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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
For Hillary, a matter of maturity
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“What Obama has to have Hillary do is stand up and say — not only in words but it’s got to be almost method acting — and say it in a way that’s believable — that she wants Barack Obama to be president,” said Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen. A classy backing “frankly goes toward any future political considerations she may have.”
I think that last point is critical. If Clinton delivers anything less than what Bredesen describes in tonight’s speech, she seriously harms not only Obama’s political future but her own as well, because memories will be long. Bill and Hillary Clinton have been intelligent, passionate and incredibly tenacious leaders both for the nation and for the Democratic Party, but when they have failed, they have failed because of a lack of maturity.
Tonight that maturity will be tested again. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: Hillary stepped up.
I have never thought much of her as a speaker, especially compared to her husband. Her strengths were elsewhere. But this was the best speech I think I’ve ever heard her deliver. The passion seemed real. Whatever the goals set for the speech, she met them and probably exceeded them.
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Impressions of convention, Night One
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I thought Ted Kennedy’s appearance at the convention in Denver was compelling, although I suspect the media got spun a good bit, told to expect a more frail “Uncle Teddy” than what we saw just to build up the impact.
Michelle Obama was gracious, likable, attractive and yes, motherly. Very effective. If the right wing has that “whitey” tape out there, now would be a good time to unleash it, right boys? Did you hear me, Rush? Paging Mr. Limbaugh? Hah.
Anybody who believed in that tape’s existence — well, apparently it’s a myth that turkeys are so stupid they’ll look up at the sky in a rainstorm and drown, but I still have doubts about certain elements of the human race.
And I sure do hope that possible assassination plot turns out to be nothing. “….officers found two rifles, including one with a scope; a bulletproof vest; boxes of ammunition; walkie-talkies; and suspected narcotics, said Aurora police Detective Marcus Dudley.”
It’s that bulletproof vest and walkie talkies that get you worried. I don’t know if you’ve seen the mugshots of two suspects in the case, but if you see them outside staring up at the sky in a rainstorm….
