearly over.
Instead, there is all this fucking “reaching out” and “let’s heal the wounds”. Barf! Republicans have greatly damaged this country. Fuck "reaching out". THROW THEM OUT OF OFFICE. VOTE THEM OUT.
When the Republicans start next week, they will brand Obama a Sunni Terrorists on the side of those that took out the WTC. They will tie him to Wright and Rezko. And they will be playing hardball.
None of this soft stuff the Democrats have been peddling. And then, once again, it will be Obama standing there, lip quivering, stern face, "Stop talking bad about my patriotism. Wah Wah Wah".
This convention was so soft and so retarded; the Democrats may not be able to recover.
If you think Obama is going to give a hard-hitting speech tonight, forget it. It will be another of those puke filled, “We are the World” speeches.
We are going to have four years of McCain. And then Hillary will get another shot. Believe me, I am most definitely NOT a Hillary supporter, but at least she knows how to play hardball.
This convention has left me terribly sad that Democrats, with all their ideals could be so weak and spineless.
YOU HAVE TO HIT THE REPUBLICANS HARD. HAVEN'T THE LAST EIGHT YEARS TAUGHT YOU ANYTHING????????????????????????????????
- parent
By deanrddAugust 28, 2008 - 9:10am