Jeff Toobin Rips McCain Speech: "Shockingly Bad," Worst Since Carter In 1980

CNN Senior Analyst and New Yorker magazine columnist Jeff Toobin didn't mince words in his reaction to John McCain's acceptance speech.

Shortly after McCain's speech wrapped up, Toobin told Wolf Blitzer:

I thought it was the worst speech by a nominee that I've heard since Jimmy Carter in 1980.

I thought it was disorganized, themeless, I thought it was very, very boring until the end when he started talking about his personal story, which is, of course, remarkable and always important to hear. I personally cannot remember a single policy proposal that he made because they had nothing connecting them. I found it shockingly bad.

Toobin did praise Sarah Palin's speech from Wednesday night, however, and noted the difference between the two.

Watch:

Comments

[Raco]

Toobin is correct. A really bad speech. We have got to get away from this self-imposed Palen trap and go head to head with McCain. Never underestimate your political enemy. The Republicans are not stupid, and if we think they are, we can be had, and the country will suffer.

[devaney]

Jeff is the only reason I watch CNN. Again, way to go Jeff!

[Chuckwheat]

He may as well have been reading "My Pet Goat" as a bedtime story,
once in a while looking up to give a strangled smile at the dozing audience.

[Gina322]

LMAO! This is hilarious!

[JumpingCholla]

Was it worse than usual? I didn't think so. Well, maybe it was. He shouted a lot. Hmm, I can't be sure. He always sounds the same to me- high-pitched, nasal, and kind of "shrill". Were there more lies in this speech, more character assassinations, more POW stories? Well, now that Jeff Toobin mentioned it, "yup yup".

[MarkInEugene]

Thanks Jeff T for being honest. I felt he same way. The man is not articulate and inspiring. He is just like George Bush in this regard: boring, themeless, and his words have nothing behind them. I sense no passion or sincerity, just a candidate who must begrudgingly speak at an engagement.

The world and this country so needs an inspiring and hope instilling US President after the last 8 years of embarassing moments with the worst president in US history.

I hope that Americans don't put the nation and the world through another 4 years of mediocrity.

[mamacat]

I usually don't think along the lines of Anderson, but this time I do. It seems like Rove spent all of his time with the nut-job, and intentionally ignored McSame.

[luvienne]

Mccain's camp think Americans aren't paying attention.Wrong. We will not be fed Republican spin.

[LAB10]

When all those millions tuned in for the BIG speech, just what did they see and hear? A boring old guy who messed up a lot and proclaimed the biggest flip flop yet---McBush has decided to change, too. It was pretty sad. I couldn't believe the first visual was that purky old green again, but that's what you get, just more of the same old stuff.

[Mattie]

Toobin is so in love with Obama that he puts Olbermann to shame. During the primary he called Hillary Clinton a witch on the air. That's fair and impartial journalism for you, CNN needs to find someone who can be fair, that isn't Toobin. When he called her a witch, I thought he would get reprimanded or fired, but nope he was on the air the next day spreading more hate toward HIllary, it's just sickening to watch. If he said it was bad, it was probably ok, I'm not a huge McCain fan, but I'd rather vote for someone who gives a bad speech, but gets a lot done, than someone who is only known for giving speeches and accomplishing nothing. What did Obama do as a Senator besides start to run for president.

[mamacat]

Yes indeed, we should hold CNN up to the same standards that we do Fox.

[Truye]

What standards?

[Ides]

Borger's there to kiss McCain's butt, Toobin's there to kick it. Of course, they replaced Toobin with a Republican because Cafferty's job is to take a spiked bat to that booty on a daily basis and all that beatdown was getting too much for the old man.

[Truye]

Obama did a lot as a senator actually. He has sat on many committees and subcommittees and sponsored/co-sponsored several bills.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400629

[LisaO4]

Finally someone who will tell it like it is or should I say was...Noonan and Murphy also had it right when they got caught on an open mic. Funny how they have disappeared now. Keep telling it like it is Toobin - now you must get Palin to answer a few questions - don't let us down - the media failed us before the Iraq War...too much is at stake to let it happen again.

[Stirner]

A few good moments in the McCain talk were presented by the interruptions by some brave veterans and Paulites. Of course they were soon out-decibeled by super-patriotic flag-wavers chanting "U-S-A-U-S-A, on and on. These "patriots" will deserve just what they get: Another Mideast war led by none other than the little old fellow who declares that he puts "Country ahead of Party." One is tempted to ask, "Which country?"

[CaliTLC]

Way to go Jeff!!

[marymansour]

Bill Maher had him on last night. Toobin is a winner!

[Mattie]

did you spell whiner wrong!

[Ides]

I believe it's spelled "pwner."

[RedKnuckles]

Perfect combination: His speech was "shockingly bad" and watched by over 38 million.

[bigironal25]

Everybody likes to look at horrible accidents!