One of the best, most moving, intimate, rousing, humble, and beautiful speeches I’ve heard from a convention platform. Maybe she should be running for president. — Andrew Sulllivan, Atlantic Monthly
Michelle’s historic speech tonight was the first step in an end-around against the Republican attack machine. Her words and manner made it so those who might seek to politically debase her, her children or her husband, will be instantly and ironically exposing themselves and their crippled ethics. At tonight’s convention, this election became more clearly defined as a battle between hope and despair. I’m just inspired and ready to fight back fear, embrace goodness, stand up to the dark side, and reclaim some terrain for civilization. Obama’s the real deal, comes by once a generation, maybe. We’ll see if there’s enough smart people left in America to elect him. — UsofA comments on The Huffington Post
Here’s the obligatory Oscar relevance, and view the opposing point of view from Fox News after the cut.
“I stand here today at the crosscurrents of that history,” said Obama, in what may have been the best part of her speech, because of all it didn’t say, but hinted at, about exactly how caught she is in the midst of charged conversations about race and gender, “knowing that my piece of the American dream is a blessing hard won by those who came before me.” — Rebecca Traister, Salon.com
You won’t see me posting many video clips from Fox News, but when they’re right, they’re right:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2MKvkx82uM[/youtube]
And a final movie-related note:
Miranda Priestly: But what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean. You’re also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar De La Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves St Laurent, wasn’t it, who showed cerulean military jackets? I think we need a jacket here. And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of 8 different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic casual corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and so it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you’re wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room.
I’m just going off what McCain says he’ll do. I basically agree with the idea he presents, though his talk may not match is action.
And I’d love to see Instant Runoff Voting installed. I also want to see a overhaul of the media coverage, which I think has gone down a dark road of sound bites and bias. Obama and the Democrats’ softening on off shore drilling wasn’t actually a softening because, as I understand it, they made sure that the offshore drilling would cost the oil companies way too much money that it would be a wise investment. By doing that and increasing incentives on alternative energy will convince oil companies to convert by speaking the language they understand–money.
But what I saw on CNN was this headline: “Obama softens on Offshore Drilling”. And for readers who do not look any deeper, it sends the poor message that offshore drilling is okay.
For me personally, I cannot say that Obama has inspired me to become more involved. This is my first presidential cycle and during the Democratic Primaries I was a supporter of John Edwards (who I also preferred in 2004 before I could vote).
But it was when I started listening to what Ralph Nader had to say and his positions and what he has done for the country (i.e. automobile safety, clean air/water acts, etc.) that I became truly involved and active in helping his campaign and building a movement to one day reach the ideal, while highlighting the current faults in the system. After 2000 and 2004, I’d hope the Democrats would start pushing for removing the electoral college and switching to the popular vote. That’s a simple step that can be made.
I’m just going off what McCain says he’ll do. I basically agree with the idea he presents, though his talk may not match is action.
And I’d love to see Instant Runoff Voting installed. I also want to see a overhaul of the media coverage, which I think has gone down a dark road of sound bites and bias. Obama and the Democrats’ softening on off shore drilling wasn’t actually a softening because, as I understand it, they made sure that the offshore drilling would cost the oil companies way too much money that it would be a wise investment. By doing that and increasing incentives on alternative energy will convince oil companies to convert by speaking the language they understand–money.
But what I saw on CNN was this headline: “Obama softens on Offshore Drilling”. And for readers who do not look any deeper, it sends the poor message that offshore drilling is okay.
For me personally, I cannot say that Obama has inspired me to become more involved. This is my first presidential cycle and during the Democratic Primaries I was a supporter of John Edwards (who I also preferred in 2004 before I could vote).
But it was when I started listening to what Ralph Nader had to say and his positions and what he has done for the country (i.e. automobile safety, clean air/water acts, etc.) that I became truly involved and active in helping his campaign and building a movement to one day reach the ideal, while highlighting the current faults in the system. After 2000 and 2004, I’d hope the Democrats would start pushing for removing the electoral college and switching to the popular vote. That’s a simple step that can be made.
jablevins, excellent point about having a true choice for pres. rather than simply repub or dem. But McCain wants to cut pork? When he’s increasing tax breaks for oil companies and other mega corporations currently paying his campaigning bills? Not quite.
I’d like to see instant run-off voting with a variety of candidates and none of the pomp of our current two-party system, but to change it, everyone … and I mean EVERYONE … is going to have to get engaged in the system and change it. That’s why I’ve been a supporter of Obama from the beginning. He’s the ONLY politician since JFK who has inspired anyone to become involved and engaged in the process. I strongly suggest you do too. It’s not the ideal as you describe it, but it’s the only step towards progress available to us in 2008.
I agree with most of what Rob above said, though I do not agree with all his positions. To me, neither party can encompass the beliefs of the entire country, that’s too much to ask. But what the parties have been doing is making is believe that they are the only two choices–both corporate backed and lobbyist supported–for the presidency. They have a strangle hold on the system and it will take the American voters standing up against it to change the system. The only power we have over the politicians is our single vote. If we give our votes to them because of party loyalty and assumption that there is no other choice, then they do not need to work to win our support. That’s how it works. They are just in it to win votes. You shouldn’t hand them over easily. Each candidate–Ralph Nader, Bob Barr, Barrack Obama, and John McCain–need to fight for your vote.
Why does politics always have to be a blame game or a smear campaign. John McCain may not be my choice for president, but there are aspects of his policies that we should highlight and try to incorporate into the presidency. McCain wants to cut earmarks and pork; he says he will stand before Congress and take questions and criticisms and then make demands of Congress. Both are brilliant ideas to make government more efficient and responsible. Other the other side, Obama’s pragmatism is very provocative and his ability to motivate people to vote (although I’ve never seen the big fuss).
I support whichever candidate you vote for as long as you vote with your consciousness. Just voting for the Democrat based solely on party loyalty is not a way to vote. I support Rob’s declaration of registering independent. Vote with your beliefs and not with the party because parties change and evolve, but your beliefs should be supported.
Rob, young padewan, Hillary will NOT do jackshit in 2012. Obama is winning, and I expect him to have a successful first term that leads to re-election. However, IF he fucks up, it will be another GOP (ugh, shudder to think) that will defeat him. He is a sure thing to run for re-election. I think it would be smart for Obama to give her a high-ranking position in his cabinet so all this 2012 talk from her sore loser supporters can be put to rest. I’m not a big fan of hers, but I agree she gave a superb speech. However, Bubba blew her away with his legacy-saving tour-de-force last night. Without a doubt, the standout of the convention so far. THAT’S the Bill Clinton that I like!
