Comments on: Why Michelle’s Speech Matters

By: kritt11

kritt11 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:21:26 +0000

A feel good convention is necessary for Democrats to heal their divisions and concentrate on reclaiming the WH. If they fail to do this, they will have wrapped the '08 election up and handed it to McCain as a gift. There's too much at stake to allow interparty sniping to distract them. They need to move past Obama's treatment of Hillary and disappointment with the Edwards', or another “easy” election will turn into a loss.

By: Below The Beltway » Blog Archive » Who Cares About The First Lady ?

Below The Beltway » Blog Archive » Who Cares About The First Lady ? — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:46:58 +0000

[...] the other side, one of Jazz’s co-bloggers at TMV argues that the “job” of First Lady (or should I say First Spouse to be politically corr… [T]he role of First Lady is important because of the second component of the Presidency: Head of [...]

By: StockBoySF

StockBoySF — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:39:48 +0000

I agree that Michelle giving a speech was important. I don't know why some voters have a problem with “the spouse speech”. If Hillary had been nominated you know Bill would have given “the spouse speech”.

At any rate, the Dems (and Reps) can choose whoever they want to give a speech at their convention. The real question is whether any particular speech has an impact.

I agree with DLS, the first night was a feel good night. I think it was the appropriate way to start the convention. The Dems will have plenty of opportunity to bash Bash/McCain. I think a lot of viewers did tune into the first night and the last thing they wanted to see was another round of political attacks. The majority of Americans want a more civil discourse in politics. The first night is an excellent way to show the country that politics is not all about attack.

Besides the theme of the convention is “One Nation”. The Dems will have to be careful in bashing the Bush/Cheney and McCain platform, lest the bashing be seen as an attack on the GOP in general. Not a good way to promote the uniting of America. I think if the theme was something like “One Party” then the Dems would have gone on the GOP attack from Day 1, second #1.

By: D. E.Rodriguez

D. E.Rodriguez — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:30:31 +0000

My “Amen,” too, Elrod.

Michelle's speech did matter. First Ladies do matter.

What is ironic is that many of the very same people who claim that the words or actions of First Ladies–or of any other politicians' spouses–”don't matter” when they say or do something good, are the first ones to use these ladies' words or deeds to pounce upon their husbands when the ladies commit a gaffe.

By: DLS

DLS — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:05:23 +0000

“I’m well aware that many Democrats thought this was a missed opportunity to go out on the attack.”

Not just Dems and libs noticed this. Oh, well, this was the lighter-stuff warmup and extra feel-good stuff the first night and there is the rest of the week to get into the details of not only attacking the GOP but laying out (honestly? hmmm) what an Obama administration (and Congressional Dems) will do starting in January.

By: DLS

DLS — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:02:52 +0000

This is a feel-good convention and this was meant to be a feel-good occasion on the light first night. The speech was fine. It verged into the narcissistic — I tired of hearing about me, me, me and Barack, Barack, Barack, and wanted to know more about what the Obama administration wants to do, in concrete terms, not merely feel-good stuff. But that's this convention's theme so far and the speech was good,
meriting an eight or a nine on a scale of ten. If people were worried, erase the worry.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:41:07 +0000

A-men Elrod. I am a total sap, but when Michele was talking about driving her first daughter home from the hospital I really teared up. The strength of the Obama family does appeal to me. They might support policies that in some way are liberal, but they have a very conservative family life, free of divorce and adultery. Is this a make or break? No of course not, and I think Jazz's point about coverage and debate over the rules/platform is probably valid, but if nothing else, Michele reassures me that there will not be a divorce drama or marital meltdown/impeachment issue in the middle of a national crisis. That is not insignificant.

Someone at Slate commented that Michele made hope cool again, what a terrific change to the past couple of weeks.

On the other hand I wonder if Obama's successful marriage is in someway part of Bill Clinton's problem with Obama? Does his resentment stem from envy over Obama's self -discipline? Just wondering?

By: ted kennedy speech

ted kennedy speech — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:38:40 +0000

[...] [...]