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Al Gore

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Democratic National Convention 2008
Posted on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:09:04 PM EST
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Al Gore giving a great speech.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

< Tonight's Message? | Barack Obama >

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    Al Gore | 189 comments (189 topical)
    I thought Al Gore would be on (5.00 / 0) (#1)
    by zyx on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:12:44 PM EST
    What happened to that?

    I saw Al being Al this year. (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by Fabian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:15:46 PM EST
    I haven't seen Al playing the politician in ages.

    Gosh, it's got to be good to have Nobel Laureate tacked onto his name.  No more "Bill Clinton's VP", any more.

    Parent

    They had him speak early (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:26:26 PM EST
    no prime time slot, but Bill Richardson's speech was just on CNN. MSNBC talked over it, the first sensible thing they have done in a long time.

    Parent
    False (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:32:56 PM EST
    Gore comes up at 8:45

    Parent
    Gore was on already? (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by litigatormom on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:33:18 PM EST
    I thought he was going on just before Obama.

    Tim Kaine?  Sooooo glad he's not the nominee.  You cannot operate heavy machinery after watching him.

    Parent

    OOPS (none / 0) (#29)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:38:47 PM EST
    He is on next. I didn't catch that it was listed in local Denver time. Thank goodness!

    Parent
    Kaine. Oy. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Coral on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:13:54 PM EST
    Glad he's not the VP.

    Ding! 1st mention of middle class (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Cream City on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:14:31 PM EST
    but not the last.  Thus, the middle-class rock concert.  (Psst, ask any suburban home designer or see any McMansion subdivision: The nouveau middle class just loves pillars on their porches.  They probably think the Brittany Spears stage set is real pretty.)  

    I've always thought that pillars (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Fabian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:18:37 PM EST
    tacked onto the facade of a standard suburban box was just strange.  They aren't holding anything up.  They don't fit the architecture.  They are just wishful thinking.

    Parent
    Looks like they stole the set (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by DemForever on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:20:32 PM EST
    from the 2004 GOP convention

    Parent
    They did (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by janarchy on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:22:08 PM EST
    Robert Gibbs, a senior advisor to Obama, said as much this morning on a talk show. He seemed to think this was a clever thing.

    Parent
    Please - stop! (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Fabian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:30:21 PM EST
    Or I'll say something I know I'll regret.  Or my head will explode.

    Parent
    LOL (none / 0) (#163)
    by Brookhaven on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:36:34 PM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    Hey now Cream ;) (none / 0) (#118)
    by lilburro on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:20:03 PM EST
    are you telling me there are no Southforks up there in Wisconsin?

    Parent
    I can't believe I once thought Richardson (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by bjorn on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:21:14 PM EST
    might make a good president.  He is not presidential at all!

    FISA (5.00 / 4) (#11)
    by americanincanada on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:22:08 PM EST
    Did he just say that Obama would be a president that would protect civil liberties and stop spying on americans?

    Parent
    I like him (none / 0) (#15)
    by DemForever on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:23:30 PM EST
    but he does have kind of a Senator Blutarski thing going on.

    Parent
    The man is odious (5.00 / 6) (#20)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:28:43 PM EST
    He stabbed the Clintons in the back. They were the ones who brought him into prominence. He promised Hillary his support and then changed it without even giving her a heads up. He is really a puffed up, self-absorbed toad, IMO. I'm with James Carville on this guy.

    Parent
    Bill Richardson forgot Obama (5.00 / 5) (#12)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:22:26 PM EST
    voted for FISA.  Or hopes we forgot.  What a sham.

    and Richardson looks like he has a mullet (5.00 / 0) (#14)
    by kempis on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:23:16 PM EST


    Parent
    Even Richardson's beard ... (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Robot Porter on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:25:50 PM EST
    seen bored with his speech.

    "You spent all that time tweasing me for this?  Really, Bill?  Really?"

    I was driving home, catching first of the evening (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by jawbone on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:27:22 PM EST
    speakers for me--and it's a revival! When's Billy Graham speaking?

    I kept thinking of what less than fervent Christians were feeling as this is going on.

    Oh, my--first glimpse of the finished Greco-Roman facade.  Now it looks, well, kinda tacky.

    What were they thinking???  It's not forward looking, it doesn't look imposing enough to stand in for a DC building...what was the objective?

    Has that been covered in another thread?

    Better forward-looking idea would have (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:35:18 PM EST
    been to commission Frank Gehry or someone even more "new" to design the set.

    Parent
    Wow! That would have been fantastic, garnered lots (5.00 / 0) (#51)
    by jawbone on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:52:35 PM EST
    of PR, solar collectors could have been used in some way.

    Oh, my. A lost opportunity. A take on the Repub's '04 look? Just why???

    Parent

    Obama LIKES the Republican party (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by nycstray on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:56:17 PM EST
    you know, the party of ideas . . .

    Parent
    If we're going to have Stevie Wonder (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by litigatormom on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:35:47 PM EST
    can't he do something from Innervisions or Songs In The Key of Life?  Because this? Sounds like my daughters' high school choir.

