I listened patiently and he did not disappoint. Barack Obama finished his acceptance speech with pretty decent oratorical flourishes with content that could have been equally delivered at a Republican convention. Maybe that was the point. But first I had to keep my cool while he demagogued and delivered lies and half-truths and just a little stupidity. Also, the whole Greek column thing was a set up, the stage was made to look like the set of West Wing, as in, see Obama already looks like the President.First, the stupidity:
He got the crowd chanting "Eight is enough." An allusion to the popular TV show starring Dick Van Patten that ran from 1977 to 1981. And who was President during most of that time.......(drum roll please). That's right boys and girls, Jimmy Carter. So maybe he is seeking to remind us of the last Democrat candidate who promised change on this scale.
Some lies:
He implies that the economy is in recession, not a "mental recession." However, GDP grew at a 3.3% clip in the last quarterly statistics. He also accuses John McCain of saying $5 million a year income was middle class. McCain never said that, was clearly having a joke with Warren when that was asked, and the question was "Define rich."
Some half truths:
That somehow the Republicans proposals of the "ownership society" meant dismantling health care, welfare and unemployment benefits. Over and over making out McCain to be the third coming of George Bush.
Demagoguery:
Somehow Obama is going to prevent jobs from going overseas. First there will always be job growth and destruction in a free market. (Obama promises to continue with free markets, a big relief for me.) Without the freedom to make changes, we will turn into France iwith its high unemployment because businesses are afraid to hire because they can never fire or lay off. It is the sheerest demagoguery to suggest these laws of economics can be repealed without consequence. And I think Obama knows this.
The finish and in my view the rhetorical highlight:
Instead, it is that American spirit — that American promise — that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend.Unfortunately he never really closes the deal and clearly explains what exactly American promise exactly is. Certainly, Obama explains that the spirit is that we never turn back, no matter the obstacle.
Transcript here, so you can judge for yourself.
4 comments:
I thought the same thing when he was complaining about the economy - that the GDP grew at a 3.3% clip in the last quarter. This wasn't a good day to be complaining about the economy.
Toe sucker Dick Morris had a column today saying the Democrats were making a big mistake attacking Bush instead of going after McCain directly. This speech was almost all about George Bush. Morris called it attacking the matador's cape.
Instead of attacking someone and pointing out what they (the Dems)perceive as their weaknesses and shortcomings, why don't they build their platform on what they think they can really do to benefit our country? All I heard in the last four days of post campaign rhetoric was the same old crap: change, change, change! So where is the money for the 15 Billion in ten years going to come from Barry??? Why the middle class tax burden. Strange you should ask. Talk about voodoo economics, the Dems have a bad case of that disease.
Ktcat, it's because it's the card they have played for eight years. It resonates with them, he "stole" the election.
I think the toe sucker is mostly right on the issue, but only if McCain calls them on their impassioned appeals to the prejudices and emotions of the populace. As long as no one calls it for what it is, it will work.
Dawg
Dawg,
Peggy Noonan commented today that Obama's speech left McCain a big opening to present a more optimistic view, "happy warrior" demeanor that would contrast well with Obama. She makes her point toward the end of the linked article.
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