DNC succeeds in uniting party
By: David Dietz
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: Opinion
Before the Democratic National Convention began last week in Denver, I found myself both excited and nervous. With Senators Barack Obama and John McCain running even at 45% in some national polls, Democrats could not afford a missed opportunity.
After the heated primary battle between Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton, Denver needed to be a "magic band-aid" of sorts. Democratic primary votes were essentially split down the middle, with approximately 18 million votes for each candidate. Many of Clinton's most ardent supporters felt she had earned the right to be Obama's running mate in a fabled "dream ticket." When Senator Joe Biden was announced as the vice presidential nominee, many feared it would leave a good portion of Clinton's 18 million voters sitting on the sidelines.
The convention began just one day after the closing ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics. In a brilliant move, the first night functioned more or less as a prayer ceremony, echoing the Obama campaign's successful in-roads at religious voters-previously a Republican stronghold.
The next several nights saw an all-star cast of speakers, including Senator Ted Kennedy, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama, take to the stage and speak passionately about the urgency of our national situation and the direction the Democratic Party would lead us. All eyes seemed to be fixed on Senator Clinton in nervous anticipation of her speech Tuesday night.
Ironically, that speech was in many ways the biggest speech of Obama's political career. Senator Clinton performed brilliantly, giving her whole-hearted endorsement of Obama and calling on all Democrats to unite behind the ticket. Her speech was insightful, eloquent and most of all, genuine, silencing pundits who questioned her enthusiasm. I never thought I'd say this about Bill and Hillary Clinton, but it was almost heartwarming to watch the former president listen to his wife speak. During one round of applause, he mouthed "I love you." It was a rare moment of warmth shared amongst a very calculating pair.
After the heated primary battle between Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton, Denver needed to be a "magic band-aid" of sorts. Democratic primary votes were essentially split down the middle, with approximately 18 million votes for each candidate. Many of Clinton's most ardent supporters felt she had earned the right to be Obama's running mate in a fabled "dream ticket." When Senator Joe Biden was announced as the vice presidential nominee, many feared it would leave a good portion of Clinton's 18 million voters sitting on the sidelines.
The convention began just one day after the closing ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics. In a brilliant move, the first night functioned more or less as a prayer ceremony, echoing the Obama campaign's successful in-roads at religious voters-previously a Republican stronghold.
The next several nights saw an all-star cast of speakers, including Senator Ted Kennedy, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama, take to the stage and speak passionately about the urgency of our national situation and the direction the Democratic Party would lead us. All eyes seemed to be fixed on Senator Clinton in nervous anticipation of her speech Tuesday night.
Ironically, that speech was in many ways the biggest speech of Obama's political career. Senator Clinton performed brilliantly, giving her whole-hearted endorsement of Obama and calling on all Democrats to unite behind the ticket. Her speech was insightful, eloquent and most of all, genuine, silencing pundits who questioned her enthusiasm. I never thought I'd say this about Bill and Hillary Clinton, but it was almost heartwarming to watch the former president listen to his wife speak. During one round of applause, he mouthed "I love you." It was a rare moment of warmth shared amongst a very calculating pair.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
William H. Smith
posted 9/02/08 @ 1:59 PM EST
Barack Obama, as expected, gave a great oration in Denver with the Greek Temple in the background. Only voters on Nov. 4 will determine whether this forensic capability trumps experience. (Continued…)
William H. Smith
posted 9/02/08 @ 2:04 PM EST
Barack Obama, as expected, gave a great oration in Denver with the Greek Temple in the background. Only voters on Nov. 4 will determine whether this forensic capability trumps experience. (Continued…)
Houston
William H. Smith
posted 9/02/08 @ 2:11 PM EST
Barack Obama, as expected, gave a great oration in Denver with the Greek Temple in the background. Only voters on Nov. 4 will determine whether this forensic capability trumps experience. (Continued…)
Post a Comment