Live Blog Discussion of Senator Barack Obama's acceptance speech

My god, we did try to enter the stadium ( http://lulu-momblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/invesco-m... ) but by 4 PM it was daunting!

Anyhow, it was a wondrous week, and the feelings of hope, of possibility, of change ( http://lulu-momblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/in-air-ch... ) was visible at every turn. I entrust all to retain these feelings, and share them, and return to them as they choose our country's next Commander in Chief.

Kudos to all who covered, from within the Tent, and outside as well.  

LuluMom

Watching on TV with our 12 year old, it felt momentous, like we are as a country at a turning point. OBAMA brings real change because of the way that he inspires, talks about issues, gives specifics, has the gravitas, made the best choice for VP, has the life experience and the brains.  He and Biden ARE the winning combo.

I'm SICK, SICK, SICK of devise "talking points" that do nothing but get people riled up about tiny details that ultimately don't matter.  It's going to take a while for many people to "catch up"  We're not playing by the same rules anymore.  

No more cheap shots, guys.

Thanks, Kim, for live blogging this. I replayed it today, and reading the comments 12 hours after the speech happened has given me additional perspective. And triggered moments that were buried in the excitement!

I remain confused by the comments here and in other media about the lack of specificity in his speech. Unless he pulled out the budget and started reading off line items, I'm not sure what else he could've said to be more specific about his plans.  He had extremely substantive comments, I think.

I'd be interested in hearing what folks wanted if they felt he wasn't showing enough substance.

Lara 

Notions of Identity ( http://www.notionsofidentity.com )

Hi Lisa, Susan Eisenhower's remarks from last night are on her website, http://www.SusanEisenhower.com ( http://www.susaneisenhower.com/ ) :
http://www.susaneisenhower.com/2008/08/28/dnc2008r...
Have a great weekend!

Fabulous speech, superb delivery.  Enough said.  But when he said "there is a stirring across the country" (or something very close to that) I felt compelled to peck out a post.  Because I felt stirred, though not in the same way . . . per se.  See "There's a Kind of Hush . . . All Over Obama Tonight . . . "

Dallas Lawyer Mom

 www.lawyermommusings.blogspot.com

I'm back from the speech, and back from the Rocky Mountain Bloggers Bash. What a night! Phil and I were so thrilled to be there to see this incredible time in history.

I watched John Kerry walk around and give interviews while the generals were on stage. I watched candid moments between the Bidens and Michelle Obama. It was all just incredible.

During the video montage of Barack's life, the entire stadium went silent. The respect and hope was heavy in the air. So much is riding on this election, and Barack showed us just how capable he is of taking that burden upon his shoulders.

Aside from my gushing over the Obamas, here was my celebrity sighting:

Ashley Judd standing outside of the stadium in the throngs of people, just like everyone else. She is TINY. At 5'4", I am a giant compared to her. Heheh.

Thanks for letting me participate (through Suzanne) in this live blog! It's been exciting to share this night with everyone via Twitter and BlogHer.

Cheers,

Sarah Porter

Imaginary Binky ( http://www.imaginarybinky.com )

The team and I just got back from the speech. It was unlike anything I have ever seen. Unlike a SuperBowl, a rock concert, ANYTHING. Getting out of the Field was just awful, and despite our media passes we couldn't get a spot on a shuttle or an electrical outlet or line to get you all information.

People were walking in circle not knowing where to go, seniors in wheelchairs waited hours. Getting 70-thousand plus people out of stadium was just DIFFICULT at best.

All that aside.

I'd stand in that line all over again to witness history.

Can't wait to see what the Republicans do next week.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain ( http://queenofspainblog.com/ )

What an inspiring speech...It even had specifics. I feel strangely hopeful. My gosh, I hope the Dems don't squander this.

It is totally unimaginable that McCain's speechwriters can do as well as Obama's.

If America isn't ready for the hope Obama brought tonight, then maybe we deserve what we get if we put another negative campaigner in.

But let's not find out...

YieldingWealth.com ( http://www.yieldingwealth.com )

Let me express my thanks to the slate of candidates, especially the one who traveled the fartherst: Hillary Rodham Clinton

To President Bill Clinton who made last night the case for change as only he can make it.

To Ted Kennedy, who embodies the spirit of service.

And to the next Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, I thank you.

I am grateful to finish this journey with one of the finest statesmen of our time.

To the love of my life, our next first lady, Michelle Obama.

And to Malia and Sasha, I love you so much and I am so proud of you.

Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story...

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder ( http://blogher.org/member/lisa-stone )
Surfette ( http://surfette.typepad.com )

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of the 2008 political conventions

everywhere, regardless of party:

Obama talks about his father: "I met my father once for a month when I was ten. I was probably shaped more by his absence than by his presence."

