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Wednesday Night Convention Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Democratic National Convention 2008
Posted on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:18:31 PM EST
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Share your impressions. I'll blog President Clinton's speech below the fold at 9.

Big Dog coming up.

Here he comes . . .

Intro bragging on the Clinton years.

Well received.

He's milking it.

"I am here to support Barack Obama."

"That makes two of us."

Clinton invokes HIS experience to endorse Obama as the man for the job at hand. Pretty smart twist I think.

I'm laughing my a** off. He gave a 20 minute speech.

Barack Obama is ready to be President of the United States.

< Is Obama A Rejection Of "Clintonism?" | The 18 State Strategy? >

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    Wednesday Night Convention Open Thread | 136 comments (136 topical)

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    NPR coverage - it sounds peppier tonight (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by catfish on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:27:37 PM EST
    than last night. Last night, save for a Hillary, was a dud.

    Humble Prediction... (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:30:08 PM EST
    Since 2000, the GOP has been associated with rampant ELECTION FRAUD and they've gotten away with it - scott free.

    I expect the GOP would dearly love to wrap the albatross of election fraud around the neck of the Democratic Party.

    Ergo, I expect that, if the GOP wins this election, they will investigate the Dems for the election fraud/voter fraud, and assorted misconduct that took place during the democratic caucuses/primaries. Who's going to stop them?

    The Dems will be left holding this steaming bag.

    Parent

    They have been doing that for years (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by BernieO on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:47:18 PM EST
    That's part of what the firing of US attny David Iglesias was all about. The Republicans were pressuring him to bring charges of voter fraud against Democrats. He investigated and found no credible evidence so he refused to bring any charges, which is why he got fired.
    Republicans are always making a stink about voter fraud.  They point to all these supposed illegal names of Dems on voter lists, but a lot of times it is because of things like people moving to a new precinct and their board of elections not updating the lists so they are listed twice. I heard Iglesias talk about this and he said it is actually rare to find a legitimate case. But to hear the Republicans talk the problem is rampant.
    Republicans use this scare tactic not only to bring charges against Democrats but also to get the public to support voter ID laws which disproportionately reduces Democratic votes. Democrats are more likely to be poor or old and therefore not have drivers' licenses for ID.

    Parent
    Yes, the GOP has been (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:10:15 PM EST
    trying to saddle the Dems with bogus charges of voter fraud for years. That's been in retaliation for the fact that the Dems have investigated the GOP for genuine electoral fraud in 2000 and 2004.

    Electoral fraud is illegal interference with the process of an election. Acts of fraud tend to involve affecting vote counts to bring about a desired election outcome, whether by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidates, or both. [wiki]

    After the Dem antics of the '08 primary season, I think the GOP might very well investigate the Dems for electoral fraud. It would probably stick and thus shift the ignomy of electoral fraud off the GOP and onto the Dems.

    Parent

    Carville is missing from CNN tonight (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by mogal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:30:43 PM EST
    Could it be because of his comments after Hillary's speech? "You have just seen how it's done in the big leagues." - "A true Hall of Famer"- "A Sandy
    Kofax fast ball."

    Could be that ... (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by santarita on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:39:17 PM EST
    he is hurrying home (New Orleans) to help his family evacuate.

    Parent
    Thank you for pointing that out. May our prayers (5.00 / 5) (#12)
    by mogal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:41:59 PM EST
    go with him.

    Parent
    And with everyone else in the path! (5.00 / 5) (#15)
    by santarita on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:43:30 PM EST


    Parent
    They said earlier (none / 0) (#22)
    by BernieO on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:48:45 PM EST
    something about him going home to New Orleans but I think he said tomorrow morning. He's on right now.

    Parent
    Yes, that's what he said he was doing (none / 0) (#45)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:01:28 PM EST
    earlier today.

    There is not an evacuation ordered as yet, but he needed to get into New Orleans before the only allowable direction was Out.

    I'm sure he is really, really disappointed he has to miss Bill's speech tonight.

