Gustav is bearing down on the Gulf of Mexico. I wonder if James Dobson and his religious fundies are regretting this:
Conservative James Dobson's Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family posted what it called a humorous Internet video calling for people to pray for rain during Obama's speech.
Looks like Gus will make landfall sometime at the start of the week, not so coincidently when the Repubs are gathering in the Twin Cities. When you create a vicious cycle, as the republicans have so skillfully done, it's hard to escape the shadow of your karma.
Sometimes the universe crams a lesson down your throat.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Great Speech
My first reaction to Obama's speech last night was over the top. I waited until this a.m. to post some thoughts so that I could fully process.
I thought his speech hit the target on three major areas.
1. Obama re-assured Democratic voters that he's a Democrat. He outlined specific proposals that he will champion as president. I must say he was somewhat light in discussing how he would pay for these proposals and see a Republican line of attack focusing on tax and spend. What else is new?
2. Obama tied McCain not only to GWB, but to failed Republican policies. His line about making the Republicans "own their failures." was simply brilliant. I have been frustrated because many of the Dem speakers have only said that McCain is more of the same, without showing how. Obama hit that hard last night saying McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time and Obama wasn't willing to take a 10% chance on change.
3. Obama showed he was a fighter. He took Biden's mom's advice and bloodied McCain's nose. Obama made McCain look small, very small by taking on McCain's negative advertising. Saying there was too much at stake in this election for the same old partisan playbook, Obama directly challenged McCain to grow up and be serious. We all put our country first.
Overall, Obama did all this and more with flourish and a seriousness that demonstrated his capacity to be commander-in-chief. He blunted what is sure to be several lines of attack next week.
It's hard to imagine the Repubs following this spectacle. For substance, for imagery, for the all-star lineup of political talent.
I thought his speech hit the target on three major areas.
1. Obama re-assured Democratic voters that he's a Democrat. He outlined specific proposals that he will champion as president. I must say he was somewhat light in discussing how he would pay for these proposals and see a Republican line of attack focusing on tax and spend. What else is new?
2. Obama tied McCain not only to GWB, but to failed Republican policies. His line about making the Republicans "own their failures." was simply brilliant. I have been frustrated because many of the Dem speakers have only said that McCain is more of the same, without showing how. Obama hit that hard last night saying McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time and Obama wasn't willing to take a 10% chance on change.
3. Obama showed he was a fighter. He took Biden's mom's advice and bloodied McCain's nose. Obama made McCain look small, very small by taking on McCain's negative advertising. Saying there was too much at stake in this election for the same old partisan playbook, Obama directly challenged McCain to grow up and be serious. We all put our country first.
Overall, Obama did all this and more with flourish and a seriousness that demonstrated his capacity to be commander-in-chief. He blunted what is sure to be several lines of attack next week.
It's hard to imagine the Repubs following this spectacle. For substance, for imagery, for the all-star lineup of political talent.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Freakin Barney Smith
Man, I can't believe Obama dug up a real life Barney Smith. Mr. Smith, from Indiana, told his hard-luck economic story and came up with the line of the night. "It's time we had a president who cared more about Barney Smith than Smith, Barney."
These guys do know what they're doing. I continue to be impressed.
These guys do know what they're doing. I continue to be impressed.
Generals for Obama
The Dems just trotted out retired generals and admirals who support Obama. Got me to thinking that we hadn't heard from Colin Powell in some time. At least not since Bill Kristol announced that Powell's endorsement of Obama was imminent.
The Obama campaign has been excellent at orchestrating endorsements and supporters. Throughout the primary season they used fantastic tactics to blunt any Clinton momentum. I suspect we will see more of this in the general election, including endorsements by high-profiles like Powell.
In many ways, the endorsements are a microcosm of Obama strategy. They do seem to be holding back their punches while McCain throws everything but the kitchen sink at them. I believe that the gloves come off after the convention, boxing McCain into corner after corner. Through the last few weeks, the McCain camp has been better at staying on message. This will change when they are on the defensive.