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder ( http://blogher.org/member/lisa-stone )
Surfette ( http://surfette.typepad.com )

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of the 2008 political conventions

Wesley Clark? I thought he wasn't attending? I have Wesley Clark stories! I'll share them some day, heh.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net/ )

people who have met with Barack Obama: "We're going to hear from a teacher, a trucker, a factory worker, and a mom who hasn't really been involved before."

First up: Roy Gross, Teamsters Local 299, Detroit Michigan

Second up: Monica Early, from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. She is invoking viral email about Barack Obama's beliefs. "I'm grateful for that email - it brought me here!"

Third up: Janet Monaco from Florida (via Long Island) is speaking from small biz perspective.

Fourth: Teresa Asenapp from New Mexico

Fifth: Pam from Pittsboro, N.C. "I am a lifelong Republican. Pam from Pittsboro, N.C. "I am a lifelong Republican. I voted for Nixon, Regan, Bush and Bush. But I can't afford four more years. . ."

Sixth: Barney Smith, Indiana

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder ( http://blogher.org/member/lisa-stone )
Surfette ( http://surfette.typepad.com )

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of the 2008 political conventions

On stage: Generals Adams, Clark, Gillespie, Harris, General Kennedy, McGuinness, MPeak, Newton, Peterson...okay, I'm unable to keep count.

"We're all here tonight because we know leadership does matter. That's why we support Barack Obama. Obama is the leader the military can trust. Obama is the leader the country needs."

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder ( http://blogher.org/member/lisa-stone )
Surfette ( http://surfette.typepad.com )

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of the 2008 political conventions

Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Ike and Mamie, wearing Republican Red and endorsing Obama" "We must restore our int'l leadership..."

"Let us restore the hope and bring the change that this nation so desperately needs. Yes we can!"

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder ( http://blogher.org/member/lisa-stone )
Surfette ( http://surfette.typepad.com )

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of the 2008 political conventions

And thanks @ImaginaryBinky! Also, everyone, Erin Kotecki-Vest tells me the only connection working inside Invesco is her phone, so she's twittering like crazy. If you want to read her and Maria Niles on Twitter you can:

Watch it here on BlogHer (you don't have to be a Twitter member or user to follow their observations): http://www.blogher.com/special-events/election-200...

If you're on Twitter, follow:

Erin - @queenofspain@marianiles@BlogHer
Maria -
BlogHer (me tonight) -

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder ( http://blogher.org/member/lisa-stone )
Surfette ( http://surfette.typepad.com )

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of the 2008 political conventions here ( http://www.blogher.com/special-events/election-200... ).

I believe in recycling, but this is ridculous!

I can only imagine how much better off we'd be if he had gotten in back in 2000. 

Suzanne

www.suzannesez.blogspot.com ( http://www.suzannesez.blogspot.com )

JUst switched to BBC Asia because Wolf won't stop talking long enough to show the people on the stage!

Bill Richardson is on now (at least here...it says live in the corner)

I have mostly discussed the "buzz" with Europeans... The Chinese Buzz? Most of the time I don't have enough English to discuss poiltics and thats my native language! So I am not sure what the Chinese buzz is. Flipping through the CCTV channels now to see if it is on there... 

Suzanne

www.suzannesez.blogspot.com ( http://www.suzannesez.blogspot.com )

(pronounced "mayo"... meaning nothing, nada, not there.... nothing on CCTV's channels that I can find.)

Switched back to CNN... BBC switched to Singapore business report instead of showing Stevie! How rude!

What's the buzz about the Convention and the election in China? 

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor ( http://blogher.org/blog/kim-pearson )|Professor Kim ( http://professorkim.blogspot.com/ )|

Several viewing parties happening here in China! www.democratsabroad ( http://www.democratsabroad ) for info.

I will watch at home on CNN (actually think they might be picking up the same broadcast you have in the US!.... Wolf Blitzer is not the typical face on CNN Asia)

Thanks for covering it Kim! 

If you check her Qik account every few minutes, you'll see more live streaming from her. Queen of Spain Live Streaming ( http://qik.com/queenofspain ). Anderson Cooper is in one of the videos... for those of you who are Cooper fans.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net/ )

From the DNCC press office:

2008 CONVENTION:
EXCERPTS OF THE REMARKS OF SENATOR BARACK OBAMA

Excerpts of the Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
“The American Promise”
Democratic National Convention
August 28, 2008
Denver, Colorado

As prepared for delivery

“Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story – of the
brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from
Kansas who weren’t well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in
America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to.

“It is that promise that has always set this country apart – that
through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual
dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that
the next generation can pursue their dreams as well.

“It is why I stand here tonight. Because for two hundred and thirty
two years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary
men and women – students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and
janitors -- found the courage to keep it alive.

“We meet at one of those defining moments – a moment when our nation is
at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been
threatened once more.

“Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder
for less. More of you have lost your homes and more are watching your
home values plummet. More of you have cars you can’t afford to drive,
credit card bills you can’t afford to pay and tuition that is beyond
your reach

“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 presidency of George W. Bush.

