Sen. Barack Obama gave the greatest political speech I've ever heard. He was better than Reagan and better than Kennedy. For someone who loves politics and public service, it was an honor to be able to witness it.
Obama did not only what he had to do -- address specific policy details and answer Republican critics -- but he did it in a way that was inspiring. His call for change will resonate across the country even louder than before.
It's hard to see how Republicans will follow this in Minneapolis next week. Frankly, it's hard to see how Sen. John McCain will be able to win this election in a way that any American can be proud of.
Other reactions:
Andrew Sullivan: "Look: I'm biased at this point. I'm one of those people, deeply
distressed at what has happened to America, deeply ashamed of my own
misjudgments, who has shifted out of my ideological comfort zone
because this man seems different to me, and this moment in history
seems different to me... I've said it before - months and months ago. I should say it again
tonight. This is a remarkable man at a vital moment. America would be
crazy to throw this opportunity away. America must not throw this
opportunity away."
Pat Buchanan:
"It was a genuinely outstanding speech. It was magnificent. It is the
finest - and I saw Cuomo's speech, I saw Kennedy in '80, I even saw
Douglas MacArthur, I saw Martin Luther King - this is the greatest
convention speech, and probably the most important because unlike Cuomo
and the others this is an acceptance speech. . This came out of the
heart of America and he went right at the heart of America..."
David Gergen: "In many ways it was less a speech than a symphony...It was a masterpiece."
Bill Kristol:
"Barack Obama faced very high expectations tonight and honestly I think
he met them and I honestly think he exceeded them...He eloquently
explained America's promise. He explained why the Bush Cheney
administration had fallen short of that...I thought it was an awfully
impressive performance."
Ezra Klein: "This has been the most aggressive speech of the week. And the most
substantive I've seen Obama give. It's not a thematic address: It's not
about hope or values or the universality of the American experience of
the illusory obstacles that divide us. It's concrete. It's about the
failure of the Republican Party, and the promises of the Democratic
Party."
Ben Smith: "The expectations were high for Obama's rhetorical talent, and he met
them, and the crowd at Mile High --now full almost to the brim, at a
reported 84,000 -- is standing and cheering, waving the American flags
they've been handed."
Josh Marshall: "I thought this was a very strong speech. About exactly what was needed."
Brian Rogers, McCain campaign spokesman: "When the
temple comes down, the fireworks end, and the words are over, the facts
remain: Senator Obama still has no record of bipartisanship, still
opposes offshore drilling, still voted to raise taxes on those making
just $42,000 per year, and still voted against funds for American
troops in harm's way. The fact remains: Barack Obama is still not ready
to be president."
August 28, 2008
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