I like the INVESCO set up, like a Greek Theater...

[NYC_SKP]

The point will be lost on most, but the roots of Democracy are inextricably tied to ancient Greece and the campaign has elected to use a stage and seating arena similar to a Greek Theater.

The media is, not surprisingly, criticizing the use of "temple columns" on the stage, and this may have been a bad choice, but I appreciate the seating arrangement and the fact that it pays respect to the roots of our civilization.

Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech stage, currently under construction at Invesco Field at Mile High, looks sort of like a lollipop.

It will have a long walkway with a round podium. Attached to the walkway on the other side is a distinguished, pillared half circle that conjures up the image of an old Greek theater.

Planners are not only hoping it is presidential, they say they want it to project an image of openness and accessibility to "regular people" - tenets of Obama's message.

The idea is that every single person in the stadium, from the lucky people who get to sit front row on the field, to those in the nose-bleed 500 level can see Obama.

http://www.politicswest.com/28669/invesco_obamas_acceptance_stage_awaits



Be prepared for the nasty McCain ads and MSM attacks....ratbastards, all of them.

I'm glad the campaign isn't "dumbing down" their presentations, mainstream Americans and their understanding of world affairs and world history need to be lifted up to higher standards.

We need to help.

:patriot:

[Sensitivity]

1. Barack has the best sence of style and taste of any Pres Candidate

Hope the dumb-voter effect that Bill Maher jokes about does not bite again.

[NYC_SKP]

17. We need to help him elevate the masses in their sensibilities...

He's alluded to it often, our diet, how we raise our kids, our schools, how we should think about energy...

And how we are seen by others around the world.

:hi:

[PBS Poll-435]

21. How could you, of all people, misspell that word?

It's sense, dear.

[NYC_SKP]

32. I hate when that happens...

And I never catch it until after I hit "post", if I catch it at all...

:hi:

[me b zola]

2. I agree and am confused by the criticism

Have the people who are criticizing the stage design never been to Washington DC? Never seen the Lincoln Memorial? Been to the Supreme Court?

Obama plans to return the instrument of government to the people. :thumbsup:

[NYC_SKP]

20. You are correct....I love it....

And I'd love to live in a country where the choice wouldn't be criticized, where most of the citizens would understand and appreciate the iconography, and where the media would not go so low as to use it as a wedge and ratings tool.

But I don't.

Still, I love that he's doing it and hope that the shitstorm over the columns is insignificant.

:hi:

[NYC_SKP]

30. HUFF POST is all over it...McCain in front of columns!!! nt

[npincus]

3. sorry, it looks pompous and silly to me.

If you want a Greek colonade for a backdrop, then have your acceptance elsewhere, not in a football stadium. It doesn't fit, and that's what people are reacting to. Building a Greek stage set within a football stadium strikes me as absurd. All he needs is a stage and one or more huge tv screens.

We are kicking ourselves in the ass here.

[NYC_SKP]

5. The columns may be over the top, but the seating arrangement is egalitarian...

It will be lost on many, used against him, but the intent is appropriate.

[npincus]

6. intent, shmintent.

There is no way the GOP won't use this in EVERY way to breathe new life into all previous themes of Obama as messianic, arrogant, presumpous, elitist, etc. etc. etc.... and a picture (or photo) being worth a thousand or more words, this will translate easily to the "everyman"/"everywoman" out there.

I am as hardcore and loyal an Obama supporter as they come, and I'm not liking this at all.

[NYC_SKP]

9. I wouldn't have used the columns. It will be used by the opposition.

And it reminds me of "the seal".

We do not disagree, npincus.

[WeDidIt]

8. Yeah, and it's UN-AMERICAN!

[NYC_SKP]

12. Oh SNAP! LOL...now THAT's what I was looking for...

From savvy DUers...

The shit is coming, and there are responses....we hope that the few in the media, KO, Maddow, who are helpful will be similarly prepared to respond.

I dood it good!

