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.

Comments

[Barryson]

Obama was tough without being nasty. He figured out how to do it without losing the capital of goodwill and respect as a well-intentioned person that he has built up.

Eight is enough!

[Mattjoe]

Larry Elder's head is about to explode with confusion on CNN.

Ben Stein and Elder just got spanked by Larry King after fumbling with defense of Bush and Obama's lack of 9/11 references after they went as far as to blame Bill Clinton for the planning of it - nice.

Republicans new slogan should be the great Despair.com line :

None of us is as dumb as all of us.

[lw1899]

It's funny how they tried to pin blame on Clinton because Al Qaeda planned it when he was president - even though King called them out by saying it happened under Bush's watch. They were tripping over themselves like fools. It never ceases to amaze me how those Repubican tools endlessly spin things to make the GOP look good and Democrats look bad.

[dudervision]

After hearing this speech tonight I would be quaking in my boots if I was McSame. Obama is smarter than him. He's a better communicator, a more inspiring speaker, and...most important...a tougher street fighter who fights fair.

It's not a sure thing by any stretch...but I think we really have a shot at this thing!

Yes, We Can!

[MOregon]

I get it!!!!! Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes Obama showed substantive true grit!

We still have a lot of work to do though. My neighbor was just outside talking with my mother (almost 80) and she told her that I was inside watching the convention. She got the response that our neighbor thought Obama would not be good for the nation.....Kudos to my mother (a Hillary supporter) who told her that McCain is the one who would ruin our country. Good, the HIllary voter is on our side now. But the thing is, the one that needed to watch the convention speech has already tuned Obama out. Any ideas folks? Anyone successful with neighborhood roundtables?

[anghiari]

show her the clip of the campaign speech of the woman, a nurse from North Carolina who has always been a Republican who is voting for Obama...go to www.democrats.org, the DNC website and they probably have the clip...she was one of the group of regular voters who spoke before Gore...for me she was one of the most outstanding speakers this evening

[maxwellinformed]

that was moving.

[RustyGranite]

I agree, she was a natural.

[rinpochet]

It is hard but you can ask them how much they liked the last eight years and how McCain will be a continuation of this. Also have a discussion about Obama and his background, how hard he worked, etc. No harm in trying. Good luck!

My neighbor switched from Hillary to Obama after we discussed them. It can work.

[bekrul]

buy them a copy of obamas book, the audacity of hope.

[RI]

Inspiration with perspiration! I can believe it!

[jlover]

that's right ! obama's tougher than they thought.....i hope he comes out in the first debate (sept 26)...and punches mccain right in the mouth....attack mccain on his so called Foreign Policy Experience ...HARD ! then follow up with a few body blows...(Economy and Veteran issues) and then cap it off with a right crossover...(a THIRD BUSH TERM) OBAMA\BIDEN 2008-2016

[Mattjoe]

Ben Stein just told Larry King that John McCain has not questioned Obama's character.

Uh?

[geha714]

Ben Stein, the host of America's Most Smartest Model, said what?

[peter777]

The Repugnants are a lying bunch, so they cannot remember when they have told a lie or the truth. Time to retire as many of them as possible.

[neenj]

yes, I saw that and I almost puked.

[CaliTLC]

After tonight's speech, every McCain supporter is trying really really hard to stop their head from spinning on their neck. I listened to the calls on C-SPAN after the speech. WOW!! The McCain supporters are HOT as they see the Obamas occupying the White House. This is going to be a wild ride until November to be sure.

Obama-Biden 2008-2016

[dawuud77]

This was the best acceptance speech I've ever witnessed. Now Obama must continue to articulate his stance and his differences with McBush in the same manner that we've experienced tonight.

[netdiva]

I completely agree. Obama's speech tonight has completely laid to rest any doubts I had that he would not be enough of a fighter to prevail over the Rove-inspired campaigning of which the Republicans are so fond. We are on the way!

[RRonin]

What was beautiful in Obama's "offensive" was the laser-like precision with which he picked apart John McBush without doing any more damage than necessary. The man can identify and zero in on McCain's weaknesses, especially those which he passes off as strengths. No need for a chain saw when a scalpel (in hands of a master) will suffice.

[SuburbanMalcontent]

"No need for a chain saw when a scalpel (in the hands of a master) will suffice."

That was a perfect statement. I'll make sure I attribute you when I use this in the future. :)

[jmaycock]

Yeah, great line!

"No need for a chain saw when a scalpel (in hands of a master) will suffice."

[Buddhabman]

You don't get to be a US Senator from Illinois unless you are tough. Finally people see the heart of this fighter.

Obama / Biden 08