The Obama campaign has been excellent at orchestrating endorsements and supporters. Throughout the primary season they used fantastic tactics to blunt any Clinton momentum. I suspect we will see more of this in the general election, including endorsements by high-profiles like Powell.
In many ways, the endorsements are a microcosm of Obama strategy. They do seem to be holding back their punches while McCain throws everything but the kitchen sink at them. I believe that the gloves come off after the convention, boxing McCain into corner after corner. Through the last few weeks, the McCain camp has been better at staying on message. This will change when they are on the defensive.
The real war President
John McCain's new campaign slogan:
More War, Fewer Jobs.
It's a can't miss selling proposition. I simply can't remember a more bellicose, belligerent, or dangerous candidate running for President. Really.
More War, Fewer Jobs.
It's a can't miss selling proposition. I simply can't remember a more bellicose, belligerent, or dangerous candidate running for President. Really.
Republican Blood Letting
There's some interesting back battles going on in the Republican primary for the NH District 1 congressional seat. Jeb Bradley, who formerly held the seat before getting upset by Carol Shea-Porter in '06, has been running some pretty nasty television ads. His opponent, John Stephens, is crying foul, and several prominent Republicans have spoken out for Stephens, calling on Bradley to remove the ads. Thus far the Bradley campaign has continued the negative campaigning.
I don't know enough about Stephens to have a strong opinion of the truthfullness of the ads. But this story has legs and gives me hope on two levels. First, the proximity of the primary to the general election does not offer much time to heal deep wounds, and from what I can gather, Bradley is hitting hard and low. The Republican laurel may prove to be too thorny a crown for Bradley should he win. On the other hand, Bradley voters may also be disaffected should Stephens win. New Hampshire voters aren't crazy about negative advertising - we want policy details. A good part of the state still uses the town meeting form of government and people are knowledgeable about issues. Bradley, I think, has opened Pandora's box and isn't quite sure how to close it.
On another level, it seems to me that the presidential campaign of John McCain is based primarily on tearing down Obama. Unless I'm totally misreading the situation, I can't see McCain's tactics working in NH. He seems to be hoping for his maverick image to propel him through here.
Kerry won NH in '04 against a sitting war-time president. I simply can't see NH reversing course and rewarding the Republicans with four more years.
I don't know enough about Stephens to have a strong opinion of the truthfullness of the ads. But this story has legs and gives me hope on two levels. First, the proximity of the primary to the general election does not offer much time to heal deep wounds, and from what I can gather, Bradley is hitting hard and low. The Republican laurel may prove to be too thorny a crown for Bradley should he win. On the other hand, Bradley voters may also be disaffected should Stephens win. New Hampshire voters aren't crazy about negative advertising - we want policy details. A good part of the state still uses the town meeting form of government and people are knowledgeable about issues. Bradley, I think, has opened Pandora's box and isn't quite sure how to close it.
On another level, it seems to me that the presidential campaign of John McCain is based primarily on tearing down Obama. Unless I'm totally misreading the situation, I can't see McCain's tactics working in NH. He seems to be hoping for his maverick image to propel him through here.
Kerry won NH in '04 against a sitting war-time president. I simply can't see NH reversing course and rewarding the Republicans with four more years.
The Big Night.
Tonight's the big speech from Obama. I think he's up to it.
The republicans are already amping up the rhetoric about the stage craft for the speech - something about the columns in the background. It's pretty difficult to believe that petty statements like that help their candidate. Even fervent supporters of McCain have to recognize the historic proportions of Obama's nomination...at least, I think they must.
The Obama campaign picked a fighter in Biden, and I think they are going to take it to the republicans over the next 8 weeks. Nothing personal. Simply bash them over the heads with their own incompetence. It should be fun to watch.
The republicans are already amping up the rhetoric about the stage craft for the speech - something about the columns in the background. It's pretty difficult to believe that petty statements like that help their candidate. Even fervent supporters of McCain have to recognize the historic proportions of Obama's nomination...at least, I think they must.
The Obama campaign picked a fighter in Biden, and I think they are going to take it to the republicans over the next 8 weeks. Nothing personal. Simply bash them over the heads with their own incompetence. It should be fun to watch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
