BlogHer - DNC Monday Open Thread: Michelle Obama and Ted Kennedy - Comments

Video of Michelle Obama speech in case you missed it

Lisa Stone — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:38:16 -0500

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

Kids on the microphone!

Liz Henry — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:26:37 -0500

The kids were SO awesome on the microphone. What a great moment!

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Liz Henry
lizzard@bookmaniac.net
Contributing Editor, World and Latin America

We finally get to know Michelle!

TCMom — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:43:04 -0500

I have been frustrated by how careful the campaign has been with Michelle and the "unpatriotic" rep she seemed to have earned - however unfairly. I just haven't had a good opporitunity to really hear Michelle. Up until now. Watching and listening to her last night was amazing. I finally, FINALLY felt like I got to hear from the real Michelle. Sure her speech was carefully written but - wow - either she's one hell of an actor or she meant every single word she said. I am thinking the latter. She is so REAL, and so genuine. She has a great deal to contribute and stands up for the sort of committed values I believe in. When she said what she and Obama stood for, I just about stood up and yelled at the TV "ME TOO!!!!" And such an amazing mother too. To allow her daughters to have the mic and just go for it, I loved that. It was very "take us or leave us, this is who we are." What a wonderful family all around.

Although I do agree with Rita on the song choice. "Isn't she lovely" I mean, for real? Sure I commented on how beautiful her hair was to my husband during the speech but... um... the song came across as "isn't she cute, all getting up here and saying big words." But then I was kind of hoping they meant it for the girls which might make me feel a little better. Even then, eh, thats kind of buggy too. There are lots of other music choices out there.

Caroline

http://morningsidemom.wordpress.com/

What I Loved

Laracolvin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:48:17 -0500

What I loved most was the emphasis of what is really at stake in this campaign - that we often live in the world how it is rather than strive for a world that can be better. And the visuals of her mother, her girls, Barack as a dad and husband - well, those were just pictures of what every family should have if they want it. It's about the opportunity to live well and work hard for freedom, family, and love. To me, this campaign is certainly about issues like the economy and the war and healthcare, but at the root are these underlying themes of soul and ideals. Michelle's speech proved that like none other has these past 19 months. I was moved. And I'm ready now more than ever.

Notions of Identity

Michelle's Speech

Megan Smith — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:05:59 -0500

One of the most moving things about Michelle's speech for me was the reaction shots of women in the audience and how moved they were by her speech. Especially the black women.

That and Ted Kennedy too and it was a great opening night.

Megan Smith
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/YouTube
Megan's Minute: Quirky Commentary Around The Clock

Stephanie, please, change Michelle's song.

Rita Arens — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:47:23 -0500

I loved everything about Michelle's speech until the song at the end. It really upset me for some reason. Have we not gotten to a point where the woman's song is about something other than her physical appearance?

Surrender, Dorothy - When I was your age, we just let them ride in the back window.

Rita Arens is a contributing editor for BlogHer -- Mommy & Family.

Michele Obama

hisglory8 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:37:51 -0500

I agree with you. Our son is 21 and he is so into this election and the excitement it bring God is truly doing somthing special in this season.

Michele Obama

hisglory8 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:33:15 -0500

Thanks for sharing

Michele Obama

hisglory8 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:29:43 -0500

She did a great job I really was impressed.

Inspiring

Virginia DeBolt — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:26:36 -0500

Michelle Obama and Ted Kennedy were both inspiring. But the 7 year old stole the show.

Virginia DeBolt
BlogHer Technology Contributing Editor
Web Teacher
First 50 Words

Dot The Convention is

American only may apply — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:31:20 -0500

Dot

The Convention is certainly subdued this year.

Maybe it is the altitude.

The roving camera shots documenting the event seems to find people glowering with their arms folded like obstinate children who have a beef with their parent.

Kennedy is the speaker that took best in show tonight.

How awesome

Katy Chen — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:36:27 -0500

that your daughter is voting for the first time in this historic election!