    Parent

    Thanks, hadn't heard those particular (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:46:39 PM EST
    bon mots from Carville. I still thank him for calling out Richardson for his endorsement of Obama - that's also how it's done in the big leagues.

    Evan Bayh is currently saying what many others have also said in their speeches: "GW Bush took the largest surplus in history and squandered it".

    The problem: they're deliberately omitting the fact that the Clinton Administration created that surplus. Why is it that a mention of that basic fact would be taken as a slap in the face to the Obama? How thin the skin.

    Parent

    He is on now...!! (none / 0) (#23)
    by Stellaaa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:49:56 PM EST


    Parent
    Great he comment on Bill's speech (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by mogal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:58:23 PM EST


    Parent
    Evan Bayh (none / 0) (#145)
    by Steve M on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 01:10:04 AM EST
    voted for the 2003 tax cut.  Gee, where'd the money go???

    Funny thing is, only three Democrats voted for the tax cut - Ben Nelson, Zell Miller, and Evan Bayh.  So seriously, just about any other Democrat on the planet is in a better position than Bayh to bring up Bush's squandering of the budget surplus.

    Parent

    He was on a few hours ago. I think he said he (none / 0) (#14)
    by Teresa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:42:53 PM EST
    is going home in the morning because of the forecasted hurricane. Maybe we'll see him again later tonight. I'm a Carville fan, too.

    Parent
    Madeleine Albright (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:34:52 PM EST
    speaking now.  Good speaker.  Very firm and factual.  

    and as an added plus (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Redshoes on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:36:46 PM EST
    great sartorial flourish -- love the pins.  She's one of HRC's biggest supporters.

    Parent
    She tells a story about that eagle pin (none / 0) (#9)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:39:00 PM EST
    in her first memoir.  But I forget the story!

    Parent
    She now has a whole collection (none / 0) (#24)
    by BernieO on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:49:57 PM EST
    because people started giving them to her when they saw how often she wore them.

    Parent
    Albright's giving a good speech for Obama (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by catfish on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:35:56 PM EST
    "we need a president who is not wedded to 20th-century thinking."

    Only (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by tek on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:36:21 PM EST
    good thing about tonight is that I won't have to waste time getting the news and reading blogs.  The only possible interesting thing now would be to be a thorn in the side of Obamabots and I can't get up any enthusiasm for it.  

    This country is soooo over.

    Panic (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by Stellaaa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:38:22 PM EST
    when TL goes down...

    (should we IM) LOL

    Looking forward to Bill's speech, (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:47:10 PM EST
    although I will be shocked if he can keep it to the 15 minutes he has, er, graciously been allotted.

    I've decided I feel exactly like I do when Republicans speak about George Bush as if he were just the best president ever - I assume the speaker is completely disconnected from reality.  I mutter "are you frakkin' kidding me" like a mantra.

    I'm watching people talk about Barack Obama the same way, and I just do not get it.  What has he done to warrant such praise?  Very little - certainly not enough that we should take complete leave of our senses and send him to the White House.  That's just crazy.  It's crazy.

    He's a movement, he's the snake oil, he's the infomercial you watch at 4:00 am when you can't sleep, he's the carny separating you from your quarters or your dollars to try to throw a ring around a bottle.  He's a freakin' lottery ticket.

    He's not great.  He's not transcendant.  He's not post-anything.

    He's not ready to be the next president of the United States.

    I think the applause is going to last more (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Valhalla on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:04:07 PM EST
    than 15 minute...

    Parent
    And I think the Clinton delegates just (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Valhalla on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:05:32 PM EST
    got their own back...

    Parent
    Wholeheartedly agree... (none / 0) (#136)
    by NO2WONDERBOY on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 09:02:13 PM EST
    Hannity just asked Dukakis what specific accomplishments had BO achieved; well, he could not come up with anything specific, just platitudes the kool-aid gang have memorized.

