Barack accepts the nomination and delivers great speech.

[rn79870]

Here are some notes I typed as Barack spoke. I didn't catch every word as he still speaks faster than I type. It was a great speech. He laid out his plan for change. Here are a few of the elements of his speech. 45 minutes long.

Here's my Change

Tax code that doesn't reward the people who wrote it, but the people it effects.

Eliminate cap gains for small businesses and start up companies

Cut taxes for 95% of all working families. No middle class tax raises, they can't afford it.

Set a clear goal, 10 years we will end dependence on oil from middle east.

I will tap natural gas reserves. Invest in clean coal, Invest in nuclear power.

Clean cars will be built here in America, not overseas.

$160 billion in renewable fuels & 5 million new jobs, within 10 years.

Every child should have a world class education to compete in global economy.

Recruit army of new teachers, with higher salary and more support, and I ask for higher standards and accountability from them.

If you serve community or our country, we'll make sure you can afford a college education.

Affordable, accessible health care to all Americans. If you have it. we'll lower your premiums, You'll get the same quality health care that the members of congress get.

Now is the time to help families with paid sick leave and family leave.

Change bankruptcy laws so retiree pensions are protected ahead of CEO bonuses.

Insure equal pay for equal days work for all Americans.

I have laid out how I'll pay for all this. Review the Federal budget line by line, and eliminating programs that don't work and make the ones that work work better.

If JM wants to debate my Temperament and judgment to serve as next CIC I welcome that debate...

If JM wants to follow GW with tough talk and bad strategy, that's his choice, but that's not the change the country needs.

As CIC I will never hesitate to defend this country. As CIC I will never send troops into battle without all the equipment they need to do the job.

I will curb the Nuclear programs in Iraq.

These times are too serious, the stakes too high for the same old play book.

[sr20deTsomeday118]

his speech was so powerful, made me get goosebumps. he's got my vote, but i can only hope that he holds true to the promises that he made

[ishkabibble]

Some of his promises were a bit over the top, but the guy is a fantastic orator. I actually took a break from trolling Matt to watch it.

[AZhitman]

Agreed.

Beautifully done.

I can certainly appreciate his prowess on the podium. My concern lies with the content and the "liberties" taken therein.

But, brilliantly presented.

[Jimefam]

Put it this way rn79870 if he accomplishes 1/4 that as president he would be one of the greats. Unfortunately its the nature of politics to over promise. Still an amazing speech that will be impossible for poor mccain, with the mans early stage of dementia setting in to match. It was so good that even someone such as myself with my cynicism and stable tempermant wants to believe in and see more of. GO POLITICS!!!

[dasoupdude]

i can only hope that he holds true to the promises that he made

probably not.

[Beancooker]

I will curb the Nuclear programs in Iraq.

Iran? I think Bush has done away with any aspirations of nuclear anything in Iraq.

[smockers83]

Agreed, very good speech. I said in another thread, but I'll repeat it for subject's sake, that I had to play devil's advocate on two points. One that he said he would back troops in time of war and give them all they needed, yet he voted against that I believe. Also, he called upon McCain to not make decisions for political reasons, which can be said of Obama and energy.

I have to be honest, and I think I may surprise some with this, that speech was very powerful for me as an undecided. Can't wait for the debates
Modified by smockers83 at 2:41 AM 8/29/2008

[Jimefam]

Sorry i'm confused. Undecided that the speech was powerful or which candidate to choose. I think you mean the candidates and not the speech.

[szh]

Can't wait for the debates

Exactly right!

Feel-good, rhetorical speeches, made in friendly environment, mean nothing really. The debates will help me and also, lots of reading on specific positions that are important to me.

Yes, surprise! Even though I strongly prefer McCain, I have not yet made my mind up totally.

My wife is quite gung-ho about Obama already, though. Her choice!

Z

[sr20deTsomeday118]

personally they should just set up a boxing matchthat would settle the store

[rn79870]

And I want you guys to appreciate how Nico scooped the nation in this. The OP was posted at 8:02 (never m ind that the clodk is off by 6 minutes at nico). Just 2 minutes after Barack finished his speeck. Nico was the first forum if not the first web site in the nation to post a unspun digest of his speech.

[ishkabibble]

I dunno, there probably is some TTY website that has you beat.

[szh]

personally they should just set up a boxing matchthat would settle the store

Would not work for McCain, unfortunately ... he cannot raise his arms above his shoulders. Result of the time he spent at the Hanoi Hilton.

(I know you were kidding really. )

Z

[szh]

And I want you guys to appreciate how Nico scooped the nation in this. The OP was posted at 8:02 (never m ind that the clodk is off by 6 minutes at nico). Just 2 minutes after Barack finished his speeck. Nico was the first forum if not the first web site in the nation to post a unspun digest of his speech.

Good job!