I’m a liberal libertarian (basically means I’m a HARDCORE social liberal, but I’m also VERY conservative when it comes to crime and fiscal issues), and I haven’t really fully endorsed Obama. I probably agree with him on over 80% of the issues, but I do wish he had more experience and would resort to winning more arguments by simply debunking McCain’s B.S., which shouldn’t be too hard, instead of just giving a grand speech (which is clearly his strongest point) to change the subject. But, I DEFINITELY (without a shadow of a fucking doubt) would prefer him to the pathetic third Bush term that McCain’s promising. I’m rooting for the guy 100%, because unfortunately only one of the two will realistically win, but I wouldn’t call myself a full supporter yet.
That being said, a guy who may lack some experience but clearly has sharper logic, wiser judgment, and better ideas than some fossil promising a third term of President Oil-Whore has to AT LEAST be considered “lesser of two evils” by anyone with a grain of logic. Is Obama the best candidate the Dems had? No (I preferred Richardson). Is McCain the worst the GOP had? Definitely not (Romney, Brownback, Guiliani, Tancredo???? UGH!).
However, is McCain an infinitely worse candidate than Obama??? A resounding YES!
And to quote the sellout fossil himself, I don’t question the patriotism of anyone who thinks otherwise, I just question their judgment, lol.
jablevins, excellent point about having a true choice for pres. rather than simply repub or dem. But McCain wants to cut pork? When he’s increasing tax breaks for oil companies and other mega corporations currently paying his campaigning bills? Not quite.
I’d like to see instant run-off voting with a variety of candidates and none of the pomp of our current two-party system, but to change it, everyone … and I mean EVERYONE … is going to have to get engaged in the system and change it. That’s why I’ve been a supporter of Obama from the beginning. He’s the ONLY politician since JFK who has inspired anyone to become involved and engaged in the process. I strongly suggest you do too. It’s not the ideal as you describe it, but it’s the only step towards progress available to us in 2008.
I agree with most of what Rob above said, though I do not agree with all his positions. To me, neither party can encompass the beliefs of the entire country, that’s too much to ask. But what the parties have been doing is making is believe that they are the only two choices–both corporate backed and lobbyist supported–for the presidency. They have a strangle hold on the system and it will take the American voters standing up against it to change the system. The only power we have over the politicians is our single vote. If we give our votes to them because of party loyalty and assumption that there is no other choice, then they do not need to work to win our support. That’s how it works. They are just in it to win votes. You shouldn’t hand them over easily. Each candidate–Ralph Nader, Bob Barr, Barrack Obama, and John McCain–need to fight for your vote.
Why does politics always have to be a blame game or a smear campaign. John McCain may not be my choice for president, but there are aspects of his policies that we should highlight and try to incorporate into the presidency. McCain wants to cut earmarks and pork; he says he will stand before Congress and take questions and criticisms and then make demands of Congress. Both are brilliant ideas to make government more efficient and responsible. Other the other side, Obama’s pragmatism is very provocative and his ability to motivate people to vote (although I’ve never seen the big fuss).
I support whichever candidate you vote for as long as you vote with your consciousness. Just voting for the Democrat based solely on party loyalty is not a way to vote. I support Rob’s declaration of registering independent. Vote with your beliefs and not with the party because parties change and evolve, but your beliefs should be supported.
Rob, young padewan, Hillary will NOT do jackshit in 2012. Obama is winning, and I expect him to have a successful first term that leads to re-election. However, IF he fucks up, it will be another GOP (ugh, shudder to think) that will defeat him. He is a sure thing to run for re-election. I think it would be smart for Obama to give her a high-ranking position in his cabinet so all this 2012 talk from her sore loser supporters can be put to rest. I’m not a big fan of hers, but I agree she gave a superb speech. However, Bubba blew her away with his legacy-saving tour-de-force last night. Without a doubt, the standout of the convention so far. THAT’S the Bill Clinton that I like!
I’m a liberal libertarian (basically means I’m a HARDCORE social liberal, but I’m also VERY conservative when it comes to crime and fiscal issues), and I haven’t really fully endorsed Obama. I probably agree with him on over 80% of the issues, but I do wish he had more experience and would resort to winning more arguments by simply debunking McCain’s B.S., which shouldn’t be too hard, instead of just giving a grand speech (which is clearly his strongest point) to change the subject. But, I DEFINITELY (without a shadow of a fucking doubt) would prefer him to the pathetic third Bush term that McCain’s promising. I’m rooting for the guy 100%, because unfortunately only one of the two will realistically win, but I wouldn’t call myself a full supporter yet.
That being said, a guy who may lack some experience but clearly has sharper logic, wiser judgment, and better ideas than some fossil promising a third term of President Oil-Whore has to AT LEAST be considered “lesser of two evils” by anyone with a grain of logic. Is Obama the best candidate the Dems had? No (I preferred Richardson). Is McCain the worst the GOP had? Definitely not (Romney, Brownback, Guiliani, Tancredo???? UGH!).
However, is McCain an infinitely worse candidate than Obama??? A resounding YES!
And to quote the sellout fossil himself, I don’t question the patriotism of anyone who thinks otherwise, I just question their judgment, lol.
Ryan,
I write this to you to give you more of who I am and where I stand. I do not write this to get into a tit for tat banter that we normally get into. The comments below are based on my perceptions and opinions and will meander around.
When we disagree, it is typically over Bush. I don’t think Bush is the root of all evil. (He fucked up royally, but not to the level that if the sun rises in the east, it’s Bush’s fault.) You do tend to get into a rut. Besides, I like to play devil’s advocate a lot.
Liberal bones:
Supports gay marriage (although my partner doesn’t)
Supports Tibetian Independence
Supports Legalization of marijuana
Supports Legalization of prostitution
Supports free speech (aka porn)
Supports gays in the military
Supports Conservationism
Supports Restricting–but not eliminating–gun control
Against the death penalty
Crash still sucks
Does not believe Clinton is to blame for 9/11
Conservative bones:
Against Global Warming hysteria.