    Parent
    Nora Ephron has a bad case of CDS too. (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Firewalker on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:47:49 PM EST
    Apparently CDS is contagious. I just wonder if Nora gave it to ex-husband Carl Bernstein or if he gave it to her? Of course this unity-killing hit piece is right toward the top of the page on HuffPo's website. How are people like Nora much different than PUMAs? I hadn't been to Huffington Post in a while and I was wonder if their coverage of Hillary had changed any. I have my answer. LINK

    Sickening (5.00 / 4) (#41)
    by lentinel on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:59:06 PM EST
    I always thought that Epron was shallow, but this is really sickening.

    I think people like her and Huffington and Dowd derive some strange energy from pouncing on Hillary Clinton.

    Clinton has lost the nomination. You'd think that would be the end of it. But no. They have no life, feel no warmth, unless they can plant their heels into Clinton's back.

    What will they do with themselves now that it's all Barack all the time? Tear wings off flies?

    Amazingly, this doesn't mean anything to Hillary Clinton. She is a mature person. She has seen all this before. She is an adult in a world of sophomoric fools on a rampage.

    Parent

    I'm quite disappointed in Ephron. (none / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:50:29 PM EST
    So disappointed I may never actually read my hardback copy of her book:  I Feel Bad About My Neck.

    P.S.  Thank God Jack Reed isn't the VP on Obama's ticket.  Quite didactic.  

    Parent

    I did not buy it, (none / 0) (#30)
    by Stellaaa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:55:25 PM EST
    even though many recommended.

    Parent
    If your library subscribes to Overdrive audio (none / 0) (#102)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:21:49 PM EST
    it's available online as a book on e-audio.  (free).

    Parent
    Ephron should have stayed away from the HuffPost (none / 0) (#142)
    by bridget on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 09:32:41 PM EST
    negativity because
    acc. to the Neck book she is already plenty depressed.

    The book In a nutshell: Wrinkly neck and moustache.
    E. worries a lot about getting older, trying to look younger, and has thoughts about death and mortality aplenty; she can't do anything about her creepy neck and the wrinkles because her face is not a candidate for surgery; she is v. unhappy because she has now a moustache. Loves her haircut and spends a fortune at the hairdresser. Spent another fortune on new teeth. Complete overhaul. Tries to find the perfect hand bag but can't find one so uses the same old tote.

    Getting old is a pain in the wrinkly Emphron neck.
    Thats pretty much it. In case anyone is under the impression this book gives great beauty, health, fashion etc. tips. Not so.

    I got it from the library btw. If you didn't read it yet, you didn't miss a thing IMHO.

    Parent

    I usually find her writing very (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 10:07:23 PM EST
    amusing.  What happened here?

    Parent
    Different person, different book (none / 0) (#144)
    by bridget on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 10:34:01 PM EST
    "Neck" is not a novel. She describes her own experiences with aging.

    Now "Heartburn" was a good novel, but it also dealt with betrayal. The film was so good. Seen it many times and will watch again as soon as I get a chance :) Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson were perfect.

    btw. she also felt personally betrayed by Bill Clinton. It was incredibly immature writing considering her age and life experiences IMO. But taylored for HuffPost. I used to read her stuff at first but I don't read HuffPost anymore and that was one of her first articles there.

    Parent

    Nora is best (none / 0) (#81)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:16:00 PM EST
    when writing novels.

    Parent
    The difference between Nora Ephron & PUMAs? (none / 0) (#137)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 09:06:53 PM EST
    Nora Ephron HATES Hillary Clinton; PUMAs Love Hillary, now and forever.


    Parent
    So... (5.00 / 6) (#28)
    by OrangeFur on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:52:22 PM EST
    Ever since the race "ended" in June, and even before that, all sorts of demands were made of Hillary Clinton.

    She had to concede as quickly as possible.

    She had to support Barack Obama, and appear with him in public.

    She had to give a rousing speech supporting him at the convention, urging her supporters to unite behind him.

    She had to release her delegates.

    She had to cut short a roll call vote.

    All of that, and pundits are still saying she hasn't done enough.

