Talk Left

Um, so the message tonight is that Democrats like to go to concerts? And the "Yes, We Can" song? With Obama speaking cuts in the middle and big pictures of Obama? Not a good idea.

In my opinion of course. I'm not following what this is supposed to be achieving tonight.

Speaking for me only.

The people already in Invesco Field were just treated to Will.I.Am (of the Black Eyed Peas) and John Legend, backed by a sizable choir, singing "Yes We Can," based on a Barack Obama speech, with the words of the speech echoing in the background, as in the video above. Whether you like Obama or not, it was pretty cool to watch.

A digrace:

Lewis’ role in tonight’s program “shows the magnanimity of Barack Obama,” said House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, who is the highest ranking African-American in Congress. Clyburn, who like Lewis was jailed as a civil rights activist in his younger days, acknowledged Lewis’ significance to African-Americans’ battle for equality.

An utter disgrace.

Speaking for me only

photos are here or something like that.

Bill Kristol lying about Bill Clinton:

Clinton was too inexperienced to be commander-in-chief in 1992. . . . He was handed an enviable situation in foreign policy . . . Over the rest of the decade, Clinton managed to allow further erosion in the position of American strength he inherited. Clinton didn’t, as he now claims, lead us “to a new era of peace.” He inherited a hard-won peace, failed to lead, and part of his legacy is 9/11.

Heh. The Left blogs are now back in the business of defending Bill Clinton, so you can see the refutation of this nonsense in other venues. But Kristol's use of the word "inherited" brought the famous Onion headline Bush: "Our Long National Nightmare Of Peace And Prosperity Is Over", to mind. More. . .

And The Onion article proved Republicans are satire proof at this point:

President-elect Bush vows that "together, we can put the triumphs of the recent past behind us." "My fellow Americans," Bush said, "at long last, we have reached the end of the dark period in American history that will come to be known as the Clinton Era, eight long years characterized by unprecedented economic expansion, a sharp decrease in crime, and sustained peace overseas. The time has come to put all of that behind us."

Bush swore to do "everything in [his] power" to undo the damage wrought by Clinton's two terms in office, including selling off the national parks to developers, going into massive debt to develop expensive and impractical weapons technologies, and passing sweeping budget cuts that drive the mentally ill out of hospitals and onto the street.

During the 40-minute speech, Bush also promised to bring an end to the severe war drought that plagued the nation under Clinton, assuring citizens that the U.S. will engage in at least one Gulf War-level armed conflict in the next four years.

"You better believe we're going to mix it up with somebody at some point during my administration," said Bush, who plans a 250 percent boost in military spending. "Unlike my predecessor, I am fully committed to putting soldiers in battle situations. Otherwise, what is the point of even having a military?"

On the economic side, Bush vowed to bring back economic stagnation by implementing substantial tax cuts, which would lead to a recession, which would necessitate a tax hike, which would lead to a drop in consumer spending, which would lead to layoffs, which would deepen the recession even further.

Bush is beyond satire. And, as Clinton said last night, they want 4 more years? Thanks, but no thanks.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

I'm on the press bus to Invesco. The crowds are huge. Security lines way too long.

It wasn't too bad getting in. Speeches are going on. I'm in the MSM press filing area. No laptop, just my iPhone. I hope Big Tent or TChris are around to fix typos . If not, please try to guess what I meant to write.

This thread is not about heroin. Instead it's a thread where you can talk smack.

About college football, which kicks off tonight.

I'll start. The SEC is easily the toughest conference in the country. The Big Ten stinks especially the Badgers (shot at TChris' team and conference.) If Jeralyn cared about college football, maybe I would take a shot at Ralphie, but she doesn't. So it would be wasted.

This is an Open Thread and you CAN talk smack, about college football. Go Gators!

Well, that explains it. It seems that the seizure of video recording equipment from reporters who traveled to the Twin Cities to keep an eye on police interactions with protesters was just an exercise in homeland security.

Minneapolis police spokesman Bill Palmer said the incident happened at 1:40 a.m. and that the group was stopped on suspicion that they were trespassing in a nearby railroad yard. ... Palmer also said the officers appears to have acted reasonably and would have stopped anyone seen near transportation infrastructure late at night.

How silly. First, walking past a railroad yard does not justify a "suspicion" of trespassing. Either the officers saw the reporters trespassing or they didn't. Second, does Palmer really believe that the police are entitled to stop anyone who is "near" a train late at night?

The "national security" spin still doesn't explain why the recording equipment was confiscated. Is homeland security compromised by folks who take pictures of trains?

Well, that explains it. It seems that the seizure of video recording equipment from reporters who traveled to the Twin Cities to keep an eye on police interactions with protesters was just an exercise in homeland security.

