Speaking of nepotism, wtf is Luke Russert doing broadcasting from the convention?
Jesus christ. Another generation of Irish Catholic salt-of-the-earth working class worship and Buffalo stories. At least we made it through the segment without a shout out to Big Russ. I think I might just shoot my tv now.
*** Update ***
Media coverage of the convention so far could be described as a lot of people talking earnestly about things but not saying anything. Which, come to think of it, could describe politics.
*** Update #2 ***
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Diet 7-Up? Really, hands down, the best diet drink out there. Although I do like Diet-Rite.
*** Update #3 ***
Bumped this so it is at the top of the page. Listening to Nancy Pelosi’s pep rally was physically painful.
*** Update #4 ***
Kudlow is back on the blow. Democratic convention to blame for stock market dip. Apparently, Democrats are so bad for the economy they can bring down the market BEFORE their convention even starts.
*** Update #5 ***
Site crashed for awhile. Must have been as bored as I am.
*** Update #6 ***
The kids are pretty damned adorable, even though I still prefer cats. To each his own. Tunch will never get pregnant or wreck a car.
*** Update #7 ***
Listening to these people prattle on endlessly (I am flipping between CNN and MSNBC), it occurs to me how good Chuck Todd really is.
Maggie
The good news for Luke is that there is obviously plenty of room in journalism for lack of insight or ability to think one’s way out of a paper bag.
KRK
What happened to Ret. Rear Admiral Hutson (lifelong Republican)? Was he a no-show?
Ted
The most disgusting example of nepotism lately in the media. They really do think it’s all about them. And to them, it’s a natural act of respect for the late Russert. I think the same way about Ron Reagan, no matter how good of a liberal pundit he makes.
KRK
OT – but, hey, it’s just America’s Town Hall –
Apparently the Obama campaign isn’t going to take the Obama-is-a-terroist-sympathizer slander lying down.
Dulcie
They’ve been talking up Luke Russert for weeks on MSNBC. He’s supposed to be the “youth outreach” reporter.
You missed the Big Russ hagiography – the MSNBC team has been talking about it off an on all day – how proud Tim would be, etc.
cleek
diet Dr Pepper is the pinnacle of ‘diet’ soft drinks.
Apsaras
On the other hand, nepotism kinda/sorta got us Matt Taibbi, so that’s one point for it.
Jake
OT, but this deserves serious ridicule. Real estate prices must be depressed in Georgia after all those tanks rolling around. I bet Cindy’s just itching to get over there, since she hasn’t bought a condo in months.
GG
Hmm — I actually think Lil Russert has done a nice job, nepotism or no.
amorphous
Hey now, Sprite Zero is the Cadillac of diet sodas.
John Madden
Diet Coke is the Brett Favre of diet soft drinks.
mikefromtexas
If you’re going diet, give Fresca a try. It’s the only one I can stand.
4tehlulz
Diet 7-Up + Seagram’s 7 = WIN
Ted
I guess, but damn, look at the guy’s resume and life history so far. He’s got to have some titanium balls.
Dulcie
I’m a huge Coke Zero fan – I buy it by the 24 pack. I could never get into Diet Coke. Coke Zero tastes more like regular Coke.
Dreggas
She’ll come home with another baby which she was compelled to adopt by the ghost of Mother Teresa.
Jake
“John McCain has the experience…of being wrong.”
From Pelosi. I didn’t know she had it in her.
Maggie
Diet Cherry Vanilla Doctor Pepper. It’s not even a contest.
Just Some Fuckhead
Don’t get me started, John!
(Fuckhead +3 Vicodin)
PC
For being the Speaker, Pelosi isn’t a very good speaker.
JGabriel
John Cole:
I hope to God you got paid for that product placement.
.
Michael D.
I think, if you’re a Dr. Pepper fan, that Diet Dr. Pepper is the best. To me, it tastes exactly like the original. I also like Diet Mountian Dew.
My personal favorite though, is Coke Zero.
RoonieRoo
Coke Zero fan and gonna send the Grumpy Code Monkey out to get me some when he gets back from walking the dog.
Pres. Carter looks pretty darn good for his age in this video at the convention right now.
Skalite
Diet Sprite (“Sprite Zero”) is way better than Diet 7-up.
Fact.
Just Some Fuckhead
Jimmy Carter is such an incredible American. We’re fortunate he’s had such a long post-Presidential career to make a difference in the world.
sistermoon
I am loving this music!!! This band is kicking ass!!!
BTW, I’m from Buffalo, and I’m sick of the Buffalo stories…
John S.
I agree. He is far too decent and moral of a man to have made an effective president. I go into a rage anytime I hear some loudmouth conservative take a shot at him.
Carter is a better person than Rush Limbaugh, all his listeners and every conservative pundit combined. I woud trade all of their worthless asses for one more person like Jimmy Carter.