Z

[nsrZ32]

Absolutely outstanding speech indeed

[Cold_Zero]

My two major gripes about the Speech where:1. Obama purposely left out that he went to NYU and Harvard and Michelle Obama went to Princeton and Harvard. They beat on McCain for being out of touch, rich and someone that the common person can't relate to. But to be honest, I probably can relate better to John McCain schooling and start a lot better than the Obamas. 2. Obama invoking 1 Peter 3:15. It doesnt surprise me that someone that goes to a church that teaches liberation theology wouldnt understand that the hope that Peter is talking about is not some quasi Messianic politician from Chicago. Our real hope is not vested in politicians, princes or principalities. I will shut up now as to not cross the line and travel into the next three zip codes.

[Soravia]

This is just same Old Obama, copying lines from others' playbooks including Hillary's and McCain's.Policies that he just attacked during primary.As soon as he run into oppisition on those things he just outlined, he'll change to something else.Hypocrisy we can expect.

[HashiriyaS14]

My two major gripes about the Speech where:1. Obama purposely left out that he went to NYU and Harvard and Michelle Obama went to Princeton and Harvard. They beat on McCain for being out of touch, rich and someone that the common person can't relate to. But to be honest, I probably can relate better to John McCain schooling and start a lot better than the Obamas.

How is getting into top schools via scholarships, student loans, and saving *possibly* elitist?

Neither McCain NOR Obama had "rich" upbringings in the same sense that, say, George H W Bush did, or the Kennedy's.

This is a silly point and you know it. Every American should aspire to do what the Obamas did (educationally). They weren't really handed anything but the got to the top tier and did great there through sheer hard work, with scholarships and student loans.

[Cold_Zero]

How is getting into top schools via scholarships, student loans, and saving *possibly* elitist?

Neither McCain NOR Obama had "rich" upbringings in the same sense that, say, George H W Bush did, or the Kennedy's.

This is a silly point and you know it. Every American should aspire to do what the Obamas did (educationally). They weren't really handed anything but the got to the top tier and did great there through sheer hard work, with scholarships and student loans.

Hash,Sorry but going to Princeton, NYU and Harvard (all Ivy League Schools) can be construed as Elitist. Sorry, but most people who go to State Colleges or Universities that rack up a **** load of student loans and really don't get scholarships probably can't relate to someone who goes to two Ivy League Schools. Seriously, to you (Hash) which one do you more closely relate to in your educational history:1. Attending two Ivy League schools like Princeton, Harvard or NYU, with Scholarships and Student Loans?2. Attending the United States Naval Academy where you dont really have tuition but you are expected to pay off your debt with a 4-8 year commission.

To be honest, I would think that McCain's closely resembles my experience because it appears to be more blue-white collar. It is so much of an issue that the Obama Campaign has to apologize for his Ivy League roots by saying, "He could have gone to Wall Street, but he packed his bags and went to Chicago to be a community organizer. Where people were loosing their jobs...."Never once did I hear the Kennedys, the Bushes or the Clintons apologize for their Ivy League roots.

Make no mistake, I am not implying that the Obamas were handed anything (affirmative action) nor that they didn't work hard (you don't become a doctor or a lawyer by slacking off). My point is this, I find it disingenuous that they have to apologize for their Ivy League roots and then turn around and blast a guy that by no means was Rich when he served in the United States Navy. Trust me, 99.9% of the people that serve in the Military are not rich. If they get paid after their service and hit it big, I don't hold it against anyone. To be honest, I don't hold it against the Obamas for being rich. They worked hard for their money. I just resent them playing the common folk card, attacking their opponent for being rich and trying to take money away from rich people. Now that is bull ****.

[96Qowner]

Apparently, only 19% of TV viewers watched it. 81% watched something else. The ratings actually dropped from earlier.

... wow.

[Cold_Zero]

Look,I was happy last night that the Redskins game finished up before the keynote speech. Had anyone interrupted the Redskins, even during a blow out, I would have been pissed.

[sensibleS13driver]

.

[HashiriyaS14]

Hash,Sorry but going to Princeton, NYU and Harvard (all Ivy League Schools) can be construed as Elitist. Sorry, but most people who go to State Colleges or Universities that rack up a **** load of student loans and really don't get scholarships probably can't relate to someone who goes to two Ivy League Schools. Seriously, to you (Hash) which one do you more closely relate to in your educational history:1. Attending two Ivy League schools like Princeton, Harvard or NYU, with Scholarships and Student Loans?2. Attending the United States Naval Academy where you dont really have tuition but you are expected to pay off your debt with a 4-8 year commission.

To be honest, I would think that McCain's closely resembles my experience because it appears to be more blue-white collar. It is so much of an issue that the Obama Campaign has to apologize for his Ivy League roots by saying, "He could have gone to Wall Street, but he packed his bags and went to Chicago to be a community organizer. Where people were loosing their jobs...."Never once did I hear the Kennedys, the Bushes or the Clintons apologize for their Ivy League roots.

Make no mistake, I am not implying that the Obamas were handed anything (affirmative action) nor that they didn't work hard (you don't become a doctor or a lawyer by slacking off). My point is this, I find it disingenuous that they have to apologize for their Ivy League roots and then turn around and blast a guy that by no means was Rich when he served in the United States Navy. Trust me, 99.9% of the people that serve in the Military are not rich. If they get paid after their service and hit it big, I don't hold it against anyone. To be honest, I don't hold it against the Obamas for being rich. They worked hard for their money. I just resent them playing the common folk card, attacking their opponent for being rich and trying to take money away from rich people. Now that is bull ****.

A.) NYU is not an Ivy League School by ANY stretch of the imagination

B.) You're saying because they got into Ivy League Schools (Princeton, Harvard, and Columbia) on sheer merit that they're elitist? That just makes them bright. You're saying that they're too intelligent for the average American to relate to? You give the average American that little credit.

I Guarant**kingTEE you that if you ask the average parent in the United States what they want for their child, educationally, the word "Harvard" is likely to come up about 80% of the time. This is what Americans aspire to, at least the vast majority of them. And unlike GWB who broke into the Ivy League because he was a rich guy, the Obamas did it the real American way, the way real Americans across this country aspire to do and aspire for their children to do. They got in by getting scholarships and taking out federal student loans.

The point is that BOTH Obama and McCain started out, relatively speaking, as "common folk". McCain DID probably only get into the Naval Academy because his father and grandfather were both decorated admirals however, as his grades were absolutely horrendous and it's very unlikely that he would've been able to pass muster on his own.

Besides, the question is not "who can I relate to", the question is "what should this country aspire to".

The answer, just if you're wondering, is that most people in this country aspire to make it to Ivy League Schools even if they come from a financially meager background, which is PRECISELY what the Obamas BOTH did.

I don't mean to discredit McCain, that isn't my intention, my intention is to demonstrate that there's NO POSSIBLE WAY that getting into a top-tier educational institution through sheer hard work could ever be construed as "elitist" by anyone who's head is screwed on straight.

[Cold_Zero]

Ugh, no one went to NYU.

What about George who went to Yale on his dad's buck? Did he talk about that? Is that any less elitist?I suppose C students at state schools can relate to a C student at Yale, moreso than the president of the Harvard Law Review. I have never taken BO as apologetic.

Yeah I agree with Hash, give me a break.

I am sorry, I got NYU and Columbia mixed up. You guys are right, NYU is not an Ivy League School, but Columbia where Obama went is.

MY point is this (and maybe I am not making it well enough), why does the Obama campaign feel the need to apologize for the Obamas attending two Ivy League Schools and do everything in their power to white wash the guys history to make him look like common folk?

Obama has been the inspirational candidate in this race, yet apologizes for going to two Ivy League Schools. Why not say to America, "...And you can too." Instead of trying to defend against an attack (about being Elitist) that has never surfaced?

Sorry guys, I resent RICH people and well to do Politicians with liberal guilt that feel the need to take other people's money and redistribute it. I especially resent politicians that portray themselves common folk, when its evident that they are not and then try to convince me that I need them to do as they say (not as they do).

[srellim234]

John McCain's background is actually more "elite". Growing up exposed only to military families and military life. A private prep boarding high school in Virginia. Getting into the Naval Academy is by special appointment. Not everyone with the grades can get in. You need "connections". Already serving in Washington, D.C. as Navy liaison to the Senate in '77. Already planned to run for Congress before he got out of the Navy. V.P. of Public Relations at his new father-in-law's beer distributorship. All the time he has spent with priviledge and in Washington politics.

I see nothing that indicates that John McCain can even relate to the average person on the street. That he's ever actually been exposed to or actually worked with anyone there.

John McCain calling Barack Obama elitist is absolutely calling the kettle black (no pun intended).

[Cold_Zero]

I dont think John McCain has called Obama Elitist. And the point is on McCain's background. I dont see him running from it or even apologizing for it.

What I observed last night is that Obama conveniently left out his Ivy League Pedigree. That is all. If I went to both schools, I would be proud of it and not hide it.bud

[96Qowner]

Until the Ivy League Harvard experience, he was Barry, the boy who was raised by white grandparents in Kansas. At Harvard he wanted to be called Barack and begin to explore his Blackness. He then went to Chicago to be an activist and member of Rev Wright's church.

[sensibleS13driver]

I disagree and see Obama's portrayal of his past not as apologetic or guilty, but as an attempt to gain the trust of much of blue collar America. Did last night not point out proudly that he was the president of the Harvard Law Review? Some will obviously not come around and, arguably, vote in their best interest (and likely cite some ambiguous "pride").

I live in the epicenter of liberal guilt surrounded by $1.5m homes with his and her Prii. Vote for Obama as they may, they are certainly not the ones who have the most to gain here, or the targets of last night's speech. There will be no catastrophic redistribution of wealth. That's ridiculous. I took last night's speech to be exactly in the tone of "you can too".

[rn79870]

.... At Harvard he wanted to be called Barack and begin to explore his Blackness. He then went to Chicago to be an activist and member of Rev Wright's church.

That dog don't hunt. How does one explore one's blackness?