Michelle Extols Barack's Values

Portrayal of an ordinary American family balances hubby's lofty rhetoric

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama's rousing speech at the Democratic National Convention kept things down to earth where her husband has the tendency to soar skyward, Roger Simon writes in Politico. She introduced herself as a sister, wife and mother, underscoring the campaign's effort to show the Obamas as an ordinary American family. More»

Favorite phrase—'Let me be clear'—now signals grim determination

(NEWSER) - One of President Obama's longest-running, most-used rhetorical standbys is the earnest phrase "let me be clear." It cropped up in his national debut speech at the 2004 convention, was deployed throughout the campaign, and continues. But let me be clear—Obama's use of the phrase has changed. During the campaign, he used it to cut through his sometimes heady rhetoric and drive a point home: his opposition to the Iraq war, his faith that America was "ready" for a black president. More»

Former first lady addresses school speech controvery in CNN interview

(NEWSER) - President Obama's doing a good job, Laura Bush tells CNN during a wide-ranging chat yesterday about life after the White House. "I think he has got a lot on his plate, and he has tackled a lot to start with," she said, "and that has probably made it more difficult." And of the controversy over Obama's upcoming address to the country's schoolchildren, the former first lady says it's "really important for everyone to respect the president of the United States." More»

Palin pick may have canceled bounce

(NEWSER) - The Democratic National Convention and Barack Obama’s acceptance speech failed to boost his ratings despite their favorable reception, reports CNN. Obama and John McCain were in a dead heat a week ago, and remain virtually tied, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey. McCain’s well-timed announcement of Sarah Palin as his running mate—which was also favorably received—may have canceled out Obama’s bounce, said a pollster. More»

It was the right speech ... the speech Dem had to give ... a mashup of speeches ...

(NEWSER) - The chattering class saw strength—even Rovian aggression—in Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, for better or worse. A sampling of what observers are saying:

• The Democratic nominee managed to be about voters, not himself, magnificently deflecting John McCain’s entire “celebrity” narrative, Michael Tomasky writes in the Guardian.
• This speech is exactly what Democrats have been calling for: a bare-knuckled attack on McCain, challenging the Republican "not to stoop to questioning his motives," Dan Balz writes in the Washington Post.