This is the best account of Michelle Obama's speech I've come across...

[WilliamPitt]

...enjoy. P.S. This has some good stuff about Teddy K. rocking the mike, as well...

Michelle Introduces Who the Obamas Really Are: Just Like All of Us
By Steven Rosenfeld
AlterNet

Posted August 26, 2008.

Michelle Obama gives an inspiring and intimate introduction to her family's all-American success story. And: Ted Kennedy passes the torch.

(snip)

Introducing the party's nominee on the first night of a national political convention is standard fare. However, Michelle Obama's personal speech was a striking departure from the often-staid speeches at these forums. People who have seen Michelle Obama speak say she often talks personally; reporters and others who have followed her over the years say her performance on Monday showcased the more earnest and empathetic sides of her personality, in contrast to prior political campaigns.

The speech's emphasis on familiar family values was underscored by its finale, when Barack Obama spoke by video to Michelle Obama and his two daughters, who joined their mother at the podium, while the convention hall and television audience watched. During her speech, Michelle Obama repeatedly said her children were the center of her life, and seeing their interactions at the evening's close emphasized the more ordinary side of an undoubtedly extraordinary family.

The Obama children ignored the audience and television cameras and excitedly asked their father about the other kids in the room with him -- who were watching Michelle Obama's speech from Kansas City. The exchange was typical of any family with two young children; it was as endearing as it was devoid of any rough edges.

"Now you know why I asked her (out) so many times," Barack Obama said, speaking of his wife, after praising her speech. "You want a persistent president."

(snip)

The drumbeat of Obama anecdotes was broken by the surprise appearance of Sen. Ted Kennedy, (D-MA) who earlier this summer was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His niece, Caroline Kennedy, introduced her uncle as a tireless fighter for "justice, fairness, service, sacrifice, faith and family." His appearance, after a poignant video showcasing the ailing senator as the man who kept his deceased brothers' mission alive for decades, was very emotional for delegates. Kennedy's family joined him on the podium after he spoke.

Caroline Kennedy praised her uncle, but said she also was inspired by Obama. "I never had anybody inspire me the way people say my father inspired them -- until now," she said. "It is time now for a new generation of change. It is time for Barack Obama."

Sen. Kennedy was greeted by stranding ovations, surrounded in a sea of blue and white posters with his name printed on it. "I have come here to stand with you, to change America, to restore its future, to rise to its best ideals and to elect Barack Obama president of the United States," Kennedy said, in a still-strong voice. "We have never lost our belief we are all called to a better country."

Kennedy said "new hope" has been the cause of his life and pledged to return to the Senate in January 2009 to pass legislation providing health care for all Americans. "Yes, we can, and finally, yes, we will," he said, to an ovation.

"Barack Obama will close the book on the old politics of race, and gender, and group against group, and straight against gay," Kennedy said. "Barack Obama will be a commander in chief who understands that that young Americans in uniforms must not be committed to a mistake."

"We are told that Barack Obama believes too much in an America of bold principle and high endeavor. But when John Kennedy thought of going to the moon, he didn't think that was too far. Kennedy concluded, "There is a new wave of change all around us. If we set our compass there, we will reach destination. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. The dream lives on."

The whole article is here: http://www.alternet.org/election08/96380/michelle_introduces_who_the_obamas_really_are%3A_just_like_all_of_us/?page=entire









:toast:

[KaryninMiami]

1. Exellent piece. Keith Olbermann said it perfectly- "Home Run" -

She was wonderful- as were their kids. It was an emotional night - I started sobbing when Caroline introduced her uncle and while watching Maria Shriver in the audience. But Michelle hit it out of the park and those kids were just perfect.

Tonight however, it's time to shift the tone and go after the Bush criminals and McCain with gusto- it's time for America to see clearly, and be reminded again of what a disaster a McCain administration would be to this country, to the world and to our planet.

[lamp_shade]

4. ... and "Case Closed" n/t

[LaurenG]

2. That was a beautiful speech

I feel 100% better after hearing her.

Thanks for the great post.

[zbdent]

3. and of course, the RW WTAM "dj" this morning had to dumb it down to the bumper-sticker mental level

of his normal listeners ...

and was way off mark ...

as he put it: "My country sucks, let's change."

I can't wait until he reviews McCain's wife (whichever one, or maybe one of his "scores" of yore) - "Everything's wonderful! Stay the course!"

[rocktivity]

5. Here's the worst account, from Michael Goodwin of the NY Daily News

Welcome to the "Repair Barack Obama's Image" convention. That so much repair work is needed speaks to the campaign's concern about the sagging poll numbers and the fear that Obama, for all his soaring success, still has not connected with the working-class voters who will decide the election...

...Part of fixing Barack's image involves fixing Michelle Obama's image, too, a task assigned to her brother, who told how normal their upbringing was. Then it was her turn to try to erase the doubts that she is sufficiently patriotic, doubts caused largely by some of her own statements.

She was very good, she looked fabulous, and despite some understandable nerves, did her job well. "Isn't that the great American story," she said at one point after a plain-vanilla anecdote, and waited for the audience applause, which came a bit late and less than roaring. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/08/25/2008-08-25_barack_obama_is_not_like_us_and_he_shoul.html">(link)

Note he doesn't diss her, but he doesn't praise her, either. By the way, Goodwin, what's so wonderful about John McCan't?

:eyes:
rocknation