So far, that's all it has been is sentimentalism. He has said nothing of substance whatsoever.

mischief's crankiness is making me cry.

I've been crying a lot the past few days, too. I'm a weepy sucker. So far, no tears during this speech. I'm actually sort of bored, which surprises me. Perhaps after all the excitement over the past months, this is the anti-climax.

Hey, details! He's going to invest $150 billion in alt-energy by cutting taxes to 95% of workers!

Are you watching now, Ardiril? He's talking about education and the environment. These are two issues that are most important to me. I did notice that the cheers were loud when he said he'd recruit more teachers and pay them more, but complete silence when he said something about accountability. It may have been a coincidence, but that struck me as funny.

Go Obama!!

Now he's talking about money. Money excites me! Woo woo!

Hey, details! He's going to invest $150 billion in alt-energy by cutting taxes to 95% of workers!

By cutting corporate loopholes and cutting programs that are nonsense.

I absolutely love what he said about individual and mutual responsibility. I love it, but you can't regulate morality.

Money! Yay!!

I doubt loopholes and program cuts will make up for it.

C'mon, man, promise us full and thorough investigations of Bush Inc.

I'm a little bit bored too. Hrm.

Yeah, maybe not. I was just typing what he said.

I'm still voting for him. He's blistering with his condemnation of McCain. yikes. I'm starting to get more enthused. Enthuse me, Obama!

by cutting taxes to 95% of workers!

95% of workers make less than $150,000 a year, so yes, we can make a lot of money by cutting taxes to them and raisin taxes for people who make more than $150,000 a year.

Not watching the speech, by the way. I know what the man has to say. 'Dude and I are finishing up the second season of The Wire.

I love nationalism. It makes you feel good about yourself. :-)

Heh, that was the only bit I cringed at so far, Lori.

By that I mean, nationalism makes me feel embarrassed. It's the apathetic kiwi in me.

Yeah, I know what you mean, gaspode. Sometimes it makes me cringe as well. I was joking, of course (a little). Wait, he's talking about the American spirit and promise and dreams deferred and veterans. I might cry.

No tears. I don't feel like a lunatic. I thought it was more stacked with substance than emotion.

I thought it was solid. I guess my expectations are too high now.

I give him a 6. It would have been a 7 if he had mentioned the transgenders along with the gays and lesbians.

I never cringe! I'm a full on sucker!

I'm sorry, it's just not the same without the balloon drop.

Wouldn't it be different to have a president who could speak intelligible english for 45 minutes?

Or the red, white, and blue and confetti!

I am listening to Keith Olbermann fawn his heart out. Chris Mathews is repeating phrases of Obama's speech and it sounds great even when he says it. This is the most exciting thing since, I don't know what.

Ardiril - unless you are a double Ph.D. in political science and psychology, plus have the oratorical skills necessary to talk convincingly to an entire stadium of people, I dinnae want to hear nitpicking criticism of this man's speech at this moment in time.

He's the first black man in our entire nation's history to be elected to run for President. He's cogent, fierce, brilliant at the mic, and comes from a background that mimics a ton of regular people in this country.

Let's hope he makes it. It was a fantastic speech, and the Gross Old Party can't come up with anyone or anything close to it from now up to November 4th.

I thought the part where he said that he'd eat the hearts of his enemies was fresh and exciting.

You're just looking out for your bottom line, ColdChef!

Also, someone settle this for me: he invoked Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. without mentioning him by name.

Was that:
a. super classy?
or b. some sort of misguided attempt at not clubbing "race" over our heads?

I'm of two minds about it.

I'm listening to the call-ins now on c-span. Obama supporters are just dizzy, and McCain supporters are mixed. No hatin', that's nice.

Oops. Spoke too soon: Empty rhetoric, manufactured candidate. Danger! Danger!
He's gonna raise your taxes! J.K. Rowling of politics - everything goes in one ear and out the other. Comedy gold.

One guy was semi-thoughtful, saying he's happy with America as it is - all he's hearing from the Dems is negativity.

On preview, LT - did you see McCain's congrats today? It's like they let Senator McCain out for a little bit. :)

That was history in the fucking making. I cried at least twice. GO-BAMA!!!