    Meanwhile, what has Obama or any DNC bigwig done for her, to acknowledge that she received more votes than he did? To apologize for the disgraceful and disgusting charges of racism flung against her? To show her and her supporters even a scrap of respect or recognition?

    Anything at all? I can't think of it. Other than Obama's token donation, what else was there? They wouldn't even let her delegates vote for her.

    The DNC and the power-hungry cabal that claims to represent the Democratic Party can get lost, as far as I'm concerned.

    It reminds me of the way many adolescents (5.00 / 4) (#33)
    by BernieO on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:56:09 PM EST
    treat their mothers. They always want more, expect her to fix all their problems and blame mom for everything that doesn't go their way.
    The media keeps talking like it is Hillary's job to fix things so Obama wins. She has to unify the party, she has to convince people he is ready to be commander-in-chief, etc.

    Parent
    Delegate vote counts (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by sj on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:52:23 PM EST
    Does anyone know where I can see a tally of the vote count BEFORE the "acclamation"?  I really want to see how the Colorado delegation voted.

    Thanks.

    I very much doubt that those lists (none / 0) (#116)
    by Valhalla on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:28:58 PM EST
    will be made public.

    Parent
    Pretty funny that PBS is choosing to (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:55:34 PM EST
    talk with Walter Mondale and the dynamic duo of Shields and Brooks instead of covering the passionate Tom Daschle...

    Oh, that guy. (5.00 / 3) (#52)
    by OrangeFur on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:03:21 PM EST
    He couldn't get schoolchildren to vote for summer.

    Parent
    The Obama campaign (5.00 / 7) (#32)
    by americanincanada on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:56:01 PM EST
     would not print placards with Bill's name on them for tonight because they felt he did not earn it.

    So says John King of CNN. They will be given flags to wave to help Obam,a's patriotic image instead.

    Could I get any more angry?

    Well, tomorrow night might set a new (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:58:20 PM EST
    standard in that department - the anger department, that is.

    I have to say that I look forward with great anticipation to the books you know the Clintons are going to write about this.

    Parent

    It's becoming (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:19:09 PM EST
    more obvious every day that Obama's campaign is being run by amateurs. Flag waving isn't going to help Obama with his patriotism problem. It's his background that is causing that and no amount of papering over it will help.

    Parent
    Don't forget this little slight-Left out of Dem (none / 0) (#73)
    by jawbone on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:11:32 PM EST
    deck of cards:

    Bill Clinton got dealt out.

    The 42nd president wasn't included in Democratic picture playing cards on sale at the convention.

    Obama's face appears on all the kings and aces. The queens include Oprah Winfrey (hearts), Hillary Clinton (diamonds), Michelle Obama (spades) and Nancy Pelosi (clubs).

    I just can't get over this--What were they thinkig???


    Parent

    That is NOT an insult, IMHO (5.00 / 0) (#78)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:15:19 PM EST
    That deck of cards is representative of a GAME, and I'm sorry Hillary is on any.

    It reminds me terribly of that disgusting deck of cards created by the administration for the Iraq war, which ALSO was NOT A GAME.

    I'm glad they didn't diminish him with a place on those cards.


    Parent

    Aint't nuthin' (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by DFLer on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:38:02 PM EST
    they're just playing the "card" card.

    Parent
    David Gergen just said Bill needs to do a (5.00 / 4) (#34)
    by Teresa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:56:18 PM EST
    forward looking speech and not talk about the 90's. He needs to do this to convince voters that Obama will be good on the economy, etc.

    What better way to contrast Obama and McCain than the economy of the 90's. I know I am repeating myself, but I just don't get it.

    Are you listening to the music? (5.00 / 4) (#35)
    by BernieO on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:57:53 PM EST
    They are playing "Chain of Fools". No comment.

    i was about to comment on that (5.00 / 3) (#40)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:59:01 PM EST
    Just turned it on and they are dancing to 'Chain of Fools'.  I have no words.

    Parent
    And the irony continues to (5.00 / 5) (#44)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:01:17 PM EST
    escape most of those present.

