Friday, August 29, 2008
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Obama's Slick Speech Challenges the Opposition -- and Grown Up Reality
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Posted by:
Michael Medved at
12:27 AM
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Yeah, Senator Barack Obama delivered a great acceptance speech-- as everyone assumed that he would. The superbly crafted biographical film that introduced his performance helped humanize him, and avoided the Olympian and pretentious descent from the clouds Republicans had gleefully predicted. Even the Grecian pillars in the set (designed by Britney Spears' set designer) worked better than expected and successfully suggested the White House, or a Presidential monument. The waving flag behind the speaker also helped.
The real triumph of the speech involved Obama's supremely skillful impersonation of a moderate, mainstream, reasonable guy. Because so many of the other convention speakers sounded shrill, extreme, hyper-partisan (particularly Harry Reid with his accusations of oil company conspiracies controlling the White House), Barack sounded refreshingly sane by comparison. He allowed that government couldn't be blamed for all the nation's problems. He acknowledged John McCain's sincerity, and love of country. He showed respect for conservative viewpoints on key social issues (abortion, gay marriage, the Second Amendment).
His calls for a "new politics" surely touched a nerve, but seemed oddly out of place at the conclusion of a convention that tirelessly recycled ancient Democratic class-warfare tropes. All week,we've heard about how America was always a golden land of opportunity and compassion, where strivers and dreamers (like the Obamas and the Bidens, particularly) could achieve their goals--- but then, suddenly, Bush and Cheney came to town and ruined everything and cruelly shattered the American dream. No speaker once acknowledged that Bush deserved credit for keeping us safe for seven years since 9/11, or spoke a single gracious word about the President of the United States.
Obama also avoided any kind comment about President Bush, but he did address the yearning of so many people (yes, even including battle-scarred talk show hosts) for less bitterness and hysteria in our politics. What makes his promises even vaguely credible (and more credible than Bush's announced intention to serve as a "uniter, not a divider") is the knowledge on the part of savvy observers that most of toxicity in current discourse comes from the left, not the right. Only a tiny fringe of conservative kooks ever believed that Bill Clinton was a pawn of the Chi-coms, but many leaders of the American left (and even of the Democratic Party) allege that President Bush went to war and sacrificed American lives solely to enrich himself and his corporate cronies.
After eight years (the paranoia really began with the wails about the "crime of Florida" and the "stolen election") reasonable people must feel so weary of these soul-numbing diatribes that it sounds almost reassuring to talk of Obama in the White House: at least that way the Left would shut up about all the dark plots to oppress the people, and as a bonus we'd probably hear much less about our burden of guilt for slavery and segregation.
That's the essence of Obama's appeal: the suggestion that if we elect this manifestly bright and thoughtful former professor, we'll see the embittered Left suddenly chanting the mantra of hope and endure less of the desperate and depressing complaints about suffering and injustice and gathering darkness and the end of American Empire.
Actually, the sense of disappointment and betrayal might be even worse, more poisonous for our national mood, when a President Obama fails to deliver on his wildly irresponsible promises of free health care for all, and free college for all, and free pre-school for all, and thousands of dollars of refundable tax credits for all (aka, welfare checks), and so forth, and so on, to the tune of literally trillions of dollars of new spending. The preposterous guarantee of "ending our dependence on foreign oil within ten years" won't get exposure as the fraud it is until two years after an Obama administration comes to an end (even assuming election to a second term).
Those who believe that a President Obama deserves a chance because of the prospect of a new "Era of Good Feelings" ought to consider the certainty that Wonder Boy, for all the robust oratory, will surely fail to deliver on his bright, shining lies, and would usher in instead an epoch of disruption and division, high anxiety and high taxes, recession and rancor.
The trick for John McCain (and the rest of us) in St. Paul next week, and in the campaign that follows, will be to make that point without seeming to spoil or soil the golden, pleasant fantasies of Obama's lovely speech. We need to be gentle, yet firm, in making clear to the electorate that Santa Claus doesn't really exist (in the form of Uncle Sam rewarding all the good little citizens with taxpayer funded toys). Our job is to convince the people that they can enjoy the festive spirit of the season without believing in childish myths, and to persuade a weary electorate that we can celebrate most meaningfully when we face the world as grown-ups.
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It was a brilliant speech. A genius' balance of detail and dream.
Your grandchildren will read and study it in history classes years from now. |
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Obama was accusing McCain of having poor judgment. Well, I have three words for Obama: Ayers, Wright and Rezko. And we want to trust this guy with our national security? And we want to believe that he can unite this country?? |
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Not only is Barack not qualified to be President, he keeps making rookie campaign mistakes. The rookies always promise the sun, moon, stars and all neighbouring galaxies too.
