First thoughts: Teddy’s Night

Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:19 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
DENVER -- For Democratic partisans and those who love feel-good convention moments, it's hard to see how the Republicans could duplicate last night, particularly with first-night speakers George W. Bush and Dick Cheney (then again, they won't try -- instead they'll keep their eye on the Obama ball). While Michelle Obama’s speech was the marquee event, and while the Obama girls helped steal the show at the end, there's no doubt there will be at least one address beyond Thursday night that won't be forgotten when the dust settles on this convention. Modern conventions have become more about the speeches than the mechanics of nominating. And given Ted Kennedy’s health, his speech will go down as one of the most memorable ever for reasons nobody wants to put in writing. Kennedy's had his share of uncomfortable conventions, but this was not one of them. Yet considering Teddy's history with presidential politics, one wonders what was going on inside the head of tonight’s featured speaker, Hillary Clinton, as she was watching Kennedy's reception and the honoring of his legacy. Of the two Clintons, Hillary has always been more adept at believing there's always another chapter to be written.

*** Up-Hil night: The Washington Post's Cocco may have nailed tonight better than anyone today: Hillary can't win. She may not be able to find her Goldilocks moment and strike a "just right" balance tonight of both advancing her own political future and proving that she really does want Obama to win and that she really does believe Obama can be president. Everything in Clinton's speech will be parsed, and not just the words, but her body language. The good news for her, the expectations are very low in this sense. No one expects her to be able to pull this off convincingly. Of course, this isn't the only Clinton night and one wonders given all the Bill drama that's bubbled up over the last 24 hours (particularly over the content of his speech), why Obama chose to give the Clintons two convention nights. Shouldn't Obama have gotten all of this Clinton stuff out of the way tonight? By the way, there is another speech on the docket tonight that is technically labeled the "keynote." Mark Warner, a candidate for US Senate in the swing state of Virginia, has the unenviable task of speaking not just on Hillary night but also having to follow Barack Obama in a sense since Obama was the LAST keynote speaker. In an interview on MSNBC, Warner seemed to hint that his speech would be more in line with Obama's (at least in tone) than, say, an Ann Richards from 1988.

*** McCain survives night one: As we've noted before, Obama has three goals at this convention: 1) making contrasts with McCain, 2) filling in his biography, and 3) uniting the party. Last night, the convention attempted to begin dealing with all three issues. Early in the evening, viewers were treated to a taste of some anti-McCain speeches; of course, only C-SPAN viewers may have received the full impact of those diatribes. As for the other two goals, between Kennedy and Michelle, the campaign can claim it made progress on unity (don't the Clinton-Obama rifts seem petty after seeing Teddy?) and on biography (Michelle O. was as pitch perfect as she can be in presenting her story, but if there's one critique of her speech is that it was more about her than Barack, but maybe that was the point.) As for the attempts to contrast with McCain, the GOP campaign and other strategists we've communicated with believe McCain went a lot more unscathed than, say, Obama will be after Night One of the Republican convention. Then again, with Michelle as the marquee speaker, the Dems were never going to go guns blazing the first night. Expect that tonight (which is focused on the economy) and tomorrow (foreign affairs).

*** Stoking the flames: The McCain camp has done an excellent job stoking the Clinton-Obama feud narrative. This morning, the camp is releasing another ad that is supposedly airing in "key states" (translation: maybe it gets a rotation on the noon news today in Denver). Regardless, the aggressiveness the McCain camp is showing against Obama during his convention week is notable. And speaking of the McCain camp, remember when one-time Bush media guru and McCain champion Mark McKinnon decided to step away from the '08 campaign once it became clear Obama would be the Dem nominee? Well, he's back -- sort of. Per NBC's Kelly O'Donnell, McKinnon's helping Cindy McCain with her convention week prep, including a family video. When pressed, the campaign acknowledged that while McKinnon is largely on the strategic sidelines, he does provide occasional advice on the campaign ad efforts.

*** Today’s convention schedule: Tuesday’s convention theme is Renewing America’s Promise, and it has a focus on the economy and energy. Hillary Clinton gives the primetime speech, and former Virginia Gov. (and current Senate candidate) Mark Warner delivers the keynote address. Check out some of the additional speakers, a slew of folks who aren't afraid of showing off their sharp tongues (yes, Rahm and Eddie, we mean you): Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, Rep. Rahm Emanuel, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, former Energy and Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Jr., Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, and Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

*** The RNC’s response: Mitt Romney and Reps. Eric Cantor, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and Marsha Blackburn hold a press conference at the RNC’s Denver headquarters at 3:15 pm ET to counter Obama on the economy.

*** Also in Denver: Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama attend an Emily’s List gala at 4:300 pm ET… Pelosi and Reps. Steny Hoyer, James Clyburn, and Rahm Emanuel talk energy independence at Union Station at 1:00 pm ET… Bill Richardson discusses the Hispanic vote at the Colorado Convention Center at 4:30 pm ET

*** On the trail: McCain begins his day in Phoenix, where he addresses the American Legion and raises money. After that, he heads to a fundraiser in San Diego with the actor Jon Voight. Obama, meanwhile, campaigns in Kansas City, MO.

Countdown to GOP convention: 6 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 70 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 147 days

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Comments

A couple of quick thoughts from the first night

I liked the panel of Gene, Norah, Rachel and Pat. Despite all the negative things people say about Pat, he still can laugh at himself and not demonize like other wing-nuts do.

Somebody needs to talk to Nancy Pelosi and have her chill out. I admire the woman greatly, but she needs to lose the attitude. Still, I am glad she is on our side.

Did you miss Tim Russert as much as I? Didn’t Luke Russert do well? I still wish Tim was here, and it will be hard not having him around through November 4.

Caroline Kennedy needs to become a public office holder. I was impressed with her Sunday on MTP, and more last evening. Like Barack 4 years ago, could we have seen the future last night?

Hey Chuck Todd, why do you insist in believing the Obama campaign and the DEMs should have come out swinging last night? Can’t we just let it build over the next few days, and not have you proclaim the night a failure?

If Michelle’s comments can bring tears of joy and numerous reports of overwhelming praise, can you imagine what Barack has in store for us on Thursday?

Finally, Chris and Keith are perfect together and I really enjoy spending time with them. Like everyone else, I could spend my time doing other things, but I choose to spend time absorbing their comments and analysis.

Chuck, NY (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:26 AM)

I've never watched a Convention before. As a riveted supporter of Senator Obama this cycle, I tuned in out of excitement, but also duty.

Last night was awesome. I hung on every word of every speaker to my surprise. How about Jim Leach, huh? No Republican party hack is he. What a patriot. (Let McCain have Lieberman, we've got Hagel, Lugar, Rice, Specter, Leach, and probably many more).

Early in the evening I said to my son, (who is usually zoned out of such goings on), where's the tissue box? He announced, this is really great.

The Dems smacked it out of the park. Way out.

The freshman Senator who shared Obama's savvy in recounting how in his effort to pass legislation to hold Congress to higher ethical standards, he did not go to the barrel, rife with rot, but plucked her, and others like her right off the tree; before she had had a chance to exit her driveway, or her idealism, on her way to Capitol Hill for the first time.

Caroline, and Teddy Kennedy = multiple tissues.

The Obamas; Wow. Michelle, and Barack, and both sides of their families; how inspiring. Just wonderful. Michelle was a vision, as she shared their vision, as passed down from generation to generation. A vision that is achievable only in America, she said. The unscripted dismount? Nailed it! The Obama babies nailed it. Those little girls are just too precious.

aleese (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:28 AM)

It was completely Teddy's night -- and Michelle's. I'm anxious to see what Hillary Clinton has to say tonight. Hopefully, she doesn't have any 'slips of the tongue' the same way that Chuck Schumer did last night.

http;//thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:29 AM)

I'm sure Chucko is getting blasted by "feminist groups" for having the guts to say on TV yesterday that "we may be making more of the PUMA stuff than we should be." Watch out Chucko, they'll take your knees out just as they went after Matthews. However, bravo to you for calling it as it is. 37 people showed up for what was supposed to be the HUGE PUMA march yesterday in Denver. THIRTY SEVEN PEOPLE. That's not news. No matter how loud those thirty seven people are yelling or how angry and disillusioned they may be. Thirty seven people.

