Obama's Columns At Invesco Stir GOP

The McCain campaign is ecstatic over this report from Reuters: "Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's big speech on Thursday night will be delivered from an elaborate columned stage resembling a miniature Greek temple."

By noon, three emails mocking Obama over the columns had been blasted out by the Republican National Committee, with more sure to come.

The Obama campaign is mostly silent on the issue, eager not to spoil any surprises for Thursday night. But one convention official said that the columns are meant to reference Washington DC, not ancient Greece, a fact that will become clear as the program unfolds in the lead up to Obama's speech.

In the meantime, ThinkProgress has posted photos from the 2008 Virginia Republican Convention, which also used columns as a backdrop.

And HuffPost blogger Bob Cesca has an impressive collection of photos of John McCain posing in front of columns.

Comments

[Skepticat]

Government buildings with Greco-Roman columns abound in the USA - it should be relatively easy to
get footage of Republicans standing in front of pillars - now onto the next distraction.

[k6007]

Funny, when fox flashed the set on 'friends' I didn't see any columns....looked like the outside of a building, to me.

[oscartucker]

I am so sick of all of the "knitpicking" of the Republicans. They are determined to bring all of the ole stuff into this convention, which is not theirs to bring. The more I listen to Pat Buchannan, Joe Scarborough, and other Reps, the more I see that they are still living in the "old times"(Pat B couldn't understand the use of text messaging;he constantly talks about 1968 and Ronald Reagan, and Scarborough says what he would do, as if someone has asked or would ask him.) Everyday they are critical of all that's being done at the Democratic Convention and continue to comment about "what the Republicans would have done". Monday was a "lost night", Tuesday should have had "more red meat", and Wednesday should have had "more red meat", and for tonight they are all laughing at the "columns" and saying Obama "just needs to wear a toga". Not once have I seen pictures, of which there are many, of McCain standing near columns. There are criticisms of what people are wearing, saying, and doing. None of these old wind bags will be asked to give any advice at the Repub convention. Win or lose, I am so glad that Obama will be able to say "I DID IT MY WAY." I appreciate Obama's listening to his staff and sticking to their game plan.

[MajorKong]

It's what they do. If it wasn't the columns they'd have picked something else to throw a collective hissy fit over. These are the same people who made a big deal about arugula.

[metalpipe]

The Republicans will lose terribly this year, and should be given at least a small amout of nurturing after the elections. Obama is correct in his assumption that we must ALL be together in this country's revival. Let's allow their childish behavior, remembering that it is JUST THAT.

How do you treat a child when it behaves this way, testing out mean hearted nonsence and petulent behavior? Do you immediately reach out and strike them, with harsh and critical words, or do you patiently wait for the episode/behavior to abate, and quickly inject firm and loving guidance to instruct them on how to behave in the future. Yes, I think the latter, and you do this again and agian until they catch on.

The Republican party seems full of people who are (at least) under-educated, under loved, and very young in a spiritual sence. It is our job as their brothers and sisters to help them grow into functioning adults, physically and spiritually. Our lives are the measure of how much we love the least of us.

[vsign]

I want American politics to be a thinking person's sport - not an emotional experience remembered inside a sports arena.

I detest Obama's rallies. He appeals to the wrong side of our nature.

[ihavehope]

Yeah...there should have more rallies at German sausage houses, instead!

[metalpipe]

LOL, best on this thread

[MajorKong]

So you'd rather vote for the candidate you'd most like to have a beer with?

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Who the h3ll are you to determine what side of "my" nature I want O to appeal to?


Please, you are one of those who never had any intention of voting for him. Next

[madhatter123]

Perhaps you missed the reason why Obama is holding his rally at Invesco Stadium. Per his words last night, and a central theme of his candidacy, he wanted to open it to up to the many - not just the few. Are you jealous that this incredible speaker who now owns a place in American history regardless if he becomes POTUS or not, can draw thousands and inspire thousands of people to believe there just might be a chance to reclaim the American dream? I don't know what world you are living in, but the majority of us WANT to believe we can progress our lives once again.

[shelobo]

Define the 'Wrong' side of YOUR nature , please.His appeal seems to be contagious and MILLIONS find the meaning of his words VERY appealing.The rights ,the lives and the future of AMERICANS is not a sport !You did prove one thing by your comment ,Politics certianly is NOT YOUR sport! Have YOU considered takeing up TABLE TENNIS?

