Shock and awe

Just a few words about Senator Barack Obama's acceptance speech, because I won't be able to match the eloquence on display by both politician and pundit alike tonight.

The expectations for this speech seemed impossibly high. In front of a crowd of 84,000 (and millions at home), on the anniversary of arguably the most famous speech in American history, and in light of a speech four years earlier that launched him onto the national scene, Barack Obama did everything he had to do, and much, much more.

Outlining a specific, Democratic plan for America's future, Senator Obama answered the questions posed even by doubters in his own party, basing it on the core values shared by all Americans, chiefly responsibility for self and for each other.

Rhetorically brilliant and inspiring, it reinforced the themes that have propelled this historic campaign: change that you can believe in and change you must work for. The "rhetorical flourishes" did not weigh it down - they lifted it up.

It brought the fight to Republicans like most Democrats have not been able or willing to do. It was filled with charge after charge, not only against the Bush administration and its faithful sidekick John McCain, but also against the failure of a self-defeating conservative ideology. Obama is ready to lead, and ready to fight for what he believes in.

And we need to fight with him.

Reviewing the Convention - Half-time

Predictably, this morning's coverage is focused on the Clintons: did Hillary do enough to bring home her rational supporters? Will Bill's speech focus on the night's theme, and more importantly, on Barack Obama, rather than on 1993-2000? This myopic view of the convention misses a lot of good moments, but the storyline for this week has been clear.

Obviously, I have no love lost for HRC, and I was ready for a speech where Barack Obama was an afterthought. While the beginning of the speech confirmed my fears, the second half really brought the fight to McCain and demonstrated why electing Barack is every Democrat's imperative. And while I'm no fan of Hillary's non-style, she did have some compelling rhetoric (the Harriet Tubman quote). I think she did what she needed to do, and no more, because the stakes are so high.

However, as MSNBC talking head / McCain BFF Mike Murphy pointed out, she could have given the same speech if Dennis Kucinich won the nomination. Here's someone you've been in the Senate with for four years, and you campaigned with/against for a year and a half. No personal anecdote? Sure, that's what Michelle's speech was for, but can you have too much about personal values?

As President Clinton continues to undercut Obama whenever someone puts a microphone in his face, I don't have high hopes for tonight. What should be a night about introducing Joe Biden to the nation and demonstrating why Democrats are ready to secure America's future will be reduced to a reminder about what people loved and hated about the 90s. But what do I know.

This might come as a surprise to people who watch cable news, but there were other speeches last night. After Monday's offering was described as too nice, Democrats went on the offensive (see below). At first, I was disappointed. The people I liked for VP/President were uninspiring: Kathleen Sebelius gave another speech that proves she cannot modulate her voice, and Mark Warner delivered a keynote that will be quickly forgotten. Warner's theme and the theme of this campaign dovetail nicely, but he's not a great orator.

I'm also disappointed that Gov. Schweitzer had to speak on 'Hillary Night'. What a speech! I think the analogy is set: Obama : 2004 convention :: Schweitzer : 2008 convention. He proved you can be a technocrat, folksy, and authentic at the same time. The governor knows how to work a crowd, and there's definitely going to be buzz around his name, especially if Democrats continue to see a Western Renaissance. Schweitzer 2016?

Here's your red meat

For everyone who thought Monday night was "too nice..."

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey Jr.:

John McCain calls himself a maverick, but he votes with George Bush 90 percent of the time. That's not a maverick. That's a sidekick!

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano:

Barry Goldwater ran for president, and he lost. Mo Udall ran for President, and he lost. Bruce Babbitt ran for president, and he lost. For this election cycle, that's one Arizona tradition I'd like to see continued.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

For John McCain , there's no place like home, or a home, or a home.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland:

You know, it was once said of the first George Bush that he was born on third base and thought he’d hit a triple. Well, with the twenty two million new jobs and the budget surplus Bill Clinton left behind, George W. Bush came into office on third base. And then he stole second.

Virginia Governor/Senator Mark Warner:

In four months, we will have a president who actually believes in science.

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer (ahem):

If you drill in all of John McCain's backyards, even the ones he doesn't know he has...that proposition is a dry well.

New York Senator Hillary Clinton:

It makes sense that George Bush and John McCain are going to be together next week in the twin cities because these days, it's hard to tell them apart.

I Like Joe Biden

The message from 62262 finally arrived at 2:16am on Saturday: "Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee. Watch the first Obama-Biden rally live at 3pm ET on www.BarackObama.com. Spread the word!" The story had broken earlier, but not through the usual series of leaks to friendly reporters. Instead, they happened to catch Secret Service at Biden's home. Take that, old media.

I embarked on the four hour trip down to Springfield, IL at 4am, for what was sure to be another historic speech (or two) at the Old State Capitol. Having missed Obama at a 2006 campaign event, the Miami Book Fair later that year, and the Kennedy endorsement celebration at American University, I simply had to do it. I was not disappointed: about 20 yards from the podium, I had an excellent view of the event. And while I didn't think Obama or Biden delivered their best speeches, the excitement put it over the top.

So, why do I like Joe Biden? In my Vice Presidential Diatribe, I categorically eliminated him for being a Washington insider, antithetical to the change message. If I had been asked to elaborate, I would have said he's blowhard with foot-in-mouth disease, the senator known online as Joe Biden (D-MBNA). Plus, his foreign policy experience balances rather than reinforces Obama's strengths. Oh, and he voted for the war. But at the end of the day, he's a passionate fighter, an old-school liberal, has a compelling personal story, and he's just plain likable.

As with any of the choices, Biden has weaknesses. Obviously, the RNC was going to attack any pick, especially someone who was an Obama detractor during the primaries (doesn't McCain know the DNC can do the same thing with Romney?). Predictably, they also are throwing Hillary's words at Obama for passing her over. And who knows if Biden can be disciplined, even with the stakes this high.

Strategically, Biden also has numerous strengths. He delivers attacks with a smile and bit of sardonic humor. Examples abound: he had the best line of the day when he said McCain would have to choose which of his seven dinner tables to sit at. In 2004, he allegedly told Dick Cheney:
"Mr. Vice President, I wouldn't keep you if it weren't constitutionally required." And there's always this, the best line of the debates (that can easily be adapted for McCain):



Biden is going to eat the Republican VP alive in the debates, outperforming Lieberman and Edwards in his sleep. He wears the attack dog role well, unlike a Kaine/Sebelius/Bayh pick. His energy and attitude belies his 66 years. Plus, his age in 2016 precludes him from a presidential run, creating a real opportunity to nominate a new, progressive candidate. Can you imagine being 'stuck' with Evan Bayh in eight years? :shudder:

Obama/Biden is a formidable ticket, as Republican Senators Dick Lugar, Chuck Hagel, and Arlen Specter have acknowledged (good message discipline, GOP!). Despite any initial disappointment with such a safe choice, I'm reminded that most of the short-listers were safe. None were unacceptable to a majority of Democrats, in a way that Romney, Lieberman, Ridge, Huckabee, Jindal, and Crist are to Republicans. Each of those picks has the chance to fracture the Republican base and upset some of the -Cons (paleo-, neo-, corporate-, etc.) that make up their party.

So bring it on, Old Man McCain. Try to step on Obama's bounce by announcing your choice on Friday. It's your 72nd birthday, so don't pick someone too old or too young! It's also the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, so don't pick someone whose negligent deregulation put American citizens in danger. Oh, and try to beat this picture: