I'm sorry but we are making the same mistake again...

[aaaaaa5a]

The first day of this convention is a "feel good, luvy-duvy fest" just like in years past.

My question.... " WHEN WILL SOMEONE START TO ATTACK AND DEFINE JOHN MCCAIN!"

I can assure you that on the first night of the GOP convention, "attacks against us will be flying left and right!"

Day 1 has been wasted! Let's hope the rest of the week fairs better.

[AlCzervik]

1. Hearing Ted Kennedy was a waste? Michelle Obama speaking is a waste?

[DogPoundPup]

77. According to the UPI Issue of the Day? Yes.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The first day of the Democratic National Convention in Denver went exactly the way Barack Obama wanted it to -- and it was a catastrophe for him and his party.

The convention began with the display of unity that Sen. Obama, D-Ill., wanted -- but what he showed the American people was a Democratic Party united around the left-leaning liberal principles that have been an anchor around its neck for 40 years.
http://www.upi.com/news/issueoftheday/2008/08/26/Kennedy_Michelle_backfire_on_Obama/UPI-67531219761325/

Maddening isn't it?

[stray cat]

2. They are defining Barack and Michelle Obama and democrats as regular people

This is the first time some people are actually hearing about Michelle's and Barack's life and values instead of the characterization that FOX and McCain are trying to nail them with.

[depakid]

26. And if that continues without more it'll be 2004 again

Not that it would surprise me- but I'd like to think the Obama campaign is smarter than that.

[Naturyl]

3. Ted was good but yes, need to start talking about McSame. (n/t)

[billyoc]

4. The first night of the GOP convention will be spent trying to hide the number of empty seats.

[AlCzervik]

8. and fire hosing the Ron Paul supporters.

[billyoc]

50. Oh yeah! At least that'll be something to watch.

:rofl:

[Kat45]

37. After putting the 3 African Americans that are there up front.

:boring:

[HughMoran]

5. Pelosi attacked McCain up and down

...but perhaps since everyone hates her so much, they didn't watch her.

[bridgit]

There'ya go. It pays to remain open minded...

:thumbsup:

[Barack_America]

"John McCain is wrong".

I was listening.

[geckosfeet]

15. She repeated "mcSame wrong", "Obama right" about 50 times. I would

hardly call that an attack.

But I suppose for her that was an all out attack.

[HughMoran]

20. She exclaimed loudly that everything he stands for is WRONG

It was a serious attack.

Now Michelle is defining how Obama & her are just ordinary people - people that the rest of the country can relate to.

[Webster Green]

19. I fell asleep during her first syllable..

Nancy is one of the worst speakers of all time.

She's as phony as a four-dollar bill too.

A useless POS! :crazy:

[HughMoran]

27. Your hatred of the first woman in her position has been duly noted

She may not be the best speaker, but you have no right to call her a fake.

[Webster Green]

34. She obviously has no regard for the rule of law or the Constitution..

She's protecting the chimp and his thugs because she signed off on torture, making her a war criminal herself.

I was in tears of joy when she took the speaker's gavel in her hand. Now...she can kiss my ass! :mad:

[HughMoran]

41. Same fucking pissing, moaning and whining

It's not like I haven't heard this fucking crap repeated over and fucking over and fucking over again.

Christ, get the FUCK over yourself!! It's not about you!

[Webster Green]

72. Why isn't it about me? Because the fascists haven't tortured me yet?

You are obviously walking around with your eyes closed.

Wake the fuck up, man! :eyes:

[TornadoTN]

82. Wait a second- we are supposed to feel all happy and fuzzy with Nancy?

You don't address the issues - her support of torture, capitulation to the Bush administration, and her disregard of fundamental precepts of constitutional law.

I tend to be a little more moderate than most around here on some issues, but my disdain for Pelosi knows no bounds. Her arrogance along with Reids limp wristed efforts in the Senate makes them essentially the two most worthless "leaders" that we have ever had.

Good for her saying that about McCain though. Maybe she'll see the light but I'm not holding out hope, next week she'll probably be admiring him thoughtfully and saying he's a "good leader".

[Doremus]

78. It's not whether WE watched her ....

It's whether the M$M aired any of her speech so that AMERICA could watch. There were others who gave hard hitting presentations last night too, but of course they weren't allowed air time either.

EVERY speaker from here out is going to have to attack-attack-attack. It's the only way SOME of the message is going to filter through the censors.

[geckosfeet]

6. My take - convention - feel good get hyped up. Rest of campaign - go after mcSame. eom

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. Hmm.....do you eat your dessert before the main course too??? NT

[donco6]

9. Thanks for the concern.

But I've found it very interesting.

[derby378]

10. To an extent, I agree...

...but we all knew that most of the fight had been taken out of Democrats a long time ago. Only by getting Obama in the White House can we start learning how to stand on our hind legs and start throwing a few punches again.

[TheDebbieDee]

25. If we don't start throwing those punches now..........

Obama won't get into the White House!

[Jackpine Radical]

11. We win by clearly defining Obama, not McCain.

That, I gather, is what's happening.

[Chan790]

64. One small correction:

We win by clearing defining both Barack Obama and John McCain.

There are two parts to any effective argument: showing you are right and showing they are wrong. You don't win by doing only one.

[Jackpine Radical]

70. Right now our major problem is not to let the Repugs define Obama for us.

In the current environment, with a hostile media establishment, I think that is our greatest challenge.

[Chan790]

71. Oh I agree fully...

We need to define Obama. It's not in the media's interest to make it easy, they want a tight race because it drives ratings. Thus that becomes the priority one. Our candidate is not just the best candidate, he's the best person to run for president in decades. (The more I learn about him the more I believe that...and I'm not some first-time-voter super-enthusiastic naive kid.)

There are some here on DU who feel that we should never go negative or attempt to define John McCain though. Them I disagree with. Not only should we, we need to in order to win. The GOP wants to present him as a quirky sweet old guy who served his country honorably and is the common man. We lose when we let them do that sort of thing or when we get caught up in gimmicky crap like the key-jingling.

It's a two-pronged approach. We have to be the public voice if the media won't be. Tell people why you like Obama and define who is really is. Then if they're still engaged, tell em who John McCain really is.

[Jackpine Radical]

73. I'm much more cynical than you. I don't think the media simply want a close race.

They are in the McCain camp. They are the propaganda wing of the Corporate State, and their job is to help the ruling class maintain their hegemony. They have no intention of letting Obama win.

[az chela]

12. having a positive attitude is so important we have had to damn

much negativity.This is so inspirational

[Fleshdancer]

13. This convention is about us, not them. n/t

[Minimus]

14. One Nation is the theme

Monday, August 25 2008: One Nation
Barack Obama’s story is an American story that reflects a life of struggle, opportunity and responsibility like those faced by Americans everyday. The opening night of the Convention will highlight Barack’s life story, his commitment to change, and the voices of Americans who are calling for a new direction for this country.


I think the first day has been great!

[TheDebbieDee]

16. I hope the next 3 nights won't be this "make nice"

crapfest like the '04 Democratic Convention.

I remember the humiliation and embarrassment I felt as a Democrat when my party, my feelings about the war and my candidate was shitted on throughout the 4 nights of the repuke Convention.

I hope my party won't make me go through this again this year..............

[Joe the Revelator]

17. Dude, day 1 is always bio and honors. The red meat starts tomorrow.

[mokawanis]

23. exactly

starting tomorrow we will hear plenty of speeches pointing out how bad McSame is.

[azmouse]

18. This convention ISN'T about McBush.

It's about our candidate.

But don't worry... McBush will be put in his place.

And Obama will be put in his... the White House!

[TheDonkey]

21. I heard McCaskill go after McClown. I agree we need to ATTACK. But Michelle Obama should not

[Coexist]

22. there's going to be a fair?!

why did no one tell me this?

[NYC_SKP]

32. Yes, with pretty ponies and...

...and a few clowns.

But you won't fare well at the fair if you don't pay your cab fare, fair?

Fare well!

:hi:

[wanpete]

24. Michelle's speech alone makes this evening most worthwhile. I respectfully disagree with your

premise.

[scarletwoman]

28. If you can say that this night has been a "waste", then you have no heart and no soul.

Jimmy Carter? Ted Kennedy? Michelle Obama? A "waste"?

Sorry, if you can't feel proud and excited about what people like them have to say, then YOU are part of what's so fucked up about this country.

[blue_onyx]

29. There's three more days

There will be plenty of time to go after McCain. I'm sure both Clintons, Biden, and Obama will go after McCain and his policies.

[NYC_SKP]

30. Now, now....Just like this whole campaign, it's about timing!

God, some of you all want to blow your wad in the first quarter.

Now, you start off by setting the stage and demonstrating restraint.

Introduce the characters, pay props to Hillary and the others.

Then begin to build up, gradually, with subtlety, to a booming crescendo.

Christ, it's only evening number one. Don't expect negativity and attack mode this early. It will come.

:patriot:

[parasim]

31. The convention is the introduction ...

You have to remember that most people have very little clue as to who Obama even is. They don't come to DU everyday. The convention exists to introduce the candidate to the rest of the population.

This is a prime-time education for folks who still think he's a muslim or whatever they're freaked out about.

The red-meat politicking will come in due time.

[27inCali]

33. your concern in duly noted

geez, they have four days to shit talk. so they let the first one be more positive.

you don't think Joe's gonna tear 'em a new one?

