Obama’s Ordinary Politican Acceptance Speech
Sen. Obama’s acceptance speech tonight was a let down for me. I still possess political idealism. While not having any intentions of voting for Obama I liked his ideas about bridging the political divide. I don’t like a political space where my political opponent is my enemy. With Obama’s soaring post-partisan rhetoric I could admire the guy without agreeing with him.
Then he gave his speech tonight in Denver. The unity was replaced with multiple attacks on Sen. McCain. Typical liberal policy planks replaced the notion that he was a different kind of politician. Anger replaced hope.
I tweeted that Obama’s brand was changing from Apple to Dell. What I mean by that is Apple has a devoted (some would say cult) following because fans see it as unique and special. Dell is solid, sturdy, but ordinary. For months Obama with is rhetoric, looks, and biography seemed distinctive. After his speech Obama looks more like the Washington he wants to change. He damaged his brand, and with his thin resume that could turn out to be a major mistake.
Here’s some others’ reactions:
Obama’s Con writes:
He wants to be a unifying figure but is a traditional liberal on every hot button social issue and feels compelled to engage in some pretty vicious attacks. He can pretend that common ground is possible, but it isn’t when he is to the left of most of America. Also, how well do you think angry Obama plays to the middle?
Yuval Levin notes that Sep. 11th and the surge were missing from the Democratic convention. Democrats want to lead the country into the future by neglecting our recent past.
Based on his speech Obama’s strategy is a grind-it-out campaign assuming a 50-50, red state/blue state split. Obama needed this convention to unite Democrats around him and take advantage of their popularity over the Republicans. Then Obama will use his big campaign structure to out-organize McCain. Voter registration efforts, door knocking, and phone banking organized through barackobama.com will be key.
I didn’t think it was such a great speech. It was filled with the same platitudes as usual from Obama. It was full of sweeping promises for a litany of things we all want, but as usual, very thin on how he would be able to accomplish most of it. And, it was full of the adnauseam drum beat of tying McCain to failed Bush policies, with plenty of Bush bashing. What gave the speech any gravity, was the usual big adulating crowds, the big impressive venue, and the performing celebrities in attendance. But, in the final analysis, Obama is an inexperienced, candidate, lacking in the character, judgement and wisdom to lead this great country and actually solve its many problems and challenges. Keep America Strong, elect Senator John McCain in November.