Michael, you've only scratched the surface of reviewing his speech. It was full of so much disputable crap, I suspect there will be more than one book coming out next month, documenting how the 'Obama fantasy proposal' would stretch pinocchio's nose past the Star Trek Deep Space Nine station.
Oh well, a sucker is born every minute. Thank god all of the stupid people in this country keep joining the Democratic party.
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the televised speech in 1998 when then President Clinton said, " If Saddam Hussein defies the world and we fail to respond we will face a far greater threat. And mark my words; Saddam will develope weapons of mass destruction. He will deploy them, and he will use them." |
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Maybe I'm the only one, but I hated Obama's speech, thought it was one of the phoniest rhetorical exercises I've heard in my entire life. |
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yes, you are the only one. Sorry. Seriosly, the honest conservative commentators are all stating the obvious: this was a BLISTERING speech, perfect in balance and tone, specifics and rhetoric. Even Pat Buchanan admited after the speech it was the BEST ACCEPTANCE SPEECH he had ever seen, and he's seen a lot.
Obama's amazing success doesn't make you less of a man. You're tiny tiny brain makes you less of a man :) Kidding! In all seriousness, you sound silly trying to claim the sky is red when its so clearly blue.
Obama's success doesn't mean McCain can't have a great speech, but if he does manage to have a great speech next week i won't be on here claiming it didn't happen. Either accept reality or don't. |
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but at least he didn't ride in on a charriot and loose the lions after his speech. |
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This is the second retake of the return of Camelot. Bill Clintons first run was the first.
As with Clinton, the voters can see the evil behind the curtain. But once again are choosing to ignore it. The True Believer has become the destroyer of Democracy.
The question is can we break the trance of the evil one in time to prevent the worst outcome.
I have my doubts. Bush proved that Republicans dont have the stomach to drive that stake into the heart of American Socialism. They have become the party of tired old men and cannot finish off the Dragon in battle. |
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The part I liked was when Obama wants us to know that liberals can lead..."We're the Party of FRD, We're the Party of Kennedy." What he didn't say is Kennedy got us into Vietnam due to his lack of experience. |
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We've heard it before. Then, weeks after the election, the reformer is in the lions den and all about him wonder how America got there.
Carter promised open government that didn't lie. Tax regs that didn't favor oil executives, Bureaucratic reforms to meet the needs of the hour, Individualized education that rejected one size fits all, Breaking dependence on foreign supply of energy with long range policy alternatives and a strong national defense that would come when the paramount national purpose was peace.
Then came inauguration, Cy Vance's resignation, attempts to abort Korean troop levels, hissing rabbits, black socks, Charles Beckwith, micro managed Sea Stallions, hostages, his malaise couched as ours and Midge Costanza.
No Thanks. The worst wretch ever needs not be emulated again ... and at least President Carter had been sworn into the Navy and had been a Governor and legislator.
Beware of soft men hawking old "lo poppa hirum" as "Hopes New Elixir.'
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We've heard it before. Then, weeks after the election, the reformer is in the lions den and all about him wonder how America got there.
Carter promised open government that didn't lie. Tax regs that didn't favor oil executives, Bureaucratic reforms to meet the needs of the hour, Individualized education that rejected one size fits all, Breaking dependence on foreign supply of energy with long range policy alternatives and a strong national defense that would come when the paramount national purpose was peace.
Then came inauguration, Cy Vance's resignation, attempts to abort Korean troop levels, hissing rabbits, black socks, Charles Beckwith, micro managed Sea Stallions, hostages, his malaise couched as ours and Midge Costanza.
No Thanks. The worst wretch ever needs not be emulated again ... and at least President Carter had been sworn into the Navy and had been a Governor and legislator.
Beware of soft men hawking old "lo poppa hirum" as "Hopes New Elixir.'
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..owner husband, just home from work at 11:00 p.m. and listening to Obama's speech, had this to say at the t.v.:
You son of a bit$h!
Any clear-headed, straight-thinking person wants to throw up.
The only promise he will deliver on is to raise taxes on companies struggling to pay people's salaries.
The speech was just blathering Dem caca.
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...that freak Obama had to say, you are insane. He's just blathering for votes. We already have the biggest nanny state known to man. Where Bush ran amok was to increase it. Where Bush ran amok was to spend, spend, spend.
You better believe the Pub accountants are, as we speak, furiously adding up what all this nonsense would cost, adding to an outta control national debt.
Do you really think taxing businesses in a fragile economy is going to pay for this? Oh, that makes sense. Businesses can't increase salaries because the money is going into the black hole we call government.
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I agree 100%. I posted comments before to the same effect. What we have here is the terrifying spectale of "unity" among various types of socialists. Unsophisticated people (a strong majority) take these speeches at face value: Hillary and Bill have united the Democrats, Ted Kennedy inspired them and Barak Obama elevated their spirit.
