Aug 30 2008
For those of you who have been living under a rock
Barack Obama’s speech wrapped up the Democratic National Convention on Thursday from Mile High Stadium Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. A whopping 38 million plus watched Obama’s speech on television, only the Patriots march to near-perfection in the NFL playoffs garnered more viewers this year. The speech began with Obama reiterating a lot of the same points he has been pushing all along. However, somewhere along the line the gloves came off, and Obama used the opportunity to go after John McCain harder than he has before.
“If John McCain wants to have a debate about who has the temperament and judgment to serve as the next Commander-in-Chief, that’s a debate I’m ready to have,” said Obama to the crowd of over 84,000.
In what has become somewhat of a trademark for Obama, he turned around the criticism that McCain has been using against him. His arguments, for the most part, were pretty powerful. Even the Fox News commentary said that they were inspired. However, for a candidate trying to assure the United States that he’s not just a celebrity, a sold-out football stadium lit up with fireworks and headline music acts may not have been the best image to present.
John McCain did his best to steal at least some of Obama’s thunder on Friday by announcing Alaskan governor Sarah Palin his VP candidate at a rally in Dayton, Ohio. Palin is known as somewhat of a maverick herself, who has fought for a few years to end the corruption associated with her party in Alaska. “She stands up for what’s right, and she doesn’t let anyone tell her to sit down,” said McCain after introducing her in Dayton, “She’s exactly who I need.”
Depending on who you talk to, the move could be fatal or ingenious. Strategically it doesn’t make that much sense, as Alaska is a republican stronghold that McCain shouldn’t have had much trouble winning. Also, with only two years experience as a governor, the pick considerably weakens McCain’s argument that Obama isn’t ready to lead. On the other hand, her youthful energy plays into one of McCain’s weaknesses, that he’s older than M&M’s, penicillin, and the state of Alaska that he doesn’t seem passionate enough.
The Republican National Convention kicks off on September 1st in Minnesota. It will be very interesting to see how the Grand Old Party tries to top what the Dems did in Denver.