Mary
Sprite Zero was ruined by the change in fake sweetener, turning into a pallid, flabby mess in your mouth. I drank 4 cans from a case, wondering why it tasted practically flat even though it was still bubbly, before I checked the label and was enlightened.
Diet 7Up and the various grapefruit and citrus diet drinks like Fresca are still good, with some nice bite.
And Coke Zero, unlike Sprite, was actually improved by the change in sweetener.
But if you have to go diet, go Pepsi. That extra bit of citrus and bitterness, maybe with a splash of lime juice added, is the perfect balance. It’s as superior to any diet Coke as real Coke is superior to real Pepsi.
Cassidy
Zero, diet, etc., taste like cough syrup. I’ll take a real Pepsi any day.
Jorge
Diet Coke you friggin amateurs. Diet cola isn’t about tasting good – it is about getting you so hooked you get headaches if you miss a dose.
Haven’t had a day with out a Diet Coke since 1998 – how many of you can say that about your drinks?
Help me
J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford
Diet Orange Crush. It’s like liquid crack. It has 20 calories, so it does have some sugar…but that just makes it better.
Vanilla Zero is yummy too.
Jake
NPR is interviewing some pundit who’s commenting on how Denver’s become “chocolate city” with all the Obama supporters. It’s like, “OMG! Look at all the Negroes!!!”
I’m not kidding.
nightjar
John Mccain drinks week old Jungle swamp water. It’s to wash down all the POW Holy Dirt. Librul pussies.
Charity
SO FUCKING SICK AND TIRED of hearing about the Clintonistas and their wounded feelings! My God, these people are the FIRST EVER TO HAVE THEIR CANDIDATE LOSE.
Fuck the media. I switched over to C-Span and am staying here.
Delia
Any diet drink better have caffeine in it or it might as well be water. I generally drink diet Pepsi when I go for carbonated drinks. My brother is a diet Dr. Pepper addict, and when I’m at his house I drink that.
Charity
Tru fax. Sadly I can’t have anything with caffeine, and trying to track down the caffeine-free version is tough.
JasonF
How in the name of God does Kudlow have a job? Does he not think that information like Senator Obama’s position on taxes or the fact that the Democrats are having their convention today are not already priced into the market?
KRK
Pelosi was pretty bad, but you have to admit that “John McCain has experience…being wrong” is a pretty good line.
Ken
The original is called “Dublin Dr Pepper,” because it is made only in Dublin, Texas, from the original formula which included Imperial cane sugar. It is available in 8 oz. glass bottles online, and it will never be mistaken for the pale imitation masquerading as Dr Pepper or Diet Dr Pepper.
(There’s no period after Dr, by the way.)
Diet Squirt rules the planet. Always has. Always will. In college in the 80s I lived on Diet Squirt Plus.
Krista
Absolutely. Throw in some French Kiss (vanilla schnapps), and you’ve got a damn fine drink.
And I agree that Coke is better than Pepsi, but Diet Pepsi kicks Diet Coke’s ass.
Ah, this discussion is like manna from heaven — I am getting so incredibly sick of this election, and it’s not even September yet.
RoonieRoo
I had to switch over the C-Span. I couldn’t handle listening to the sheer stupidity of the punditry and getting hit with all the McCain attack ads on CNN. I’d rather watch people who can’t dance then listen to the blabbing-heads.
Prince Roy
Diet Mt. Dew. With or without vodka.
Nancy Irving
In the last few years it has become a painful joke in the comments threads of economics/financial markets blogs that the market always goes up on bad news. (It even seems to be true for individual stocks, go figure.)
So the market dip makes perfect sense; and expect to see a bounce from the Republican convention.
J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford
Go beavers indeed.
Ted
Damn, Michelle is looking good.
Martin
So did I. When I was 9. In 1977.
They still make that stuff?
Hansens. They’ve dumped the HFCS for cane sugar in their non-diet. Totally worth drinking 1/4 as many to enjoy them 10x as much. (I drink about 2 sodas per week on average, so I have a totally different baseline from most people.)
Just Some Fuckhead
Well, on the bright side, the convention can only get better after tonight. Hopefully Republicans will spend their convention attacking themselves because Democrats sure as fuck ain’t gonna do it.
toujuoursdan
If there are any other Canadians here, CSPAN coverage is on Canada’s Parliamentary channel CPAC Live Stream – English or or in French dubbing
Scrutinizer
Great speech by MO. That can only be good news for McCain.
Just Some Fuckhead
Jeez, that last bit from KC was just awkward. Is it too late to nominate HRC?
TR
Michelle just knocked that out of the fucking park. Wow.
Bostondreams
Wow. Michelle Obama is a hell of a photogenic woman. And what a great speech. Epic WIN.
Makes up, some, for the non-Kennedy portions tonight!
TCG
Michele definitely rocked.