Great speach Great opening night no matter what Carville says

Sustainablemom — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:29:56 -0500

CNN gets points for covering the entire convention however they are dead wrong about the lack of substance or the need for dems to go negative tonight. It was brillant to have the Kennedys pass the torch...and introduce America to their next first lady.

Sustainable Mom

www.sustainablemotherhood.com

As A Mom of Teen About To Vote for the First Time

NewUrbanMom — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:23:49 -0500

Listening to Michelle Obama tonight was something I will never forget. Like so many others, I am so inspired by her words. Most of all as a mom I am EXCITED about what this campaign means to our kids. More of our youth feel a part of this political process than any recent election I can recall. My daughter turns 18 in a month and she'll be voting for the first time during this historic election. Michelle Obama inspires so many women and especially mothers like me who strongly believe we have a job to do to ensure we're raising concerned, inspired and informed citizens who understand the power of community and how it is absolutely possible for them to make a difference and to shape the world according to their passions, beliefs and convictions!

Sharon

www.newurbanmom.com

Incredible family

imaginarybinky — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:18:54 -0500

I admit it. I was drenched in tears throughout Michelle's speech. Beautiful. I am in love with the Obama family, their values, their service, their volunteerism, and their true patriotism to this country.

Thank you for coming to my city and showing the world just how needed Barack Obama really is. I will be at Barack's speech on Thursday. I can't wait!

- Sarah Porter

Imaginary Binky

DNC Monday Open Thread: Michelle Obama and Ted Kennedy

Erin Kotecki Vest — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:27:15 -0500

DNC Chairman Howard Dean has called the convention to order, with tonight belonging to Senator Barack Obama's wife (and BlogHer contributor) Michelle Obama.

Michelle is set to keynote tonight's events so as you can imagine, she's a bit busy. Luckily, BlogHer just received a message from her chief of staff, Stephanie Cutter.

Greetings, BlogHer community! Thank you for sharing this space with me. My name is Stephanie Cutter, and I serve as chief of staff to Michelle Obama. (Michelle made her blogging debut right here on BlogHer back in July!)

Im writing you from Denver, Colorado, where we arrived yesterday for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. You can check out footage from Michelle and her girls arrival at Denver International Airport at the Obama campaigns blog, which will be covering the convention all week.

Since landing in Denver yesterday, Michelle has been preparing for her speech tonight at the convention. (Michelle is a seasoned campaigner, but speaking to millions of folks in their living rooms in addition to those at the convention is a bit daunting!) We're excited about this opportunity, though. There's no one who can do a better job introducing Barack Obama to the country and talking about why he'll be an extraordinary president.

To start the night, we'll show a video -- Southside Girl -- that Michelle's mother, Marian Robinson, narrated about her daughter and the life she's built. At the end of that video, there won't be a dry eye in the house. Michelles speech will include stories from her life, starting with her childhood. Her family was extremely close, and they remain so today. (In fact, her big brother Craig will be introducing Michelle at the convention.) Like Barack, Michelle was also taught to give back to the community and the country that has given her so much.

Michelle will also give the country a personal view of Barack Obama. She'll talk about the man whom most of us know as a United States senator and a candidate for president. To Michelle, Barack is just Barack. To Malia and Sasha, hes Dad. Those are sides of Barack that Michelle will share with the country. They've built a wonderful family together, grounded in faith and values. The more America learns about this family, the more theyre going to want to send them to the White House.

Tune in to Michelles speech tonight around 8:30 PM Mountain Time/10:30 PM Eastern Time. You can watch the speech online at www.demconvention.com. If you miss it, check the Obama campaign's blog for highlights and details.

Thank you again for welcoming us to the BlogHer community. We look forward to touching base with you all again soon.
-Stephanie Cutter, chief of staff to Michelle Obama.

Join us here on BlogHer as we watch Michelle speak- will we all need a tissue, as Stephanie predicts? Will the tears continue during tonight's tribute to Ted Kennedy? What will tonight's storyline be?

Comments should get interesting as the night goes on- remember the team in Denver is taking YOUR voice to all those you see on TV-so jump in!