    It's just zoomin' around the room, and they're all oblivious.

    Parent

    They are playing Chain of Fools!!!!!! (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:58:31 PM EST
    And they are dancing!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'm sensing another (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Redshoes on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:01:45 PM EST
    Republic web video in the making.

    Parent
    Chain of fools is now playing (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by Redshoes on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:58:35 PM EST
    apropos?  

    This is the moment I will remember in November (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:59:38 PM EST


    Parent
    He's breaking the rules praising Bill here. (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by Teresa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:01:58 PM EST


    Meeks is a good and courageous guy (5.00 / 5) (#61)
    by Cream City on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:05:34 PM EST
    who stood up to the thuggery in this campaign.  Good to see him get some serious prime time.

    Parent
    That reminds me of the time (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by BernieO on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:02:47 PM EST
    that my husband and I ran across coverage of a campaign event for Bob Dole. When he came out they actually played "Play that Funky Music White Boy"!! Dole had a confused look on his face. It was priceless.

    Obama needs to text Michelle to smile more. (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by Teresa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:03:13 PM EST


    Text received. She's smiling now. (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by Teresa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:08:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Could Michelle Obama SMILE? (5.00 / 0) (#54)
    by Cream City on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:04:38 PM EST
    When surrounded by thousands who are doing so for the Dem president who saved us from a Bush before?

    LOL, she's trying. (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:06:18 PM EST


    Parent
    I think she's nervous (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:17:23 PM EST
    This probably feels a little overwhelming.

    Parent
    Do those sound like people who (5.00 / 4) (#55)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:04:40 PM EST
    want Bill to shuffle off the political scene?

    I think not.

    He is just the best (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:06:26 PM EST
    This, my friends, is how it's done.

    Parent
    Bill can't get them to stop (5.00 / 3) (#56)
    by themomcat on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:05:01 PM EST
    cheering him. Thank You.
    A rousing reception (5.00 / 7) (#58)
    by Bourges on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:05:21 PM EST
    for Bill Clinton. Crowd will not stop clapping.  Makes my heart happy.

    The shrill pundits must be choking down bile. (5.00 / 5) (#59)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:05:23 PM EST


    James Carville (5.00 / 2) (#64)
    by chrisvee on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:06:39 PM EST
    making sense once again -- just said on CNN (re: the Clintons) that he can't pretend to know what is in people's hearts or their motives -- he has to judge by actions. Good advice.

    I got back just in time! (5.00 / 2) (#66)
    by andgarden on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:08:33 PM EST


    Don't stop thinking about tomorrow (5.00 / 3) (#68)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:08:41 PM EST
    brought him onstage, though.

    Michelle is less than enthused.

    He is so incredibly great. How can anyone call themselves a democrat and hate this man?

    If the smiles on the faces of the (5.00 / 4) (#71)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:10:58 PM EST
    African Americans on camera in the audience are any sign, it doesn't look to me like they hate Bill Clinton or consider him to be hostile to their interests.  Quite enthusiastic.

    Is it my imagination, or is (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:12:18 PM EST
    Bill's nose growing...?

    [sorry, I just do not believe he believes what he is saying about Obama]

    He's probably laughing on the inside.... (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:14:02 PM EST
    ...I know I am.

    Parent
    I don't know, Maria - (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:15:27 PM EST
    it's kinda breaking my heart.

    Parent
    I have tivo, so I'm just rewinding (none / 0) (#98)
    by Valhalla on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:20:06 PM EST
    and watching the opening cheering over and over until he stops talking about Obama.  It's way easier on my blood pressure.  Plus, in the parlance of my youth, it's wicked funny.

    Parent
    He's filling in the gaps the pundits (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:16:31 PM EST
    trashed Hillary for not including last night.

    "BO is ready to be President", etc.


    Parent

    The whole (none / 0) (#105)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:23:14 PM EST
    speech must have been written by the Obama campaign. It comes off as trying to patch the holes in Obama's resume and reassure people that Obama is really "okay". Another defensive move.