Conservatively Liberal
No shit, she really did a great job with her speech. The last bit with the kids stealing the mic was great. They saw their Dad and they had to talk to him…lol! That was as cute as you can get, and as a father I can totally relate to it. His kids (and his wife) obviously love him and it shows.
Nice way to wrap up an excellent speech! That is a first family I can get behind and support wholeheartedly.
Bob In Pacifica
I drink Safeway’s house brand, Diet Go2 Cola. Works for me. I grew up on RC Cola in New Jersey back in the fifties and sixties. I never see it out here in California.
I decided to skip the convention until they get to the beach volleyball competition. Watched the Chargers-Seahawks exhibition instead.
Jake
Not sure if it’s been mentioned yet or not, but later on Leno tonight McCain will once again play the POW card to explain why he has so many homes.
Unfuckingbelievable.
Rome Again
Oh please, it wasn’t THAT bad.
Michelle Obama’s speech was very inspiring. I’m floored with how wonderful that speech was.
Cris
I’ve never really seen David Brooks before, but hearing just a few seconds of his post-convention analysis on PBS, I understand why everybody hates him.
Just Some Fuckhead
It must be torture listening to the spoiled little heiress whine for a new house.
DougJ
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Diet 7-Up?
For five-and-a-half years during the Vietnam war, I didn’t have Diet Seven-Up, I didn’t have Sprite Zero, I didn’t have Fresca.
Just Some Fuckhead
I kept waiting for Zell Miller to bust in shooting two little pistols and screaming like Yosemite Sam.
Dreggas
I think Michelle was on the verge of tears and it was a great speech. She did hit it out of the park.
Cris
First time I’ve heard her. She’s really an excellent speaker.
Obama ’16
Maggie
Even K-Lo called it a homerun. Enough said.
Mwangangi
Michelle exceeded the hype. [I spend more time writing here than I do in my own blog].
zoe from pittsburgh
Damn. I didn’t think it could be done but I think Michelle just outshined Kennedy. Holy fucking wow.
Screw the MSM network coverage– if you switch back and forth between MSNBC and CSPAN you get a completely different convention. That means you get the boring fill-in bits as well as the good parts. But you actually get the convention and not a bunch of talking heads yammering OVER the actual convention happening behind them.
DougJ
She’s too good a speaker. When the crowd started cheering, it was like watching a black Britney Spears. Thus far, the convention’s been nothing but good news for McCain.
Rome Again
Well, then she had better make a run for the senate by 2014 because we know she won’t have it handed to her on a silver platter simply for being “First Lady”.
Dennis - SGMM
That’s a slap in the face to Chelsea Clinton.
TCG
Anyone watching Fox News.
Apparently Michele and the message the Dems are ineffective at best and most likely disingenuous.
nightjar
Good thing he didn’t, democrats would have mowed him down with spitballs!
DougJ
That’s a slap in the face to Chelsea Clinton.
Chelsea wasn’t even vetted.
Mike G
Do you think that amidst all the ‘Dems in turmoil’ sensationalism, the corporate media will mention that McCain was losing 20+% of the primary votes even after all other candidates had dropped out of the race?
Methinks Ron Paul’s supporters are not going to line up to be shorn quite as readily as the typical repig gullible sheep.
The Thinking Man's Mel Torme
How much was his head bobbing? It does so in direct proportion to how witty he himself thinks he’s being. I would pay my life savings to see Rachel Maddow brain him with a cast iron skillet.
Just Some Fuckhead
And what about ex-Republican Jim Leach? We coulda got Hagel or Colin Powell or any number of disaffected Republicams with some quid pro quo but instead we wind up with the human version of Fozzie Bear.
Really a disappointing night, despite Michelle Obama.
Dreggas
Cops bust plot to Kill Obama in Denver
John Cole
Sexist. That comment is a slap in the face to all women who don’t cook.
Rome Again
Who pissed in your cheerios today?
John Cole
They got Animal, aka Zell Miller. I call it a good trade.
Studly Pantload
LOLZ – Someone behind the outdoor podium that the MSNBC gang is broadcasting from is holding a “Bring back Crystal Pepsi” sign. Anyone from here?
Jake
I suspect one reason it took so long for Maddow to get her own show is that she’s a heckofa lot smarter than the assclowns like Brooks, and she doesn’t hesitate to call them on their bullshit. She exposes people on national television, and I love her for it.
DougJ
Halperin’s saying that Michelle’s speech opened the door to attacks on the family’s connection to Ayers, Wright, and Daley. Says it’s the worst night of the campaign for Obama.
zoe from pittsburgh
And what about ex-Republican Jim Leach? We coulda got Hagel or Colin Powell or any number of disaffected Republicams with some quid pro quo but instead we wind up with the human version of Fozzie Bear.
My wife and I were watching the convention from bed and she turned to me and asked “Are you sure that isn’t Kermit the Frog’s voice? Because if you tell me anything differently I won’t believe it.”
Rome Again
I didn’t think so.