Supports Restricting–but not eliminating–abortion
Against theophobia
Supports the surge
Trusts the military
Supports lower taxes for all, including the rich
Against universal health care
Supports NAFTA
Does not believe Bush is to blame for 9/11
Let me tell you why I voted for Hillary. For the most part, she doesn’t agree with me on where I stand. Hell, not many do. So I have to look at the candidate as a whole.
A year ago, I looked at the candidates on both sides. Two really rose up for me: Clinton and Gulliani. Both were tested in extreme situations. And I liked how both handled their adversary. That spoke volumes to me. They both were centrists (at least in comparison to their party peers.) I didn’t like Rudy’s “campaign” at all; goodbye Rudy. I know that Hillary will respond effectively in a tense situation. That’s what I want in a commander in chief.
In contrast, Obama got a free pass initially. He wasn’t tested. I couldn’t point to one event that defined how he would handle adversity. He didn’t have a real fight to get into the US Senate. I would have voted for Obama over Alan Keyes. (I still blame Seven of Nine for giving us Obama.) He didn’t put forth any legislation where he had to work with opponents for a compromise.
All I was hearing was “change”. The media ate it up. The only thing that set him apart was that he was eloquent and black. I cannot think of another top candidate in history with as little record. Again, all I was hearing was “change” without the substance.
This year, Obama faced his first challenge, the Reverend Wright situation, and I felt he botched it. He tried to please too many people at the same time.
Then he made some rather insignificant comments that struck me with, “This man is out of touch.” The one that really hit me, I have mentioned on this site before, is that he is EMBARRASSED that Americans don’t know another language. If he were to stress that we should know another language, I would be right there with him. But he had to insult us by saying he is embarrassed for something that is not a necessity. (Before you start with McCain’s numerous houses, I have to say that McCain is out of touch too.)
I don’t see Obama is ready for the White House. I don’t. I see McCain is the lesser of two evils.
John McCain. I’ll tell you this, I am tired of hearing that he was a POW. I am glad he was able endure through that torture, but let’s move on. Being old is not a deal breaker with me, (nor is being black). Until recently, I was getting tired with his campaign too. He lacked balls. Then the ads came. While I disagree with some of them, I do respect the fact that he is now fighting for the presidency. I also respect the craft of those ads–effectively taking on Obama’s strengths by making them weaknesses. My favorite one is “The One”, I think it is dead on.
So Ryan, I hope I have shed some light on who I am and where I am coming from. Let me say that you have helped me realize something recently. I no longer consider myself a Democrat, I will be registering myself as an Independent (I am moving and need to re-register).
You may ask why do I keep coming back? I don’t know. You infuriate me. You prejudge me. You piss me off. But most importantly, you make me think and assess my views (most of the time in disagreement with you, but thought and assessment happens). That is what I really get from this site.
With love,
Rob
Also, you have great taste in films (non-political ones). And Crash still sucks.
Ryan,
I write this to you to give you more of who I am and where I stand. I do not write this to get into a tit for tat banter that we normally get into. The comments below are based on my perceptions and opinions and will meander around.
When we disagree, it is typically over Bush. I don’t think Bush is the root of all evil. (He fucked up royally, but not to the level that if the sun rises in the east, it’s Bush’s fault.) You do tend to get into a rut. Besides, I like to play devil’s advocate a lot.
Liberal bones:
Supports gay marriage (although my partner doesn’t)
Supports Tibetian Independence
Supports Legalization of marijuana
Supports Legalization of prostitution
Supports free speech (aka porn)
Supports gays in the military
Supports Conservationism
Supports Restricting–but not eliminating–gun control
Against the death penalty
Crash still sucks
Does not believe Clinton is to blame for 9/11
Conservative bones:
Against Global Warming hysteria.
Supports Restricting–but not eliminating–abortion
Against theophobia
Supports the surge
Trusts the military
Supports lower taxes for all, including the rich
Against universal health care
Supports NAFTA
Does not believe Bush is to blame for 9/11
Let me tell you why I voted for Hillary. For the most part, she doesn’t agree with me on where I stand. Hell, not many do. So I have to look at the candidate as a whole.
A year ago, I looked at the candidates on both sides. Two really rose up for me: Clinton and Gulliani. Both were tested in extreme situations. And I liked how both handled their adversary. That spoke volumes to me. They both were centrists (at least in comparison to their party peers.) I didn’t like Rudy’s “campaign” at all; goodbye Rudy. I know that Hillary will respond effectively in a tense situation. That’s what I want in a commander in chief.
In contrast, Obama got a free pass initially. He wasn’t tested. I couldn’t point to one event that defined how he would handle adversity. He didn’t have a real fight to get into the US Senate. I would have voted for Obama over Alan Keyes. (I still blame Seven of Nine for giving us Obama.) He didn’t put forth any legislation where he had to work with opponents for a compromise.
All I was hearing was “change”. The media ate it up. The only thing that set him apart was that he was eloquent and black. I cannot think of another top candidate in history with as little record. Again, all I was hearing was “change” without the substance.
This year, Obama faced his first challenge, the Reverend Wright situation, and I felt he botched it. He tried to please too many people at the same time.
Then he made some rather insignificant comments that struck me with, “This man is out of touch.” The one that really hit me, I have mentioned on this site before, is that he is EMBARRASSED that Americans don’t know another language. If he were to stress that we should know another language, I would be right there with him. But he had to insult us by saying he is embarrassed for something that is not a necessity. (Before you start with McCain’s numerous houses, I have to say that McCain is out of touch too.)
I don’t see Obama is ready for the White House. I don’t. I see McCain is the lesser of two evils.
John McCain. I’ll tell you this, I am tired of hearing that he was a POW. I am glad he was able endure through that torture, but let’s move on. Being old is not a deal breaker with me, (nor is being black). Until recently, I was getting tired with his campaign too. He lacked balls. Then the ads came. While I disagree with some of them, I do respect the fact that he is now fighting for the presidency. I also respect the craft of those ads–effectively taking on Obama’s strengths by making them weaknesses. My favorite one is “The One”, I think it is dead on.
So Ryan, I hope I have shed some light on who I am and where I am coming from. Let me say that you have helped me realize something recently. I no longer consider myself a Democrat, I will be registering myself as an Independent (I am moving and need to re-register).