    Time Zone (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:38:44 PM EST
    I guess all the rest of you are seeing the speeches and all us West Coast people get is Stevie Wonder singing. I STILL have the voice mail saved of Stevie Wonder telling me to vote for Barack. haha,
    I should turn it into an MP3 and load it.

    I'm peeved I have to sit through singing. I want to see Richardson's MULLET & him forgetting FISA instead. [jealous]

    Parent

    Richardson spoke (none / 0) (#31)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:40:36 PM EST
    before Stevie. You missed out. Dang!

    Parent
    ARG (5.00 / 0) (#34)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:45:44 PM EST
    okay I missed the wonderful Richardson (hahahaha)
    I really would rather see the Political Talking Heads than the singin'N'dancin...

    OH AL GORE IS UP NOW and disco style music is playing... Was this his campaign theme song?

    Okay Gore just said "Thank You"...I eagerly await whats next. I really liked Gore I worked super hard for his campaign! KERRY not so much ;-}}

    Parent

    Do you think (5.00 / 4) (#41)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:48:32 PM EST
    that "Let the sun shine, let the sun shine in" is a reference to global warming? The hole in the ozone layer?

    Parent
    You caught that, too? This now is comedy (5.00 / 6) (#46)
    by Cream City on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:51:21 PM EST
    owing to the musical selections alone.  

    I am expecting to hear that the set designers picked the music, too, like "Let the Sun Shine In" for the Nobel-winning foe of global warming.  Bwwaaaahhhh.

    Parent

    Blame it on the staff (5.00 / 0) (#50)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:52:34 PM EST
    yeah, ha ha...


    Parent
    I'm hoping (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by chrisvee on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:55:46 PM EST
    they were thinking 'age of Aquarius' and Gore as a man ushering in a new age but maybe I'm dreaming.

    I really love Al Gore but I'm longing for a moment with Al and Bill or Al and Hillary. Can't these folks give it a go for unity's sake?

    Parent

    On the other hand (5.00 / 0) (#66)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:58:04 PM EST
    they played "Chain of Fools" yesterday which seemed a bit off.
    Also I heard they played "Addicted to Love" after Bill's speech. Is that true?

    Parent
    Yes (5.00 / 0) (#69)
    by jawbone on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:59:22 PM EST


    Parent
    Irony-proof convention (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:00:37 PM EST
    mentioned by others on earlier threads but worth a reprise.

    Parent
    Arond here (none / 0) (#119)
    by BrianJ on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:20:31 PM EST
    There are a lot of signs posted seeking interns for the Louisiana GOP.  I have often pondered signing up and wreaking some subtle sabotage.

    I wonder if the Democrats posted such signs in Colorado, and some GOoPers had the same idea and followed up on it.

    Parent

    BernieO (none / 0) (#47)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:51:25 PM EST
    please stop being so funny!
    :+}

    Parent
    Remind me again why we didn't (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:46:36 PM EST
    draft Big Al?  A lost opportunity.

    Frank Rich would go ape s**t (none / 0) (#95)
    by hairspray on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:10:52 PM EST
    Everyone who slimed Al would be back doing their job.

    Parent
    To Think We'd Actually Have (5.00 / 0) (#36)
    by JimWash08 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:46:38 PM EST
    been closing the book on a Gore presidency now.

    Looks like he's lost weight too.

    As I remember Al (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by Stellaaa on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:47:43 PM EST
    did not want the Clintons to campaign for him, do I remember right?

    Parent
    You've got it right (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:49:27 PM EST
    Afraid the Monica tarnish would rub off.

    Parent
    Yes. (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by oldpro on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:51:09 PM EST
    Underscored by his choice of Lieberman.

    Didn't he get great advice from his mgr tho?

    Parent

    Yes (5.00 / 3) (#49)
    by janarchy on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:52:22 PM EST
    We can thank Donna Brazile for all that savvy political thinking.

    Parent
    And we (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:59:56 PM EST
    may be thanking her again in Nov. Where do we get these people? You would think that the GOP was picking out political consultants.

    Parent
    What makes you think (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:01:12 PM EST
    they're not?

    Parent
    The Democratid Party (none / 0) (#124)
    by weltec2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:21:38 PM EST
    really needs to give her a one way ticket to somewhere... anywhere but here.

    Parent
    You're Right (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by JimWash08 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:52:11 PM EST
    And who's bright idea was that?

    Why, the venerable Donna Brazille, of course.

    Parent

    Donna has worked on (5.00 / 2) (#79)
    by facta non verba on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:02:55 PM EST
    five Presidential campaigns. Lost four. Won her first for Carter in 1976. And yet she earns millions from political consulting.

    Parent
    How does she explain the other losses? (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by hairspray on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:12:15 PM EST
    Al Gore might be forgiveable but the other three?