Signed,
A woman who doesn’t cook
Just Some Fuckhead
haha. Actually this time around they got Joe Lieberman.
wasabi gasp
Michelle was fantastic. Daddy’s girls were super cute.
The McCain families have their work cut out for them.
RoonieRoo
Dennis- That cracked me up!
In Vino Veritas
The Obama kids really are too cute. This is excellent news for McCain, who spent 5 and a half years without any cute kids.
The Thinking Man's Mel Torme
I’m a notgirl and I have two cast iron skillets. Moran.
I also have four cats so I suppose I’m an all-around freak.
Delia
But those girls will never claw the carpets and turn them into a pathetic threadbare mess, as one of my felines insists on doing. Doesn’t matter how many scratching posts and pads I provide her with. Nothing beats the rugs.
And those girls are great. Great speech. Great followup. The wingers are going to have to think a bit on how to deflate this one.
zoe from pittsburgh
Michelle was FANTASTIC. Seriously. Smart, honest with a lot of warm fuzzies thrown into the mix.
The most important question of the night: If you had never seen Michelle speak and have only heard bad things about her up to this point what would you think about her after seeing this speech?
Just Some Fuckhead
Meh, I don’t need my cheerios wizzed in to call ’em like I see ’em. If you want a geewillikers rah-rah version of events, hang around for CL.
Dennis - SGMM
Supply sider and economic genius Kudlow is still on CNBC despite in no way anticipating the sub-prime meltdown. Kudlow is to economics what Brooks is to politics.
Jake
Cole, you might have given that McPenis out a bit too early.
Ted
Jeff Godlstein is a slap in the face.
colleeniem
I have a modified girlcrush on Michelle.
Want. In the White House.
The Thinking Man's Mel Torme
Speaking of Maddow, I think by the death-stare she’s giving him that she’s one interruption away from beating Pat Buchanan’s fat ass.
Ouch! She just nailed Pat in the crotch over his 1992 “culture war” speech at the RNC. Wow, she just stole his milk money and depantsed him in one smooth motion.
zoe from pittsburgh
Michelle stepped up and spoke like a first lady that most of America would be proud of. I can’t help but wonder how Hillary’s deadenders feel about that speech. If they can walk away from it with their bitterness intact then they’re beyond hope or salvation and should just register GOPer already.
Just Some Fuckhead
Yep, still black.
YellowJournalism
Can’t wreck a car?
Walker
And Ben Stein is Jonah Goldberg.
KRK
I’ll grant you the pregnancy (or lack thereof), but I think you dangerously underestimate Tunch if you think he couldn’t wreck a car.
zoe from pittsburgh
As for Maddow, I can’t even articulate how excited I am that she’s getting her own daily show– there is some hope left that the MSM can actually serve a truth-seeking purpose where a well-informed, brilliant person can rise to the top.
Also, I know a lot hasn’t been made of this but she’s easily the first out lesbian with her own mainstream show. She makes me extra proud as a member of the lesbian political junkie tribe.
TR
That was amazing. She calmly but clearly told Buchanan that when he was ranting and raving about the gay menace in 1992, she was a young woman who felt the full force of his hate.
All the other media assclowns gladhand Buchanan like he’s a venerated retired athlete who played the game strong and hard, and now we can all laugh about it at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Not Maddow. Sixteen years ago that asshole used people like her as a political pinata, and she’s in no mood to play nice.
I’m sure Broder and Kurtz will lecture her for her poor manners tomorrow.
KRK
Michelle’s delivery was all the more impressive for the fact that at least some portion of her brain had to be running a commentary along the lines of “See, ignorant voters out there in TV-land, I’m not Angela Davis after all….Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!” Or at least that’s what I’d be thinking.
Andrew
Watching on DVR so I’m a bit behind…
HOLY SHIT, Michelle is awesome!
Shots of audience crying, awesome!
Cutest kids EVAR, awesome!
TR
What about Ellen Degeneres?
Or did you mean an explicitly political show?
Conservatively Liberal
Poor JSF! ;) He was looking for someone to dive in with the verbal knife and start slashing the Republicans to ribbons, he wanted blood and all he got was the warm & fuzzies.
All I say is that Michelle’s speech was excellent and that the kids were cute, and that is “a geewillikers rah-rah version of events” ? Glad I didn’t get more descriptive otherwise you would have overloaded on it. ;)
I think the proper question should be: Who did the Hershey squirts in your Cheerios today?
I think they are saving the heavy weaponry for the last part of the convention. Why go negative from day one when you have a few days to get your point across. Get the ‘unity’ stuff out there and being talked about, which they have done well tonight. There were some cringing moments early on, but nothing fatal and Michelle and the kids did a great close for a positive ending to the first day.
If they do not go after McGoo after the first two days, I will be right there (pissed and disgusted) with you JSF. I want to have the contrast between McGoo and Obama spelled out for every one who is watching to see. I just think you are jumping the gun a bit on this.