You may ask why do I keep coming back? I don’t know. You infuriate me. You prejudge me. You piss me off. But most importantly, you make me think and assess my views (most of the time in disagreement with you, but thought and assessment happens). That is what I really get from this site.
With love,
Rob
Also, you have great taste in films (non-political ones). And Crash still sucks.
“To me is the difference between stepping in shit and swimming in it.”
That’s a GREAT line Ryan! Why wasn’t Obama hired you yet as a writer? Seriously, I’m jealous of you. 🙂
Anyway, don’t worry about politics coming between us. To me, I watch politics as I would with Professional Wrestling: A game where there are the faces to cheer and root on, the heels to boo and fight against, and the bullshit outside the ring with promos and “confrontations” along with the actual match.
The difference is, most political fans don’t realize that its a game, unlike most wrestling fans….or at least a “game” as I see it, and appreciate it for what it is.
Anyway, I prefer discussing the Movies and Oscars. 😀
Oh and power to Obama if he wins. Be interesting to see, theoratically, the biggest political pendulum shift since 1980, if not since 1968, just to see a shift in policy perhaps toward solving areas hopefully that we both share the same basic concerns from the environment to health care to Iraq.
Plus, a President with “Hussein” for a middle-name would FUCKING PISS OFF my neighbors. 🙂
You do recall that I got so angry when Hillary wouldn’t give up gracefully, right? She was never my choice. I wanted her to step back and stop doing damage to Obama, but I don’t dislike her.
I can’t discuss this any more if you can’t see any difference between Hillary and McCain, ok? Too much separates us on this issue, and I have more fun being your friend.
I agree that there’s not enough difference between many Democrats and Republcans. But the Independents have no chance in the system.
The difference between a theoretical Hillary administration and a hypothetical McCain reign? To me is the difference between stepping in shit and swimming in it.
====
All I meant by my comment above (#30) is that I felt Hillary gave a very good speech last night. I’m not in love with her.
Two nights in a row, the top women in the Democratic party did the thing men always depend on women to do. They put a band-aid on the boo-boo, and kissed it to make it all better. I can’t ask for a better feeling than Michelle and Hillary gave me.
Ryan, you asked if I could name 3 politicians I “liked”….not if they were viable Presidential candidates. 😀
Besides, I don’t think I’ve ever said Iraq was Hillary’s fault, but tell me this Ryan…..would you agree that the war was a bad decision, i.e. a mistake? How about anyone else who made that decision too?
I’m just saying, why won’t you support McCain? Because he’s Bush the Sequel, and we agree yes that Bushie sorta dropped the ball in more than one way, yeah?
So what’s the difference with Hillary, other than that instead of a giant “R” on her name-tag, its a “D”?
oy! “Hillary voted for the war”
as if Iraq is all her fault.
Mark Warner? Was that him Monday night? I think I dozed off. Any more electrifying and the static would make two socks stick together.
Lamar Alexander? Have you ever been to Tennessee? (I had to look him up, actually. I had in my mind that he was a banjo player at the Grand Ol’ Opry)
Lincoln Chaffe? You lost me at “Republican” Voting for this or that or abstaining (or cumstaining) — none of that matters a damn to me. Show me some results.
Are any of those people viable presidential candidates though, RRA. That’s what I meant (my fault, I wasn’t clear.)
Mark Warner, ok, maybe. But he’ll need to find a donor for a passion transplant to get my attention.
Ryan, only 3?
If you mean today, and just a random 3 from my mind:
(1) Mark Warner – Virginia has produced 7 Presidents, but Warner is the closest Virginian since Wilson to have been a serious potential Presidential candidate. Too bad he quit his 2008 campaign because he feared Hillary would pussywhip him, and he probably was right. Oh well, he’ll win the Senate seat by 20 something points. Also, I liked his keynote address at the DNC this year, and remember how Obama became a party star from his speech 4 years ago? Just saying…
(2) Lamar Alexander – Yeah he’s been fucking daft and pretty useless for the last 10 years or so at least, and his flannel shirt became a goddamn national joke on Tennessee’s part by 1996, but as Governor he did try to push Education up the ass in my Tennessee, which traditionally spends the least $$$ on Education in the nation, and you gotta commend that effort. Plus, he replaced a corrupt Governor who went to prison, and later died while selling used cars.
No Shit.
(3) Lincoln Chaffe – The sole Republican to vote against the Iraq war in 2003, he was like one of the few apparently reasonable GOPers trying to keep the party from going hardcore neo-conservative right wing. Ironically, he got defeated in 2006 because of his party’s fuckups. Still, his name is a throwback to Abe Lincoln, a one-term Congressman who opposed the very popular Mexican-American War, which cost him his seat……..and later became one of the greatest Presidents in our history.
There are many more, but those 3 are just a sampling.
As back to your reason to support Hillary………….notice that while Chaffe voted against the war, former Vietnam War protestors-turned-Senators in Hillary and Kerry voted Yes for the conflict, and fuck nevermind that Kerry himself voted against the first widely-popular kickass venture known as the First Gulf War.
Rob, we’ve known each other for more than a year now, and over these past months I have not been able to detect very many liberal bones in your body. We’re buddies, but maybe living 3000 miles apart is the reason we get along 😎
If you voted for Hillary I’m inclined to assume it’s because you wanted the candidate that most Republicans wanted to run against McCain. If you think Obama is going to be pummeled, I can assure you that a Clinton would’ve been eviscerated. I get the feeling that’s what you wanted. But sorry, you didn’t get it.
RRA, maybe you can tell me the names of 3 politicians you actually like. Or maybe you can’t.
I can admire the Clintons, at the same time I have to concede that they blew a lot of chances to do better. What they did give us was a decade of relative peace and prosperity, as trite as that might sound. Bill can sign all the DOMA’s he wants. I’ll trade that any day for a president who doesn’t bankrupt the country and murder a million Iraqi civilians.
Hillary knows how to aggravate me, sure. But so does my Mom. I don’t want to be rid of either of them.
(btw, why the hell do I want the “right” to get to married? That sounds about as fun to me as serving in Iraq. Being gay is my loophole out of both those awful things 😎 ).
In all seriousness though, of all the things wrong with this country that need fixing, expanding my own private realm of rights is not the sort of selfishness I dwell on.
Aren’t we all tired of voting in the interest of our own greedy needs? Look where that’s landed us. Let’s take care of the more important things first.
Ryan, I respect you totally mate and you know I mean no ill-will but…….you mean the same person who’s spouse signed the DOMA back in 1996?
Oh and that same administration that also gave us “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?”
This reminds me of how George Wallace, yes fuckin “Segregation Forever” himself got re-elected as Governor of Alabama in 1966 via his wife the surrogate, and later in 1982, with a majority of the black vote in the Democratic, and later General elections….
You know, the sort of shit that warps my mind.
“To me is the difference between stepping in shit and swimming in it.”
That’s a GREAT line Ryan! Why wasn’t Obama hired you yet as a writer? Seriously, I’m jealous of you. 🙂
Anyway, don’t worry about politics coming between us. To me, I watch politics as I would with Professional Wrestling: A game where there are the faces to cheer and root on, the heels to boo and fight against, and the bullshit outside the ring with promos and “confrontations” along with the actual match.
The difference is, most political fans don’t realize that its a game, unlike most wrestling fans….or at least a “game” as I see it, and appreciate it for what it is.
Anyway, I prefer discussing the Movies and Oscars. 😀
Oh and power to Obama if he wins. Be interesting to see, theoratically, the biggest political pendulum shift since 1980, if not since 1968, just to see a shift in policy perhaps toward solving areas hopefully that we both share the same basic concerns from the environment to health care to Iraq.
Plus, a President with “Hussein” for a middle-name would FUCKING PISS OFF my neighbors. 🙂
No, too bad for Democrats. Watching her last night, I do not regret voting for her in the Primary. In fact, I am quite proud of my vote.
She will do quite well in 2012.
You do recall that I got so angry when Hillary wouldn’t give up gracefully, right? She was never my choice. I wanted her to step back and stop doing damage to Obama, but I don’t dislike her.
I can’t discuss this any more if you can’t see any difference between Hillary and McCain, ok? Too much separates us on this issue, and I have more fun being your friend.
I agree that there’s not enough difference between many Democrats and Republcans. But the Independents have no chance in the system.
The difference between a theoretical Hillary administration and a hypothetical McCain reign? To me is the difference between stepping in shit and swimming in it.
====
All I meant by my comment above (#30) is that I felt Hillary gave a very good speech last night. I’m not in love with her.
Two nights in a row, the top women in the Democratic party did the thing men always depend on women to do. They put a band-aid on the boo-boo, and kissed it to make it all better. I can’t ask for a better feeling than Michelle and Hillary gave me.
Ryan, you asked if I could name 3 politicians I “liked”….not if they were viable Presidential candidates. 😀
Besides, I don’t think I’ve ever said Iraq was Hillary’s fault, but tell me this Ryan…..would you agree that the war was a bad decision, i.e. a mistake? How about anyone else who made that decision too?
I’m just saying, why won’t you support McCain? Because he’s Bush the Sequel, and we agree yes that Bushie sorta dropped the ball in more than one way, yeah?
So what’s the difference with Hillary, other than that instead of a giant “R” on her name-tag, its a “D”?
oy! “Hillary voted for the war”
as if Iraq is all her fault.
Mark Warner? Was that him Monday night? I think I dozed off. Any more electrifying and the static would make two socks stick together.
Lamar Alexander? Have you ever been to Tennessee? (I had to look him up, actually. I had in my mind that he was a banjo player at the Grand Ol’ Opry)
Lincoln Chaffe? You lost me at “Republican” Voting for this or that or abstaining (or cumstaining) — none of that matters a damn to me. Show me some results.
Are any of those people viable presidential candidates though, RRA. That’s what I meant (my fault, I wasn’t clear.)
Mark Warner, ok, maybe. But he’ll need to find a donor for a passion transplant to get my attention.
Ryan, only 3?
If you mean today, and just a random 3 from my mind:
(1) Mark Warner – Virginia has produced 7 Presidents, but Warner is the closest Virginian since Wilson to have been a serious potential Presidential candidate. Too bad he quit his 2008 campaign because he feared Hillary would pussywhip him, and he probably was right. Oh well, he’ll win the Senate seat by 20 something points. Also, I liked his keynote address at the DNC this year, and remember how Obama became a party star from his speech 4 years ago? Just saying…
(2) Lamar Alexander – Yeah he’s been fucking daft and pretty useless for the last 10 years or so at least, and his flannel shirt became a goddamn national joke on Tennessee’s part by 1996, but as Governor he did try to push Education up the ass in my Tennessee, which traditionally spends the least $$$ on Education in the nation, and you gotta commend that effort. Plus, he replaced a corrupt Governor who went to prison, and later died while selling used cars.
No Shit.
(3) Lincoln Chaffe – The sole Republican to vote against the Iraq war in 2003, he was like one of the few apparently reasonable GOPers trying to keep the party from going hardcore neo-conservative right wing. Ironically, he got defeated in 2006 because of his party’s fuckups. Still, his name is a throwback to Abe Lincoln, a one-term Congressman who opposed the very popular Mexican-American War, which cost him his seat……..and later became one of the greatest Presidents in our history.
There are many more, but those 3 are just a sampling.
As back to your reason to support Hillary………….notice that while Chaffe voted against the war, former Vietnam War protestors-turned-Senators in Hillary and Kerry voted Yes for the conflict, and fuck nevermind that Kerry himself voted against the first widely-popular kickass venture known as the First Gulf War.
Hillary was and is awesome.
Democratic Women are saving the Democratic Party.
“Too bad she is not the nominee.”
yep, too bad. Too bad for Republicans. 😎
Hillary was awesome!
She nailed it.
Too bad she is not the nominee.
I hate when people compare her to Jackie O. Jackie would not wear those clothes in her grave. What is with those horrible dresses? Ever hear of a nice suit? Please….she bugs me!
Rob, we’ve known each other for more than a year now, and over these past months I have not been able to detect very many liberal bones in your body. We’re buddies, but maybe living 3000 miles apart is the reason we get along 😎
If you voted for Hillary I’m inclined to assume it’s because you wanted the candidate that most Republicans wanted to run against McCain. If you think Obama is going to be pummeled, I can assure you that a Clinton would’ve been eviscerated. I get the feeling that’s what you wanted. But sorry, you didn’t get it.
RRA, maybe you can tell me the names of 3 politicians you actually like. Or maybe you can’t.
