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Democratic Convention Day 4
Author: BobR    Date: 08/28/2008 12:33:27

There have been some discussions of "where's the beef?" with regards to the campaign, Last night, Democrats got their two all beef patties, AND a little special sauce courtesy of Mellisa Ethridge. There were big names at the podium and big events at the hall.

The primary event of the evening of course was the nomination of Barack Obama as candidate for president for the Democratic Party. Due to the previous issues with Clinton supporters and - to some extent - the candidate herself, this took on the scripted feel of a movie scene. And what a scene it was!

As each state did its "great state" declaration, the tension and votes mounted, with a few states declining to cast a vote, until they got to New York. At that point, Hillary Clinton asked that the roll call vote be stopped and that Obama be declared the candidate by acclamation. It was an amazing gesture on her part to promote party unity. Her eyes seemed to tell the story that she was heartbroken, but she knew it was necessary. Kudos to her.

The other event of the evening of course was Joe Biden accepting the nomination as candidate for vice-president. He did it with his usual aplomb, and his curt "Yes" (okay - not quite as curt as during the debates, but pretty close).

The speeches were more boisterous and biting last night, which helped to amp up the energy level of the proceedings. Some highlights:

Harry Reid:
T. Boone Pickens said it right: “We can’t drill our way out of this crisis.”

But even if Doc McCain’s magic off-shore oil elixir won’t work, will it do any harm?

The answer is, we just don’t know, and neither does he. It might not ruin tourism in the Gulf or on the California coast. It might not destroy vital fisheries. It might not pollute our waterways.

Nobody really knows. But kindly old Doc McCain would like to sell it to you anyway.

John Kerry:
Candidate McCain now supports the wartime tax cuts that Senator McCain once denounced as immoral. Candidate McCain criticizes Senator McCain’s own climate change bill. Candidate McCain says he would now vote against the immigration bill that Senator McCain wrote. Are you kidding? Talk about being for it before you’re against it. [ ]

Let me tell you, before he ever debates Barack Obama, John McCain should finish the debate with himself.

Tammy Duckworth:
And Barack Obama will have a simple principle for homeless veterans: zero tolerance, because we are all dishonored when those who’ve worn the uniform sleep on our streets. But here’s what he won’t do: President Obama will reject John McCain’s plan to privatize the VA system. We won’t force veterans to search for medical care with nothing but a plastic card and the promise of payment. We won’t have means testing for access to the VA. Why? Because Barack Obama knows this: no one asked us where we lived or how much money we had when we enlisted, and no one should ask us that after we’ve bled for our country.

Bill Clinton's speech was highly anticipated and had generated some concern due to rumors that Mark Penn helped write it. If he did, that was not apparent (supposedly it turned out that Bill wrote the whole thing himself). Also Bill wanted to discuss economic issues, and Obama said "stick to the theme of the night". Bill seemed to have won that one. Such are the dances of diplomacy...

So anyway - some of Bill's highlights:
Most important, Barack Obama knows that America cannot be strong abroad unless we are strong at home. People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.

The choice is clear. The Republicans will nominate a good man who served our country heroically and suffered terribly in Vietnam. He loves our country every bit as much as we all do. As a Senator, he has shown his independence on several issues. But on the two great questions of this election, how to rebuild the American Dream and how to restore America’s leadership in the world, he still embraces the extreme philosophy which has defined his party for more than 25 years, a philosophy we never had a real chance to see in action until 2001, when the Republicans finally gained control of both the White House and Congress. Then we saw what would happen to America if the policies they had talked about for decades were implemented.

[The Republicans] actually want us to reward them for the last eight years by giving them four more. Let’s send them a message that will echo from the Rockies all across America: Thanks, but no thanks. In this case, the third time is not the charm.

My fellow Democrats, sixteen years ago, you gave me the profound honor to lead our party to victory and to lead our nation to a new era of peace and broadly shared prosperity.

Together, we prevailed in a campaign in which the Republicans said I was too young and too inexperienced to be Commander-in-Chief. Sound familiar? It didn’t work in 1992, because we were on the right side of history. And it won’t work in 2008, because Barack Obama is on the right side of history.