Peace. :)
DougJ
Pat was a good sport about it, though. Those two have a great rapport, strangely enough.
Just Some Fuckhead
Uh, Rosie O’Donnell was out of the gate before Ellen.
zzyzx
This was my initial reaction:
Wow! Remember the game here from the right is to demonize Barack and Michelle. Not only did Michelle give an incredible speech, but the moment at the end where Barack showed up on the video screen and his kid grabbed the mic and started talking… well the Republicans’ jobs just became 100 times more difficult. People are just starting to tune in now and that was an amazing first impression.
No, they didn’t attack the Republicans tonight but that will come. It’s a build. Night one is an introduction, nights 2-3 will be the attack, and hopefully Barack will be on on Thursday. These are the Obamas that I was excited by a few months ago. If this keeps up for a few more days, he will get that convention bounce.
Remember that the battle of most elections is likability. Conservatives won’t be swayed by the convention but it’ll go a long way towards firming up liberals and winning the people who are just turning in now. It’s not everything, but it’s a start.
The Thinking Man's Mel Torme
Actually, did you hear Gene Robinson over the crosstalk? Pat was blathering about the appeal of M.O.’s speech to “post-rational” people like him, and Robinson said, “I think you’re pre-rational, Pat.”
Buchanan was also complaining about how there was no mention of Christian faith in the speech, and Tweety teed off on him, saying it wasn’t another Saddleback night with Rick Warren, because we can thank Thomas Jefferson for not having religious tests for the presidency.
He should be careful, as he approached rationality there…
Just Some Fuckhead
Gloria Borger is just a fucking waste of broadcast space. Cafferty has to work three times as hard to keep ’em the best political team on teevee.
wasabi gasp
McCain is a poopyhead.
handy
Makes you wonder what they’re putting in the water in Denver.
The Thinking Man's Mel Torme
I think the thin air has Tweety gasping for breath, so he has to dial it down some.
Elderta
I like it when Maddow calls him, “Uncle Pat.”
KRK
From more moderate Hillaryland:
The thread I read at MyDD – everyone LOVED Michelle speech.
The thread I read at TalkLeft – one big b!tchfest about the whole night, including Michelle’s speech, even though they were really hoping to finally have a reason to like her.
zoe from pittsburgh
Or did you mean an explicitly political show?
Rosie and Ellen aside, I meant MSM NEWS shows. The vast majority of politlcal talking heads are white, (presumably) straight men. An openly lesbian woman with her own political show is a quite a different demographic. Strangely enough the right seems better at pushing women into the spotlight– Coulter and Ingraham come to mind– so Rachel stands out because I can’t think of any other women who’ve had their own political shows on the MSM.
Elderta
…that is as in your “crazy Uncle Pat…”, I should add.
Delia
How can you say that? Don’t you know that he was a POW? How can a former POW be a poopyhead? For five and a half years he just wished his captors were nice enough to call him a poopyhead.
Martin
Awesome
Ted
Didn’t Sandra Bernhard have her own show for a brief period?
Pug
I’m not sure if Kudlow is on the blow again but I know he sure blows as an analyst. In case Larry hadn’t noticed, the market started tanking last October and it was, indeed, because of the finanicals and the credit crunch, as well as rising oil prices, as some “so-called analysts” are saying today.
A two hundred point drop in the Dow is just another yawner lately, Larry. Get yer head outta yer ass.
Brian
A few random thoughts, posted here even though nobody will read them, because your e-mail address always rejects me:
1. I didn’t watch more than a few minutes of anything outside of the big speeches. I define this as Michelle’s speech and Ted Kennedy’s speech. I don’t know if Pelosi spoke in prime time, but even if she did, it’s not going to matter. Anyway, I thought both of them did very well. I thought Michelle accomplished all that she was supposed to: she looked like someone who was part of a family of real people but also someone whom the nation could look up to. For all of the talk of her being some sort of pushy loudmouth, she strikes me as an ultimately classy lady. I think that came across tonight. From what I saw of the chattering classes’ reaction, it seems like they agree.
2. Why was the Civil War being discussed by Matthews and Olbermann? Even if they made some plausible points, it was so out of place, it’s not even funny.
3. Maybe it’s because I haven’t watched him in a while, but Matthews seems like he’s changed a little. He seems…a little more human.
Maggie
The real tragedy of tonight is that we have to wait a week for the contrast from Cindy. If they went back to back the whole election would be over right now.
Ted
For five and a half years he had to poop in a bucket in the corner. How dare you, sir!
Shouting at the Rain
KRK Says: I can’t help but wonder how Hillary’s deadenders feel about that speech. If they can walk away from it with their bitterness intact then they’re beyond hope or salvation and should just register GOPer already.
The braindeaders at HI44.com have spoken:
“Michelle memorized the Brady Bunch. Puhleeze. In the meantime, Cindy McCain is en route to Georgia to do some serious work with the UN World Food program, and meet with the Georgian president.”
