The Speech

I thought the speech was terrific. I haven't heard anything like it since Ted Kennedy's convention address in 1980, and I've never heard an acceptance speech this effective. Apparently, Obama has spent the last six weeks playing political rope-a-dope, inviting McCain to show what he has so that it can be turned against him.

Highlights:

• The ringing, defiant cry of "Enough!"
• The early shot at the lack of judgement shown by McCain in voting in accordance with Bush 90% of the time
• Jumping on Phil Gramm's "nation of whiners" remark by rallying to people like laid-off autoworkers who show up until their last day to make safety brakes 
• Ownership "means you're on your own"

But this was just the fun stuff. What resonated most was the carefully constructed discourse on the roles and responsibilities of individuals and government and their interrelation to each other. Obama depicted a society of individuals doing their part while being let down at every turn by a Republican administration that has responded poorly -- if at all -- to virtually every challenge facing the country. Obama argued convincingly that choosing John McCain is choosing more of the same -- an out-of-touch president who simply doesn't get the importance of investing in clean air, repairing the country's infrastructure, achieving energy independence, and creating jobs. He deftly wove his personal story into the mix, showing himself as a typical American made good and who wants to give back.

I also liked the idea of taking the attack to McCain by linking the question of experience with the issue of temperament. McCain's temper is legendary -- his wife has sure seen it -- and Obama has just about forced McCain to either abandon the experience argument or to make it on Obama's terms.

Also strong was Obama's caution that the Republicans -- with little to actually run on -- will try mightily to make this critical election about small things. Another deft rhetorical strategy, this time taking on the "different than us" demagoguery. He pledged not to attack McCain's foreign policy proposals as politically motivated and dared McCain to treat his with the same respect. He drove home the point with the emphatic  "I've got news for you John McCain: We all put our country first."

All in all, Obama gave a forceful, bravura performance that laid out a stark choice between one candidate and party eager and ready to take on the challenges of the future against opponents who are out of touch reality...

TV ratings beat out the Oscars and the "American Idol" finale. There were nearly double the number of viewers than watched John Kerry's acceptance speech. People want to know who this man is and they want to vote for him...

More great pictures here...

What the? McCain's bizarre choice of Arizona governor Sarah Palin is beyond weird. For one thing, it's a mockery of his own argument that Obama lacks the experience to be president. In Palin's case, we're talking about someone whose resume is so thin that it includes her PTA membership. Aside from her two years governing Alaska, she was mayor and "city" councilwoman in Wasilla (pop. 8471). Plus, can he seriously believe that the sight of a 44-year old woman next to a 72-year old man will rally women voters to his side? The R's desperately spin this as a bold gamble, but to me it's more evidence of McCain's poor judgement...

John McCain thinks you're stupid...