These people do not see the forest behind the trees (Russian proverb.) In reality it is scary and I am scared! I've seen identical shows in the Soviet Union where 99.9% of the poulation voted for the Communists (voluntarily, of course.)
With these fanatics in charge and with divided and lethargic Opposition, itself shifting to the left, what will stop them? |
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I think it was a good speech but said nothing except if you work hard for 16 years and finally see the fruits a your labor. Your sh$t out of luck and you need to give up a piece of your pie for someone else. My question for Obama is there going to be a windfall profits tax on Oprah's 275 millon she made last year. |
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All the negative comments about the SUBSTANCE of the speech are correct, of course. There's no way in the world to pay for all the give-aways The One wants. But the point about an Obamessiah extravaganza is the music, not the words. The feelings the speech will arouse -- not the policy positions it advocates, or any consideration of rhetorical integrity. I'm reminded about the first Kennedy-Nixon debate. At the time (1960), TV was still young-- and a full one-quarter of Americans heard the debate on radio, rather than watching it on the tube. Those who listened on radio thought, overwhelmingly, that Nixon won. Those who watched on TV knew that Kennedy won. By the same token, just reading Obama's words (as my wife did) you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. But watching the images - focusing on the music, not the words--- you understand. |
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the gas lines that snaked around city blocks and how gas was rationed during the longest four years of our lives. Carter, by far, was the worst president in my lifetime. |
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Nods to personal responsibility, mentioning tax cuts, Mike is right; best speech from the convention.
Unfortunately tho, dims never give credit where credit is due. Bush has made mistakes, but he's also had successes. The last eight years have not been the best of times (economically) but they certainly haven't been the worst of times either.
Mostly it was the same blather that dim candidates spew election after election; but delivered by a major orator. |
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...wasn't it? To seduce the mindless masses.
Will it work this time--once the music stops? |
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Let's see..The surge is a success, second quarter productivity is up 3.3 percent, US exports are thriving, transportation companies have full trucks, we haven't been attacked since 9/11 and Obama accuses the Republican Party of failure and gloom and doom. He offers no solutions, only rhetoric.If America elects this windbag as President then our country is in sad shape. Old rhetoric and failed policies of the past. God help us. |
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"yes, you are the only one. Sorry. Seriosly, [sic] the honest conservative commentators are all stating the obvious: this was a BLISTERING speech, perfect in balance and tone, specifics and rhetoric. Even Pat Buchanan admited after the speech it was the BEST ACCEPTANCE SPEECH he had ever seen, and he's seen a lot."
..I am always amazed every four years that pundits and politicians seem to think a splendid speech will solve the problems that beset a country when, in truth, it requires a thoughtful statement of a meaningful plan and *then* the deeds to implement said plan.
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http://www.clintonloveschina.com. |
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Whether McCain wins this fall or not (I think he will), every adult US citizen should get a handgun and learn to use it. Those who already have a handgun should start to practice with it, or practice more. The rough beast of utopian socialism, currently slouching toward Washington in the form of a smooth afro-arab guy, keeps on coming. |
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Anyone who doubts that Barrak Obamas speech moved a lot of people is in deep denial. Pat Buchanan called it the best in his 45 years of listening and studying the great speechs of all time.
Go ahead boys and keep pretending that Obama is a lightweight that will be easily handled by the GOP strategists. But do so at your own risk. |
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I'd say so if you think Obamessiah's speech was great! How can something you have heard 100 times be great? He said nothing new, except maybe when he flip flopped his positions on energy, but that wasn't new - just a lie.
He can stand at the pulpit and preach like a souther baptist preacher, with that loud over-bearing, know-it-all voice, but other than that it was business as usual; just try and baffle them with bull$hit. |
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Taken at face value it may have sounded great to alot of people including even Conservative pundits, but the devil is in the details. Consider these points:
-In the speech Senator Obama said "I will cut taxes - cut taxes - for 95% of all working families.” What income brackets will receive a tax cut? How much of a tax cut? What income brackets will not get a tax cut? What income brackets will get a tax hike? How much of a tax hike?
-Senator Obama said that Washington's been talking about our oil addiction for the last thirty years; which party for the last 30 years and to this day has blocked efforts to drill in this country?
-Senator Obama says that he will “find ways to safely harness nuclear power.” Which political party has blocked any and all efforts to build nuclear power plants in America?
This is just a partial list of the many items in the speech that can be legitimately challenged by McCain and the GOP. Bottom line:
Obama presidency and Dem Congress = Bigger government, wealth redistribution, higher taxes, no drilling or nuclear power, abortion on demand and more judges like Ginsberg/Stevens/Souter/Breyer
McCain presidency and GOP congress= lower taxes, drilling and nuclear power, a reduction in abortions and more judges like Scalia/Thomas/Roberts/Alito. The choice is clear.
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http://www.immigrationshumancost.org/
Funniest line in the whole article.