Finally Joe Biden (introduced by a son anyone would be proud of: Bo Biden) delivered his acceptance speech and a few zingers along the way:
Since I’ve never been called a man of few words, let me say this as simply as I can: Yes. Yes, I accept your nomination to run and serve alongside our next President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

Let me make this pledge to you right here and now. For every American who is trying to do the right thing, for all those people in government who are honoring their pledge to uphold the law and respect our Constitution, no longer will the eight most dreaded words in the English language be: “The vice president’s office is on the phone.”

You know, I believe the measure of a man isn’t just the road he’s traveled; it’s the choices he’s made along the way. Barack Obama could have done anything after he graduated from college. With all his talent and promise, he could have written his ticket to Wall Street. But that’s not what he chose to do. He chose to go to Chicago. The South Side...

The choice in this election is clear. These times require more than a good soldier; they require a wise leader, a leader who can deliver change—the change everybody knows we need....

Should we trust John McCain’s judgment when he says there can be no timelines to draw down our troops from Iraq—that we must stay indefinitely? Or should we listen to Barack Obama, who says shift responsibility to the Iraqis and set a time to bring our combat troops home?

Now, after six long years, the Bush administration and the Iraqi government are on the verge of setting a date to bring our troops home.

John McCain was wrong. Barack Obama was right.

Again and again, on the most important national security issues of our time, John McCain was wrong, and Barack Obama was proven right.

Biden also made an "unintentional mistake" and said "Bush" instead of "McCain" at one point, then corrected himself and called it a Freudian slip. :lol:

NOTE: All speeches from all participants on all nights can be found here, in case you need to reference them or just want to reread any of them.

All in all - it was the kind of night that conventions are supposed to be: raucous, spirited and reaffirming. So what about tonight?

At 6:00 we have tribute to MLK featuring my House Rep John Lewis and MLK III (today is the 45th anniversary of his I Have a Dream speech). Sheryl Crow, Tim Kaine, Stevie Wonder, Al Gore, and of course the big finale with Barack Obama. It's sure to be a big party. (full schedule here)

Speaking of parties, four years ago I went to a convention watching party to watch John Kerry's acceptance speech. It was a great experience, as I got to meet and hang out with other Dems in my area. I highly recommend it. You can look here for parties in your area. It's a pretty simple concept - just click on the one that looks best for you, they send you directions, and you show up (sometimes with a "covered dish"). Here in Atlanta, we might be going to the Amsterdam Bar & Café, as there will be a party there with Jim Martin (Senate challenger to Repig Saxby Chambliss).

Believe...


 

377 comments (Latest Comment: 08/29/2008 11:01:37 by trojanrabbit)
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Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 12:39:48
Scary Mary, coming this winter.



Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 12:54:28
:rofl: Random! God that is really a twisted little movie when you think about it. Kinda ranks in there with Willy Wonka :D



Anyway - Morning! :hug:





Loved the speechs last night - the Big Dawg knocked it out as far a Hills did. And Biden! I love MaMa Biden you could see she was so proud of her son - made me cry to see that.

Comment by m-hadley on 08/28/2008 13:00:39
Mornin' Everybody,

Back at work this morning - just looked up the university's policy on leave of absences and I think I might have a chance as one of the categories that an employee can request a leave of absence is "public service." I plan to talk to my immediate boss this morning - wish me luck. I've been wondering about Al Gore - but Bill Press just said that Gore is speaking tonight - yeah :D

Cheers,

mfaye :hug:

Comment by BobR on 08/28/2008 13:03:01
Quote by m-hadley:

Mornin' Everybody,

Back at work this morning - just looked up the university's policy on leave of absences and I think I might have a chance as one of the categories that an employee can request a leave of absence is "public service." I plan to talk to my immediate boss this morning - wish me luck. I've been wondering about Al Gore - but Bill Press just said that Gore is speaking tonight - yeah :D

Cheers,

mfaye :hug:


Yes, and I mentioned it in my blog... :uhhuh:



:P



So you can afford to take a leave of absence? That's great!



Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 13:08:36
That's good news then Faye! :hug:

Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 13:15:11
Do they mean it looks like and ampitheatre? Cause Mile High looks nothing like the Parthenon.

Comment by starling310 on 08/28/2008 13:22:25
Riddle me this. In a male dominated world, where an cliche indication of professionalism is a suit, what would people have a woman wear? For christ's sake.



