Comments on: A Grin, A Smirk, A Moment

By: StockBoySF

StockBoySF — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:03:16 +0000

Oh, and McCain kept having trouble pronouncing words.

By: StockBoySF

StockBoySF — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:54:39 +0000

runasim, I know what you mean about McCain's smile…. but what really got me on McCain was the sort of “under laugh” that was audible at times when McCain felt he made a “clever” remark. It didn't happen often, but it was still really unnerving.

pacatrue, I suppose McCain might have felt uncomfortable and that may have caused his unnatural smile. I wonder if his uncomfortableness might be caused by a slowing mind. I know we've talked about this on TMV before, but I don't think McCain has ever had this much thrown at him before in a presidential race (he never made it to the nomination in previous contests). So I wonder if he's feeling overwhelmed. Not a good sign…. if it's true, then we'll only see more of McCain's decline as time goes on. I'll have to keep an eye out for it…

By: GreenDreams

GreenDreams — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:45:35 +0000

What a juxtaposition, McCain's wooden and yes, creepy, performance before a crowd of what, 100? I've never seen anyone in his position do worse with a teleprompter and come off so passionless, so uninspiring. Looks like a losing audition. Then he marches out the tired anti-government bull that characterizes GOP these days. What exactly is the government doing that is “impeding Americans” from greatness? Regulations? Taxes? What tripe. What whiners Republicans have become.

And Obama, soaring oratory before a crowd of 30,000, touching on powerful themes that affect us all, and celebrating a historic moment in American history. Yes, of course I'm biased, but watch both speeches. Both are on YouTube. Oh, and watch Clinton's too. She's way better than McCain, but really blew an opportunity to join that historic moment by showing a little grace and humility.

By: runasim

runasim — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:36:37 +0000

Pacatrue,
As opposed to his customary charming half-smile , this was an open-mouthed 'leer' (I can't think of a better adjective).lasting for a long segment of time.
It was the newness of this version of a smile and it's frozen-in-place quality that drew my attention to it and made me wonder about physical causes.

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:18:04 +0000

I didn't see the speech, runasim, so I can't comment, but McCain is often quite charming and funny on comedy shows such as Stewart and SNL. My guess would be he felt uncomfortable for some reason and it showed through.

By: runasim

runasim — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:32:35 +0000

I cringe even as I ask this (is it inapropriate?) but what is wrong with McCain's smile? Does it have something to do with scarring from operations?

There is something unnatural about it, IMO, like a grin on a Halloween ghoul..

By: runasim

runasim — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:24:53 +0000

Although my opinions are always subject to change without prior notification, the three speeches had a powerful effect on me.
This was Obama's night, and a historic night for America. The anniversary of MLK's 'I have a dream' speech'should have been an occasion for America to puff out its chest in patriotic pride: look, to where we have advanced in the dream.'

The intrusion into the moment by both McCain's and Clinton's "It's about me,me,me' ' speeches was a deafening sour note.
They ruined America's moment of patriotic pride in a way which no lapel pin can repair.

By: BBQ

BBQ — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:54:29 +0000

I know Obama supporters are feeling pretty good right now and it's deserved but let's be honest. He has had those great speeches and big crowds for months and it didn't change the fact that the last two months he limped his way into the nomination. Just squeezing enough delegates to win. He didn't exactly crush Clinton. McCain will be no different it's still about that state map and which reds might turn blue and visa-versa. Obama has some great chances in VA, MO, IA, CO, MT and NM. That would probably be enough right there but I still think McCain can win NH, PA and maybe MI.

A landslide no, a win? Quite a good chance.

By: pabel

pabel — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:59:47 +0000

” … aren't you being a bit hasty?”

Dennis — yes, entirely

By: DennisMN

DennisMN — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:44:48 +0000

Pete, aren't you being a bit hasty? Seeing a few mental images doesn't make a campaign and we still have five months before the election.

By: White knuckled.

White knuckled. — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:03:48 +0000

[...] wisdom on the topic was thrown out the window when I heard the tone in Hillary’s voice. I basically heard what others saw. Lastly, can you imagine what a tried and true Republican was thinking…hearing the roar of [...]