[Edgewater_Joe]

35. "MCCAIN WILL KILL YOU!!!" Isn't Enough

Tonight was about the emotion of Teddy and that great moment at the end of the night when "evil" Michelle was humanized.

I suspect the next two days --especially Kaine and both Clintons -- are prepping to tear McSameAsBush a new one.

[BeyondGeography]

36. Biden will carve up McCondo

Relax.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

62. Like a side of beef n/t

[Jennicut]

38. Uh, just wait until Biden talks Wednesday night. He won't pull any punches.

I don't think it was Michelle's place to take on McLame. She should be trying to connect average people to her and Barack and to their life story. I was so moved by her story of her father and mother and how hard they worked for their daughter and son to have a better future. Who can't relate to that? Elisist my ass. Anyways, relax. McLame will try to get people to cry about his overdone POW story but guess what? The Dems are more passionate and so emotional about this election. We simply cannot be attack Bush/McLame. We tried that in 2004. We need to get the rest of the country passionate about Barack and Michelle and about who they are and why they want to be President and First Lady.

[TheKentuckian]

65. We have three or four crucial missions and all must

be attended to.

1. The world must see and get to know the Obama's. There's too much of a disconnect or maybe more accurately not enough of a connection to the average voter/citizen.
Everyone needs to get it that Barack Obama and Joe Biden, whatever their flaws and/or humanity are dedicated to going to work every day to make this a more perfect union. Further, that Barack Obama and Joe Biden understand both our people and the problems they face.
Obama must be defined.

2. We have to demonstrate that we not only understand the problems the country faces but have solutions that Joe Average can understand. If we do this then we reach the credibility watermark. The empty suit bullshit will slow way down.

3. Show that the party isn't in a near civil war and that Obama has the juice and ability to pull the elements together, even in the face of a less than universally supported tough decision. Clinton people may not have got their candidate but I think it would be fair to say they got their platform planks and a substantial footprint on the convention (deservedly so).

4. Bash the hell out of Drill Surgent McKeating Five/McDraft and rope him to Bush to the point that he must publicly accept the linkage or disavow it with specific policies.
In any event remove the bogus Moderate/Maverick label(s) and force some clear eyed voting. If McCain is supposedly a moderate then I want to know on what policies because anything that he bucked has been flip/flopped on. Oil puppet or Maverick but NOT BOTH!!! NO WAY!
McCain is currently seen as a vegetarian but eats a huge steak three times a day and vice versa.

It would be cool for us all to get it in our heads that our beliefs trump the standard bearers at all times and that we're all on the same side. I don't just mean for now but a permanent change in mentality. We only ever lose because of infighting and getting shafted. Let's take care of our own business so we can keep an eye on the shysters.
Or if we insist on being divided, then let's obliterate the Republicans so we can actually have an exchange about ideals instead of the litany of nonsense the GOP mucks everything up with.

We all hate fascist nation wreckers, let's deal with the threat to any form of America first.

[AZBlue]

39. I searched for a nicer way to say this, but there isn't one: you couldn't be more wrong.

I say that with respect, but I had to say it. We're sick of poltics that tear us and this country down. We're sick of constant negatitivity and only talking about what's wrong.

We want CHANGE.

That's not just a campaign slogan, that's a goal.

We want to focus on what we can be, not what we are - because what we are right now is pretty bad.
We want to focus on the future, not the past - because the past eight years are pretty depressing.
We want to focus on the possibilities that are yet to be realized.
And we want to focus on the country that is yet to be created.

(To add: if I didn't hear McCain's name once this week, I'd be pretty pleased!)

[tomg]

40. "Day 1 has been wasted!"

No offense, but with an analysis like that - and after Jimmy Carter, Jessie Jackson Jr., Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama - I get a feeling that maybe you were a tad wasted. :)

Feel good. Damn straight. I haven't felt this good or been this energized for a long, long time. Ted Kennedy reminded me of where we come from. Michelle Obama was a pretty good pointer to where we are going.

[DevonRex]

42. You know what? Go complain somewhere else. Sheesh. nt

[eleny]

43. The theme tonight was family

They accomplished what they intended. It worked for me.

[Doremus]

44. The speakers they aren't showing on M$M are attacking.

I was watching the live stream of C-Span earlier and some of the speakers came out punching.

Of course they aren't showing them on MSM.

I heard earlier this week that this convention was going to be more hard-hitting than '04. If so, they'd better get some of the headliners to do it because the B team doesn't get much airtime.

[Cha]

45. Shit...The Hide a Thread

isn't Working.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

46. They will attack because they have nothing else to say

Dems DO have something to say - about what it is to be truly American, what direction this country should go, what we will do to fix the problems created by 8 years of morans running the country. They have only attacks, no substance or policy that can get them one vote. All they can do is try to make them hate us more than they hate themselves.