Oh. Good morning.



And, :: joe biden :: YES.

Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 13:22:27
01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000

Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 13:24:56
Quote by starling310:

Riddle me this. In a male dominated world, where an cliche indication of professionalism is a suit, what would people have a woman wear? For christ's sake.



Oh. Good morning.



And, :: joe biden :: YES.




good point





Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 13:25:50
Quote by Random:

01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000




okay? what about them?



Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 13:29:33
Good morning!

Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 13:30:47
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000




okay? what about them?



01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101

Comment by starling310 on 08/28/2008 13:34:12
Quote by Random:

01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000




:thud:

Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 13:38:55
I fell asleep before showed up, but I heard rumours that he would be there!

Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 13:39:02
Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000




okay? what about them?



01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101




Color me ill-informed but what's that?



Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 13:39:50
Hey Raine - how's your mouth feeling this morning?

Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 13:45:06
How much Money you wanna bet that McCain announces his VP tonite after the big speech?

Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 13:45:44
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000




okay? what about them?



01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101




Color me ill-informed but what's that?



01110111 01101001 01101011 01101001 00100000 01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000 00100000 01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101

Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 13:47:02
Quote by wickedpam:

Hey Raine - how's your mouth feeling this morning?


The meds are working so I am not feeling pain.. I feel terribly groogy tho. I want to get myself together enough to go to that convention watch this evening.

Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 13:47:09
Quote by Raine:

How much Money you wanna bet that McCain announces his VP tonite after the big speech?


Almost none, he'd be alseep by then. He announces around noon, looking for a win win for him. No one talks about it, so no one cares he's picked mittens. Or everyone talks about it and it deflates Obama's big night.

Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 13:47:26
And I don't look lie John McCain anymore.

Comment by starling310 on 08/28/2008 13:47:34
Quote by Raine:

How much Money you wanna bet that McCain announces his VP tonite after the big speech?




I will bet 1 MIIIILLLLION dollars!

Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 13:48:48
Quote by Random:

Quote by Raine:

How much Money you wanna bet that McCain announces his VP tonite after the big speech?


Almost none, he'd be alseep by then. He announces around noon, looking for a win win for him. No one talks about it, so no one cares he's picked mittens. Or everyone talks about it and it deflates Obama's big night.
Good point.



Comment by starling310 on 08/28/2008 13:48:53
I agree...I've been watch a ton of CSPAN!



Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 13:48:53
Quote by starling310:

Quote by Random:

01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000




:thud:


Yes...the binary again...I SHALL RULE THE WORLD.

Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 13:52:59
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Random:

Quote by Raine:

How much Money you wanna bet that McCain announces his VP tonite after the big speech?


Almost none, he'd be alseep by then. He announces around noon, looking for a win win for him. No one talks about it, so no one cares he's picked mittens. Or everyone talks about it and it deflates Obama's big night.
Good point.



My Money's on Noon.

Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 13:53:33
Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000




okay? what about them?



01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101




Color me ill-informed but what's that?



01110111 01101001 01101011 01101001 00100000 01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000 00100000 01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101






I'm still not getting a connection - are you playing it?



Comment by starling310 on 08/28/2008 13:55:23
Oh! And, I love Joe Biden's wife; she's really cute. She just seems sweet and shy.

I just want to hug her.



Jill Biden ---------> <-------

Comment by livingonli on 08/28/2008 13:58:38
Good morning everyone.



The good news is I am off tonight so I can finally watch the convention. With what I have seen from the pundit crap, I will probably leave the SPAN on. I can only watch Keith and Rachel and they are not on enough.



Too bad C-SPAN doesn't have an HD feed. The DNC has their own feed on Dish Network which is in HD which makes me wish I had the Dish again.

Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 14:00:34
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000




okay? what about them?



01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101




Color me ill-informed but what's that?



01110111 01101001 01101011 01101001 00100000 01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000 00100000 01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101






I'm still not getting a connection - are you playing it?



No...though i was watching the cartoon.

I'm actually just making random comments.



Comment by livingonli on 08/28/2008 14:03:46
And those of us who are binary impaired are confused.

Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 14:04:55
Quote by livingonli:

And those of us who are binary impaired are confused.


That's the point. Makes Random feel special.