Enough of the PUMA nonsense (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:31 AM)

So yeah, I didn’t think it was possible for Morning Joe-ke to sink any lower . . . and yes I’ve stopped watching it (mostly), but because of watching MSNBC coverage of the DNC convention last night, I was BLESSED with the opportunity to see Joe Scarborough come COMPLETELY UNDONE on LIVE NATIONAL TELEVISION this morning!

I have NEVER enjoyed ANYTHING more than watching Joe DROWN in his own LIES and DRIVEL this morning – and all because David Schuster DARED ask him a LEGITIMATE QUESTION! OMG!

ROTFLMAO!

The only thing BETTER was to see the phony “panelists” sitting there with their mouths hanging open not knowing WHAT TO SAY!

Joe Scarborough either needs to TAKE HIS MEDS or FIND A NEW JOB!

BRAVO David Schuster – JOURNALISM LIVES for at least ONE MORE DAY!

(If you haven’t seen it – FIND THE CLIP! It is WORTH IT!)

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:33 AM)

Ted Kennedy's speech was amazing. I was thinking this morning about the 2004 debate when George Bush ridiculed Senator Kennedy, and I so wanted Kerry then to punch Bush in the nose, but he didn't. I hope Obama will strike back at the Republicans and defend our values, and our heroes, in the coming months. Fight!

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:34 AM)

Question for the First Read team: I understand why sites like Politico would post "ads" (that are supposedly running but never do)--they don't care about cannibalizing any TV revenue. But why does NBC cannibalize its market by posting, and thereby encouraging, these non-ad ads? Why would you ever show them or post them? McCain in particular has been egregious on this front and that campaign must have a great laugh at the coverage they've gotten for so little money.

Just Wondering (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:34 AM)

Warner needs to bust out hard... none of this nambsy pambsy stuff he's talking out.

The Dems need a killer up there tonight, matter of fact they need two.

Right on point about everything being petty after Kennedy's speech. The guy came all the way across the country with a brain tumor and we're going to cheapen that over what? Some bad blood? It's time to fix this and Kennedy's speech last night was a big step in the right direction.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:37 AM)

..
Headlining in Denver --- THE NEW OBAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

The New Democrats --- free of SELFISH special interest groups; free of hucksters like Sharpton & Jackson; and, free of whining white women like the Hillary Supporters.

GO OBAMA ---> GO NEW DEMOCRATS ............>>

***********************************************************

The NEW OBAMA Democrats .... (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:37 AM)

Is McCain driving Jon Voight's LaBaron?

Incognito (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:38 AM)

First Read: "The good news for [Clinton], the expectations are very low in this sense. No one expects her to be able to pull this off convincingly."

Please. I guess its good that expectations are so low, assuming you are correct. But is her job really that difficult? I mean for someone off the street, sure. I'd hate to see myself up there, flubbing lines and looking like I'd like to be anywhere else. But Clinton is hardly an innexperienced speaker, and this one just isn't that tough.

First Read: "As for the attempts to contrast with McCain, the GOP campaign and other strategists we've communicated with believe McCain went a lot more unscathed than, say, Obama will be after Night One of the Republican convention."

Last night wasn't about hitting McCain. And, yes, the GOP hate-fest will be about Obama, Obama, Obama... with maybe a couple POW references thrown in here and there. But for the Democrats, there will be a mix of positive moments with the now mandatory negative stuff. Last night was more of the positive.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:38 AM)

Michelle was magnificent, Teddy was a lion. Great night for Democrats!

Unity is in the air. Now I hope they hit McCain, and hit him hard!

