Obama Goes On the Offense
No, Barack Obama did not land a knockout blow tonight. But he showed that he fully understands that the best defense is a good offense. After weeks of absorbing punishment from John McCain, Obama went on the attack.
Obama's decision to target McCain so closely was a risky strategy, but it paid off.
The contrast with past Democratic candidates such as John Kerry and Michael Dukakis could not have been starker. Obama showed that he does not conform to the image of the Democrat as wussbag by directly assailing McCain's foreign policy credentials -- specifically, his claim that he would "follow" Osama bin Laden to the "gates of hell." But why just follow? As Obama made clear, he needs to be taken out.
The Obama campaign should keep concentrating its firepower on the Bush-McCain foreign policy record. McCain isn't simply a cheerleader for the Iraq War; he helped dream it up. If McCain does select Tom Ridge as his running mate, Ridge's lamentable record running the Homeland Security Department will offer a target-rich environment. Obviously, Joe Biden will take the lead in examining the McCain record in coming weeks, while Obama takes as high a road as he can.
But his performance tonight should silence the doubters about his candidacy. Obama came out fighting tonight. His fluid, tough, and forcefully delivered speech indicates that he will be a formidable and potentially devastating opponent in the fall presidential debates. Anyone who can't see that just doesn't get it.
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It is time Obama went on the offensive, started fighting ludicrous sentiments from Republicans. The first thing I say is that all HRC whiners is you need to get over it and yourselves. You think that if I don't win the game, I take my ball and go home. Well, do that -- go home and pout. Its absurd you would even show up at a convention that your candidate has lost, with HRC for president signs.
I will say this, I supported Obama early on, but if had lost, I would proudly cast my vote for HRC in November. I would not turn to make a statement or be seen. America needs to change, be it by agreement or when its forced to do so. The old politics won't get it done, and McBush is about as old as it gets.
A bigger thing that comes into play is that this is America. And for all the gains the country has made, its still a racist society in some places. HRC lost, people reached out for the last white hope, with no judgment , only their prejudice attitudes. That shows where we as a country are at.
I speak from experience, when I signed up to serve this great nation, I didn't serve for black people, white people, Hispanic or Asians. I signed as an American, to fight and uphold our values. As Obama said last night, just like McBush, some of you just don't get it!
after the non-response by the mccain camp to obama's speech, this was the knockout blow. all the celeb ads, all the ads questioning obama's patriotism, judgement, and readiness to lead have been laid to rest. mccain wasted all that money when no one was paying attention, but now he has no cash, and doesn't know how to attack obama anymore. the polls are moving towards obama, and these were before his acceptance speech. mccain was wrong about everything, even his bounce. i think the bounce obama gets will 20 to 25 points, and mccain's bounce will be around 10 points.
Sen.Obamas speech was terrific to say the least!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just when alot of us were somewhat wanting him to bring the meat he delivered and did a great job on all issues too!!! I just can't wait to see this play out! OBAMA/BIDEN'08
Obama's speech last night was beautiful, brilliant and compelling. He is someone with genuine vision and solid solutions and is clearly interested in a lot more than just duking it out for the vote in November into the White House. I am not so sure that is true for McCain. Now that the Republican camp has added its VP into the picture, that is what people have to get.
After 8 years of Republican rule, this country has a debt that will make life much harder then it is today in the years to come.
When the depression reaches its peak in the years to come, the next President will get the blame.
Let everyone remember who created this 'mess', a classification that even the hardcore Republicans agree with.
Who cares! Palin.Finally a working class person in office and its not 1776.lol
McCant met her twice; another beauty queen....so typical......Repubs will stay home.
Ok, after last night's acceptance speech by Obama how could anyone who is not selfish, not mean-spirited, and not guided by the Republican's philosophy: "I've got mine, the hell with you." not vote for Obama. It's a no brainer!
It's a very sad philosophy.
Barack had a big task to outdo the Cllintons last night and he did. I love the Clintons, but last night Obama made me a believer.
I listened to comments on CSPAN after Obama's speech and was surprised at the number of McCain supporters who still insist Obama is going to raise taxes on all of us instead of just the top 5%. I guess it's selective perception in action.
I think that they just want to believe that not matter what. I like the Obamas and Clintons a lot, too. I would like to see Bill and Barack campaign together. That would be a heck of a team.
We are still held hostage by the uninformed, indecisive and impressionable 20%..Roughly 40% will vote for Obama no matter what, 40% for McCain, so as in all elections in modern times the 20% "undecideds" and "independents" seem to have been asleep for the past few years. Hundreds of millions of of dollars wasted on relatively few people; If they still don't know what's right or wrong with their country they are not independents or undecideds, they are embarrasments to democracy. Our hope, the hope of the present and the future, is for the younger voters to respond to the relevant messages from Obama, superbly delivered. Obama has taked the first step on behalf of us all, perhaps those holding us hostage will finally find the courage to make a decision.
Hey - don't knock the Independents and Undecideds. They're all the hope we've got. And I don't blame them for still being on the fence. This insanely-structured campaign, flltered through the media, has been such an abomination that I would hope that a lot of people are still confused. Also they want to see Obama vs. McCain not each against their primary challengers. I'm strongly for Obama, but I don't write off those undecideds -- they may have blown it the last two elections, but the third time could be the charm.
all I could think of while watching this splendid speech was-
what can mccane possibly say after this eloquence?
comparing cindy and john to the real obama & biden 'family values' ticket is a joke
let's get REAL folks!
McCain will promise, just like Bush, a "kingdom" for the super rich, more contracts for Halliburton and the arms merchats so they can protect US..
I thought Obamas speech was tthe most thrilling poitcal speech I have ever watched. . That event last night had no dead air- it was compelling from start to finish. Obama has run a fantastic campaign and it is a tribute to his executive ability..
McCain picked Palin? They look like a father/daughter team on stage. Isn't she under investigation? I think this choice of VP is a total gift to the Democrats. It's a crazy choice.
YES YES YES Obama all the way!
What is the "it" nobody gets?
Unfortunately, this country is replete with citizens who "just don't get it."
Millions have been spent by the GOP saying the Obama doesn't have the experience and they pick someone with less than 2 years experience as a Governor under investigation because she can't even manage her employees. McCain is 72 and it's the cold hard truth that Palin could end up as President. McCain has lost his bearings by going along with this decision by the GOP.
But isn't that the way of the GOP and Repubs alike?
All hat, never any cattle?
It seems ONLY Democrats can lead this country in peace and prosperity for all.
Obama / Biden '08
That's the curious thing about American politics. Americans seem to go for the candidate with the least amount of Washington and foregin policy experience (Reagan, Carter, Mondale, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Obama) although the choice of Sarah Palin takes the case. Less experience, especially in Congress, means less baggage and less of a voting record to misconstrue. And every 4 or 8 years, Americans opt for "change."
Obama/Biden '08
More on the corruption probe:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121746477267499109.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
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