Why Obama's Drop-in Was A Smart Move

With President Bill Clinton a reported no-show for Barack Obama's acceptance speech tomorrow, this was the nominee's one shot to congratulate him in person on his address. Smart move. (As was his reference to the 1992 slogan "putting people first," a nice nod to the legacy Clinton is reported to be concerned about.)

The counter-argument, of course, is that Obama has been a touch too over-exposed of late, and that his surprise appearance might have upstaged Sen. Joe Biden's prime-time debut as vice presidential nominee.

The first count can be dismissed, I think, since we know Obama can be over-exposed even when he's on vacation. If we're going to have Obama-centric coverage, it's better for Democrats to have his loose, affable matter (e.g., Hillary "rocked the house") be part of that instead of leaving all the definition of Obama to the McCain campaign oppo team.

And Biden's speech, well-written though it was, contained enough verbal tics that it might have fallen just short of taking the night to a satisfying finish on its own. Obama's completion of the circuit not only allowed America to see all the constituent parts of the Democratic Party on the stage at once, but did the same for Democrats. After two days of programming at the Pepsi Center that, at times, felt oddly indifferent, Wednesday's energizing close was likely a change that more than a few delegates were waiting for.

Comments

[serena1313]

I thought Obama's surprise drop-in was great. His timing was just right. He said hello, congratulated Joe, honoured the Clintons and basically left without overshadowing Biden's night. Obama showing his support and appreciation which ended the night on a perfect pitch.

This is the first convention I've ever watched. So maybe Iam not as "cynical" as some, but I prefer the way the democrats drew differences without attacking McCain's character (of what I watched) whereas in contrast McCain attacks Obama's character, his patriotism and practically accuses him of treason. Having done so McCain lost my respect.

Furthermore McCain thinks his experience should be respected, but does not respect the experience of others. He has continually tried to steal the limelight all week -- he could not wait until it was his turn. Traditionally each party stays in the background out of respect. Not McCain.

Lastly McCain is oblivious to this historic moment. The disrespect, self-centeredness and pettiness McCain engages in says a whole lot more about who he is as a person. And that tells me he is not someone who will lead our country honourably. And that matters, a lot!

[proudliberal4truth]

I thought Oba.mas surprise entry was perfectly timed and coreographed. As for the rest of the convention, I started out watching MSNBC exclusively but quickly discovered I was missing a LOT of the content watching Mr. Green Hair (Matthews) and Keith switch from talking head to talking head. It's amazing how these people think we are more interested in what THEY think is going on, than in what is being actually said. Then I discovered CSPAN and my whole world changed :)

[walk0nwalls]

GOOD DEAR GOD OF ALL THAT IS HOLY THE WORD IS "CHOREOGRAPHED"

[janice1227]

I just hope the unregistered youth vote becomes the registered youth vote. It will mean certain victory over McCain - theirs is the generation that will feel the full heat of another GOP regime if they let Obama slip away simply because they didn't get around to voting. Every young person, and particularly every young person of color should want to be part of this incredible historic election. With Obama in the White House I firmly believe we will finally be the America we can and should be: free, fair and respected.

[radical1]

WONDERFUL CONVENTION, BEST I'VE EVER SEEN OR HEARD. I remember listening to them on the radio many years ago. I love the Democratic Conventions & now sit glued to my digital TV, not wanting to miss a word. I'll leave my TV & radio OFF for most of the Slimey, Magot Infested Cess Pool that (same description)Bush, Cheney & McBush will put on. How wonderful also to be without commercials most of three hours. PBS was good, less analysts, but I'm more tired than ever of those talking heads making news by "what should be", "what could be," "what should be said," what wan't said," "who should say what," and other non-news baloney.

I'm hoping that God is punishing the Repubs, Bush & McCain & Brownie for Katrina and I pray that this Hurricame that is heading for The Gulf Coast will not harm anyone in New Orleans or any of the coast, but will create enough distraction to ruin the Republican Convention. Wouldn't that be a God send?

[Petesdaddy]

Verbal tics aside, it played very well to a huge segment of America that is used to hearing George Bush's non-sequitors and blunders. I was much more focused on the message than how he spoke it.

[MalamuteMan]

I really hate this "everything has to be just sooooo perfect" to get a passing grade routine...

[lawchic]

I agree. My God, the man has overcome a speech impediment and gave one of the most rousing speeches that I have seen, but analysts are chomping at the bit to pick it apart. I didn't know much about Joe Biden since I haven't really paid much attention to politics in the past. But the speech gave me a good feel for who he is, and what he brings to the ticket. Mission accomplished in my book.

[UnbiasView]

You tackle all the tough topics don't you?

Is Obama being at his own convention smarter than him being in another city sitting on some family's couch watching it like you and me? Of course.

[BottomLine2008]

It was a good idea because it was an obvious idea. It wasn't a surprise.

[Jon Raymond - Huffpost Blogger]

Obama is all about appearances.

[DRaymond]

Conventions are all about appearances, in case you haven't noticed.

Obama wanted a side-by-side photo-op with Clinton, or maybe the other way around. Who cares.

The bottom line is that Obama has less to worry about embracing Clinton on stage than McCain does with Bush.

[IndependentTogether]

If you anything at all about politics, you'd realize that your comment makes absolutely no sense. In politics, hardly anything is at it seems. However, Obama's popularity can be attributed to the fact that he is as close to what he appears to be as any politician in recent memory. The people who support him know this. So does his opposition; that's why his opponents are reduced to silly and pointless attacks.

[MalamuteMan]

Well said!!!

[11907281]

For some people, when your fighter loses the title you generally hope the guy who took it loses to anyone.