    Parent
    I believe that Bill Clinton wrote this himself. (none / 0) (#139)
    by Realleft on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 09:22:26 PM EST


    Parent
    This Is Vintage Bill Clinton (none / 0) (#147)
    by daring grace on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:11:44 AM EST
    Inspired and brilliant.

    I'm not saying that because he said 'kind things' about Obama. Strategically, and rhetorically, it just soars and punches, hitting every point that needed to be hit.

    And he reminds anyone who needed to be reminded why so many wish there were no term limits.

    If you want to give the Obama people credit for this great speech, okay. But to me, it is obviously, through and through, a Bill Clinton masterpiece, what he does better than anyone.

    Parent

    Isn't the nose a part of the body that indeed does (none / 0) (#101)
    by jawbone on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:21:14 PM EST
    continue to grow? Or does it just eventually look bigger as the facial muscles lessen or something?

    Parent
    They owe Bill big time for this.... (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:12:53 PM EST
    ...and ironically, that will only make them hate him more!

    Does (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:15:21 PM EST
    this whole convention have a death palor over it? The whole thing seems lethargic and even Bill isn't really being able to rally the troops. I guess his speech just makes everyone miss Hillary even more?

    My theory is that now that someone - (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:18:33 PM EST
    like Bill - is reeling off the list of things that Barack must do or will do or is up to the job of doing, all these people who've been listening to nothing but hopey-changey, cotton-candy fluff are realizing - gulp! - that this is a real job, and maybe Obama's not up to it.

    And it doesn't help that the most successful president in decades is the bar he has to get over.

    Parent

    yup... (5.00 / 2) (#83)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:16:07 PM EST
    bill's gonna take as much time as he needs to say what he wants to say.

    Just a tiny sip of the Kool-aid (5.00 / 0) (#85)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:16:14 PM EST
    Can't expect him to do this with no help.

    The critics might pan this (5.00 / 3) (#87)
    by andgarden on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:17:04 PM EST
    But as we know from experience, the critics never have any idea what they're talking about when it comes to the Big Dog's speeches.

    This will play well in American living rooms.

    It's a great speech (5.00 / 3) (#100)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:21:11 PM EST
    I like that he never says the obvious things.  Always comes from an interesting angle. Keeps you listening.

    Parent
    Bill is simply saying..... (5.00 / 10) (#89)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:17:05 PM EST
    ...you won't be able to pin this crap on me or Hillary. I think he is saying everything the shrillies said that Hillary should have said yesterday. He's making their job so very hard. Now they really have to stretch their imaginations to figure out the bashing talking points.

    Frankly, I think he wrote this speech with Hillary's name in it and then did a global and replaced it with Barack Obama.

    Wouldn't it be funny (5.00 / 2) (#93)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:18:35 PM EST
    if he forgot to replace one of the "Hillary"'s?

    Parent
    Actually, had he been giving a speech (5.00 / 1) (#128)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:42:31 PM EST
    for Hillary, it would have been so much better.

    He wouldn't have had to try and sell her ability to make policies and defend her qualifications.


    Parent

    Maybe Bill can say these (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:17:33 PM EST
    things, in good faith, because, somewhere all week, some real Democrats have kept Obmama in a dark room and thoroughly re-programmed him.

    I can only hope obama is learning from this speech (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:19:28 PM EST


    Parent
    Does Bill have a fresh haircut? Looking fine and (5.00 / 2) (#95)
    by jawbone on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:19:20 PM EST
    healthy (I worry about him since the heart problems and surgeries--tough on people).

    "A Prez Obama will choose diplomacy first and military force as a last resort." (Let us hope.)

    Oh, how I miss a well-spoken president! He is so d*mn good at speaking, synthesizing ideas, makeing the understandable and clear. Brilliant at this kind of thing.

    What a mind! Can you imagine being able to talk about things with this kind of thinking, this mind, this organization of ideas, this wide spreading net to capture new ideas? Every day? No wonder Hillary would not leave him.