On preview:

Was that:
a. super classy?
or b. some sort of misguided attempt at not clubbing "race" over our heads?

I'd say A. The Obama campaign is all about trusting the viewer/voter to be smart... they're willing to risk overestimating the intelligence of the American public.

ColdChef, I don't know. I think that it's good the references were in there, because they are historical, but to belabor it might get him in trouble, too, for being beholden to some scary sounding 'black agenda'. Plus what BP said.

I was listening to the last speaker from the March on Washington left living, and he was saying that Obama has benefited from his labors, and he's glad for that, and he's also glad that Obama doesn't have the cynicism and baggage of the people who've been through that meat grinder.

Also, someone settle this for me: he invoked Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. without mentioning him by name.

Was that:
a. super classy?
or b. some sort of misguided attempt at not clubbing "race" over our heads?

Totally incoherent thought, but here goes. All the people in the stadium, and people viewing at home, knew what he was talking about. He's being subtle with a topic that is very inflammatory. I don't know why. Because he wasn't subtle when talking about other inflammatory subjects, such as gun control and abortion.

Or what BP said.

trusting the viewer/voter to be smart

That's what I'm afraid of.

topic that is very inflammatory

Do you really think civil rights is that inflammatory? I assume by this point that MLK is a hero to everyone.

I'm going "super classy", and I appreciated that he had enough faith in the audience that they would know the reference and what it means. Rather than using MLK's name as an applause point he let the actual message drive home the point. I hope he's right that subtly will be rewarded over heavy handed bullet points. Part of Gore's problem was that his concepts were bigger than simple slogans that look good on the crawl at the bottom of the screen.

I love Chris Matthews. I know he's sort of ridiculous, and not-loved by all the smart left people, and focused on politics to the exclusion of substance. But I love his goofy enthusiasm and his complete lack of irony and sophistication.

LT: He's also a politician who just took about 1/3 of his speech from Ross Perot's playbook (not that that's a bad thing, just sayin'). I doubt he made much of an impression on the undecided.

CC: I'd say a bit of b) but quite a bit of c) referencing King directly would open the door next week for McCain to tie Obama to King's radical socialist politics.

I guess my only problem with it is that, in such a historic speech, with so many heroes named... it just seemed like he could have thanked Dr. King in a way that didn't seem to be pandering. And I guess, maybe that's what he did.

trusting the viewer/voter to be smart

That's what I'm afraid of.

"Don't worry, Mr. Stevenson, you have the vote of every thinking man in the U.S."

"Thank you, ma'am, but I need a majority to win."

Full text of the speech

Here's the part where I literally jumped off the couch and hooted: "These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush."

It was the first time he mentioned him by name and he made it sting.

I watched the speech with my two little girls, up way past their bedtime. Because it's not everyday that you get to see history being written.

comes from a background that mimics a ton of regular people in this country.

Really?

Do you really think civil rights is that inflammatory? I assume by this point that MLK is a hero to everyone.

Yes. MLK is a hero of mine and many Americans, but every American. Are you living in the USA? Why are race relations inflammatory? You're asking why white people don't like black people and black people don't like white people? Just because I don't know why it's inflammatory doesn't change the fact that it is. I don't mean to convey any sarcasm, ColdChef. It boggles my mind as well.

I guess my only problem with it is that, in such a historic speech, with so many heroes named... it just seemed like he could have thanked Dr. King in a way that didn't seem to be pandering. And I guess, maybe that's what he did.

Pandering to who? It's an anniversary. The people that want to hear him talk about MLK are already locked in for Obama. If hearing about MLK is important to you, you're already voting for Obama. For people that are offended or ambivalent about MLK, Obama has no political benefit mentioning him. Talking about MLK at the DNC is preaching to the choir. Obama does not want to come across as a reverend or a black activist. Obama wants to appear mainstream. Centrists do not gush over MLK. Which is why he made a vague and small reference.

Humble opinion and all that.

but not every American.

Okay, I didn't expect to see this: John McCain congratulates Obama on his historic nomination

I know. I saw this earlier today.

If you come across as being peaceful, bipartisan and friendly (McCain in this commercial) the other person (Obama) can look like an heel by attacking you. Of course it was a political commercial. It's not sincere. He's trying to get free press, which he did.