I can admire the Clintons, at the same time I have to concede that they blew a lot of chances to do better. What they did give us was a decade of relative peace and prosperity, as trite as that might sound. Bill can sign all the DOMA’s he wants. I’ll trade that any day for a president who doesn’t bankrupt the country and murder a million Iraqi civilians.
Hillary knows how to aggravate me, sure. But so does my Mom. I don’t want to be rid of either of them.
(btw, why the hell do I want the “right” to get to married? That sounds about as fun to me as serving in Iraq. Being gay is my loophole out of both those awful things 😎 ).
In all seriousness though, of all the things wrong with this country that need fixing, expanding my own private realm of rights is not the sort of selfishness I dwell on.
Aren’t we all tired of voting in the interest of our own greedy needs? Look where that’s landed us. Let’s take care of the more important things first.
Ryan, I respect you totally mate and you know I mean no ill-will but…….you mean the same person who’s spouse signed the DOMA back in 1996?
Oh and that same administration that also gave us “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?”
This reminds me of how George Wallace, yes fuckin “Segregation Forever” himself got re-elected as Governor of Alabama in 1966 via his wife the surrogate, and later in 1982, with a majority of the black vote in the Democratic, and later General elections….
You know, the sort of shit that warps my mind.
No, too bad for Democrats. Watching her last night, I do not regret voting for her in the Primary. In fact, I am quite proud of my vote.
She will do quite well in 2012.
Hillary was and is awesome.
Democratic Women are saving the Democratic Party.
“Too bad she is not the nominee.”
yep, too bad. Too bad for Republicans. 😎
Hillary was awesome!
She nailed it.
Too bad she is not the nominee.
I hate when people compare her to Jackie O. Jackie would not wear those clothes in her grave. What is with those horrible dresses? Ever hear of a nice suit? Please….she bugs me!
Dominik, I empathize with your sentiments completely. It’s outrageous to see how our political candidates here in the U.S. — as well as their wives — have to jump through such silly hoops in order to be considered electable.
In a recent interview with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, Virginia’s governor, Tim Kean I believe is his name, mentioned that although he was on the vice presidential short list, one reason he was ruled out in favor of Joseph Biden is that Kean has an “unruly” left eyebrow that wouldn’t photograph well and might make him see “shifty” to the American public. Kean may have been saying this jokingly, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to learn that this indeed was a factor in determining his potential overall value to the Democratic presidential ticket.
Daniel, I’ll do one better — here’s a preview:
911 … 911 … Iran … Russia! COLD WAR 2.0! FEAR … BE SCARED! Deficits don’t matter! The economy is doing GREAT (for us)! Globalization rules! Drilling is the Holy Grail! And the grand finale: 5 1/2 years in a tiger cage, people!!!!
Daniel, do we really want to see McCain’s wife? Dear fucking God, I get enough bad plastic surgery botch jobs from the tabloids, why I want more? 🙂
To me as an european it´s really kind of strange that First Ladys must act like perfect housewifes to get the sympathies of the US-voters…
I really liked her when she gave some nasty and ironical interviews a couple of months before, but maybe that was too self-confident for some people..?!
Dominik, I empathize with your sentiments completely. It’s outrageous to see how our political candidates here in the U.S. — as well as their wives — have to jump through such silly hoops in order to be considered electable.
In a recent interview with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, Virginia’s governor, Tim Kean I believe is his name, mentioned that although he was on the vice presidential short list, one reason he was ruled out in favor of Joseph Biden is that Kean has an “unruly” left eyebrow that wouldn’t photograph well and might make him see “shifty” to the American public. Kean may have been saying this jokingly, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to learn that this indeed was a factor in determining his potential overall value to the Democratic presidential ticket.
Daniel, I’ll do one better — here’s a preview:
911 … 911 … Iran … Russia! COLD WAR 2.0! FEAR … BE SCARED! Deficits don’t matter! The economy is doing GREAT (for us)! Globalization rules! Drilling is the Holy Grail! And the grand finale: 5 1/2 years in a tiger cage, people!!!!
Daniel, do we really want to see McCain’s wife? Dear fucking God, I get enough bad plastic surgery botch jobs from the tabloids, why I want more? 🙂
To me as an european it´s really kind of strange that First Ladys must act like perfect housewifes to get the sympathies of the US-voters…
I really liked her when she gave some nasty and ironical interviews a couple of months before, but maybe that was too self-confident for some people..?!
I thought she was good, but not as good as some people have been making her out to be…Oh well, to each his own.
Completely out of curiosity, Ryan, but will you be posting videos from the Republican Convention too? 😉
I might say that modern politics is as much a product of Hollywood stagecraft and starmaking strategies as the Oscars have become blatant political campaigns. . . .
What a thoughtful and original essay, Ryan. I don’t mind at all your brief pause to give Ms. Obama a shout-out. While I harbor a fair share of cynicism about the American political landscape — as others have expressed here — I do feel, and from a nonpolitical perspective, the importance of such a speech at this point in time, despite the extent to which it no doubt was rewritten, rehearsed and market-analyzed in advance. The bottom line is that we need people like Michelle Obama. The fact that she’s stunning in cerulean simply makes it even better.
Although such subjects may not hold as much vital interest to the non-Americans among us, your response, Ryan, is as keenly incisive as any run-of-the-mill superhero might achieve.
I thought she was good, but not as good as some people have been making her out to be…Oh well, to each his own.
Completely out of curiosity, Ryan, but will you be posting videos from the Republican Convention too? 😉
Why was I sitting here trying to figure out who Miranda Priestley was? Lol
She was everything one would want in a “novice” speaker, blowing away recent past wives of presidential contenders with her grace and poise. It is unfortunate her speech did not match her, as it was clunky and awkward the longer it went on. And I can’t help but feel she failed in giving the best “behind-the-scenes” look at Barack that was needed, giving a speech that felt more like someone that had just met him over the past election cycle.
She was incredible.
I say go at him HILARY!!!!!
Anyone notice how Bill Clinton undercut Obama this side of a low blow in a boxing match?
I might say that modern politics is as much a product of Hollywood stagecraft and starmaking strategies as the Oscars have become blatant political campaigns. . . .
What a thoughtful and original essay, Ryan. I don’t mind at all your brief pause to give Ms. Obama a shout-out. While I harbor a fair share of cynicism about the American political landscape — as others have expressed here — I do feel, and from a nonpolitical perspective, the importance of such a speech at this point in time, despite the extent to which it no doubt was rewritten, rehearsed and market-analyzed in advance. The bottom line is that we need people like Michelle Obama. The fact that she’s stunning in cerulean simply makes it even better.
