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

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

My favorite part was Kerry's tribute to and introduction of Barack's Great Uncle who helped liberate Buchenwald in WWII, and when Michelle, who was seated next to him, helped him to his feet and hugged and kissed him with tears in her eyes. It was such a poignant moment for those of us who are interracial or in interracial families considering how much the Repugs have tried to paint her as a hateful bigot--which really breaks our hearts. America got a true view into our lives, families and hearts.

[BARRISTER]

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

[abigail1]

I could not agree with you more!

[justobserve]

Yes, it's a moving moment to be cherished.

[trinidadgirl]

As Arianna said it ...Michelle, michelle, michelle!

[Gusto2]

I agree with you. I'm a veteran of 21 years in the Army and tears came from my eyes as I watched Michelle help him, kiss him and then cried. But the corporate media did not show that on there screens only C-SPAN did. What a shame. But again, just watch then cover McCain war story and all the guest he have. Just watch. the world is also noticing the difference. I have friends from many countries I served in during my time in the military that are calling me and exposing the difference in coverage. This is a shame.

[joanVA]

Thanks for the tip on the C-Span, I missed the Kerry moment.

[blueroses70]

It was his only chance to appear before the bitter Hillary loyalists who will boycott his speech for their own insane reasons, but I'm not sure it will matter for them, anyway. It was also his only chance to appear in the actual convention hall, which I think is actually important, and was also a way to show a united front with Clinton, Kerry, Biden, etc. on the same night, which is also important.

[Night]

There are 6 of them left.

Who cares about them. Next week there won't even be enough of them to spell out a puma sign.

[rubinoff]

Yeah, i agree....also, that word, bitter' must have registered true with some folks and that's why they were in an uproar about it. lol

[wildflowermaven]

Yeah, someone on the TV this morning made the point that it was his chance to personally thank Bill and Hillary for their speeches, which was a smart move. He and Joe seem to make a good team.

[Trinidad707]

I can't believe all these posters are so stupid not to see how rigged this whole nomination has been.......Just remember leave out states your opponant is beating you in and you can get the popular vote....then put thoose states back in after they suspend their campaign...then during the voting which had already been done in the morning beforee the tevised version....leave out a few more statess she had alot of delegates in ...lets see Ca is at the beginning of the alphabet so we will merely pass.............but everything at Illinois and beyond will be forfeited...especially the other two big states your opponant did well in Ca Tx and NY. If you have to do this...by the way , you haven't actually won....you just changed the rules so you couldn't lose.....this is the change candidate

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

I gather from your post you think Obama unlawfully manipulated the nomination and will steal the election--just like a NeoCon! That must thrill you. I take it he has your vote and loyal devotion?

[FirstShirt]

Well, we have a presidential nominee with no foreign policy experience and a VP to balance the ticket. And, we have a philosophy of an activist VP to handle much of the foreign policy analysis for the ignorant president. I'm talking about Bush and Cheney. I bet you thought I meant Obama and Joe.

[zippywpinhead]

Hey Night- looks like the POOMA's are down to five now- unless silly Trini is posting this nonsense from Denver, lol. Have a nice flight, POOMA...

[justobserve]

"your opponant did well in Ca Tx and NY":
Remember Hillary herself said superdelegates can vote for whoever they want? so even though she won those states, it seems she knew that they didn't vote for her and the roll call forfeited was decided by her as well. It was not Obama's decision alone. As Hillary asked: "are you in it FOR ME or for those people...". You decide: either you vote for Hillary or for your own interests that Obama will be fighting for YOU?.

[trinidadgirl]

still being overly intellectual?

[Gusto2]

Trinidadgirl, I'm also from the region of the world you are from, so PLEASE get over it. Tehy both ran a touch campaign, He was victorious and you and your gang cannot impose your wishes on the rest of us. If you don't want to support him fine, that your decision and we all respect it, but PLEASE MOVE ON. Go vote for McCain, whom is the TOTAL opposite of Hillary's policies and who will setback women issues back to the STONE AGE. GO AHEAD VOTE FOR MCCAIN, BUT PLEASE MOVE ON GET A LIFE.

[milo9]

A little too stagey, if overused it will not wear well.

[Jon Raymond - Huffpost Blogger]

It's such a dog and pony show. They're telling us everything we want to hear.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

Got any more pithy pearls of wisdom tonight or are you about tapped out?

[Night]

Gripping stuff. Great insight.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

LOL! I guess he is a graduate of the Terse & Taciturn School of Grand Pooh Bah Bloggers!

[debrouillard]

Because u know a pot is black,doent meant some body has to say its white.

[trinidadgirl]

And sir, what specifically do you want to hear?

[FirstShirt]

Look, Jon. I'm a republican and I think it is a good show. We already knew the nominee and the Veep. Beyond that it is a time for the hard core dems to get together and party. So what? We already know the issues and we have taken sides. Nothing left but the election. Vote McCain.