I think my cynicism is coming back. What a relief.

I watched the speech downtown in a full theater. It was great, like being there, lots of audience participation.

Some of what Obama says does not add up, but I can't see how anyone could vote Rebub, after the last eight years of cynicism, corruption and general asshattery.

I am staying up to watch it again on PBS.

He's trying to get free press, which he did.

Yeah. If he'd actually wanted to be classy and hold back on the attacks for a day, there would have been just pure silence from the McCain campaign.

If Obama could do something to cause McCain to tie him to King in any way, including his "radical socialist politics" (radical then maybe but not now, huh???), it would be the the biggest political score of the century. Using the sports vernacular, there isn't anyone in politics or elsewhere these days who is qualified to carry Dr. King's jock. The man overtly pushed for long over due reforms that were not at all "popular" with a decent number of the american populace and ended up paying for it with his life. To even think that Obama, or anyone else out there currently, could make a speech that could be compared with the power of King's words is an insult to his memory. I was an elementary school white boy in the deep south when King made those speeches and even I had a sense that they were changing everything - I don't know that I recognized it as such then but I was in awe.

I'm impressed with Obama and encouraged for America that a person from a minority has been able to reach the heights that he has but he's no MLK - no one is.

And, I don't cry easily but, when I hear "I have a dream" the tears flow.

Here. *stepping off soap box*

I was listening to the last speaker from the March on Washington left living

I hope John Lewis hasn't receded into history just yet to not be mentioned by name! Also, some of the musicians are still with us, including Dylan, Baez, and a few others.

Anyway, I suppose that there are at least two plays that the right could make (could still make, really) if he'd mentioned MLK by name. First, wasn't King the first Jeremiah Wright? (Probably a clumsy one, they know he's too revered.) Second, and probably something like this will be used, connecting himself to King shows his celebrity ego and the messianic nature of his cult, er, campaign.

Anyway, yes, the MLK haters (see www.martinlutherking.org -- still the third result on Google, down from first if you can believe it) who think he was a Communist, a rapist, and a terrorist don't need any prodding to make the connection. They'll get there on their own power.

I thought it was a fantastic speech. Allusions to his One America and stump speeches, but large chunks of new material. He had to throw in some nuts and bolts policy, but he's already nodding to special "Obama" rules there; nevertheless I don't think it came off cowed. He confused some centrist radio pundits with his aggressive "Democrats are patriots too" statements, red meat for the assembled crowd, which has had "un-American" epithets thrown at them for decades and really wants someone to say something back. It's also a calculated jab at the Senator/Candidate McCain Jekyll/Hyde thing that the GOP is playing. There is going to be a lot of criticism of his feel-good approach, but I'm not clear why candidates aren't supposed to make us feel good. Is that a playbook that only the Gipper is permitted to use? Fuck that.

Anyway, due to a TV shortage (i.e. no cable, no good reception, ADHD kids that don't need it, etc.) we tried to watch online. Big annoyance that the DNC shilled for Microsoft with their "Silverlight" plugin, especially since whatever it did to "enhance" our experience wasn't felt due to a lot of juddery video and audio. We ended up watching the video and listening to the radio, even though they were almost a minute apart.

My dad (with the beginnings of dementia) is almost embarrassingly fixated on Obama's daughters, because they go to the University of Chicago Lab School (where my dad went). Had to stop him from talking about them to us, we've heard all his remarks before. My mom is pretty depressed right now and pretty cynical after long years of defeats, so she was probably steeled not to believe in any of it. Me, I was moved to tears a bit, but like LoriFLA, that's partly just my own emotional state right now.

LoriFLA: "The people that want to hear him talk about MLK [...] a vague and small reference."

Very well stated.

Can I just say that as a typical wannabe leftist European cheese-eating surrender monkey expatriate (I have a 48-page passport, bitches!) - who has to constantly explain things like why 50 million Americans have no health insurance, or why my friends and I all have five figures of student loan debt, or why we're in Iraq, or why Guanatanamo exists, or why the telecoms have immunity from prosecution, or why the administration was re-elected with shaaaaaady dealings in Ohio - I'm so intensely hopeful for this man and for the country as a whole after seeing that speech? I'm home for the summer and I'm leaving in a week to head back to Europe and now I don't want to go!