[Name removed]

47. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Overseas]

48. I am definitely hungering for more slice & dice of Republican mismanagement, but Jim Leach,

the Republican (from Iowa) Congressman who'll be voting for Obama, gave clear reasons the current Republican party was behaving horribly.

And some of the beautiful values Michelle talked about are poignant in their being trashed by the Republicans.

When Teddy Kennedy talked about healthcare as a right and not a privilege, that indicted the Republicans too.

So I don't think this convention will be all hearts & flowers. I hope enough of us complained the last time about the pretty pretty stuff.

They did a Katrina lessons spot already today. But they didn't really talk about how the Republicans have set about reckless privatization of government agencies that has destroyed them, by allowing their transfer into the incompetent hands of Friends of Bush.

BUT YES PLEASE we are hungering for some more solid slamming of the dismal heap of blunders foisted upon us by the Bush administration.

[book_worm]

49. The Michelle Obama and family ending was a big hit--it wasn't a waste.

[PM7nj]

51. You weren't listening.

[HughMoran]

52. Growl!!! HIDE THREAD is off!!! Noooo!!!!!

:(:(:(

This thread sucks and I don't want to see it!

[jillan]

53. Wednesday. That's when the VP nominee will be speaking.

[Drunken Irishman]

54. So you expected Michelle Obama to go out and attack McCain?

Even though everyone has said she's that stereotypical angry black woman? Yeah, that would have gone over well!

[progressiveforever]

55. OK for Monday, but tomorrow- I want attack

We need to kick McCain's ass.

[Raine]

56. Michelle and Barack have to "identify" themselves

to the voters cause the voters think they're "exotic"...tonight Michelle was up, time enough later to go after McSANE. It was NOT a wasted day!

[gorfle]

57. I agree. So does James Carville

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/25/carville-dems-wasting-first-night/

"“If this party has a message it's done a hell of a job hiding it tonight, I promise you that," he said."

I expected the Democratic party to be soft on its message during the presidential candidate race. After all, there is no need to attack fellow Democrats over policy and consequently give policy ammunition to the Republicans during the actual presidential race.

But once a presumptive nominee was determined, I expected the gloves to come off. So far, they don't seem to have come off. To me, it feels like the momentum building up during the nominee process is falling off.

As an ex-Republican, I can tell you the #1 for-certain way to destroy the Republican chances for election: Couch the debate over the War on Terror in terms of welfare. All you have to do is keep driving home to the American people that our economy is in the toilet and the Republicans want to spend trillions of dollars on Iraqi welfare instead of American welfare.

And yet there is hardly any mention of Iraq any more. Except the rumblings we keep hearing now about potential pull-out dates. If the Democrats wait much longer the Republicans will trot out an exit date and the war will no longer be the key issue is should be in this Election.

[HughMoran]

59. Yes, we already SLAMMED Carvilles right-wing crap earlier tonight

Where were you?

[gorfle]

79. Missed it

Have a link?

[MarjorieG]

58. This IS part of the RW correction.

[cliffordu]

60. Sorry about wasting your time. Why not leave now and avoid anymore waste??

[Neecy]

61. Pelosi went after McCondo...

[PM7nj]

63. You're repeating word for word Rove, Wallace, Buchanann, and Brooks. Good job!

:yourock:















(:sarcasm:)

[apnu]

66. Uh, did you miss Pelosi and Jackson?

Oh and all the side speeches from the little guys like the couple form Indiana?

Those cats were hitting McSame, and more's to come.

Did we watch the same convention? Maybe you were watching cable news and didn't get past the filter?

[Robeson]

67. A lot of people here have responded to your OP. Surely you have some...

...type of response to their responses...:shrug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

68. Where are the damn keys??

[CreekDog]

69. i was moved to tears over our failure

:eyes:

[DCBob]

74. Obama wins this election easily as long as voters do not think he and Michelle are terrorists.

That's why last night was perfect. Anyone who does not understand that is confused or lying.

[Alter Ego]

75. OK, Senor Scorched Earth--whatever you say.

You don't think that maybe pumping Barack up first might be good before tearing into John McCain? Guess not.

[No Elephants]

76. Americans need to relate to Obama and see McCain for what he is. We're getting there.

[julialnyc]

80. They will starting tonight. What if Michelle Obama came out swinging last night? They would have sai

They would have said "what happened to the campaign of hope". "Michelle is too hard and militant"

Last night was a perfect set up. Introduce the Obama's as they are (not as the caricature the opposition has tried to paint them) and then let the Clintons, Biden, and everyone on Tuesday and Wednesday pound away at McCain (what is McCain going to say Clinton is too negative and wrong when he's been using her words as the end all be all)


It's about balance.

That being said if they don't start defining him hard and now I will be disappointed

[snooper2]

81. Carville? Is that you?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: