DNC Diary: Michelle, Michelle, Michelle
Michelle's speech was a home run. Emotional, heartfelt, and very authentic. On a night where Ted Kennedy passed the Democratic Party's moral baton, Michelle picked it up and ran with it -- evoking RFK's famous evocation of George Bernard Shaw ("Some men see things as they are...") by talking about the world as it is vs the world as it should be. The cutest, laden with meta-meaning line of the night, however, came from Michelle's brother who revealed that even though, as children, they were only allowed to watch one hour of television a night Michelle had still managed to memorize every episode of that iconic rendering of American family life, The Brady Bunch. Lucky for Team Obama that the show she memorized wasn't Gilligan's Island or Green Acres. Michelle, Michelle, Michelle...
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The most sincere moment of the entire night were the children talking to their Dad. The rest felt entirely too calculated and purpose driven, not real. After the thousandth time you use "dreams and hopes" people grow numb. The phrase was used so much for one second I closed my eyes and saw scary looking guys in ties and straw hats and thought the Republican convention had started.
I could not disagree more. Michelle Obama gave a tremendous speech and his it out of the park. She could run for office in her own right. She epitomizes what is best about America. After eight years of the most depressing presidential administration in our times, hearing hope and change sounded great to me. Michelle is the real deal and that came through loud and clear last night.
Well said, Bob.
The Captain of the Titanic was also very eloquent as the ship was going down...
The bush/cheney ship has already sunk and McCain is the best barnacle they can come up with to try and raise it again.
History will prove Bush/Cheney among the best we have ever had.
and the Titanicis going down - Obama has a negative bounce in the polls after Biden and Michelle. John McCain is on his way.
We'll see, won't we?
I'm ready to fight!
Yes, because Michelle, a woman not running for any office, is responsible for keeping anything from sinking...
Isn't it pitiful that everything in all the campaigns (obviously, especially McCain's) is aimed at manipulating a VERY ignorant America? It's frightening.
Oh so true
Only someone completely ignorant of the issues could possibly need convincing.
Michelle's speech was the best speech I have ever heard anyone make in the last two decades. It was a 10. I don't think that Hillary or Barack speeches can top Michelle.. Barack competition for his second term could be his wife... ..She could win..ha ha
Fact of the matter is, these are two amazing people. What an opportunity they present to us!
My husband and I were simply swept away with hope, as Michelle spoke.
She was wonderful.
Peace!
Michelle Obama was trying to plead that her family is "just like us" and they're Americans too. And she did a good job. But it still bothered me.
Even for me, a political conservative from way back, it bothered me that even in the 21st century, a black family has to stand up in front of America and plead to be accepted as one of us.
Wanna bet that at the Republican convention, the Republicans are going to come out swinging against the Dems on Day One? You won't hear Cindy McCain pleading "We're peaceful people, we're not warmongers. We have a darling little pet cat, her name is Fluffy. We're just like all other Americans. We're just like you."
Unfortunately, that is the reality of this country, even in the 21st century. As one commentator said last night, America is a great country but the only country that had to fight a civil war to get rid of slavery. The Obama's are pragmatists and they understand what it takes to become accepted by whites. Sad to say, but it is what it is.
I'm not so sure that the US is the only country to have fought a civil war to end slavery. What about the Haitian Revolution?
Were you not paying attention, or are you one of those poor fools who only cares about what someone's like on the outside, instead of who they are inside?
Michelle was NOT saying "We're black, but we're just like you." She was saying, "We grew up middle class, we had the same struggles, the same dreams, the same values. Just like you." They are not "Of the rich, by the rich, for the rich." Unlike someone else running for President.
Don't worry, the Obamas knew they would have to do this. Sure, it's condescending and degrading on a level, but as long as white Americans feel comforted that's all that matters. Actually, that's the "angry black female" in me. I'm more hopeful for my generation. Unfortunately, it's something Michelle had to do and it still won't work for some people.