    LOL. He mentioned Katrina... (5.00 / 3) (#97)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:19:50 PM EST
    Okay I know its not funny. But he is delivering a big FU to Huffpost and the blogger boys and pundits. He's going through a checklist.

    Oh good! The audience chants (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:24:40 PM EST
    "yes he can" and Bill says: "Yes he can. But first we have to elect him".

    Yes, it's still about we the voter's, it's our choice.

    Obama is a fool (5.00 / 3) (#108)
    by themomcat on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:25:45 PM EST
    If he does not embrace this man and make amends with him.
    Can we elect him? (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:25:55 PM EST
    Just checking.

    Done already (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by smott on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:26:49 PM EST
    ...and probably straight to a limo to the airport...

    I believed him when he talked about Hillary.

    Not when he talked about Obama.

    God, who is picking this music? (5.00 / 0) (#113)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:27:47 PM EST


    Those four co-chairs? (5.00 / 1) (#120)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:36:27 PM EST
    Sebelius, Pelosi, and probably some of their more stunning committee volunteers like McCaskill, Brazile, etc.

    Axelrod's signature is all over the snubs, though.

    What must really gravel all of them is that not one member of the Clinton family showed one tiny bit of concern over any of it. These people don't seem to realize it just isn't possible to get up early enough to get the Clintons!


    Parent

    Awful isn't it. (none / 0) (#117)
    by Redshoes on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:29:16 PM EST


    Parent
    The music (none / 0) (#129)
    by lentinel on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:42:56 PM EST
    The pits, ain't it?

    Parent
    The music (none / 0) (#130)
    by lentinel on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:43:31 PM EST
    The pits, ain't it?

    Parent
    What I like (5.00 / 5) (#114)
    by Redshoes on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:28:13 PM EST
    about the Clintons is that as they've aged they've matured and grown.  Despite (or maybe because of) the hard times they seem to really understand and enjoy the moment all while keeping a thoughtful eye on the future and mindful of the past.  That and you can really feel the respect they have for each other.  

    No Flag for Michelle (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:28:47 PM EST
    hmmmmm

    what does this even mean? (none / 0) (#126)
    by Faust on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:42:04 PM EST


    Parent
    Exactly what it said (none / 0) (#146)
    by JavaCityPal on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 02:02:16 AM EST
    Michelle didn't get a flag to wave like everyone else in the audience.


    Parent
    Carvelle says he has the best job in the (5.00 / 7) (#118)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:31:51 PM EST
    world getting pd. by CNN to predict what a great job Hillary and Bill would do in their DNC speeches.  

    Unionism (5.00 / 2) (#125)
    by lentinel on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:41:07 PM EST
    Since this is an open thread, I would like to say that as a musician and a Union member, I am appalled that the democrats would use the dreadful canned music they are belting out in between speeches.

    They should have set an example and hired live Union musicians.

    Canned (5.00 / 2) (#133)
    by lovepolitics on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:51:30 PM EST
    I totally agree.  Canned music...canned convention.. nothing spontaneous allowed in Obama production.

    Parent
    So now Bravo has KO break in at 9 (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by Joan in VA on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 09:24:07 PM EST
    to update us lucky viewers on what happened at the Dem convention. So I'm getting ready to watch Project Runway(and flip back and forth for Bill) and here is KO's giant head telling me the delegate vote totals for Obama's win. So Obama wins 1500 and change to her measly 300 and change. It's a landslide! He's so excited! Good grief.

    Why California Passed in the (none / 0) (#13)
    by santarita on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:42:45 PM EST
    Vote -

    I think because the delegates could not agree on how to split up the vote.  After the nomination by acclamation the split wouldn't matter.  Just speculation on my part but I did hear Congresswoman Lee talk about trying to achieve unanimity.

    NPR reported it was because (5.00 / 5) (#26)
    by Cream City on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:50:54 PM EST
    California could have put Clinton ahead.  If only briefly, of course -- but the Obama camp was so freeked about the possibility of a momentum. . . .