“ME-chelle has been spiffied up…hair, clothes, and those “mean” lines between her eyes have been “relaxed”. Maybe Nancy got her “fixer” to work on MO’s frown lines. So far, I’m not inspired with her speech.”
“Michelle is not a riveting speaker IMO…”
Did they even watch the same speech? Hopeless….
Church Lady
I thought Michelle not only looked great, she also gave an excellent speech. Obviously, Barack isn’t the only Obama with great oratorical skills. The only thing I took exception to was the cutaways to the women crying – give me a break. It was a very good speech, but certainly not one that should bring anyone, except perhaps her mother, to tears.
ched
With reference to the full-on ratfuck going on at CNN mentioned a couple threads down, they followed the shameful convention floor coverage with Larry King hosting all republikans discussing the dem convention. No dems. They’ll no doubt extend dems the same courtesy after the 1st day of the rethug convention.
And I’ll try a diet 7-up if you try a Coke Zero.
Chuck Butcher
regular real Coca-Cola thankyouverymuch, not substitutes accepted.
The D’s are off to a pretty good start, MO affected even a hard core political cynic like me. Teddy…despite some real disagreements with him over the years, particularly cars and bridges, he’s a fighter for ordinary Americans and it was a good speech. MSNBC has too much chatter, but has 2 1/2 people I like – KO, RM, and 1/2 Tweety.
It is appropriate to start off with, “we’re all friends,” tonight and start the McCain whacking later. Don’t scare off the voters by being harsh before you show them nice. Democrats need to not start off demonstrating that they’re the cold blooded fuck you Republicans. Seriously, for you big stick folks, people have had that for quite a few years. Politics is a rough business and not for weenies, but showing a mean face needs to be handed clearly to the R’s.
Brachiator
I was flipping between the broadcast channels, including the local PBS outlet. CBS seemed determined to present some odd nightmare called “Katie and some overpaid CBS pundits talk over something happening in Denver.” They couldn’t be bothered to actually show the convention, but had to ponder what already delivered speeches meant and what upcoming speeches were intended to mean.
It reminded me of the worst of NBC’s Olympics coverage, when highly paid “expert analysts” told the audience that a runner was, well, running fast, because obviously we couldn’t figure this out by just watching the event.
NBC at least finally figured out that it was a good idea to ask Convention attendees what they thought about the speeches. One woman noted that Michelle Obama’s speech made her cry.
Camera scans of the audience showed people, particularly women, nodding their heads during Michelle Obama’s speech. Clearly, she won a lot of people over. It was a nice touch that she specifically mentioned the anniversary of women winning the right to vote, and also that she specifically mentioned Hillary Clinton.
I wonder if Clinton realizes that she has to reinforce Michelle Obama’s message, as well as deliver her “supporters” to Obama. If her speech degenerates into a “me-fest” the negative consequences may be incalculable.
zoe from pittsburgh
The only thing I took exception to was the cutaways to the women crying – give me a break. It was a very good speech, but certainly not one that should bring anyone, except perhaps her mother, to tears.
I suppose it’s becuase you’re not too in touch with why they were crying. It was mostly older women, right? Women who never thought in their lifetime they’d see a strong black woman giving a moving speech as the potential first lady?
Politics aren’t all intellecutal public policy debates– at it’s best there is a beating heart in there somehwere as well. I’m tired of being so cynical where being filled with emotion during a historic moment is something to be callously ridiculed.
The Other Steve
I just flipped on CNN, and for like the last hour they’ve been doing nothing but broadcasting Republicans bashing Democrats.
I’ll be curious if they offer the same opportunity to the Democrats next week.
wasabi gasp
Yet, it did. Strange, huh?
Try more fabric softener.
colleeniem
Speaking of emotion.
I hope Juan Williams uses his newfound empathy to subvert Fox news from the inside.
Won’t be holding my breath, though.
Chuck Butcher
Pat Buchanon just blasted the D’s for losing one of their 4 nights to demonize McCain, something the R’s certainly will not do. PB is an ass, he lost being himself when the times were wrong for it and he still thinks all times are right for it. If BO loses the “different sort of politics,” image he loses the race. That might not displease ole PB but it certainly would me.
I can and do take off the gloves, I know when it pays – usually – and BO’s team is not lightweight, they’ve proven they’re pros; trust them.
I’m curious to see the viewer numbers, I wonder how much of this is preaching to the choir and how much is getting to the wider world of “hmmmms.”
Conservatively Liberal
I flip off CNN, and that is why.
Delia
We think he may have come over from the Dark Side. Not sure. It may be too early to tell. Could be McSaint reminded him one too many times that he’d been a POW. Could be the Irish Catholic bond with Biden. We’ll see if it lasts.
OriGuy
Has anyone ever heard Cindy McCain speak? Are they going to have her speak in St. Paul or did they send her to Georgia to have a reason not to?
