James Carville Rips First Night Of Dem Convention

As the convention wound down to a close Monday evening, the Republican National Committee blasted out video of ex-Clinton strategist James Carville slighting the night's festivities. "If this party has a message," he said on CNN, "it's done a hell of a job hiding it tonight, I promise you that."

Pundits and analysts kicked around similar concerns, wondering whether the convention was too positive and not tough enough on John McCain and the Republicans.

My take: given the coordinated efforts to paint Michelle Obama as the angriest woman in America, the program on her night had to be positive. Not only her speech, but her lead-ins. Thus the love-in. Does anyone think that Hillary Clinton's night won't boast some sharper contrasts?

I emailed strategist and CNN talker Alex Castellanos to get his view. "I think tonight was fine," he wrote. "Tonight was defense, [meant to] fix the problems and open the door to Barack Obama for voters, so that tomorrow night they can start herding the voters through it with sharper attacks."

Castellanos offered another explanation for Monday's positive tone: the Kennedy moment. "It was important because it transferred to Obama the moral leadership of the Democratic Party, which the Kennedys -- not Clinton -- hold."

And it appears the conservative strategist was not totally resistant to Michelle Obama's charms, either, adding that she "may have helped a bit."

Comments

[Dlukes]

I must tell you PBS had the best coverage of the Convention, if you are looking for fairness. The commentators provided great historical background about the Democratic and Republican party throughout their coverage last night.


However Carville and the CNN commentators were nasty. They displayed no sense of ture professionalism last night. The first team they selected to cover the convention looked like a hot mess. Donna Brazile was OK. I am sure she would of preferred Hillary. And I can not remember the other chick's name, who is definitely not an Andrea Mitchel. I hope CNN returns to its original goal and that was good Journalism. I remember when CNN was considered a reputable network.

It appears today, that Carville and all the other folks on that station are washed up-and do not know how to position their lives in the 21st Century. It was great when the discussion of Civil Rights was on the table. All the white liberals gathered together and championed for the cause. The Sharpton's and Jackson's all were key figures in the battle. But today, the shift has begun. Social progress is creeping in peoples living rooms, demanding a voice. The Carvilles of the world are not ready. They prefer to march and send money to favorable charities before allowing social progress to make its entry.

[meleon]

Agree. PBS is the most fair and balanced period, and really the only issue I had was with David Brooks and his incessant need to find something to complain about were Obama is concerned. I know he's gonna get my goat regardless so really no big deal.

[DesertLight]

Outside of Michelle and the children, last night was a colossal waste of money.

[Actionmac]

Last night was about Michelle, therefore it was a good night.

But I guess you are like those that said she and Barack have to let people know they are just like them. Then last night and Michelle did just that and what do we hear, that last night did nothing and it was not necessary.

Basically when I hear people like that and rove, I know the right cord was struck. Now that it is done, move to show the difference and what America will be in an Obama Presidency and how it will remain the same in a mccain... more war, high gas prices, barrow and spend this country into the ground, divisive politics, lies, corruption and a disconnect to the needs of the people. This must be hit with smart bomb accuracy and destruction.

When this convention is over we should think of mccain as " a surge, a oil rig, and POW" with nothing to offer the working people.

[editorjuno]

Translation: "It worked and I'm furious."

[ManWithLantern]

Carville is RIGHT!
If the Dems continue to not go after Mcclame and have these "nice" tv moments, we are SUNK in November.
Who the hell got Obama OFF the track which got him here?

[dentuso]

Relax.

Day 1 was about killing the impressions many were given through GOP soundbites and clips, painting them as something other than they are.

This was "Get comfy" day.

The @&$ripping starts today.

[Sonny James]

I agree. Day One was an ice-breaker, no more no less.

[HallStyle]

The Fact is this the Republicans have been putting all these kind of lies out there about Michelle Obama. She had to let the American Public know the truth. And she did a great job of doing just that. Today will be the day that John McBUSH get beat up..

We will see the Democrat attack strategy slowly be revealed. They must portray him as George Bushes 3RD TERM. And they must do it with FACTS. And the fact is that he has agreed with BUSH on everything. And the stuff he didn't agree with BUSH on he has since FLIP FLOPPED HIS OPINION ON. He is not the John McCAIN of 2000.

[fdavidm]

Let me say upfront I really like Carville's anger and frustration, even though I think he's wrong about last night. Carville is feeling what I've been feeling for months now: it's time to kick this professional POW in his ass. Every time a Democrat and a Republican vow to run a clean campaign, one thing is certain: the Republican will run the dirtiest, sleaziest campaign and the Democrat will stand on his principles and get trounced in the process. This is happening with Obama and it's time for Barrack to retaliate with some ads that discuss McCain's apparent senior moments such as when he mixed up Al Quaeda with Sunnis and Shiites and referred to Czechoslovakia. McCain's dumping of his first wife who was severely injured in a car accident at the time should not be off-the-table either. Otherwise Obama will lose running the most high minded presidential campaign ever!

[DCtrain]

lol, sour grapes Carville. Carville isn't a key player in the party anymore, and he has clearly different opinions on how to do things; hence, apparently James' advice and line of thinking is dated... broken... who won the Nomination? who's team was Carville on? I think he should go into acting. Maybe Lord of the Rings wil do a sequel. A more realistic golum would be better than an animation.

[wdw101]

i thought it was funny

[Diane Tucker - Huffpost Blogger]

Too positive? Too negative? Try too BORING. The Dems wasted two hours of prime time television by waiting until 9:30 p.m. to get the party started.

Here's a link to my review:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-tucker/opening-night-at-the-demo_b_121354.html

Now, tell me what YOU think!