Colleen, Ithaca, NY (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:39 AM)

What was that? MSNBC's coverage of the first night at the convention was disgusting. I would think that after being there for several days now with all your spot reporting, that you people would at least have checked that the sound feed from the convention was working - thanks for missing the first minute of Pelosi's speech. And what the hell is the deal with reporting from some glass top desk on a rooftop across the highway from the arena - didn't you guys get a pass to get in the place? And all your time spent with panel discussions - instead of being IN THE ARENA - I didn't even know when the convention started. I guess you'd rather hear yourselves talk. And when you did get around to plugging in the sound from inside, you had Anne Curry playing some version of Jerry Springer pushing for a fight between the Hillary and Obama people. She kept dogging Speaker Pelosi about Hillary to the point Ms. Pelosi literaly told her that she'd like to stop so that she could listen to President Carter. And then she dogged Mr. Carter. YOUR COVERAGE SUCKED!!!!! If it were the first moonwalk, I guess you people would have sat there with your panel, waxing philosophically about how surreal it must be to walk on the moon, and occasionally describe to your viewers what you saw on the monitors. Horrible reporting - you guys get an F-. Oh, and by the way - by what I seen through CNN, the convention was BORING and a total waste of a full night of sticking it to the Bush/McCain group. WHAT A BUNCH OF WUSSIES!!!

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:40 AM)

The DNC convention last night was very enjoyable.

The media whining about a lack of attacks on John McCain not so much.

It's called CLASS folks - I know you haven't seen it in a while - but you need to get used to it - it's time to THROW THE BUMS OUT (and that includes fake media "pundits" who are really just bottom feeding agitators).

Obama/Biden '08/'12

P.S. Did I metion that Michelle Obama's speech was AMAZING? Because it was - and Joe Biden has the BEST SMILE EVER - he looked so happy last night - he is JUST the Vice President America needs!

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:40 AM)

OOH, Johnny went Hollywood. Trying to see Brangelina and the twins and Shilo and the rest. What a celebrity chaser. Noun, verb, POW. Should be Noun, Verb, PTS. Speaking of PTS. I don't think many want to see The Manchurian Candidate Pt. 2-3 with Bubba and what's her face.

Brenda, Cherry Hill, NJ (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:42 AM)

Bringing Ted out is Democrats 101. Always put the sympathetic figure out front in center. The Democrats did the same with the 'War Moms'. Remember that crew? They'd show up on all these soft morning talk shows and blather there propaganda. No one could challenge or disagree with their positions. How could you, they were 'War Moms'.

Don't get me wrong, I wish Ted all the best. He is a remarkable man from a remarkable family. But many of the programs he's sponsored were well intentioned, but in the end, just made people more dependent on the government.

Clay Smith, Cleveland OH (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:43 AM)

Well, day 1 of the convention was a success. Jackson Jr set the tone, Kennedy reminds us of what is ahead and Michelle close it how to be hopeful.

I love it. Now, Hillary here is your turn. What say you?

Bee (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:44 AM)

I agree, the Clinton drama does seem petty after Sen. Kennedy's amazing appearance last night.

If Hillary Clinton is so concerned about her political future, she could learn a lot from Ted Kennedy, who spent a career crafting truly meaningful legislation in the Senate. He has had more of an impact in the Senate, IMO, than he could have as president. She should watch and learn.

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:44 AM)

"...of course, only C-SPAN viewers may have received the full impact of those diatribes..."

Why is that Chuck? I am VERY disappointed in MSNBC's coverage last night.

It is about speeches and we should have been permitted to watch them all.

Tonight I Tivo PBS or C-Span, sorry Keith and Rachel; but I need to do everything I can to educate myself and not just listen to MSM talking points.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:45 AM)

The Ted has Fire and Flame...Thanks Massachusettes for your gifted favored son...He is his a blessing to all Americans...

OBAMA/BIDEN'08

BJ, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:45 AM)

As for stoking the flames; I saw something interesting on Fox (always check out the enemy), where a reporter on the floor told them guys in te booth that she saw only one person with a Hillary t-shirt, and commented "that hardly looks like a massive protest", and one of the guys in the booth said, "Wait, we have aproblem here; we're supposed to keep the clinton-Obama narrative going, and you say there IS no narrative! How can we do our jobs?"
The propogandists for the RNC can try to stoke the fires, but most Dems are hoping Hillary will put the fires out for good tonight.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:47 AM)

It was a rousing opening night. I so admire Senator Kennedy's courage and tenacity in leaving his sick bed to make what may sadly be his final stand. God bless you, Senator Kennedy, and your family.

Michelle did a fantastic job! Her "makeover" seems to have worked; she came across a bit softer and more friendly, and her words were moving.

I watched the coverage on WETA--I couldn't believe the MSM pundits were talking during some of the speeches. Jesse Jackson, Jr., was inspiring, and Nancy Pelosi's chant of "John McCain is wrong" was humorous, but plain and simple. Shame on the MSM for focusing on themselves instead of the convention.

Good grief.

Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:47 AM)

no mention of the drugged up incomptent hit team of right wing racist that got caught, not suprising that they got caught, so did rush get caught with his drugs and mccant got caught in Keating 5, they're incomptence is manifested in bush/cheney/rove/rush bungling of war and the American economy and housing market.

thats a fact jack (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:48 AM)

PS. I was embarassed for Ann Curry. I thought better of her, in the past.

Move on, people, nothing to see -

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:48 AM)

Found the clip of David Schuster introducing Joe Scarborough to a crazy little concept called TRUTH in the MEDIA! lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJeY6laCfVY

(One minute and 24 seconds in is where the FUN starts!)

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:48 AM)

The Hillary issue would not be as big a deal as it has been if you guys and every news reporter on the convention floor didn't spend their entire interview time asking each and every interviewee about the Clintons. After hr speech last night that's all the NBC reporter asked Pelosi 9the Clintons and Hillary). The same reporter did the same thing with Jimmy Carter and thenthe Mayor of Chicago, on and on. If I had been one of the intervirewees I would have agreed to answer any question but quickly put an end to questions about Hillary and some of her die-hard supporters. I was hoping thatJimmy Carter would have stated "let's talk about something else". You guys and your reporters are making this out to be a much bigger deal then it is. The only person I see gnashing his teeth and hoping you guys would move on from your obsession with Hillary a tthis convention is Keith Olbermann.

Cudos to Rachel Maddow for taking on Pat Buchanan and telling him like it is. Chris Matthews also got a shot at Buchanan when Buchanan made a stupid statement that Michelle Obama covered everything in her speech but religion. Matthews came back with "this was the Dem Convention, not the Warren Evangenical convention".

After Hillary's speech which will be fine and Bills and Bidens and then Obamas you can expect Obama's numbers to shoot upward. Mccain's will remain in the low 40s or high 30s even after the Republican convention which is likely to be boring and full of hate-war-mongering gibberish from the likes of Cheney and other idiots scheduled to speak.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:48 AM)

'...he McCain camp has done an excellent job stoking the Clinton-Obama feud narrative...'

Let's hope a Democratic 527 group reciprocates with the McCain VP pick.
If it's Romney, someone should broadcast commercials aimed at Christian Evangelicals about Romney's FLIP FLOPS on abortion and gay rights and about his Mormonism
What's gơd for the gơose.....For the campaign..... PLEASE

FOCUS ON ECONOMICS !
BE SPECIFIC ABOUT POLICIES

Obama/Biden
The WINNING TEAM

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:49 AM)

I just wish you would lose Pat Buchanan. I know he can't help his old-fashioned and reactionary ideals but his time has past.

He has no place in today's dialog and I find him very disturbing.

Andrea, New York City (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:49 AM)

Why didn't MSNBC cover any of the speeches other than Michelle's and Teddy's? Jesse Jackson Jr. and Obama's sister both gave good speeches, too. Every time I turned the channel back on it was just more Christ Matthews blabbering nonsensically. C-Span was the way to go last night - you got much more of the flavor of the night - unfortunately the people who need to be reached by this stuff were all watching either CNN or Fox spewing the Repub message points all night. disappointing!

Andrea Westchester NY (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:49 AM)

I loved the convention last night! Loved it, loved it! No amount of negative ads from the repugnants can take that away!
Senator Obama and Senator Biden are class acts.
The democrats did what they needed to do, make us love them more!

mccain can only wish he were respected by so many. I heard an evangelical today say they were going to vote for the lesser of two evils, which means they have always voted republican and don't know another way, but don't like mccain.

I love the Obama's and Biden's. Thank you Lord for giving me such fine people to vote for. Please expose and bring down all the evil being unleashed against them and bring it to naught. Thank you!

Praying for the Obama's and Biden's (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:51 AM)

Yanno, I don't think the McCain camp has done quite as good a job at stoking the Clinton furor than the media has.
With their help, McCain is hanging in there.

Treebranch, OH (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:51 AM)

Praying for the Obama's and Biden's (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:51 AM)

All of these ads are going to back fire on John McCain. Who is he going to pick as his V.P.? What goes around, sure does come back around.

Terri, GA (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:51 AM)

Ted's speech was very powerful and emotional. It was like his last hurrah and if it was, he did a grand job. Imagine what it took for him to even be there. Both his doctors and his wife tried to talk him out of it, telling him it wasn't worth it. But he thought it was important. He can still give a great speech and deliver it as only a Kennedy can. I couldn't help but think of both JFK and Bobby while we was speaking and realized that is what I see in Obama today. He's they type of politican that can make America great once again. He's the man who can inspire a nation. That is why we must elect him as POTUS in November. McCain is the "empty suit" the Repubs all talk about. What does he offer? Nothing, except his POW status. Face it; that's what McCain is running on. He's not an intelligent man; he's not a hard working man (everything's been handed to him); he's not a compassionate man (ask Cindy). He offers nothing more than his POW status and 4 more years of the same failed Bush policies. No thank you. I'll take my chances with Obama/Biden for a better future for my grandchildren and beyond.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:52 AM)

...And, yes, Teddy Kennedy was amazing last night.

Caroline's speech outlining all of the things the Lion has championed in his amazing career in the Senate and stating, "...then he is your Senator..."

The whole thing worked for me. (except the speeches that weren't shown,...)

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:54 AM)

For Sen. Kennedy's speech, I dragged my 11 year old out of bed....one of those "must share" moments. Then I switched to c-span because msnbc, my preferred cable channel, spent too much time talking at us. And this morning, I'm turning away from msnbc again because Joe Scarborough is annoying - again. He needs to go.

Erin Flynn, Rockvegas, FL (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:54 AM)

"...viewers were treated to a taste of some anti-McCain speeches; of course, only C-SPAN viewers may have received the full impact of those diatribes."
-----------------------------------------------------

Sadly, that's all too true. You won't learn anything about McCain from the corporate media other than the myths they've manufactured for him.That's why angry Hillary supporters don't know that McCain has promised to block all abortions, and that he would force even 14-year-old girls who've become pregnant due to incest to carry the fetus to term. or that he blocked a bill that would make it easier to give women legal recourse for wage discrimination.

McCain is counting on the "low-information" voters and the corporate media who keeps them that way.

Houston (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:57 AM)

The only thing the GOP are good at is running mean-spirited, mud throwing, charater assassination and lying/swift-boat campaigns because lets face it people that is all they got going for them. They also got arachic/old themes they keep dusting off year after year i.e., cutting taxes and now using fear mongering and they win. Amazing when you consider The Shrub will go down as the worst President in modern times and this "Voodoo Economics" has done exactly what intends to do cut taxes for the wlthiest 2%, cut revenues for infracture, raising inflation rate, higher food prices BUT we are spending Trillions of dollars in Iraq to rebuild and they are sitting on record oil profits. What is wrong with this picture?

Juan,Ft Lauderdale, Fl (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:00 AM)

When will John McNegative start bragging about why voters should vote for him. All he does is react to what the Dem's. have to offer. Someday, if he really thinks there are people out there who actually think he does have some positive qualities, he is going to have to "level" with them. No more Mr. Negative because he can't keep that up until Nov. 4 and expect us to believe he should be elected.

A.Brocco,Albuquerque,NM (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:00 AM)

Good subject glad to see him out their looking good'''''''''''''''''yet had to post somewhere if Obama does loose it wi be because of those upset Hillary folks forgeting her campaign problems all her fault and her tasteless attitude she never even injected Obama's wifes name or achievements as a woman and black at that,nor their kids just face it everyone is on board except them even some republican's and a lot of independence'''''''''''''''''''

flypoole (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:00 AM)

Michelle Obama gave a great speech last night and she sure seemed to connect with the women at the convention. Barack isn't the only one in their family who can give a great inspirational speech.