Comment by TriSec on 08/28/2008 14:06:24


Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 14:09:13
Quote by starling310:

Quote by Raine:

How much Money you wanna bet that McCain announces his VP tonite after the big speech?




I will bet 1 MIIIILLLLION dollars!


http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa213/FourFreedoms/dr_McEvil.jpg


Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 14:09:47
Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Random:

01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000




okay? what about them?



01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101




Color me ill-informed but what's that?



01110111 01101001 01101011 01101001 00100000 01010011 01100001 01101101 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001101 01100001 01111000 00100000 01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101100 01101001 01100011 01100101






I'm still not getting a connection - are you playing it?



No...though i was watching the cartoon.

I'm actually just making random comments.





:doh:



Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 14:12:08
Quote by starling310:

I agree...I've been watch a ton of CSPAN!



There is a LOT of Red Meat at the convention. PLENTY.

Comment by starling310 on 08/28/2008 14:13:33
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

I agree...I've been watch a ton of CSPAN!



There is a LOT of Red Meat at the convention. PLENTY.


Indeed. This vegetarian is LOVING IT!

:: frangela :: "I love it."

Comment by m-hadley on 08/28/2008 14:17:34
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

I agree...I've been watch a ton of CSPAN!



There is a LOT of Red Meat at the convention. PLENTY.




Raine & Roomie,

I switched to the SPAN last night and found that I enjoyed watching the convention much more (plus if I'd been watching MSNBC I would have missed that amazing medley sung by Melissa Etheridge )

Cheers,

mfaye

BTB, Raine, How's your mouth feeling this morning? Glad you lost that chipmunk look - it's not a good look for most of us :P



Comment by starling310 on 08/28/2008 14:19:00
Quote by m-hadley:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

I agree...I've been watch a ton of CSPAN!



There is a LOT of Red Meat at the convention. PLENTY.




Raine & Roomie,

I switched to the SPAN last night and found that I enjoyed watching the convention much more (plus if I'd been watching MSNBC I would have missed that amazing medley sung by Melissa Etheridge )

Cheers,

mfaye

BTB, Raine, How's your mouth feeling this morning? Glad you lost that chipmunk look - it's not a good look for most of us :P





I did miss the amazing medley! :cry:





Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 14:19:11
For those on the East Coast... Tropical Depression 8: From Weatherunderground.

From Reuters:

A new tropical depression formed over the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday and threatened to become the eighth storm of the already busy 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.



"The depression will likely become a tropical storm later (Thursday) and could reach hurricane intensity within three days," the Miami-based hurricane center said.



The center's computer models predicted the depression would become an "intense hurricane."



If it becomes a tropical storm, it would be named Hanna.


Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 14:19:14
Mom heard that "Wake up America" snippet and to quote her "I like that speech, he's good."



Mom had not heard Dennis speak before.



That speech give me chills

Comment by m-hadley on 08/28/2008 14:19:18
Just trying out my new emoticon... Whadya all think?

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by Random on 08/28/2008 14:21:08
Quote by wickedpam:





:doh:



Random is very found of doing random things.

Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 14:21:16
Quote by starling310:





I did miss the amazing medley! :cry:





I suspect you are still in a position to not see the youtubes?

Comment by livingonli on 08/28/2008 14:22:32
mfaye, you got Izzy's emoticon.

Comment by starling310 on 08/28/2008 14:22:35
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:





I did miss the amazing medley! :cry:





I suspect you are still in a position to not see the youtubes?




No, I am not. And, now is starting to get angry!





Comment by livingonli on 08/28/2008 14:23:50
Is Melissa Etheridge's performance posted? I didn't get to see it since I was at work.

Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 14:24:25
Quote by wickedpam:

Mom heard that "Wake up America" snippet and to quote her "I like that speech, he's good."



Mom had not heard Dennis speak before.



That speech give me chills
I loved it!



I do have to admit tho, That when he was done with the Wake up part, and started with the Up with [jobs, etc] I wsa waiting for him to yell Up With People



Comment by Raine on 08/28/2008 14:25:28
Quote by livingonli:

mfaye, you got Izzy's emoticon.


People can share you know!

Comment by wickedpam on 08/28/2008 14:28:28
Quote by Random:

Quote by wickedpam:





:doh:



Random is very found of doing random things.






I should have realized :p