    Parent
    Wow (5.00 / 3) (#48)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:02:17 PM EST
    I'm gonna have to watch my tape later.  I didn't see any of this.  What in the world could it have hurt to let all the votes be read? Just smacks of authoritarianism.

    Parent
    No. (none / 0) (#84)
    by jtaylorr on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:16:11 PM EST
    Not all superdelegates had checked in their vote.
    It was 273 for Obama, 166 for Clinton.
    Source.

    Parent
    Nonsense. Now we know (none / 0) (#141)
    by Cream City on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 09:24:25 PM EST
    that it was a sham vote, and all votes already were turned in and tallied.  So California had a reason for not telling its tally at that time.  Do you know what the reason was?

    I don't either.  But NPR's explanation makes sense.  

    Parent

    I think the (none / 0) (#16)
    by Stellaaa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:44:57 PM EST
    delegates were bound for the first ballot, they did not want Hillary to have  a big block.  

    Parent
    I still don't understand the voting deal. Why (none / 0) (#17)
    by Teresa on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:46:23 PM EST
    didn't Alabama yield to New York and let Hillary do her thing? I think that would have been better than seeing delegate votes that didn't represent how their states voted. It made things worse after Hillary's wonderful speech. If Hillary agreed or proposed this as being cathartic, I think she made a big mistake.

    I agree (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by BernieO on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 07:52:21 PM EST
    it felt very undemocratic.

    I saw an ad tonight that said something about democracy being about one person one vote and all I could think of is not in the primaries. It really is disturbing how delegate distribution is not just based on the number of voters but is weighted to give some populations more voice than others.

    Parent

    Awww...this is nice. (none / 0) (#51)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:03:15 PM EST


    Teresa Kerry sitting next to Michelle? (none / 0) (#67)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:08:34 PM EST
    Would love to be in on that.

    Her job is to tell Michelle jokes... (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:10:25 PM EST
    ....to keep her smiling.

    Parent
    "Yes, he can. But first we have (none / 0) (#99)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:20:49 PM EST
    elect him!"

    Now he's getting to what he really wants to say. (none / 0) (#103)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:22:08 PM EST


    Send McCain a msg: Thanks but no thanks, In (none / 0) (#104)
    by jawbone on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:23:01 PM EST
    this case the third time is not the charm.

    Who introduced Bill? (none / 0) (#107)
    by Valhalla on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:25:43 PM EST
    I didn't get to see it, I tuned it after the cheering had already started.

    Meeks from Florida (none / 0) (#110)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:26:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Very short intro (none / 0) (#112)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:26:56 PM EST


    Parent
    What happened to Kerry's face? (none / 0) (#119)
    by ruffian on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:36:06 PM EST
    Not as craggy.

    The speech is pretty much his speech from 2004.

     But what has he got against hummus?

    Heh (none / 0) (#122)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:38:42 PM EST
    I switched to CNN where they think chatting amongst themselves is more important than anything Kerry has to say! :)

    Gergen is bragging about how great the Clintons are :)

    Parent

    He (none / 0) (#127)
    by chrisvee on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:42:23 PM EST
    looks as if he's melting. His speech is a yawnfest. He's still fighting the Swift Boat battles. He needs to move on.

    Parent
    OKAY, THAT WAS GREAT (none / 0) (#124)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:40:51 PM EST
    "America will reject the Rove tactics in 2008"...

    Is Kerry not watching this campaign season? If it isn't going to work, Obama loses, and Axelrod has used the wrong strategy.

    Apparently (5.00 / 2) (#134)
    by chrisvee on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:51:39 PM EST
    Obama is going to put an end to these tactics forever, at least in Kerry!World.

    I have some information about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson that I need to e-mail to him.

    Parent

    Having walked the streets of Concord (none / 0) (#131)
    by Redshoes on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 08:45:17 PM EST
    for Kerry I stand by that choice but once again he's reminding us why Republicans win.  

    Wednesday Night Convention Open Thread | 136 comments (136 topical)

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