Convention notes

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August 28, 6:42 AM

by Jay McDonough, Progressive Politics Examiner

 

 

All along, two themes needed to emerge from this Convention.  There needed to be trusted folks who would testify Barack Obama was, indeed, prepared to be president.  Full of good ideas is a fine thing, but these speakers needed to convince the more skeptical outside the convention that the Senator could implement those good ideas. 

The second, equally important, was to contrast the policies of Barack Obama with those of John McCain.  And given the similarities between Senator McCain's policies with the current administration, it would be perfectly fair to use the last eight years to illustrate what life would look like with McCain as president. 

This has been a very, very, very long campaign and these themes have been played out throughout the media over and over and over.  I was hoping there would be some speakers at the Convention who would provide a new perspective or a new way of expressing those themes.

On Tuesday evening, I thought Keynote Speaker Mark Warner was just OK. The speech was exactly the kind I hoped someone would provide; the opportunity lost speech.  And while I'm a big proponent of managing government more like a business (Warner comes from a business background), Warner's presentation just fell flat for me.  On the other hand, Montana governor, Brian Schweitzer set the arena on fire.  Animated, full of humor and venom, he shredded the Bush Administration and John McCain.

I have to admit - my first impression of Hillary Clinton's speech wasn't all that great.  It seemed she was repeating her June concession speech; recounting all her campaign experiences, why she had entered the race and the campaigns accomplishments.  I've now watched it again, and find her speech quite strong.  Senator Clinton has become a considerably better speaker and delivered her speech with conviction and enthusiasm.  She endorsed Barack Obama, seemingly without reservation.  She asserted he was ready to be president, effectively criticized the Bush Administration and deftly painted a picture of a McCain presidency.  She did particularly well when talking to her supporters about the need to abandon their rancor and vote for Barack Obama.  To those supporters who now loudly, publicly claim they will now vote for John McCain rather than Obama, she asked if they had only supported her or the positions she embraces. 

But I have to admit - I was looking for some heat.  Wednesday evening, sitting through Harry Reid and Evan Bayh, I was desperate.  Both were boring and dispassionate.  If they're not fired up how do they expect an energized electorate?  John Kerry started slow (oh no, not another yawner) and then kicked it in gear.  John Kerry gave the best speech I have ever seen him give.  The one he should have given in 2004.  He just eviscerated the Bush Administration and called out John McCain as a pampered phony with a world view more suited for 1968 than 2008.  And God bless him for condemning the Bush Adminstration's implementation of torture.

I would imagine a whole lot of folks were worried about what Bill Clinton was going to say.  As recently as the other day, Clinton made what were construed as anti-Obama statements.  There was some reporting the Obama campaign hadn't seen President Clinton's speech beforehand.  But wow, he hit it out of the park.  Fully endorsing Obama and asserting he's now ready to be president, Clinton more than delivered the goods Wednesday night.

Joe Biden's son, Beau, had the whole arena in tears as he recounted the story of the accident that killed the Senator's wife and infant daughter.  Heartfelt and very moving, Beau Biden introduced his father:

Joe Biden was quite good, if a little long.  It would have been hard for anyone following Bill Clinton and John Kerry, but I think most Americans watching Joe Biden would have seen a kindred spirit in him.  Biden just radiates an everyman personna; when he speaks of the growing middle class angst, it comes across as very real and understood.  Bidens personna will play well against John McCain's life story (if the Democrats can do a good job at making it known).

Wednesday night finally provided some speakers who not only pointed out how far off track the U.S. has drifted in the last eight years - they were angry about it.  Angry about the missed opportunities.  Angry about the nonchalant view of the Constitution and law.  Angry about the neglect for the middle class and poor.  Angry about America's sullied reputation in the world.

And, hopefully, angry enough to campaign like they want to win in November. 

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