“America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this.”

***

“This moment – this election – is our chance to keep, in the 21st
century, the American promise alive. Because next week, in Minnesota,
the same party that brought you two terms of George Bush and Dick
Cheney will ask this country for a third. And we are here because we
love this country too much to let the next four years look just like
the last eight. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: “Eight is
enough.”

“Now let there be no doubt. The Republican nominee, John McCain, has
worn the uniform of our country with bravery and distinction, and for
that we owe him our gratitude and respect. And next week, we’ll also
hear about those occasions when he’s broken with his party as evidence
that he can deliver the change that we need.

“But the record’s clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety
percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but
really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush
was right more than ninety percent of the time? I don’t know about
you, but I’m not ready to take a ten percent chance on change.”

***

“You see, we Democrats have a very different measure of what constitutes progress in this country.

“We measure progress by how many people can find a job that pays
the mortgage; whether you can put away a little extra money at the end
of each month so that you can someday watch your child receive her
diploma. We measure progress in the 23 million new jobs that were
created when Bill Clinton was President – when the average American
family saw its income go up $7,500 instead of down $2,000 like it has
under George Bush.

“We measure the strength of our economy not by the number of
billionaires we have or the profits of the Fortune 500, but by whether
someone with a good idea can take a risk and start a business, or
whether the waitress who lives on tips can take a day off to look after
a sick kid without losing her job – an economy that honors the dignity
of work.

“The fundamentals we use to measure economic strength are whether we
are living up to that fundamental promise that has made this country
great – a promise that is the only reason I am standing here tonight.”

***

“That’s the promise we need to keep. That’s the change we need
right now. So let me spell out exactly what that change would mean if
I am President.

“Change means a tax code that doesn’t reward the lobbyists who wrote
it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it.

“Unlike John McCain, I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that
ship our jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that
create good jobs right here in America.

“I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the
start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow.

“I will cut taxes – cut taxes – for 95% of all working families.
Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise
taxes on the middle-class.

“And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our
planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will
finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East.

“Washington has been talking about our oil addiction for the last
thirty years, and John McCain has been there for twenty-six of them.
In that time, he’s said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for
cars, no to investments in renewable energy, no to renewable fuels.
And today, we import triple the amount of oil as the day that Senator
McCain took office.

“Now is the time to end this addiction, and to understand that drilling
is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. Not even close.

“As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean
coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I’ll
help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the
future are built right here in America. I’ll make it easier for the
American people to afford these new cars. And I’ll invest $150 billion
over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy – wind
power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an
investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs
that pay well and can’t ever be outsourced.”

***

“We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So
don’t tell me that Democrats won’t defend this country. Don’t tell me
that Democrats won’t keep us safe. The Bush-McCain foreign policy has
squandered the legacy that generations of Americans -- Democrats and
Republicans – have built, and we are to restore that legacy.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation,
but I will only send our troops into harm’s way with a clear mission
and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle
and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home.

“I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight against
al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I will rebuild our military
to meet future conflicts. But I will also renew the tough, direct
diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. I will
build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century:
terrorism and nuclear proliferation; poverty and genocide; climate
change and disease. And I will restore our moral standing so that
America is once more the last, best hope for all who are called to the
cause of freedom, who long for lives of peace, and who yearn for a
better future.”

###

About the DNCC:

The 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee is the official arm
of the Democratic National Committee responsible for planning and
organizing the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. www.demconvention.com ( http://cts.vresp.com/c/?DNCC/8f10044bfd/5c24965aa1... )

Paid for by 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee, Inc.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor ( http://blogher.org/blog/kim-pearson )|Professor Kim ( http://professorkim.blogspot.com/ )|

There is a very long line at Inesco Stadium right now!

Suzanne

www.suzannesez.blogspot.com ( http://www.suzannesez.blogspot.com )

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net/ )

Kim, thanks so much for having this feed tonight!

Imaginary Binky will be Twittering live updates, and I'll be adding them to your feed. 

I'm looking forward to this.  I was a strong supporter of another Dem, and was unenthused about Obama.  This convention has helped me get behind the candidate that best will enact the changes we need. 

Suzanne

www.suzannesez.blogspot.com ( http://www.suzannesez.blogspot.com )

That's what I anticipate.  I will be watching the speech with a cross section of friends and neighbors and receiving and sending calls to family members in far away places about the speech.

blog.candelariasilva.com

Good and plenty!

Erin shot video as she and Maria entered Invesco ( http://qik.com/video/242697 )! Erin being Erin greeted Jesse Jackson as she walked past him. Heh. I love that.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net/ )

I'm looking forward to it as well. Glad you'll be sharing updates. The more the merrier! 

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor ( http://blogher.org/blog/kim-pearson )|Professor Kim ( http://professorkim.blogspot.com/ )|