    Parent
    YUM!! (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:25:31 PM EST


    Parent
    I'm no fan of Donna (none / 0) (#126)
    by rottodamn on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:22:13 PM EST
    But Kerry lost a tight race. It is tough to beat incumbents period and even harder during a war even if it is trumped up one. She's not terrible she has just misjudged that the people like the Clintons no matter what the GOP mouthpieces say.

    Like the youth, she bought their banter hook, line and sinker!

    Parent

    Read the CONYERS REPORT... (5.00 / 2) (#191)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:04:33 PM EST
    Ohio was to the 2004 election what Florida was to the 2000 election. Kerry didn't really lose. Ohio was rife with voting irregularities/electoral fraud, so much so that the manufactured loss of Ohio swung the election to Bush.

    Rep. John Conyers (OH) convened a Congressional Committe to investigate the matter. The report is available at Amazon for less than $10.

    In May, 2005, Conyers released What Went Wrong In Ohio: The Conyers Report On The 2004 Presidential Election, which discusses the voting irregularities in the state of Ohio during the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election. The evidence offered consists of statistical abnormalities in the differences between exit poll results and actual votes registered at those locations. The book also discusses reports of faulty electronic voting machines and the lack of credibility of those machines used to tally votes.

    He was one of the 31 who voted in the House to not count the electoral votes from Ohio in the United States presidential election, 2004. [wikipedia]



    Parent
    You are right about the voter fraud too (none / 0) (#195)
    by rottodamn on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:21:24 PM EST
    My point to the other poster was the race was tight and GW didn't have a mandate like he claimed. Say what you will, even though Donna is not batting 1000, somehow her candidates are getting the Dem nomination. She's not the only one losing Dem presidential elections.

    Parent
    The MCM essentially forced him to either renouce (5.00 / 2) (#60)
    by jawbone on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:56:31 PM EST
    or ignore Clinton. Otherwise, they would have hounded at every turn to talk about Monica and adultery.

    The MCM chose BushBoy for us--and they still think they have a right to do so. Just bcz it's out guy they seem to be pulling for doesn't make their behavior any better.

    Just report facts, knowable facts. Then, when giving opinion, label it clearly. Don't put it in the first paragraphs of our Big Time newspaper articles on Page One.

    Parent

    The past is the past (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:56:39 PM EST
    tonight he's reminding us why it's a loss to the body politic that he's out of government.

    Parent
    Donna Brazile (5.00 / 6) (#64)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:57:22 PM EST
    who managed Gore's campaign DID NOT want anything to do with the Clintons, no help from them. And look where that got him. Thanks Donna, such a wonderful woman she is...can she ruin anything else...Odd how instrumental this lady has been in
    jacking up Democracy. Forget Ralph Nadar, blame DONNA!

    Parent
    Donna Brazile part2 (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:59:10 PM EST
    OH GOOD I see numerous others remember the Brazile disaster.

    Parent
    Nearly singlehandedly cost Gore Florida too (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:16:19 PM EST
    by snubbing the environmentalists.  I have posts on it here form the spring.

    Parent
    INteresting Al Gore noted (5.00 / 3) (#52)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:53:39 PM EST
    McCain used to be on the right track re global warning.  

    I thought he (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:56:05 PM EST
    still was. Did I miss something? The only change I have seen is he now favors offshore drilling but Obama signalled that he would consider it, too.

    Parent
    yeppers (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:04:26 PM EST
    TRUE DAT true that is true.
    Ugly and I hate it.

    Parent
    The only reason (none / 0) (#143)
    by weltec2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:28:02 PM EST
    I can think of that Gore is saying this is that he is trying to twist Obama's arm and trying to pull him back to the left where he belongs.

    Parent
    Cap and trade*... (5.00 / 1) (#167)
    by Ramo on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:37:38 PM EST
    .. is the alpha and omega of climate change policy.  Gore used the line because it's true.  McCain flip-flopped on Lieberman-Warner.  Obama is a co-sponsor of Boxer-Sanders.

    *or some other form of taxing carbon

    Parent

    Lieberman-Warner (none / 0) (#80)
    by Ramo on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:03:09 PM EST
    A bipartisan, conservative (too conservative) climate change bill went through the Senate.  McCain ended up opposing it (after previously supporting it).  If he's not willing to support such spineless legislation, his support for cap and trade is essentially rhetorical.  Yet another way in which his and Bush's ideas have become one.

    Not that I'm sad the legislation failed.  We can get much better legislation enacted (specifically one with more agressive targets and a 100% auction - i.e. Boxer-Sanders - note that McCain never supported that even when his maverickness was at a maximum) when the President will be Democratic and we'll have 57+ Senators.

    Parent

    Thanks for the info (none / 0) (#85)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:05:22 PM EST


    Parent
    What the Hell? (5.00 / 0) (#57)
    by oldpro on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:56:07 PM EST
    Is this a race?

    I thought the Olympics were over.

    Al is talking/reading faster than most listeners can process his words.

    Didn't learn a damn thing about public speaking from the Clintons.