[iamlevi]

I predict that this set will be one of the great mistakes of the Obama campaign. It doubles down on the caricature that the Republicans have been effectively using to undermine Obama's credibility--he's too arrogant, he's a celebrity, he thinks he's the messiah, he thinks he's already president. This will be a Dukakis-in-a-tank moment x 1000. He couldn't have done anything worse if he tried. As a donor and ardent supporter, I feel personally betrayed. I feel like curling up into a ball in the corner. Fellow progressives, prepare yourselves for the sudden and humiliating collapse of the campaign of the first serious black presidential candidate in history. God help us all.

[sd4peace]

If you are a donor or supporter, then I am Donald Duck

[metalpipe]

He may be a supporter, but is 'ye of little faith'. Buck up iamlevi, it's gonna be OK.

[MajorKong]

Huh? You make it sound like he bit the head off a live puppy on stage and drank it's blood while simultaneously urinating on a cross - with burning American flags providing back lighting.

[iamlevi]

haha, yeah i sort of did. But seriously, there's going to be some major backlash. Prepare yourselves.

[k6007]

Have you even seen the set, or are you parroting rightwing talking points.

[booksnmore4you]

I think you forgot your meds today.

[shelobo]

You should have READ the articles and did MORE research BEFORE you did a typical McCain off the wall comment ,does your p/c not show graphics , because take a GOOD LOOK at what McCain is standing in front of in the picture above !Is this all the republicans can do,cry and whine like babies ?I'm so glad I vote INDEPENDANT ,and left the republicans stuck in their time warp.Oh well it happens when a Alzhimers sufferer gets loose and wanders around in a different world than they lived in 40 years ago!.

[CJGibson]

ZOMG!!! NOT COLUMNS!!1!

[RobChattaTN]

well, i was gonna say that the 'pugs were mad 'cause they didn't think of it first (using columns), but turns out they DID! typical shoot-from-the-hypocracy we've all come to expect...! (hey, maybe i should copyright that phrase!)

[SuiginTou7]

Desperation it anything and everything . I guess with their convention looking more and more as a flop, they have this need to spoil ours. Nice try, but with the last few days, The democratic convention went beyond expectations.

[patricklehman]

As a sometime event planner, the columns may also have a practical application. They're going to want to do a confetti/ or balloon drop, which is tough is such a huge space. The columns may be the delivery system for such an effect. Not that I want to spoil the right wingers nazi rally accusations.

[AlwaysFairDem]

How about Bush's acceptance speech here....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTHdhft42Ic

Shall we say there is a double standard to criticize Obama with the littlest things? I guess Republicans are like Aliens transported by UFO from a different planet.

[oscartucker]

The Republicans never look back at pictures or tapes that show that they have done the very same thing. They are sickening! ! ! They can look at Google or Youtube. Oh, what do they care? They know what's been done, but it's okay with them. HYPOCRITS! ! !

[ProfessorDuh]

Maybe somebody should inform the Republicans that the Greeks invented democracy. Oh, that's right. The real problem here is that the Republicans LOATHE democracy.

[booksnmore4you]

Hear hear!

[gcallaghan]

What Mcpow needs to revive any slim chance he has of winning is some mojo. Why doesn't borrow UU's? It's not like he's using it.

[LaFilleEnRose]

As Bill Clinton said, the Republicans finally got the opportunity -- with a Repug Pres and Congress -- to enact all that they believe. And we got to see how God awful their beliefs are. They sound tough but when we have to live with them...well our lives are a misery. So John McCain can't talk about issues like we are. He's left with character assassination. We just have to keep beating that drum that Bill Clinton started. The Republican policies are deadly. And we won't let them get away with stupid personal attacks anymore. They have to have their policies tied around their necks like millstones. POLICIES ARE CHARACTER.

[ProfessorDuh]

An excellent analysis.

[LeaderofMen]

LOL!! The GOP knows that rural America and fundamentalist Christians are completely unaware of where Democracy originated.

The GOP is totally aware that their base knows nothing about civics, has never read the Constitution, is unaware of what's in their Bibles and is most likely addicted to at least one drug or negative emotion.

This is why they have such a huge following. They rely on negatives and ignorance.

[booksnmore4you]

This is just too true and it bodes terribly for our future. The future of all of us.

[rlkinny]

Today -- the 45th anniversary -- http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/dc1.htm

[rlkinny]

Pssst -- notice the columns. Looks like the Republicans can't recognize the Lincoln Memorial.