When did it become standard for first ladies to make a speech at the convention anyway? Did Jackie O make a speech in 1960?
Notorious P.A.T.
Exception, not the rule.
iluvsummr
I teared up myself listening to Michelle speak — can’t explain why, I just did.
Notorious P.A.T.
“He is a professor. . . of being a dog! FACE!”
Anastasius
I am sure they have already cooked something up to go after the kids. Remember the Frost family health care outrage?
Notorious P.A.T.
What the holy hell does “post-rational” mean?
Ninerdave
I’m just setting out to check out the convention, Tivo’d it while I was drafting my Fantasy team (shitty draft this year, I’m screwed).
whatever else you think of the speakers, the stage is fucking amazing.
Ninerdave
Ur doin it wrong. You need to turn it into a drinking game. Anytime Clinton is mentioned, take a drink.
zuzu's petals
I agree on all. And the shout out to Hillary was just right.
zuzu's petals
Hansens is good stuff.
My all time fave is Reed’s Ginger Brew. Not carbonated, not diet (145 cals) but all natural and has a real kick.
zuzu's petals
Hi Giordorno family !
Martin
I think that would mean ‘no longer rational’ or ‘crazy’. Seems to fit.
J. A. Baker
Don’t be so sure of that, John. After Luke had said his piece, Tom Brokaw broke in to say that he almost expected Luke to break out Big Russ’s +1 White Board of Obviousness and say “youth vote, youth vote, youth vote.”
And then Brokaw did a shout out to Timmeh. -_-x
Conservatively Liberal
Yup, we dumped HFCS a long time ago and have not looked back. We are a household of skinny people, and we like our cane sugar! :) At first it was a bit of a pain finding HFCS-free foods, condiments and whatnot, but since my wife makes nothing but home cooked meals (no instant crap) she decided to start making what she could not find. Works just fine for us.
Blue Sky Natural Soda is a good cane sugar soda too. I remember when the ‘cheap’ soda (Western Family, Cragmont and the like) were the only sodas that had HFCS. When they all went to HFCS, there was no longer any difference between the ‘cheap’ sodas and the name brands. They all sucked royally.
HFCS is a poor substitute for sugar, and it tastes nothing like it at all.
JackieBinAZ
I’ll tell you, it just plain HURT to read the responses to Michelle Obama’s speech over at the Michelle Malkin brain trust. You want to slap down the stupid so badly but you know it will get you nowhere. How can people be so ignorant and live?
Rome Again
Yeah, tears are something that are only supposed to occur on Sundays in evangelical churches due to human guilt of being born of sin and thus being responsible for the crucifixion of Christ.
Give me a break. If you can’t feel emotion during such an event, that doesn’t mean others can’t. I shed a few tears myself. I found it to be quite emotional.
JackieBinAZ
PS: Does light beer qualify as a diet drink?
TenguPhule
In preparation for the Farce to come, I give you the GOP Convention Drinking game:
Whenever McCain mentions his experience as a POW, take a sip. (wouldn’t want to get plastered right off the bat, now would we?)
Every time McCain uses POW as an answer for a subject totally unrelated, take a drink.
Every time McCain cites being as maverick, take a drink.
Every time McCain or surrogates talk about tax cuts, take a drink.
If McCain mentions his houses, take a drink.
If he still can’t remember how many he owns, finish the bottle.
Every time McCain accuses Obama of placing personal gain over country, take a drink.
If he mentions supporting the Veteran Bill as a contrast, finish the bottle.
If McCain declares victory in Iraq, take two drinks.
If he mentions the surge, follow it with a chaser.
If anyone speaking at the convention mentions Bush, take a drink.
If they call Obama the next Bush, finish the bottle, then find something soft to throw at the television.
For any reference to Georgia, take a drink.
Take another one if he mentions his wife’s trip there.
Take three drinks if he talks about confronting Russia over it, also don’t forget to update your will.
If McCain flipflops on an issue during his speech, take a drink. If this occurs back to back in the same breath, finish the bottle. It’ll probably make more sense afterwards.
Every time any speaker mentions Energy Security and links it to drilling more, take a drink.
If Illegal immigration is mentioned at all, take a drink.
If Gay Marriage is mentioned, roll your eyes and take a sip.
If Al Queda is mentioned, take drink. If OBL is mentioned at all, have another drink.
If the GOP gets Obama and Osama mixed up, finish the bottle.
And if at any point McCain’s face takes on a rosy glow on the screen, stop drinking and go to bed. You’ve had too much to drink.
Conservatively Liberal
Improved.
When Michelle mentioned Barack driving her and their daughter home from the hospital, that part hit me head on. My father ran out on my Mom and six kids, and I vowed that I would always be there for my children. After our first child, it really hit me hard that my father was an idiot. When I held our first child for the first time, it was one of the most emotional times of my life. If you have not had a child of your own, I really think that you can’t understand what I am saying.