    I disagree. (5.00 / 2) (#157)
    by weltec2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:33:16 PM EST
    I thought Al was great. And I didn't notice his eyes lingering on the teleprompter either. I was watching for it too, but I didn't see it. I'd like to get ahold of the speech to hear it again.

    Parent
    I disagree, too. (5.00 / 1) (#193)
    by Iphie on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:13:06 PM EST
    I thought Gore's speech was very good -- I appreciated the pacing, it felt lively and urgent and angry; rightfully so, in my opinion. To see him there ticking off all of the things that would have been different, and to think that we threw aside that kind of leadership for George Bush breaks my heart all over again. (And I believe that he did win, but it should never have been so close that the Supreme Court had any say in the matter.) And it breaks my heart because I think we just did it again -- I know I'm not supposed to say it, but it dumbfounds me that we seem unable to recognize the kind of leadership we need and to select the person best able to provide it.

    Parent
    maybe it is the camera angle (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by bjorn on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:56:47 PM EST
    maybe it is the setting...it feels like Gore is talking to himself.

    It's the stage (5.00 / 2) (#76)
    by nycstray on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:02:23 PM EST
    Look at all that wasted space between the podium and the people and even the backdrop of the stage.

    The stage sucks for a single speak, would prob work fine for a big production number though..

    Parent

    A la Britney. (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by themomcat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:07:06 PM EST
    sorry couldn't resist.


    Parent
    The speakers need to hand held mikes-or the little (5.00 / 0) (#92)
    by jawbone on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:07:48 PM EST
    over the head mikes (like Broadway uses) and then walk down the runway and into the crowd. Maybe whip up some call and response.

    Or that may be left for Obama to do...as the big finale.

    Parent

    I didn't feel that way at all. (none / 0) (#170)
    by weltec2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:38:35 PM EST


    Parent
    Change and hope (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by waldenpond on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:58:37 PM EST
    I thought tonight would relate to the Clinton nights, but Gore's message doesn't.  Young people understand, end of one era on to the next, post-partisan, etc. etc. etc.  It's time to move on.

    That's actually standard Gore. (none / 0) (#201)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 12:24:39 AM EST
    Focus on the goal and attaining it.  Don't be derailed by partisan concerns.

    Gore IS a "recovering politician" and he has a different set of goals than the Democratic Party does.  The Dems are probably his best bet to accomplishing those goals, but Gore would work with anyone - he is post partisan in that respect.

    So am I.  If you want UHC, does it really matter who authors it, passes it, signs it?  Get the job done.

    Parent

    Hated Kaine's speech. Really hated it. (5.00 / 0) (#75)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:01:15 PM EST


    I wish Gore had asked for a (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by zyx on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:02:27 PM EST
    show of hands--who in the stadium voted for Nader in 2000.

    Pffffft.

    LOL .. A Tad Bit of a Stretch (none / 0) (#133)
    by JimWash08 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:24:26 PM EST
    Well, they surely weren't eligible to vote that year.
    I know I wasn't.

    Parent
    Love, Big Al Gore! (5.00 / 4) (#88)
    by Coral on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:07:04 PM EST
    Great speech, great content, a speech to read and unpack.

    In my opinion, patriotic songs, such (5.00 / 3) (#98)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:11:36 PM EST
    as The Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful, should be sung straight so the audience may sing along.  Would have been quite powerful here.  

    Al was great... (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by Katherine Graham Cracker on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:16:35 PM EST
    I was so glad to hear him comment on the maroons who said there was no difference between he and Shrub and the 2000 election would have no impact.

    Those folks (many in the media) should be made to eat those words.

    You folks at the SF Chronicle know whom I'm talking about.

    Al Gore (5.00 / 4) (#109)
    by Bluesage on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:16:41 PM EST
    Just gave a great speech.  I'm so sad every time I think of the lost opportunity of America to have his leadership from 2000 til now.  I wanted him to run in 04 and 08 but he has followed his own path and I believe the whole world is better for it.  He has always had the vision and the strength of character to do the right thing for himself, his family and his country.  I love that man!

    And now we can add (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by abfabdem on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:34:03 PM EST
    Hillary Clinton to the pantheon of people who would have been really, really great presidents.  Well, there are only two on my list, but still. . . .

    Parent
    Nice speech Al (5.00 / 2) (#112)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:17:33 PM EST
    But really, shouldn't someone be wacking the Repubs for their disgraceful record for the last eight years?

    Remember (none / 0) (#122)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:21:20 PM EST
    it's the night the unity pony rides in so there can be no negativity even about Bush or McCain.

    Parent
    Phooey (none / 0) (#131)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:24:06 PM EST
    always time to explain to America what a train wreck Bus/Cheney/McCain has been.

    Parent
    Crud, I missed Al Gore (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:18:06 PM EST
    I'll have to find the video.

    AL GORE'S SPEECH (5.00 / 1) (#194)
    by weltec2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:17:28 PM EST
    here and here.

