This is definitely the better of the first two days of the Democratic convention.
Brian Schweitzer, the governor of Montana, did an especially excellent job. He hit McCain hard and got the crowd going. Clinton’s speech was also very effective.
Consider this an open thread to discuss your impressions and analysis of the convention thus far.
Schweitzer was sadly not broadcast or cablecast to most. He was the red meat the DNC needed and much better than the official keynote speaker Mark Warner.
It’s a shame Hillary’s speech overshadowed it.
Comment by John — August 26, 2008 @ 11:33 pm
I’ve seen both Hillary and Bill Clinton speak, and they both delivered speeches that all I want as a hard-core Obama supporter.
My analysis lately has been that Obama’s poll numbers have been lower than they should be because some former Clinton supporters are still angry at Obama for defeating Hillary in the primary. As far as I’m concerned, Hillary and Bill have both demonstrated their commitment to Obama, and Democrats who continue to resist supporting Obama can no longer hide behind the idea that they are supporting Hillary or supporting the Clintons. Hillary Clinton supporters also support Obama: it’s as simple as that.
Comment by Ian — August 27, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
I’m concerned about how this evening’s convention speech is going to come off. On the one hand, it’s in a grandiose setting that would lend itself well to his earlier soaring speeches.
But he says in this article in the NYTimes:
I’m not particularly clear how one does that, given the setting. The only way that I can see this working is if he employs a sort of labor style rhetoric – something with an ‘I feel your pain’ tone mixed with the New Deal.
I’m curious to know which pieces of Clinton’s, Reagan’s, and Kennedy’s acceptance speeches he’ll draw from. As well as this convention seems to have gone – at least no major gaffs – I’m still nervous about those poll numbers.
Hell, I’m just nervous in general about tonight. I can’t seem to sit still!
Comment by aaron — August 28, 2008 @ 4:52 pm