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* Introductory video brings Big Dog and Michelle Obama back!
* Brief but interesting clip of Tea Party protesters against Obamacare.
* In case people just tuning in for broadcast Prime Time, Biden reprises account of Obama on bin Laden operation for the video.
* Took me a minute, but finally recognized George Clooney as video narrator. A little steadier than Clint.
10:23 BARACK OBAMA ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
* Two pretty good hugs for Michelle. She’s earned ‘em.
* Every delegate has flag and “Forward” sign.
* Obama daughters finally in the hall. Hard to believe Malia’s in high school.
* Interesting riff on “hope” as faith through struggle, not happy-talk.
* Nice mockery on ads, truth being buried by “avalanche of money.”
* As clear a “two futures” framing as I’ve ever heard.
* “Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning.” Very effective exposure of GOP one-size-fits-all agenda.
* So there’s the announcement of the “goals” for the second term.
* A million new manufacturing jobs, that’s one. Cut oil imports by half (by 2020), that’s another.
* Good quick shot at Big Oil.
* Nice simple connection of climate change to weather change.
* Student loans decent example of past accomplishment and future distinction between two parties.
* 100k math and science teachers w/in ten years; 2 million workers getting training at community colleges; cut tuition increases in half. The “goals” agenda emerging rather episodically.
* Generic foreign policy stuff, then rap at “Cold War Mind Warp.” Nice shot at Olympic gaffes.
* Return of the “peace dividend.”
* Bargain “based on principles of my bipartisan commission.” That’s a walk on the wild side near Simpson-Bowles, but not the kind of embrace that will upset that many progressives.
* Lines in sand on vouchers and SocSec adds some more assurances for those worried about excessive spending cuts.
* Tantalizing use of “entitlement” to mean “privilege.” Should have hit that harder.
* Good brief shot at conservative scapegoating.
* My wife predicts “you built that” coming soon.
* “You did that” pretty close.
* Clear challenge to base: don’t let Super-PACs or monitors of your sex life keep you from voting.
* Re-framing of “hope” clearly big objective of this speech. Identification of Obama’s struggles with struggles of country may be ultimate objective. Yeah, close makes that even clearer. “I never promised you a rose garden” could be musical accompaniment.”
* Classic example of surfing cheers at end.
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TCinLA on September 06, 2012 11:38 PM:
Very, very good speech. The use of the word "citizen," a word I was taught early to respect and value, and using it in its true and proper sense as a member of a community, was excellent, and a perfect counterpoint to What's-In-It-For-Me Willard. Calling out Willard for his ignorance and stupidity (without using those words) was great. And for those who have never been community organizers, turning things around and telling people "YOU did this!" was perfection. He couldn't have done better.
Diane Rodriguez on September 06, 2012 11:46 PM:
Strongest messages: I am asking for your vote; there is a clear choice; Romney has no vision or plan; civic ownership of the direction of the country.
For me Best lines: Romney being stuck in a cold war time warp and the Lincoln quote of falling to his knees because he had no where else to go.
Bo on September 06, 2012 11:53 PM:
Excellent and well-constructed speech, well-delivered. In addition to what you blogged, I was very happy to hear what I wanted to hear -- a desire to pursue and implement the bipartisan committee recommendations. I think he has thrown down that gauntlet and I expect to hear more about it over the next 60 days. The republicans have boxed themselves into an intractable position on Simpson-Bowles and it will hurt them in the debates and final leg of the campaign if Obama chooses to flog them with it. I think he will build strong public support for this approach if he chooses to take the matter directly to the voters as an election issue and he can claim a "mandate" after his election.
Varecia on September 06, 2012 11:54 PM:
To TCin LA: I was watching in a pub crowded with Obama supporters and the mention of 'citizenship' drew some of the biggest cheers. I think it was really effective in pointing out that public investment and private enterprise are mutually dependent and both necessary to a thriving nation.
Ron Byers on September 07, 2012 12:02 AM:
He told America that he is the President. That simple statement is very powerful when coupled with the Lincoln quote.
yellowdog on September 07, 2012 12:16 AM:
The Lincoln quote deepened Obama's identity: It showed humility. It was a response to skeptics of his faith. It spoke of a man tested by heavy burdens of leadership. It helped point out that eager-candidate Obama of four years ago is now a tested leader, a man who carries profound responsibilities in tough times. And it admits that he has not always had all the right answers but trusts in Providence, as Lincoln did. (He even used the word providence at the very end.)
Obama has always liked Lincoln references--but this one was particularly well-placed and effective.
MuddyLee on September 07, 2012 8:27 AM:
"I never promised you a rose garden..." - Ed, how about a Joe South (from Atlanta) video - he died this week. Wrote the great songs Games People Play, Walk a Mile in My Shoes,
Down in the Boondocks, Rose Garden and many others that spoke to me in my youth. A facebook friend also informed me that he played guitar on a couple of Dylan's Blonde on Blonde songs. He never quite became a star - the death of his brother (and band member) in the early 70s apparently wounded him greatly.