That is why seeing the kids ‘steal’ the mic (and the show) was so funny for me, I can totally relate to how kids are when they are happy and well taken care of. Their kids are great examples of the care Barack and Michelle put into what they do.
I can relate to Barack for I had a father that had better things to do than to raise me, and I will NOT be like my father. My kids count on me, and I will never let them down.
You bet Michelle’s speech was a tear jerker. If you didn’t wet your eye at least a little bit, you really are a hard person or lack some life experience.
zuzu's petals
There’s gotta be some kind of list somewhere. Really, this needs to be seriously mocked.
Rome Again
Agreed.
Ninerdave
Depends, ya I at least can. Me and Mrs. Ninerdave are dead set against kids, but I love our nieces and nephews so much it hurts. Luckily we’ve been blessed with six.
Best part…we spoil the shit out of them and send ’em home! We get all the fun, w/o the responsibility. LAWLZ!!
Having said all of that…Michelle and Teddy tonite…Wow…made up for Pelosi and all the religious shit.
Martin
Great. Balloon Juice +3,814.
There is. Help make it grow.
Ninerdave
You assume that I’m gonna watch that instead of Jerry Spinger re-runs.
Be about the same in my book.
The Dude Abides
In April of this year, McCain went on Tweety’s show and criticized all the negative campaigning, then pledged that his campaign would not take part in personal destruction politics during the general election. It’s obvious that Matthews feels betrayed. He’s turned on McCain these last several weeks.
Conservatively Liberal
Regarding the Obama assassination plot, this proves that Obama is not reaching out to the right people. If only he had spoken out to potential assassins, reached out for their hearts and minds and win them over, then these four people in Denver never would have wanted to kill him. One would not have had to jump from the sixth floor of the hotel in trying to avoid capture.
It is obvious that Obama didn’t reach out to them because he coolly calculated that it would be smarter to use them to try and gain sympathy from the public. He is only interested in votes and because of that four people are in jail, one with a broken ankle.
/Dead Ender
Rome Again
They have no hearts or minds after dousing themselves in right-wing hatred for so long.
Krista
Ye gods, can you even imagine? I know that there have been a few nights when several of us were commenting while shitfaced, but if ALL of us were shitfaced? The mind truly boggles…
Phoebe
I agree with everything. Michelle was fabulous, and HFCS is horrible. I drink seltzer with a wedge of lime because I’m an elitist.
Dave_Violence
Why is anyone watching the convention int he first place? Don’t you already know for whom you’ll cast your vote? What is the need to bother with this or the GOP convention. Unwatchable, unlistenable crap.
Xenos
Here is an interesting question:
If you go to google news, and search under the terms “obama assassination plot”, nearly all the press covering the news regarding the four guys with guns busted in Denver is from the foreign press.
What bizarre form of self-censorship could be in play here? Even if it is too early to know what is going on, is not an alleged assassination plot at least newsworthy? The US media seems determined to keep the lid on the people’s awareness of basic news relating to antidemocratic criminality.
grandpajohn
Pat is one of the few who would consider him as any kind of rational
dan robinson
The kids are pretty damned adorable, even though I still prefer cats. To each his own. Tunch will never get pregnant or wreck a car.
That is some shallow shit you spray around here. Never get pregnant and wreck a car?
Cats and kids are somehow equivalent? Fucking grow up.
Cris
If you’re serious about supporting a candidate, you don’t stop at your own vote. You talk to your friends and neighbors, and you engage in friendly debate with your co-workers. To do those things, you need to keep your resolve fresh, your arguments handy, and your reasons for your vote close at hand.
So you watch and listen, not to convince yourself, but to remember how to persuade others.
rachel
It makes me lose my appetite.
harlana pepper
Only Yankie Commies drink ‘Squirt.’ How can you drink something called ‘Squirt’ anyways?
Grumpy Code Monkey
Don’t be silly, of course Cole wasn’t claiming that cats and kids are equivalent.
Cats are better.
Topic: all diet sodas are irredeemably nasty, including Coke Zero. You can have my HFCS-laden Dr Pepper when you pry it from my cold, dead (yet probably still twitching) fingers.
If the coverage of this convention doesn’t drive home the fact that the major media outlets have a vested interest in keeping the Republicans in power (or the Dems out of power, whichever), then we’re officially beyond hope.
Grumpy Code Monkey
Back in the ’80s, Pearl practically marketed Pearl Light as a diet drink (all the commercials were of people in gym clothes working out). Granted, Pearl was an effective laxative, so if you needed to drop a couple of pounds quickly…
FWIW, one of my uncles gave me a can of Pearl when I was 9 or so. I didn’t touch beer again until college. Aversion therapy works, yo.
Original Lee
Diet IBC Root Beer.
And we Yankee Commies drink Squirt because grapefruit is the flavor of champions!