:patriot:

[npincus]

15. If a colonnade is the backdrop, so hold the event in situ

THAT is my point. It is absurd TO ME to "build" a colonnade in a football stadium... Obama needs a stage, 1 or 2 jumbo-trons and a big Obama-Biden Logo behind him. That's ALL. The fact that this is being disseminated like crazy on the internets now (top of Sludge site) is a media DISTRACTION, and a very helpful way to turn what should be a historic moment into a PR problem.

The Greek stage set is a gift to the GOP.

[eleny]

29. Reminded me of D.C., too

I like it and am looking forward to how it will look when it's all put together for tomorrow night.

[NYC_SKP]

31. I think that's the actual intention, now that some hours have passed since I posted.

I love this, John McCain and Bush in front of columns...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/27/obamas-columns-at-invesco_n_121854.html

[Hope And Change]

4. Love it.K & R!

[NYC_SKP]

18. I have a theory...Columns are being used as flame bait.

We agree that the Greek Theater with columns is an appropriate motif, and we know that he'll be called elitist and presumptuous over it, especially the columns.

And we know that the campaign is super smart, they must have had many discussions on these choices.

Could it be that they are going with it as a form of baiting the opposition into criticizing him on something really shallow, thus preventing what might be more hurtful in the contest?

If there wasn't anything else, they'd go straight to Ayers and Wright, things that could be worse topics.

With this, those who would attack no matter what are being baited with something really stupid and meaningless, and pretty easy to counter.

Attacking him for the columns is like attacking a kid for being smart, or for having a birthmark, it doesn't really change people's minds.

So, what do you think?

Is it campaign ju -jitsu, constructive flame baiting, deliberate distraction?

[bdamomma]

7. Just A Question

why can't he just accept his nomination at the Convention Center where they are now? Not enough space is that the reason.

[NYC_SKP]

13. Yes, Pepsi Center=20,000, Invesco=80,000

roughly.

[blogslut]

10. I want photos

Or video.

I want to see it myself.

[NYC_SKP]

14. I caught images on msnbc, looked before posting but found nothing.

If I find them later, I'll update.

They've filled the field with the semi-circular seating style of a greek theater, with stage centered on one long side of the field, and the stage has columns. I hope that when it's done the screens and flags keep it from looking too, well, "pompous", too classical, because then we'll hear shit like "Hail, Obama"

and

"Et Tu, James Carville"

:rofl:

[NYC_SKP]

24. Here you go...

I like it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yQwufJ_JpA

:hi:

[blogslut]

25. here you go back

[NYC_SKP]

26. Thanks, I like it, it's classical and classy. Classy like the candidate. nt

[Barack_America]

11. Democracy used to be about personal involvement and open debate...

I'm glad that Obama is trying to bring our democracy back to its roots.

[NYC_SKP]

16. BINGO! Me, too!

Everyone in every American needs to be involved!!



:hi:

[politicasista]

19. I like the set up

I think what would be so cool for Barack's grand entrance: Arrive on the field getting out of a huge Lincoln Navigator or Hummer limo with Jay Z and some champagne on ice inside.

That would be awesome! Really. :bounce:

[PBS Poll-435]

22. Maybe something a little more "low-key"

Like getting out of a Prius with Rachael Ray.

[NYC_SKP]

27. Yes, indeed....

Or a bicycle built for two, with Michelle.

Who's that behind them? Sasha and Malia!!!

[Uncle Joe]

23. I think it's perfect as it pays homage to the "birthplace of democracy" and one other positive point

the people will be looking down at their potential elected leaders, making this is a position of humility.

Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, NYC_SKP.

[NYC_SKP]

28. Thanks, Uncle Joe.

And good point, a superior position above the candidate.

Awesome!

[Bozita]

33. Eugene Robinson said it's similar to the set GWB used at the GOP's '04 convention

That'll drive the freepers right up the wall.

[NYC_SKP]

34. They were all gearing up to use it, can't use it now... nt