Democratic Convention

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The youngest Kennedy was an inspiring orator like his brothers

Would it be tacky for John McCain to leak word of his vice-presidential nominee in the middle of or just ahead of Barack Obama’s convention speech tonight as Drudge is suggesting he might? Or is that just clever politics?

Obama’s top campaign strategist, David Axelrod, told Politico that Obama’s speech tonight would draw inspiration from 3 historical convention speeches: John F. Kennedy in 1960, Ronald Reagan in 1980, and Bill Clinton in 1992. I’ve dug up text and video of those speeches below, and some snippets that seem to relate to Obama’s campaign themes. Note that JFK also moved his speech outdoors.

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John F. Kennedy in 1960: Text here. Video here

Theme of change:

“But we’re not merely running against Mr. Nixon. Our task is not merely one of itemizing Republican failures. Nor is that wholly necessary. For the families forced from the farm do not need to tell us of their plight. The unemployed miners and textile workers know that the decision is before them in November. The old people without medical care, the families without a decent home, the parents of children without a decent school: They all know that it’s time for a change.”

The New Frontier:

“…I’m asking each of you to be pioneers towards that New Frontier. My call is to the young in heart, regardless of age–to the stout in spirit, regardless of Party, to all who respond to the scriptural call: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be [thou] dismayed.”

Also a risky candidate:

“I am fully aware of the fact that the Democratic Party, by nominating someone of my faith, has taken on what many regard as a new and hazardous risk — new, at least since 1928.”

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Ronald Reagan in 1980: Text here. Video here.

Here is a familiar theme:

“More than — More than anything else, I want my candidacy to unify our country, to renew the American spirit and sense of purpose. I want to carry our message to every American, regardless of party affiliation, who is a member of this community of shared values.”

Another one:

“Of all the objectives we seek, first and foremost is the establishment of lasting world peace. We must always stand ready to negotiate in good faith, ready to pursue any reasonable avenue that holds forth the promise of lessening tensions and furthering the prospects of peace. But let our friends and those who may wish us ill take note: the United States has an obligation to its citizens and to the people of the world never to let those who would destroy freedom dictate the future course of life on this planet.”

And would Obama follow Reagan here..?

“I’ll confess that I’ve been a little afraid to suggest what I’m going to suggest. I’m more afraid not to. Can we begin our crusade joined together in a moment of silent prayer?”

The introductions of Joe Biden and his speech itself focused a lot on his biography — growing up in working class Pennsylvania (though, he said in the bio video, his neighbours considered themselves “middle class,”) losing his wife and son in a car accident shortly after being elected to Congress and being sworn in at his other injured son’s hospital bedside (the same son, Beau, who is now attorney general of Delaware and is soon deploying to Iraq with the Delaware National Guard”), and his ability to pick up and go on. There was also emphasis on his role in writing the Violence Against Women Act.

Sen. John Kerry, whose own presidential bid was hobbled by accusations of flip-flopping, seemed to relish the chance to let it rip tonight:

As someone here has noted, he has a lot of practice at redeeming himself — but seriously, I don’t know what else more he could have said. Clinton gave the strong endorsement of Obama as commander-in-chief that was missing from his wife’s speech.

He also had a great line about Republicans complaining in 1992 1996 that he was too young and inexperienced to be commander-in-chief.

I don’t know if the secret service was jamming air cards or what, but I couldn’t connect during his speech for some reason…

One of his biggest lines was about using “the power of America’s example and not the example of America’s power.”

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Here are some excerpts

“Clearly, the job of the next President is to rebuild the American Dream and restore America’s standing in the world. Everything I learned in my eight years as President and in the work I’ve done since, in America and across the globe, has convinced me that Barack Obama is the man for this job.”

… and to thunderous roars, casts New York’s votes

As speechmaking goes, the Democratic convention in Denver is about to scale new heights. Teddy Kennedy and Michelle Obama on Monday delivered what all observers qualify as poignant and inspirational addresses. Last night, Hillary Clinton clearly delivered a speech of presidential caliber. Not to be outdone, we can expect former President Bill Clinton to be at the top of his game. Clinton arguably the best speaker in American politics largely due to his conversational style and pedagogical skills will be delivering a speech that will make the case for Obama against McCain and present the arguments contrasting the economic policies of the Democrats and the Republicans. Senator Joe Biden, the presumptive vice-presidential nominee will complete the evening and in all likelihood will convince the delegates that he is indeed a solid choice.

Obama is being nominated by Iraq war veteran, Michael Wilson:

While Hillary Clinton is being nominated and seconded in English and Spanish, on behalf of grandmothers and people without health care, and so on…. The Obama campaign is smacking back at the criticism of the white-columned Greeck temple thing they are building at the Invesco Center where Obama’s will give his speech tomorrow… It turns out they copied it from George W. Bush…