Although such subjects may not hold as much vital interest to the non-Americans among us, your response, Ryan, is as keenly incisive as any run-of-the-mill superhero might achieve.
ps. GO RYAN!!!!!! <3
NCLB is a disaster, but education was working just fine until Reagan came along. There are ways to fix the disaster in education that the neoliberal greed-is-good GOP of the 80s onward have wrought though, without fascist centralization like NCLB. Obama is the right guy to spearhead that, but every one of us posting in here, and living our lives out there, needs to be involved too. Democracy doesn’t work with a corporate, not-free media and a handful of big business conglomerates in charge.
Jablevins, you should go to the library and find The Wrecking Crew by Thomas Frank. It’s about how “small govmint” types are adept at destroying government institutions for the sole purpose of selling them off. Look at Katrina — a brutally expensive, wasteful debacle which still hasn’t accomplished what Roosevelt’s WPA was able to do in 6 months at a fraction of a fraction of the cost.
Increasing taxes on the rich is a great idea. Taxes were equitable up until Reagan came along, stripped taxes from the superrich and raised taxes on the middle class. That was the beginning of the end of the American dream. The founders of this country didn’t want an aristocracy running things. They didn’t want dynastic families and all-powerful corporations. But greed is a powerful force and can accomplish huge things, which it has, at our expense.
While you’re at the library, also check out The Limits of Power by Andrew Bacevich. Food for thought.
Tufas, you’re not alone in wondering why the occasional political post shows up here.
I could say that the outcome of this year’s election will have a direct effect on the perception of half a dozen movies this year, reverberating across several categories — but that would be hard to prove. It’s just a gut feeling.
I could say that politics and movies have been linked throughout the history of cinema, and are woven together more tightly than ever these past few years — but if someone is not convinced of this connection it’s tough to sell that thesis to nonbelievers.
I might say that modern politics is as much a product of Hollywood stagecraft and starmaking strategies as the Oscars have become blatant political campaigns — but not everybody is as fascinated by these phenomena as I am.
Basically, I post items with a political slant because I want to. People can skip it, read it, love it or hate it. The lumps I take for posting entries like this are a small price to pay for the satisfaction it gives me.
Questions of diversity on magazine covers and skewed messages we get fed from the media are part of the popular zeitgeist that allows movies like Crash and Brokeback Mountain to be produced in the first place.
The Dark Knight would not have the conceptual heft to boost its status if it didn’t connect on a political level. There Will be Blood and No Country for Old Men got their storm cloud depth from the mood barometer of the global political climate.
If I’m looking for newsworthy cultural and social influences that might affect the Oscar race, I’d rather examine milestone events like last night’s speech instead of jabbering about Angelina’s adoptions, Sean Penn’s divorce, alleged “Diva fits,” or speculating about how loudly Christian Bale yelled at his mom.
As always, I’m happy to listen to any complaint anyone wants to write, so long as I have the freedom to express what I’m feeling as well.
All I can say to try to make you feel better is that I tried to provide some variety with a dash of Woody Allen humor and a dollop of Viggo hotness on today’s buffet. Nobody says you have to swallow all of it. 😎
Why was I sitting here trying to figure out who Miranda Priestley was? Lol
She was everything one would want in a “novice” speaker, blowing away recent past wives of presidential contenders with her grace and poise. It is unfortunate her speech did not match her, as it was clunky and awkward the longer it went on. And I can’t help but feel she failed in giving the best “behind-the-scenes” look at Barack that was needed, giving a speech that felt more like someone that had just met him over the past election cycle.
She was incredible.
The point of this post with her speech in AwardsDaily being……. ?
I do agree with the point in the article stating Obama would have “Reich-like investments in alternative energy, physical infrastructure and such, meant both to create middle-class jobs and to address long-term problems like global warming” and believe this would be help.
But Obama plans to increase taxes on the wealthy, which make sense in theory, but we shouldn’t be continuing to give the government our money when they continue to use it inefficiently. Obama wants to increase the size of the military, which already makes up the largest percentage of our federal budget. And that money just goes to continuing the military-industrial-congressional complex.
If we send states money without restriction or federal standards, then some state boards of education are hijacked by nuts who think the world is 6,000 years old. Frankly, education should be nationalized.
The local officials in my high school would not let HIV or AIDS even be MENTIONED in biology classes without parental permission slips signed by the parents of all students in attendance. It was disgraceful.
I say go at him HILARY!!!!!
While it is true that Ron Paul IS a nutcase, gutting the Department of Education is not one his crazy ideas. State governments are entirely capable of handling education themselves, all federal mingling in education has done is give us programs like No Child Left Behind which hinder rather than help. Just send states grant money and let them sort things out.
Anyone notice how Bill Clinton undercut Obama this side of a low blow in a boxing match?
I’m totally for that. Even though I think Ron Paul’s a nutcase (who wants to gut the Dept. of Education, nothx) he was the best thing about the Republican debates and probably has more of a following than McSame. Let Bob Barr in the debates. Why not? Enough with the bs non-reality-based corporate media.
ps. jablevins, the narrative that Obama is little more than good speeches is patently false; there’s info out there about Obama’s concrete policy, it’s just not covered on tv. They’d rather talk about the non-existent Hillary scandal. Check out the NYTimes Magazine’s article on “Obamanomics” today. He’s the real deal.
Just like her husband, they both deliver great speeches and great speeches can mean a lot, but their actions mean more. Encourage the two parties to open up the debates and allow ALL the presidential candidates to speak and break away from this two party tyranny that controls our government.
That would be hope to believe in.
Visit the link below to learn more about open the democratic process.
Open the Debates
ps. GO RYAN!!!!!! <3
NCLB is a disaster, but education was working just fine until Reagan came along. There are ways to fix the disaster in education that the neoliberal greed-is-good GOP of the 80s onward have wrought though, without fascist centralization like NCLB. Obama is the right guy to spearhead that, but every one of us posting in here, and living our lives out there, needs to be involved too. Democracy doesn’t work with a corporate, not-free media and a handful of big business conglomerates in charge.