I sure hope that Hillary will keep on showing she's a team player by making sure to undo that kitchen sink strategy damage to Barack. She needs to sing Obama's praises in order to restore her standing with us Obama supporters. If she goes self centered she loses.

Most importantly she needs to give Bill a good swift kick in the rear and tell him to get over it and to give Obama as much praise as possible on his night. Instead of defending his tenure as President he needs to focus more on bashing Bush while touting his accomplishments, like leaving a budget surplus that "Larcenist" Bush squandered into the largest budget deficits in history. Bill needs to show he's a team player as well and if he does that he'll gain back the credibility he lost during the primaries.

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:01 AM)

It was beatiful, we love Sen. Kennedy. Whats it like to watch a man facing a terrible disease, but will stand up for the masses, He is telling you the truth about Obama, hes not muslim, hes not a racist, hes not
elite. Obama is a patriot, a patriot taking his life and the lives of his familey and putting them out there for me. I dont know about you but I am the one Sen. Kennedy has fought for all these years. I love and appricate him more than I can say. I do thank the nasty republicans who are crashing our party for not saying anything nasty about Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Obama/Biden
marty holloman

marty holloman,columbia,s.c. (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:02 AM)

If there is anything we can be sure of, it's that the Reps will attack the wife. Remember their attacks against Hillary, Teresa, Valerie Plame. It's an old Rove tactic...If you can't get the guy, get his family. Last night was not about Obama...it was about Michelle. She's already been attacked as the angry black woman...and unAmerican. Last night was the vehicle to dispell those previous attacks, and the attacks that are sure to come. I think she was successful, but only time will tell.

Al, KS (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:02 AM)

The McCain campaign should be careful with using Clinton so much in their negative ads against Obama. It could backfire and actually act to further unite the Democratic Party.

Brian, Clinton, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:05 AM)

The presidential election season...
more promises than all those diet plans put together...
More lies than all the lawyers and pill pushers put to together..
More touching stories than "Little House on the Prairie"...
More freshly pressed white shirts and ties than in a JC Penny catalog..
More television comments than every CNN news broadcast put togehter..
As a American I'm proud to see a side on Americana
that really shows me how I can be sold down that rosie road of happiness and a genuine sense of belonging to something important...
After it's all over I do wish some of those promises, those lies, those touching stories...really end up meaning someting more than a bunch of politics...

BJ, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:07 AM)

As First Read said, only C-SPAN viewers got the full impact of the early speaches.

Everyone, ditch the talking heads who tell you what to think.

Watch both conventions on C-SPAN!

Make up your own mind about what you see and become an informed voter.

Gayle CA (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:08 AM)

We have to count on Madonna saying who MCain is.
The Obama fans can't hear. They listen but don't hear us.
I't ironic that a black male is depending on middle class whites to elect him when he ditzed the Canidate who was one of us along with Bill.
We're insulted.
Meantime an angry white man that we don't know his mental state will have his finger on the nuclear button.
Your'e biting your own backside Dems.
I'm one of you and hate what is going on but still feel like Hillary and Bill are being dismissed and disrespected.
There are about 18 million of us out here.

Valerie Underhill, Aberdeen, NC (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:09 AM)

Fortunately for all of us, First Read won't be counting the votes, if its ability to post comments is any indicator of overall timeliness.

Obama would be as old as McCain is now before we knew who was elected.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:10 AM)

Simply Amazing, that's all i can say about this campaign and the first night of the Democratic convention. Yes there will be hater's , but you can't help but be touched by both Teddy Kennedy's speech and Michele Obama's speech. I truly believe in the Obama's family values, it came off as real and genuine and i felt it, i mean really felt it in my heart! What an emotional way to start the convention off, now we can take the gloves off and go upside Mcshames head! By the way which family will McShame have with him next week, the one he married into or the one he abandoned after Viet Nam?? Just asking that's all!!

Happy to be an American, Ga. Atlanta (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:11 AM)

Will Obama realize he's in KC, or will he refer to it again as "St. Louis", as he did last night?

Bruce, NV (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:11 AM)

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