    Parent
    worth it or the text (none / 0) (#120)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:20:56 PM EST
    suspect it reads well too.

    Parent
    I will have to think harder (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by lilburro on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:23:37 PM EST
    about what makes Al, Hillary, and Bill so much better as statesmen/women and public speakers than the mediocre crew we've endured for the rest of the convention.  Maybe it's just executive experience.  Maybe it's knowing that you don't have jack to prove to the worst haters and worst instincts of the Republican Party.  Everyone else sounds like fresh out of college job interviewees.  Bill, Hillary, and Al are proven and fearless and I'm happy they are still such active players in our party.  

    I've been thinking about that too (5.00 / 1) (#141)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:27:06 PM EST
    I think native intelligence coupled with curious minds has a lot to do with it.

    Parent
    Interesting, the parallel to an interviewee (5.00 / 0) (#142)
    by Cream City on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:27:37 PM EST
    as I was thinking about the Clinton speeches as job references.  (And remembering all the ways I have had to find to give good references in some cases!)

    And interesting that the DNC wouldn't hire Hillary and humiliated Bill but needed them to give good job references.

    America knows, though, that it's Obama who has to give a good interview.

    Parent

    They have size (none / 0) (#136)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:25:19 PM EST
    It's not something you can really learn.

    Parent
    Tom Brokaw says (5.00 / 0) (#135)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:25:10 PM EST
    This speech has to convince the doubting Reagan Democrats that Obama is up to the job.  Is there really any chance one speech is going to do that?

    I know - I backed off my no-MSNBC pledge for a little while.

    I'm getting real sick (none / 0) (#145)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:29:29 PM EST
    of these clowns who keep telling us what Obama 'has to do' with his speech. Aren't these the same idiots who have tried to divide the party and get their every prediction wrong?

    Yeesh.

    They should just shut the &*$(%^# up and let us watch the convention.

    Parent

    MSNBC (none / 0) (#149)
    by themomcat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:30:01 PM EST
    Can be pretty entertaining.


    Parent
    True (none / 0) (#152)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:31:49 PM EST
    in a slowing down passing the car wreck kind of way.

    Parent
    Speaking of car wrecks (5.00 / 3) (#162)
    by themomcat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:35:27 PM EST
    It is time for me to leave this party, go to work and try to save a life. Later gang. Be safe drive careful. I wouldn't want to meet any of you the hard way. Love.


    Parent
    No (none / 0) (#161)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:35:12 PM EST
    there isn't a way that he can do it I think. He wasted the summer doing nothing when he should have been out there asking for their votes.

    At least Brokaw is giving good analysis.

    Parent

    Biden talking about "Open Convention" (5.00 / 0) (#140)
    by nycstray on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:26:44 PM EST
    Hey Joe, what about the backroom deals?! Open? I think NOT.

    chanelling Hillary. (5.00 / 1) (#144)
    by 18anapple2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:29:20 PM EST
    Did Biden just channel Hillary or am I dreaming?
    Chanelling? More like stripping (5.00 / 1) (#154)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:32:48 PM EST
    her of who and what she is and about and PRETENDING like he gives a damn. So is there plan to make people believe that HE IS Hillary? Can this campaign get ANY LOWER???

    Biden did this Last Night too.
    I wrote about it here and got marked "1".
    ha? Anyway, I'm so mad.

    Parent

    Who ARE These People??? (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by nclblows on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:37:35 PM EST
    Why didn't they have Al go on just before Obama??? I don't get it.  I thought Al was supposed to warm up the crowd.....these people are putting them to sleep!

    I'm a Republican. I voted for (5.00 / 1) (#174)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:40:57 PM EST
    Nixon, Reagan, Bush and Bush!!!!!

    Parent
    The better late than never folks (5.00 / 2) (#181)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:45:02 PM EST


    Parent
    Testimonials (5.00 / 1) (#183)
    by airwon on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:46:42 PM EST
    Some of these are touching but I can't help stop thinking that this segment reminds me of American Idol try outs for best testimonials.  Or church testimonials about how they came to Jesus. :-)

    Parent
    I don't think the parade of people in trouble (none / 0) (#175)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:41:05 PM EST
    is very good prime time TV.  We had a lot during the week too.

    Parent
    Barney, Barney, Barney! (none / 0) (#179)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:42:55 PM EST


    Parent
    ok, Barney Smith had a good line (none / 0) (#180)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:44:06 PM EST
    Put Barney Smith before Smith-Barney.

    And nice lead in to Born in the USA.

    Parent

    Barney and Pam (none / 0) (#190)
    by NWC80 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:58:51 PM EST
    Should end up in targeted ad campaigns! That was great - enough of McCain's silly attacks about personality. Use some real life examples speaking in their own words to respond for the next month.

    Parent
    Youse guys are funny tonight. (5.00 / 1) (#177)
    by chel2551 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:42:25 PM EST
    Just tuned in.  Haven't missed much, I see.