I'm not a patriotic guy - when asked the ever-present "where are you from?" question I get all the time as an expat, I respond "California" or "Los Angeles" instead of "America", because you just never know what people's reactions are going to be - but after this...I can see myself living and working in the US again. I can see myself building a family here, with a place to live Mr Mdonley and I can afford, with protection for our kids' health and our livelihoods not coming at the expense of food on the table. I can see a future when education doesn't mean living in a tent hiding from the cops, showering at the gym and living on food stamps because you just can't pay for housing and tuition. I can see a secure future for my parents and brother, who are always by my side even when I'm on the other side of the world, and that brings me the greatest comfort of all.

And I can see a day when we print 48-page passports again.

No, stilcho, I was just up late and tired. Lewis' interview was very emotional and touching, and that little fact was what stuck in my head.

I hear you on video feeds. The C-span used to be playable in a separate window, but now it's in this tiny embedded browser window and I hate it. I don't know if it's my bandwidth, but the video was very choppy. The audio was pretty good, though.

And mdonley, I'm glad that's what you feel. I hadn't heard any of Obama's stump speeches, so most of it was new to me, and it was very good. Lot's of things to aim for, even if we never get there.

...he invoked Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. without mentioning him by name.
Was that:
a. super classy?
or b. some sort of misguided attempt at not clubbing "race" over our heads?

Well, it didn't work out too well for McCain when he tried it. ;)

The C-span used to be playable in a separate window, but now it's in this tiny embedded browser window and I hate it. I don't know if it's my bandwidth, but the video was very choppy.

Totally, I tried to watch on CSPAN because it seemed to have less of a delay than the CNN feed, but I couldn't get it to play smoothly, so I gave up and moved back to CNN, which was about 45-60 seconds behind the TVs of all the people I was watching online with.

I watched on cnn.com too. I didn't realize it was delayed by that much, but in hindsight, the high quality of the stream was well worth it.

I'm a little confused by folks who demand "substance" from a presidential campaign.

It isn't like putting up a building where you submit a plan and get it approved before a dime gets spent. It never has been. It's representative democracy - you pick the PERSON. What president has ever submitted a bulleted list of what he was going to do? Who? EVER?

Maybe this all sounds like taking a blind shot on 4 years, but in reality there will be all kinds of individual legislative moments in those 4 years and a mid term election and you can participate at any point to try to influence a particular decision.

Right now the exercise really is just to look them in the eye and decide which one you trust. This is and should be an emotional as well as intellectual exercise.

Saying "he's all speeches" is like saying "Obama hasn't done anything except inspire hundreds of millions of people around the world to believe that we can change the world and overcome the problems we've created for ourselves."

...like that counts for nothing. Inspiring people to participate in politics again is probably the single most substantial thing that any politician could accomplish - and this guy isn't even in office yet!!!!!!!!!!!

I was still hoping he'd take a cue from Mel Brooks and say 'My fellow Americans...pardon me while I whip it out!'

Having just watched the speech in it's entirety, I am blown away. I am a long-time cynic of politics. My earliest memories of politics are the Watergate hearings which my parents insisted I watch when I got home from school. I remember well the Nixon/McGovern election where all the signs in my liberal town were for McGovern, and Nixon won in a landslide. My parents made sure I watched big speeches throughout my childhood. I saw Nixon give up the Presidency, and I continued to watch big speeches, and I watched Gorbachev dissolve the Soviet Union. I've been one for witnessing historical moments throughout my life because of my immigrant parents' insistence. I have to say that Obama's speech today was the best national speech I've ever seen. In light of McCain's later announcement of his Vice Presidential candidate taking the news wind out of the speeches sail, nothing can take away from how great that was. Color this long time cynic impressed, and talk about hitting all the points I believe in...

Regarding the substance issue, an acceptance speech isn't the place for wonky detail, but rather broad strokes, and inspiring rhetoric. In this day and age of rampant information, the details are all available at the candidate's web site, and analysis is broadly available. It was Obama's night for giving an inspiring speech to fire everyone up, and he delivered beyond all expectations. Just watch McCain's speech next week to see the contrast.

Awesome, awesome speech.