Anyway, Michelle did an excellent job.
I think that Michelle gave the speech of the convention. She was real, poised, intelligent and a lady.
Now, that said......
We are requiring way tooo much from the wives. Way too much. ENOUGH. No more judging of Michelle, now you know her character.
Michelle was great, but the best was Senator Kennedy's laugh. It might go down as the most emotional laugh in televised history.
The corporate media is still regurgitating the "narrative" of the convention they want to see of fantasize about instead of reporting on the convention as it is unfolding. I couldn't watch CNN's idiocy sharing and was even disappointed by some of the usually reliable voices on MSNBC. The last straw was when Larry King decided to pack this week's lineup with a cast of pickle-pussed Republicans who whined, nitpicked and bashed. It was disgusting. Monday night delivered on so many levels to lay the foundation for what was to come. What others have said is absolutely correct in that Cindy will not be able to stand in the same league in terms of what Michelle delivered last night.
Agree. Mrs. Obama was grea!!! Suggest you try watching the convention proceedings on C-SPAN.
I know I did!
I switched my convention-watching to MSNBC last night for exactly the reasons described by buckbuck11
Oh I SO DONE with CNN! "The most trusted source for bull shi$$" is what Blitzer's should call them.
Do yourself a favor and watch the convention unfiltered on CSPAN. It is much more pleasurable to be able to watch an event unfold without some talking head spinning it with their interpretation.
I switched over to CSPAN after 15. It's much better. You don't hear all the BS from the talking heads and you get to hear all of the speeches. One of the most interesting speeches of the night was a low-key speech by a Rupublican, Leach I believe was his name. It was by no means a roaring speech, but a very insightful and powerful one none the less. He framed this election as one of the four turning points in the history of the country. Watch it on youtube if you can find it.
I honestly got so frustrated with CNNs constant chatter about what was wrong with the convention that I had to turn to other stations to watch Ted Kennedy and Michelle..
I agree. Watch CSPAN. I make up my own mind on what I'm hearing.
MP3 highlights of Obama's wonderful speech are up here: http://www
Please comment on Obama's change concerning Universal Healthcare-- on today's Good Morning America-his rep stated Obama would only be trying for care for children-- what happened?? He said during the debates with Clinton that their plans for universal healthcare were one and the same-- why is he now backing down from that commitment to go for universal care??
He hasn't changed on healthcare
Hillary wanted to require everyone to buy healthcare in her plan...
In his plan, he requires that children be covered but adults can choose for themselves
http://www
Oh, no, has Obama flip-flopped on yet another entitlement program! One of his advisors must have crunched the numbers and determined that the deficit would only expand.
I'm very impressed with anybody that can get up in front of a crowd of any size, let alone a world stage.
I think she knocked it out of the park.
Brought a tear to me eye.
All you jokers that think you can do better need to stop talking, you're not making any seance.
Anything the Obamas might say will never be enough to satisfy the karl roves of this country.
Why should they have to??? The repugs make up lies and expect dems to defend themselves, and if they don't the lies must be true.
The republican party have become traders the the government, traders the the American people, and traders to them selves. Just ask McCain.
( you going to post THIS one huffpost ? I;v been a reader of you're daily brief for years and you only post 50% of my posts. why??)
Your thoughts are good but your spelling is atrocious.
Seance? You meant sense.
Traders? The word is traitors.
Thanks
Michelle :D
...makes you a little nervous about Cindy McCain's speech (IF she'll even give one after this!)...
.
Cindy McCain: You're outmatched.
YES WE CAN!!!
So was that the second time she was proud to be an American?
Get over it, all ready!
Again? What an obnoxious and unnecessary question. I'll say, again, if you really want a reply: I don't know about Michelle's feelings but it was the proudest I've felt about being an American in at least 8 years!
Excellent speech. I can't imagine Cindy McCain being half as articulate. Even with
a valium. Or whatever she used to be addicted to.
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