[Redrover666]

Spot on. Blindly defending every single thing about your candidate isn't helpful. If Obama supporters were the least bit inclined to give Obama negative feedback when he deserved it, Obama would be doing better against McCain right now.

[honeydiva]

why does your republican behind has so much to say about the democrats convention. go away and wait for 0ld day...if it happens.

[dentuso]

I agree there were points that were boring leading up to Carolyn Kennedy. Pelosi was a complete drag kicking it off.

That said, I think the day was about debunking the inaccessible tag, and I think it was done effectively.

[wdw101]

on this i agree

[KNadine]

Diane, just posted on your link. I thought the Convention was just fine after tuning in to C-SPAN (where I'll watch the rest of the coverage). I'll keep saying it so more people can actually enjoy the Convention without all of the network pundits and their stupid tabloid coverage.

[honeydiva]

can't ....probab­ly would be banned.

[RalphDestinFla]

This is for James (sour grapes) Carville

The Republicans wanted desperately for Sen Clinton to be picked as Sen Obama's running mate. Why? They knew that nobody in politics is hated more than Sen Clinton. There was no doubt in their conniving little minds that had Sen Clinton been Sen Obama's choice, the Hillary haters would emerge in vast numbers to vote against the Democratic ticket in November. Why do you think every talking head with the Letter R after his or her name was complimenting Sen. Clinton during the primary campaign on what a wonderful job she was doing? Why was Rush Limbaugh pushing the "Operation Chaos" program? All of their efforts, to no avail, were calculated to assist Hillary in winning the presidential nomination. Their guile was so transparent during the primary campaign it was laughable, and yes, it was pitiful to watch. They are scared now. The Obama/Biden duo will run over and squash McBush and whomever he picks as his running mate like a Mack truck.
My dream is to see the media holding McCain's feet to the fire just as they have done to Obama. Why should his prisoner of war experience exempt him from criticism?

[DallasMike]

"Operation Chaos" was an effort to prolong the fight so that OB could be exposed for the empty suit he is.

[Dannydel]

DallasMike is from Texas....n­uff said.

[KNadine]

It didn't work. It only made Hillary sad.

[boogygran]

Thanks for your support! O and Joe in '08 & '12 - go Democrats!

[Redrover666]

As a conservative, I was dreading that Obama might put Hillary on his ticket as VP. Obama would have slam dunked the election. Obama has actually gone down in the polls since selecting Biden.

[wdw101]

no, we kept the primary going to let BO and BIllary shoot each other for longer....­..and it worked....­.and it was funny.....­..

[magicmary]

Have we as a nation always been this crotchety?

[honeydiva]

0ld white men have never been in danger of not being the front man.

[larmarch5]

Hmmmmm. I think all you attackers of Carville's comments are faking it. You didn't tune in last night did you? Or if you did, you thought, good grief this is boring. Carville said it: This was 25% of the convention. Except for Michelle (20 minutes) and Uncle Teddy (10 minutes) it was wasted.

So posters, tell me what you thought was especially inspiring in the other four and a half hours.

I'm still apalled at starting the program with a bleeping panel discussion.

[WillNYC]

CNN was too busy talking during the other parts of the convention­...

[loucreattie]

Jesse Jackson Jr was a good speech as well.

[fnygy]

If Carville was critical - it means it was a successful night. For him - it's personal - always. As a Clintonite, he's no longer on the A List and it irks him. He and Mary are used to playing both sides of the fence successfully. This time, he backed the wrong horse. He'll continue to undermine Obama every chance he gets. I say good riddance to bad rubbish - and that means both of them.

[Dannydel]

The Carvilles are...the Anti-Cleavers.

[rageagainstmachine]

Let's contrast Carville's comments with Paul Begala's shall we? Paul Begala's HufPo commentary today, whether you agree with him or not, was actually helpful. Carville? - he just comes across as sour grapes. He's not in control anymore so rather than applying that political intellect of his to working behind the scenes to help the Democratic Party (his party presumably) claim the White House, he sits on the sidelines throwing rocks. Goodness - Begala is at least capable of seeing the bigger picture - Carville can't seem to see past his own ego...

[Redrover666]

Does absolutely anyone who criticizes Obama or his campaign make you guys angry? Just asking.

[xenofile]

Was that angry?
I didn't think so. It seems to me, you're looking for evidence for a conclusion you've already reached.

[wdw101]

no one could possibly hate BO without being a racist

[RushLiberal]

Carville is a WALB - Whiny Arse Little Baby!

Grow Up!

[tandrmcdonald]

I used to respect James Carville, even laughed at some of his folksy-isms, and figured him as the reincarnation of Ann RIchards. Ah, dear me,.
The old adage rephrased : regret like revenge is a dish best served cold. Jimmy boy, you let us down. You sound like a bitter old man who just lost his soapbox. Hillary Clinton didn't win because she insulted those who might have supported her. It was that ugly 3 AM phone call commercial and the lies about ducking bullets in Bosnia. She lost my respect, then she lost my vote. Get over it.

[FirstShirt]

Talk about Trolls. You democrats used to salivate over Carville. A man who denigrated a woman who had been abused by Clinton by saying you could get a woman like that by tying a hundred dollar bill on a string and dragging it through a trailer park. You create these liberal monsters. Now deal with them.

[treklady]

Imitating the republicans modus operandi seems to be working since you are here spewing your two cents.

[DaOne]

Carville, what's feel like to be on the outside looking in?

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh Waaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaahh­h

[Redrover666]

Actually, Carville is a highly successful political strategist. Obama's team are wannabe's.

[dentuso]

...which explains perfectly why Carville, Wolf son and Penn, with all the money, the brand, the network, and twenty years head start lost to O's wannabe political strategists.

Great point.