‘Sixty Seven Days’: the Obama ‘System’ for Beating McCain – Le Figaro

How do the French see the results of the Democratic convention and Obama’s strategy to win?

Philippe Gelie, Le Figaro’s chief Washington correspondent, writes on part:

“Long divided between Obamistas and Clintonites, the Pepsi Center arena in Denver definitively shook Wednesday night, in one of those theatrical political coups the Americans are so fond of. … Barack Obama leaves the convention in Denver with the keys to the Democratic Party. He has 67 days to convince Americans to give him the keys to the country.”

By Philippe Gélie

Translated By Sandrine Ageorges

August 28, 2008

France – French – Original Article (French)

Standing alone Thursday evening under 450 spotlights at a giant stadium in Denver, speaking from a platform set up in the middle of the crowd, before a backdrop of Greek columns meant to enhance his image as a statesman, Barack Obama made American history: he officially became the first Black candidate of a major party for the presidency of the United-States.

On top of the confetti and fireworks that closed out a grandiose Democratic convention, the symbolism abounded. On this day that marked the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s speech (“I have a dream”), never far away was the shadow of assassinated President John Fitzgerald Kennedy – he who had also chosen a football stadium to accept his nomination on July 15, 1960: “We stand today on the edge of a New Frontier – the frontier of unknown opportunities and perils, the frontier of unfilled hopes and unfilled threats.”

Often compared to the youngest American president for his oratorical talent, from him Barack Obama has drawn part of his inspiration, as well as from Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan. His nomination speech, in front of some 80.000 people, was the biggest challenge of his candidacy to date: “I want to make the choice between John McCain and myself as clear as possible,” he declared. “And I hope that this convention will have contributed to an understanding of who I am.”

READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated and English-language foreign press coverage of McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin, the conventions and the U.S. presidential race.