Jablevins, you should go to the library and find The Wrecking Crew by Thomas Frank. It’s about how “small govmint” types are adept at destroying government institutions for the sole purpose of selling them off. Look at Katrina — a brutally expensive, wasteful debacle which still hasn’t accomplished what Roosevelt’s WPA was able to do in 6 months at a fraction of a fraction of the cost.
Increasing taxes on the rich is a great idea. Taxes were equitable up until Reagan came along, stripped taxes from the superrich and raised taxes on the middle class. That was the beginning of the end of the American dream. The founders of this country didn’t want an aristocracy running things. They didn’t want dynastic families and all-powerful corporations. But greed is a powerful force and can accomplish huge things, which it has, at our expense.
While you’re at the library, also check out The Limits of Power by Andrew Bacevich. Food for thought.
Tufas, you’re not alone in wondering why the occasional political post shows up here.
I could say that the outcome of this year’s election will have a direct effect on the perception of half a dozen movies this year, reverberating across several categories — but that would be hard to prove. It’s just a gut feeling.
I could say that politics and movies have been linked throughout the history of cinema, and are woven together more tightly than ever these past few years — but if someone is not convinced of this connection it’s tough to sell that thesis to nonbelievers.
I might say that modern politics is as much a product of Hollywood stagecraft and starmaking strategies as the Oscars have become blatant political campaigns — but not everybody is as fascinated by these phenomena as I am.
Basically, I post items with a political slant because I want to. People can skip it, read it, love it or hate it. The lumps I take for posting entries like this are a small price to pay for the satisfaction it gives me.
Questions of diversity on magazine covers and skewed messages we get fed from the media are part of the popular zeitgeist that allows movies like Crash and Brokeback Mountain to be produced in the first place.
The Dark Knight would not have the conceptual heft to boost its status if it didn’t connect on a political level. There Will be Blood and No Country for Old Men got their storm cloud depth from the mood barometer of the global political climate.
If I’m looking for newsworthy cultural and social influences that might affect the Oscar race, I’d rather examine milestone events like last night’s speech instead of jabbering about Angelina’s adoptions, Sean Penn’s divorce, alleged “Diva fits,” or speculating about how loudly Christian Bale yelled at his mom.
As always, I’m happy to listen to any complaint anyone wants to write, so long as I have the freedom to express what I’m feeling as well.
All I can say to try to make you feel better is that I tried to provide some variety with a dash of Woody Allen humor and a dollop of Viggo hotness on today’s buffet. Nobody says you have to swallow all of it. 😎
The point of this post with her speech in AwardsDaily being……. ?
It was a breathtaking moment. She was staggeringly graceful, intelligent and poised. Really gives one hope that this will happen.
All show, lot’s of bull.
Politics is like that.
If Michelle were running for president she would probably beat Barack – she was wonderful.
I do agree with the point in the article stating Obama would have “Reich-like investments in alternative energy, physical infrastructure and such, meant both to create middle-class jobs and to address long-term problems like global warming” and believe this would be help.
But Obama plans to increase taxes on the wealthy, which make sense in theory, but we shouldn’t be continuing to give the government our money when they continue to use it inefficiently. Obama wants to increase the size of the military, which already makes up the largest percentage of our federal budget. And that money just goes to continuing the military-industrial-congressional complex.
If we send states money without restriction or federal standards, then some state boards of education are hijacked by nuts who think the world is 6,000 years old. Frankly, education should be nationalized.
The local officials in my high school would not let HIV or AIDS even be MENTIONED in biology classes without parental permission slips signed by the parents of all students in attendance. It was disgraceful.
While it is true that Ron Paul IS a nutcase, gutting the Department of Education is not one his crazy ideas. State governments are entirely capable of handling education themselves, all federal mingling in education has done is give us programs like No Child Left Behind which hinder rather than help. Just send states grant money and let them sort things out.
I’m totally for that. Even though I think Ron Paul’s a nutcase (who wants to gut the Dept. of Education, nothx) he was the best thing about the Republican debates and probably has more of a following than McSame. Let Bob Barr in the debates. Why not? Enough with the bs non-reality-based corporate media.
ps. jablevins, the narrative that Obama is little more than good speeches is patently false; there’s info out there about Obama’s concrete policy, it’s just not covered on tv. They’d rather talk about the non-existent Hillary scandal. Check out the NYTimes Magazine’s article on “Obamanomics” today. He’s the real deal.
Just like her husband, they both deliver great speeches and great speeches can mean a lot, but their actions mean more. Encourage the two parties to open up the debates and allow ALL the presidential candidates to speak and break away from this two party tyranny that controls our government.
That would be hope to believe in.
Visit the link below to learn more about open the democratic process.
Open the Debates
At first I was dreading the Fox Noise video, but hey, even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day.
Inasmuch as I’m not voting for either Obama or McCain, I’m able to watch both conventions objectively. Last night it was pretty boring except for Ted Kennedy but her speech was perfectly fine. We need more firebombing in the next few nights. 😉
The speech was OK. I felt that the best part was where she discussed his positions. But I felt the reference to Hillary was extremely forced. I also felt the personal stories felt forced. I agree with ST, that the family portrait was awkward. She did a much better job than the disaster of Teresa Heinz Kerry four years ago; better than Laura Bush whose speech I can’t even remember.
Loved the speech by Michelle Obama, loved Kennedy’s appearance even more, didn’t like the “family portrait” deal with the Obama kids afterward. It felt like they were parading them around as props.
It was a breathtaking moment. She was staggeringly graceful, intelligent and poised. Really gives one hope that this will happen.
All show, lot’s of bull.
Politics is like that.
If Michelle were running for president she would probably beat Barack – she was wonderful.
She was perfect.
At first I was dreading the Fox Noise video, but hey, even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day.
Inasmuch as I’m not voting for either Obama or McCain, I’m able to watch both conventions objectively. Last night it was pretty boring except for Ted Kennedy but her speech was perfectly fine. We need more firebombing in the next few nights. 😉
The speech was OK. I felt that the best part was where she discussed his positions. But I felt the reference to Hillary was extremely forced. I also felt the personal stories felt forced. I agree with ST, that the family portrait was awkward. She did a much better job than the disaster of Teresa Heinz Kerry four years ago; better than Laura Bush whose speech I can’t even remember.
Loved the speech by Michelle Obama, loved Kennedy’s appearance even more, didn’t like the “family portrait” deal with the Obama kids afterward. It felt like they were parading them around as props.
She was perfect.