    As parties (5.00 / 1) (#185)
    by weltec2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:49:20 PM EST
    there is a great deal of difference. Al Gore just explained that. But now as Democrats we have to remind Obama and our leadership that we expect them to behave as Democrats as well.

    Kaine joked about that eyebrow thing (none / 0) (#3)
    by DemForever on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:14:17 PM EST
    the other day.

    It really is kinda wild.  

    Torture (none / 0) (#16)
    by Coral on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:25:14 PM EST
    I'm glad that there have been several statements against torture and Guantanamo at this event this week.

    Even if it's part of an otherwise boring speech.

    Where are the speeches????? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:33:10 PM EST
    Hey guys what's up, where are the speeches? All I can find on any channel is Stevie Wonder singing :={

    Try C-Span. (none / 0) (#27)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:36:51 PM EST
    As a non-popular music afficianado, I expected Stevie Wonder to be much more dynamic than this.

    Parent
    I'm Watching C-Span (5.00 / 0) (#30)
    by JimWash08 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:39:27 PM EST
    C-Span's showing everything uninterrupted. Without talking heads giving their totally unnecessary $0.02.

    Parent
    :-{{{{{ I am on Cspan!!! darn this stevie wonder (none / 0) (#33)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:41:47 PM EST
    I am so mad that he is hoggin up my TV with all this singing business. Says AL GORE next up.
    But what of Richardson and all that? I'm pissed!


    Parent
    CNN likes Stevie Wonder. (none / 0) (#32)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:40:39 PM EST


    Vaguely amusing (none / 0) (#37)
    by lentinel on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:47:05 PM EST
    There is something vaguely amusing about the fact that the "live" broadcast that is being shown on the democratic party convention website is actually delayed by several minutes.

    Whew.

    Watching the HD stream online (none / 0) (#38)
    by JoeA on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:47:17 PM EST
    at demconvention.com.

    Al Gore just coming on!!!

    Absurd (none / 0) (#42)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:48:58 PM EST


    Probably absurd but (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:55:05 PM EST
    if what Ryan Lizza wrote in his article about the Democratic Party's new "western strategy" is true there won't be much difference. Mainly just a little less emphasis on religion. I can't believe the only place I have heard any discussion of this was on NPR's Fresh Air on Monday.

    Parent
    Terry Gross's interview of Lizza was (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:57:05 PM EST
    quite interesting, and explained a lot about the thinking of the Obama campaign.  

    Parent
    Try reading the last five paragraphs (5.00 / 7) (#78)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:02:30 PM EST
    of Lizza's article in the New Yorker. It is really an eye opener. Here is a sample of what they want the party to become:

     "It's a party that becomes more Hispanic, and less African-American," Kenneth Baer, the co-founder of Democracy: A Journal of Ideas, said. "More oriented toward high-tech workers and less towards labor. It's the end of the New Deal coalition."

    I have heard the media talk about the campaign's western strategy several times. I assume this is what they were referring too. Very disturbing. It sounds like Republican Lite.

    Parent

    Is there... (none / 0) (#103)
    by DET103 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:14:04 PM EST
    ...a link to this?

    Parent
    Article link (5.00 / 1) (#172)
    by waldenpond on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:39:42 PM EST
    Here it is. New Yorker.  I've only skimmed it, it's great.

    Parent
    I am still a cut and paster (none / 0) (#123)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:21:37 PM EST
    so I don't know how to do the links. Just google Ryan Lizza western strategy new yorker and you will find it. It is really long, but the last five paragraphs sum it up.

    Parent
    Smart strategy (none / 0) (#117)
    by waldenpond on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:20:01 PM EST
    The parties have had major turnovers in the past.  It looks like the Dems are purposely going for the younger, wealthier demographics (pro-live, woohoo).  Down with the working class!  I like how the article pushes the idea that energy is the issue of the younger set.

    Parent
    Energy is the everyman issue. (5.00 / 0) (#200)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 12:19:06 AM EST
    I got a call from the DNC (aborted because of my youngest) and I had to lecture him on the relationship between Energy and the Economy.  [huff!}  Why is it so easy for me to that our economy is based on cheap energy and that as the price of energy rises, it drives the cost of everything else up as well - but no one else seems to make the connection?

    I steered him to renewable energy as a talking point when he declared that the price of gas wasn't going to go down under Republicans.  It's not going to go down under Democrats either.

    Parent

    an 18 State Strategy (5.00 / 0) (#81)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:03:12 PM EST
    out of "57" States doesn't sound good to me.
    :=}

    But seriously, I think McCain will USE that whole 18State strategy against Obama in a really scary smear AD. It's a bad idea to publicly dismiss so many millions of the population.

    Parent

    I want to know (5.00 / 0) (#86)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:06:14 PM EST
    which states. I haven't see a list yet.

    Parent
    Here's an article (5.00 / 1) (#138)
    by waldenpond on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:25:47 PM EST
    Sounds like a rehash of old info.  I found the article that used where the campaign ads are running and the writer hints at the 18 states.  NOTE: the date is June 2008

    Obama's Ad Buy Hints at a Very Interesting Electoral Map

    Parent

    Thanks! (none / 0) (#158)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:33:52 PM EST
    I read that he has pulled out of some of the southeastern states like NC and Georgia.

    Parent
    Probably a bad idea to have Kaine (5.00 / 0) (#82)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:03:40 PM EST
    speak in Denver then.

    Parent
    Gore says young people (none / 0) (#55)
    by waldenpond on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:55:47 PM EST
    get it.

    Who is introducing Obama? (none / 0) (#58)
    by Teresa on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:56:11 PM EST


    Durbin speaks before him--will he intro? (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by jawbone on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:57:41 PM EST


    Parent
    I forgot about him. Probably. (none / 0) (#72)
    by Teresa on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:00:26 PM EST


    Parent
    Fox is reporting (none / 0) (#83)
    by facta non verba on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:03:58 PM EST
    that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is McCain's VP pick.

    I'm doing a Colbert (5.00 / 2) (#90)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:07:27 PM EST
    "I called it" arm raise.  

    Parent
    They seem to be echoing (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by JimWash08 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:21:09 PM EST
    what was reported in this article.

    According to Sheppard Smith, several of the Republican Candidates will also be in Ohio with McCain tomorrow, not only his Veep pick.

    Romney, Huckabee and Guilliani will be there.

    Pawlenty, Lieberman and Fiorina will also be there too, according Smith.

    He also noted that Romney had a meeting with Secret Service detail today, and Pawlenty had canceled all his appointments (like the article says)

    I think it's pretty smart to have all the Veep 'candidates' there with him ... it helps to throw off all leaks and guesses.

    Parent

    sounds good to me! (none / 0) (#94)
    by Josey on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:10:22 PM EST
    some mentioned earlier that Romney had dropped 35 pts today in TradeSports.


    Parent
    Well that's exciting... (none / 0) (#110)
    by Maria Garcia on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:16:48 PM EST
    ...Not.

    Parent
    Without Steely Dan (none / 0) (#91)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:07:43 PM EST
    I have no interest in listening to Michael McDonald!

    America, America:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4tDP-yMwXI

    Do you mean The Doobie Brothers? (none / 0) (#96)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:11:01 PM EST
    Though I would have liked to hear McDonald harmonize on 'My Old School'.

    Parent
    He was on several Steely Dan tracks (none / 0) (#101)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:12:43 PM EST
    mostly the more "disco-esque" songs.
    I think it was "before" he was in The Doobie Bros.
    But I'm unsure.

    Parent
    Wow - I never knew that! (none / 0) (#113)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:18:05 PM EST
    Thanks - I love that kind of music trivia.

    Parent
    he was with both bands. (none / 0) (#102)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:13:56 PM EST


    Parent
    at the same time ? (none / 0) (#106)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:16:07 PM EST


    Parent
    Think they overlapped (none / 0) (#116)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:19:56 PM EST
    then he went off on his own.

    Parent
    'My Old School' (none / 0) (#105)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:14:52 PM EST
    is such a great great song! I love The Dan.
    And speaking of OLD SCHOOL, gosh darn it, let's kick these Republicans off the stage :-(

    Parent
    Awh now you've gone and done it (none / 0) (#100)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:12:42 PM EST
    okay but you've redeemed yourself.  Ah the days of Doobie Brothers were best and I still take out the vinyl.

    Good grief another Republican is on.  Where's my party!!!!!

    Parent

    beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful (none / 0) (#93)
    by Josey on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:08:53 PM EST
    by someone trying to be Ray Charles.
    You mean Hugh Laurie's version? (none / 0) (#97)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:11:34 PM EST
    the comedy version
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4tDP-yMwXI

    or are you talking about the white haired man who just sang? Michael McDonald.

    Parent

    You just turned me into a fan (5.00 / 2) (#128)
    by Cream City on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:22:23 PM EST
    because I also found Laurie doing "Hey Jude" -- as Alvin in the Chipmunks.  I'm speechless!

    Parent
    yes, that's him - (none / 0) (#104)
    by Josey on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:14:09 PM EST
    but I didn't know his name when I posted.


    Parent
    General Wesley Clark ! (none / 0) (#111)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:17:07 PM EST
    I thought he had been kicked to the curb and run over by the bus? Glad to hear his name!

    He sent out an email (none / 0) (#125)
    by nycstray on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:21:51 PM EST
    yesterday or this AM saying he was going to watch the speech. So he got a shout out and a spot in a line up? Or did he speak?

    Parent
    I read that he was told (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:24:09 PM EST
    there was no role for him at the convention. Really stupid.
    Had he spoken it would have been last night when the theme was national security.

    Parent
    I guess that means (5.00 / 1) (#155)
    by BrianJ on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:32:59 PM EST
    He's just kind of holding on to the undercarriage of the bus.

    Parent
    Okay, whose the least bit interested (none / 0) (#127)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:22:20 PM EST
    in the Republican Convention? I hear they can't give away the tickets to the VP unveiling tomorrow.

    I'm interested to hear Sarah Palin speak, yes (5.00 / 2) (#160)
    by Valhalla on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:34:21 PM EST
    Even if she's not the vp pick (seems unlikely given the list above), she's got a very attractive bio and very high approval ratings.

    Also, I like to hear what they're planning.

    Parent

    I'll have to look at their line up (5.00 / 1) (#173)
    by nycstray on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:40:13 PM EST
    There's a couple I would like to hear also. Palin being one of them. Must avoid Rudy at ALL costs. He makes me beyond nuts.

    Parent
    Ah Rudy! (5.00 / 1) (#176)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:42:24 PM EST
    The disaster that walks like a man!

    Parent
    lol!~ and his wife! (none / 0) (#199)
    by nycstray on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 12:16:46 AM EST
    Oy. Coulda been good comedy, but better off not having to deal at all.

    Parent
    Howling at the moon nutso (none / 0) (#197)
    by Iphie on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:31:05 PM EST
    over here. Although, I was sort of sorry to see him drop out of the race when he did -- I thought there was still quite a bit of train-wreck-watching entertainment left to be had. We never got to see him at a press conference with national press, being bombarded with questions he didn't want to answer. We never got to see a full-blown Giuliani melt-down live on CNN -- you have to admit, that would have been kinda fun.


    As Jimmy Breslin once said, Giuliani was just "a small man in search of a balcony."

    Parent

    I was hoping for a "ferret" moment on (none / 0) (#198)
    by nycstray on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 12:15:20 AM EST
    National TeeVee {grin}. Otherwise, I was glad to see him gone early. The less I and the rest of the nation see spewing his crap, the better ;)

    Parent
    I'm assuming it'll be (none / 0) (#168)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:38:14 PM EST
    painting Obama has the worst thing since Dracula, and POWPOWPOW.

    I'll dip in when I'm not busy, not sure I'll be able to stomach it long.

    Parent

    I just want to see if (5.00 / 1) (#184)
    by BernieO on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:47:29 PM EST
    there is any enthusiasm in their crowd. Also I have heard several times that they know they need to distance McCain from Bush which could be very entertaining. So I will probably check in from time to time.
    I am also looking forward to hearing Sarah Palin. She does sound interesting.She just recently gave birth to a child with Down's syndrome. She chose not to abort because she is pro life, unlike so many who claim they are until it affects them.

    Parent
    Obama speech now pushed back (none / 0) (#134)
    by Cream City on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:24:51 PM EST
    15 minutes from previously billed time, says my spouse from the other room.  Al Gore is gone, so I'm switching to good music.  On CD's, not in Denver.

    Biden again? (none / 0) (#139)
    by Maria Garcia on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:26:25 PM EST


    My first thought: his "sell by" (5.00 / 0) (#153)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:32:05 PM EST
    date has passed.  

    Parent
    OK, I'm off MSNBC (none / 0) (#147)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:29:49 PM EST
    Nothing worse than hearing KO read Obama's speech.

    Sure there is (5.00 / 1) (#151)
    by themomcat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:31:44 PM EST
    It could be Tweety spitting it across the screen.;-)


    Parent
    Good Point (none / 0) (#169)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:38:17 PM EST


    Parent
    C-Span is best (5.00 / 1) (#156)
    by BarnBabe on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:33:10 PM EST
    Glad to see Wesley Clark there with the Generals but he should have gotten a speaking spot.

    Parent
    Yeah - last night as the VP nominee! (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:37:12 PM EST


    Parent
    Honestly... (none / 0) (#196)
    by weltec2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:24:30 PM EST
    One has to wonder why... but it says something about his great character that he accepted that role of silent bystander on the stage while a lesser speaker stumbles through such a speech.

    Parent
    Like Roy Gross! (none / 0) (#150)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:30:19 PM EST


    Who is Roy Gross? (none / 0) (#165)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:37:22 PM EST


    Parent
    He was the union guy (none / 0) (#171)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:39:21 PM EST


    Parent
    So... (none / 0) (#186)
    by TomStewart on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:53:29 PM EST
    When is Obama speaking? My butt is getting tired.

    :15 after the hour (none / 0) (#189)
    by eleanora on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:57:56 PM EST
    Durbin is on right now, supposed to be followed by Obama.

    Parent
    candy crowley (none / 0) (#187)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:57:23 PM EST
    is a rock, why doesn't she have her own show?  No pomp and cirmcumstance and doesn't make you want to blow up your tv.

    GOP Convention (none / 0) (#188)
    by CoralGables on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:57:43 PM EST
    For those that like to grumble about this convention, we always have the GOP Convention to look forward to starting next Monday night...the same time that Hurricane Gustav is expected to hit Louisiana...how apropos is that for more of the same.

    the video (none / 0) (#192)
    by 18anapple2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:09:35 PM EST
    of Obama's biography is really good.

    Al Gore | 189 comments (189 topical)