[elr50]

And McCain is all about, "I WAS A PRISONER OF WAR!!! PITY ME."

[11907281]

I think it would serve you well to read this -

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/cable-news-covers-the-dnc_b_122176.html

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

McCain is all about the appearance of appearances!

[parledy]

So tonight watch the Speech and then wait for the Republicans to email the reporters and then you will know how you felt about the Speech.

[OlderBudWeiser]

C-SPAN. No pundits, no spin.

[prejteach2]

This is what liberals do......we eat our own by criticizing and over analyzing. Don't we get enough hate from the right? Why do we encourage them? It was great and leave it at that

[bloodyhands]

Second that. Very refreshing.

[Rivercs]

I've been watching it on my computer - I get the live feed from demconvention.com with no talking heads, no interruptions, and no commercials. I've also been watching it on Dish Network, which is doing a live feed from the convention on a special channel with no talking heads, no interruptions, and no commercials. It's been great.

[Political Know How]

Please can anyone post an original comment. Every blogger has jumped on the band wagon and asserted (in the most unoriginal fashion):

1. The convention thus far hasn't attacked McCain enough
2. Biden's speech wasn't the best
3. Hillary could have praised Barack more

yadda yadda yadda

Can anyone think for themselves anymore? Or are the bloggers just rushing to be the first to post something, anything online.

It's so unoriginal.

Give credit were credit is do. The convention was about unifying the party, the very thing that bloggers obsessed about up until this point. Now that the convention is nearly over and that has been accomplished, you all are complaining that Dems aren't acting like Repubs enough and giving the crowd some "red meat." Since when have Repubs become the standard for good political fare? I'm glad Barack isnt' like McCain. I'm glad his surrogates aren't foaming at the mouth and attacking anything with a (R) behind it. This is a new day that requires a new type of politics.

You're never satisfied.

[Dailyfare]

Amen. All you hear is yak yak yak from the nervous nellies. If every other Democrat knows how to win, then why aren't they the nominee?

Nervous Dems are forgetting what their nominee has accomplished over the past 19 months; they are not giving their nominee credit for ANYTHING.

Hellooooo!!!!!

One imagines that Dems would criticize the Resurrection at this point. (OMG! He just left. Without a word. How dare he! That is so insensitive! He should have traveled on a magic carpet to support the union weavers. OMG OMG OMGaaaaaaaad!!!!!!)

[chaoticfat]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I thought I was the only one who felt this way. We say we want change but when it's given, then Dems do as they always do and complain about it. If America is still so stupid that they fall for the Republican smoke screen again, then we deserve exactly what we get. For instance, a war with Iran and Russia; reversal of Roe v. Wade, a completely failed economy, $10 a gallon gas, a larger deficit and an all around suckier country. If you think this country's infrastructure can stand another 4 years, then vote for McCain and the next time you cross a bridge pray it doesn't collapse.

The Repubs have had 16 years to show us their Contract with America; look at the contract you signed idiots.

Be well, CF

[wdw101]

ok i will vote for McCain....... thank you for your input...

[MalamuteMan]

Oh man... DID YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!
Seth Colter Walls" choice to write about this topic at all suggests that the bloggers are running low on content... probably because there are too many of them...

Do we have to analyze every teensy tinsy little detail... Do we have to have the pros and cons on EVERYTHING!!!

[lawchic]

My thoughts exactly. Its just like the coverage of Obama's overseas trips. Pundits were literally breathless waiting for him to gaffe it up, and when he didn't they slammed him for that too. Now, after weeks of debating about all of the drama that was supposed to go down with the roll call vote and the Clintons, convention organizers managed to pull off a pretty seemless convention with several memorable moments, and people still complain.

As much as I am excited about tonight, I am pained to read the coverage of Obama's speech. No matter what he or his campaign does, people will find a way to slam it. I'm all about constructive criticism, but paying this close attention to the election season reveals that Dems shoot their own selves in the foot by the constant squabbling, back fighting, complaining, and low expectations.

Sheesh. I am officially an independent now.

[demfriend]

Unless you elect John McCain nothing will happen overnight and the changes we want will take time as it has taken 8 plus years to get into the mess we are in. I say 8 plus because I believe Greenspan is greatly at fault for the collapse too of the housing and bank/savings and loans. It will be hard not to get discouraged as the government we have moves slowly when we use it the right way and not how Bush ahs manipulated it. That is why I say things will be slow unless McCain wins. He wll be as Bush has a radical right turn into never ending wars wherever he can make them. He's a hawk who can been seen with the twinkle in his eyes whenever war or military is mentioned. Like bush and cheney mac cares very little about the state of the military we have now and will never be the supporter people want to believe he is of the military if he was he would have voted for many of the bills he did not for the vets and troops to have a better life. He did not support the new GI Bill which will give so many a new and better life when they are allowed to leave the military and the stop loss crap is done.

[Clemmieo]

Actually I think Senator Obama's appearance had something to do with deflecting some of the mumblings going around that his appearance before a huge audience tonight in a venue holding up to 80M makes him look too much like a celebrity. He made a point of telling the Democratic gathering that he wanted as many people as wanted to to be able to get in to see him. I think it was a wise move on his part to show up with Biden, then.

[quest44]

I thought the whole convention so far was a success in untiting the party and allowing those who didn't know Obama to get a better picture of the real man and not all the smear propaganda they have read.I thought Obama showing up was a great idea whether planned or not it brought the attention back to the two people this convention was all about ,,the Nomination of Obama as the Democrats candidate for President and the nomination of Joe Biden as Obama's Vice Presidential choice as his running mate ! It was a wonderful close to what was a great night !