Obama, Don't Squander This Moment

Speech brings Democratic nominee's campaign back to the elements

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama took on two of his greatest challenges head-on in his acceptance speech last night, Patrick Healy writes in the New York Times. The Democratic nominee added some down-to-earth proposals to his lofty talk of change, while proving he could take the fight to John McCain with "memorable fire," Healy writes. 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»

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.

Klein: Obama shows off his pragmatic side in Denver

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama delivered "the perfect speech for a skeptical nation," writes Joe Klein in Time. Absent was Obama’s typical lofty oratory; in its place was a speech that was “lean, efficient, practical and very, very tough.” Obama’s goal was to prove that he was a pragmatist, not a dreamer, willing to take the fight to John McCain. More»