Obama's acceptance speech - critique from Reagan insider

David Traver

Link

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Buchanan

Insider (Ret) · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 01:39 pm Post subject:

I'm immediately suspicious when Pat Buchanan gushes....but I must say, I thought Sen. Obama UNDERPLAYED it last night. I thought he pulled back a bit, kept the rhetoric calmer and less cadenced than he has in the past in other settings. And I think that was brilliant on his part. Over-exciting the 80,000 people in front of him would have made it more difficult for him to connect effectively with the millions at home. It was, in my mind anyhow, a perfect metaphor for how he and his staff have managed the whole convention. Being a political junkie, I have watched every convention since...oh gads, 1956 was the first, although I didn't understand much of what I watched...and this was the most brilliantly staged and managed convention I've ever seen. I can't wait to get the Bush crew out and these folks in charge of the country. I'll sleep a heck of a lot better at night. We all will.

MikeWalters · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1196 Location: Cincinnati OH

So far, this is my favorite piece analyzing the speech. Joe Klein is right on point.

http://tinyurl.com/6g2yxl

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 287

I remember the 1956 convention very well. I was19 years old and was pulling with all my heart for John Kennedy to be the VP candidate. Alas, it went to Estes Kefauver. You have to remember, all of us in Mississippi back then were democrats. Cool

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 02:56 pm Post subject:

That's a nice memory. Thanks for sharing it. I did not know that part of the Kennedy history.

Insider (Ret) · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 09:29 pm Post subject:

Ditto, thanks Delta. Kennedy was somewhat torn as to whether or not running with Stevenson (and losing the election, which he knew would be the outcome) would be helpful or not for his run in 1960, so losing to Estes Kefauver wasn't a terrible thing. Tom, you were a few years older and remember it far better than I. I watched with my folks--especially my quiet but thoughtful dad--and probably got hooked on politics then.

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1175 Location: Michigan

I was 9 years old and I am bumed out - I just got a copy of my medical records and one of my doctors called me an "older person" - well at not quite 61 (turn 61 on Labor Day) I did not get called elderly but I will take older over not getting any older.

BTW we must have the same calendar as we had in 1947.

I have no memory of that election and just a memory of Ike and the close 1960 election.

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 287

Olan, we just want you to keep getting older. OK? Very Happy