Down-to-Earth Barack Brought Fire

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»

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama made the most of his historic night at Denver's packed Invesco Field with a broad-based attack on the "broken politics of Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush," Reuters reports. "We are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look like the last eight," said Obama, who formally assumed the mantle of Democratic nominee. "On November 4th, we must stand up and say: 'Eight is enough.' More»

There is a time and a place for lofty rhetoric, and it's here and now

(NEWSER) - The right convention speech at the right moment can transcend politics, and Barack Obama may miss his moment with his plans to give a "workmanlike" speech tomorrow, writes Michael Gerson in the Washington Post. The candidate should focus on big themes like faith and equality, and return to his early theme of national unity, Gerson argues. More»

Democratic nominee will give speech before 76,000-seat stadium

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama isn’t canceling the last day of the Democratic National Convention, as was rumored earlier this week—he’s turning it into a massive rally at the Denver Bronco’s Invesco Field, sources tell the Los Angles Times. Obama is confident he can fill the 76,000-seat stadium for his acceptance speech—the Pepsi Center, where the first 3 days of the convention are being held, holds just 19,000—but some worries remain about security and the possibility of rain. More»

Earlier superdelegate event could fix Dems' drama: Politico

(NEWSER) - With a tight race and a “crazy quilt of anti-democratic rules” that govern the Dems’ race for the nomination, we need a fair and transparent way to settle the matter. How? Try a July “superconvention,” writes Dan Gerstein in Politico. Superdelegates would gather to hear speeches from each candidate, openly debate the matter themselves—then cast their votes. More»