[hillgirl03]

I thought it was a nice move too for the delegates, etc -- some of them I'm sure won't be able (or want) to go to Mile High. It was nice for those party faithful.

[ThirdSection]

I thought that rather than upstaging Biden's speech, Obama's appearance served to punctuate it. Then that moment when they were both on the floor together gave me a good look at what the next administration will look like, and it felt perfect.

I should add that the more I learn about Joe Biden, the more I like him.

[Willowy]

I got out of my chair and hollered! My neighbor came over and we discussed the entire day at the convention.

You know, she was going to vote for McCain. She's a friend, she saw what I was doing here locally for the Obama campaign (just small stuff like passing out buttons and stickers and ringing our neighbors doorbells, and she wondered.

She started coming over after she'd see Obama make a speech or after I went to a meeting here in our small town. The more she started paying attention to Barack, the more she liked what she saw, and the more disillusioned she became with McCain.

We are watching his acceptance speech tomorrow at HER house, and both her and her husband are now voting Barack!

Visibility/education is all important, is key. We have two more votes just because she was curious. Dig that.

[InfiniteShibumi]

Great story!

[joanVA]

I do the phone banks too, in a heavily Republican county (went 3-1 Clinton and 3-1 Huckabee in the primary ). The convention has inspired me to make more call and wear my Obama shirt everyday! Next week, I hope to register some new voters--they are the ones most likely to vote Obama in this area.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

I can dig it! Thank you and keep up the Great Work!

[tlgeiger62]

GREAT story...thanks for sharing. This is a wonderful illustration of the very special nature of this campaign. I've been doing my level best to 'educate' without 'cramming'. That's what they mean by 'grassroots' movement. Keep it goin'!!

O/B'08

[lizinatl]

Doesn't it feel good to be involved?!

I work phone banks and voter registration with others here who support him and we're always so inspired to hear the reaction of those we speak to...

Being INVOLVED! that's the part that feels so GOOD!! we are all here to serve.....do something....

[rageagainstmachine]

You go Willowy! You do your thing! Taking America back, one family at a time!

[dataguy]

I thought it went well. You always are a little apprehensive, since a flub in an unscripted high-profile moment can be big. But it was fine, and he knew just how long to go.

[Bobzmcishl]

That was a great move. The convention has gone well - it's interesting to see the Republican spin which the cable networks are overdoing - you can tell they are jealous of the Democratic Party lineup. Next week the Republican's have to figure out how fast they can get Bush and Cheney off the stage.

[SugarMan]

LOL @Next week the Republican's have to figure out how fast they can get Bush and Cheney off the stage.
True.
But seriously, this is the first time I have EVER watched 3 days worth of any political convention. Barak Obama has renewed everyone's interest again. - finally someone to have a little hope in.

[zippywpinhead]

I agree, they're normally the cure for insomnia. And yes, it is nice to actually see people excited- first time in way too long...

[CitizenInformed]

Me too. I'm not sure if I've ever watched a political convention...certainly not the entire thing like this year. The Dem convention has been inspiring.

I'm curious how the Repubs will respond...probably just more fear-mongering, because what else do they have? Clearly their policies are not beneficial to the masses.

[trinidadgirl]

Screen out the cable! Too much nattering, overspeculation and excess time filling.
My mute is a gift!

[mawrm]

I agree - the Obama drop in was icing on the cake to a terrific day at the convention. The Obama campaign helped plan this convention brilliantly, having it build from a "soft start" with Michelle Obama, then rising into a crescendo with Hillary, Bill, Biden, to the big finish tomorrow. Those pundits who were complaining that the Dems weren't hitting McCain hard enough on the first day have been shown to be idiots because they didn't understand the full picture. That's why news organizations need to learn to ditch the pundits and their idiotic opinions and instead focus on reporting the actual facts and letting people come to their own conclusions.

[cobobs]

I thought I had pretty good political instincts, but I have been humbled so many times by the Obama team, that I have learned to stop judging and just watch and marvel at this masterful, historical campaign.

[trinidadgirl]

mawrm- Plus they have ruined it with 'their take' and the over analysing and nitpicking every issue.
MSM has now become a kind of sabotage, carrier of bad news. Far too much negative reporting which is not too uplifting for the pysche.
Every night for the last 6 months we have had the same old people with the same old thoughts.
Some creative visioning needs to be injected into tall the programming which all have the same
formats.

[HC4BO]

Yes We Can !!!

[PALinda]

"twas a beautiful moment.

[AdvancedDegree]

Yes, it was. I was moved to tears. Especially, when Joe was talking about the wisdom of "mama" Biden. And when Obama showed up and all of the Biden family came onto the stage, I lost it. I have never felt more like an American in my life.

[rubinoff]

It truly was a beautiful moment....this is what my/your/our country is all about, land that I love.