I'll tell that to my friend who suffered a permanent brain injury at the hands of a drunk illegal. He spent 13 days in jail for ruining the life of a beautiful 22-year-old American Indian. |
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"Obama was accusing McCain of having poor judgment"
Well, that's more civil than accusing McCain of cynicism, as McCain did when he accused Obama of wanting to lose in Iraq so he could get elected.
\and the campaign vitriol is coming from the LEFT? |
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"Obama was accusing McCain of having poor judgment"
Well, that's more civil than accusing McCain of cynicism, as McCain did when he accused Obama of wanting to lose in Iraq so he could get elected.
\and the campaign vitriol is coming from the LEFT? |
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What did McCain do or support over the last thrity years that he hasn't reneiged on in the past 18 months?
McCain's positions have changed with the wind, and the man who is campaigning today is merely an empty shadow of the man who was in congress even 5 years ago. |
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"Pasadena Phil writes: Friday, August, 29, 2008 12:04 PM
Joe
She is not pro-choice, she is pro-ABORTION! Since you never substantiate anything to anyone, I won't bother either. Do your own homework."
I have done by homework Phil. Sarah Palin is a member of Feminists for Life, is Pro Life, and is a religious person. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2008/05/20/omissio n-watch-pro-life-alaska-governor-has-down-syndrome-baby
For you to make such a blanant lie is reprehensible. I am ashamed of you. You should be ashamed of yourself. I assumed this was just a mistake on your part, but now I am convinced you are just a dishonorable person.
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Medved said: "Obama also avoided any kind comment about President Bush,"
Uh, I turned the speech off when he went into his liberal tantrum about the "current administration" "letting a city drown". He blamed all of Katrina on Bush, along with "failed economic policies" "war" and all the other liberal talking points.
Did you listen to the speech last night? Instead of "bush" he used "administration". That's his "nuanced" approach.
The whole speech was a 6th grade: "I'm running for class president" speech. I was expecting to hear there would be soda in the water fountains at all federal buildings.
He did deliver it well... |
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I had to laugh at virtually all of Obama's lie-filled speech. One thing Obama said that (was obviously inserted to try and get a few gun owners to vote for him) was the mentioning of his support of the 2nd ammendment, and yet wanting to keep AK-47's away...last I checked, AK-47, M-16, any of a myriad of other automatic weapons have been illegal for years. Are people...errr Dems...so retarded that they can't see thru lies like that? Do some people actually stand up and clap to taking AK47's away from citizens, as being something important, and necessary, even though they're already illegal? I'm really starting to wonder just how dumb 50% of this country is. |
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Semi automatic versions of all those weapons are legal in many states. I have owned three AK 47 variants myself. None were select fire (full auto) but even those can be legally purchased and owned in many states provided you follow certain criteria. First you pay a 200 dollar transfer tax to the government, then you have fingerprints taken and put on file with the FBI and the BATF.
Thing is, it's a non issue. Most criminals are not using machine guns and assault rifles, so like so many democrat issues, that one has no teeth.
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The only thing funnier than seeing supposedly secular liberals regarding Obama with Christ-like reverence? Seeing those SAME people misspell the name of their chosen candidate. Talk about completely clueless! |
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Baraq Obama delivered a well-polished speech last night to be sure, but it resembled a polished Moose Nugget upon closer examination. It was a great set for our future emperor, reminiscent of the Nuremburg rallies.
1. He promised (surprise surprise) something, apparently, that no other candidate for President ever promised (yeah, right). He said he would cut waste from the budget by separating those things that worked for the country from those things that don't. I can't believe that nobody ever thought of that before--pure genius! Genius aside, I think he needs to look at Article I of the Constitution. That job belongs to Congress--and the only tool at his disposal is the veto pen. McCain has promised to veto any bill with earmarks. Is Obama about to upset the Congressional Re-election feeding trough?
2. He made the comment that we are our brother's keeper. While it sounds nice in some kind of Biblical way as a normally atheistic Liberal views being Biblical, there's only one secular political doctrine that sticks to that as a core doctrine.
3. He mentioned that McCain "voted with" the President 90 percent of the time. I didn't know the President voted--except in a voting booth like the rest of us. Maybe I'm a bit backwards, but I thought the job of the President was to sign or veto laws. McCain voted for laws that the President signed. Since the President signs nearly everything brought before him, does that mean that McCain voted for 90 percent of every piece of legislation that passed? Did Baraq decide to vote against every piece of legislation that was passed?
He said that he was ready to debate McCain. As long as the normal clowns from the Liberal media run debates, he can make that claim with comfort. |
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Michael:
My legal name is Santa Claus. I'm a children's advocate and candidate for President of the United States (permitted in 16 states, so far). Please visit http://www.SantaClaus08.com to learn why I'm running.
Santa |
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