Minneapolis police spokesman Bill Palmer said the incident happened at 1:40 a.m. and that the group was stopped on suspicion that they were trespassing in a nearby railroad yard. ... Palmer also said the officers appears to have acted reasonably and would have stopped anyone seen near transportation infrastructure late at night.

How silly. First, walking past a railroad yard does not justify a "suspicion" of trespassing. Either the officers saw the reporters trespassing or they didn't. Second, does Palmer really believe that the police are entitled to stop anyone who is "near" a train late at night?

The "national security" spin still doesn't explain why the recording equipment was confiscated. Is homeland security compromised by folks who take pictures of trains?

For those of you who want to speculate about John McCain's choice of a running mate (in advance of tomorrow's announcement, or perhaps a "surprise" announcement tonight), here's a place to indulge. And here's a tidbit, for what it's worth:

[O]ne top prospect abruptly canceled numerous public appearances. Without explanation, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty called off an Associated Press interview at the last minute, as well as other media interviews in Denver, site of the Democratic National Convention.

Pawlenty would be surprised if McCain picked a pro-choice running mate like Joe Lieberman or Tom Ridge. Arizona's junior senator, Jon Kyl, sounds like he would be unsurprised by an unorthodox choice. Will McCain surprise Pawlenty?

For those of you who want to speculate about John McCain's choice of a running mate (in advance of tomorrow's announcement, or perhaps a "surprise" announcement tonight), here's a place to indulge. And here's a tidbit, for what it's worth:

[O]ne top prospect abruptly canceled numerous public appearances. Without explanation, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty called off an Associated Press interview at the last minute, as well as other media interviews in Denver, site of the Democratic National Convention.

Pawlenty would be surprised if McCain picked a pro-choice running mate like Joe Lieberman or Tom Ridge. Arizona's junior senator, Jon Kyl, sounds like he would be unsurprised by an unorthodox choice. Will McCain surprise Pawlenty?

Hillary Clinton's speech had a big effect in the Gallup Tracker, as Obama/Biden bounced from a 1 point lead to a 5 point lead. With Bill Clinton's speech last night, expect even more of a bounce.

Bill and Hillary Clinton have put in Obama's hands the ability to solidify the support of Hillary supporters. They did their job. Now it is up to Obama. IF he succeeds, he will win the election comfortably.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Hillary Clinton's speech had a big effect in the Gallup Tracker, as Obama/Biden bounced from a 1 point lead to a 5 point lead. With Bill Clinton's speech last night, expect even more of a bounce.

Bill and Hillary Clinton have put in Obama's hands the ability to solidify the support of Hillary supporters. They did their job. Now it is up to Obama. IF he succeeds, he will win the election comfortably.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

I think Jeralyn's post gives us a great opportunity to think about how we can hold our Democratic Party and our Democratic ticket accountable. We've said what we've said about the past. Now the question is what do we want and do in the future regarding our Democratic Party and our Democratic ticket.

I am a political junkie so you'll here a lot about what I think about the Democratic political strategy. But we should also think about how we can get our issues where we want them to be. At the very least, we can call Dems to account when they fail on our issues in the campaign.

Some fresh new thinking on this is in order. Hope you folks will join me in the exercise during this campaign.

This is an Open Thread.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

The primaries are over. Sen. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are our nominees.

This is a historic day for the Democrats and for Denver. TalkLeft fully supports the Democratic ticket. I've resolved my conflicts and will both vote for as well as support Obama-Biden in 2008. A Republican-led Justice Department and a Supreme Court with another right-wing ideologue would be the worst possible outcome for me.

If you are unhappy with the ticket, I'm sorry. But, this is a blog, and it's my blog. TalkLeft will do its part to ensure victory in November. In fact, I encourage everyone to make a donation now to Obama-Biden 2008.

As to commenters here, see below:

The comments here fill up quickly with repetitive, tiring criticism we've heard a million times. No more, and especially not today.

Each of our posts can only accommodate 200 comments. So, for those of you who are remain unhappy with the ticket, please find another place to express your dissatisfaction and negativity. Those critical of the ticket will be limited to four comments in a 24 hour period.

Thanks to all for participating here during the primaries. I'm off to begin what promises to be a historic and memorable day. While I won't be around to moderate comments, we do have a moderator and the comment limit will be enforced, even if after the fact.

Update: I've already deleted several comments mis-stating what I wrote. Supporting the ticket does not mean we won't have criticism of it or the media. When they make a mis-step in our view, we'll say so. That's entirely different than what I'm referring to here: comments that in one way or another are nothing but "I can't vote for this ticket...." with a reason expressed dozens of times before.

This policy is for commenters, not the authors of the site who will continue to write whatever they want to.

Bill Clinton:

They actually want us to reward them for the last eight years by giving them four more. Let’s send them a message that will echo from the Rockies all across America: Thanks, but no thanks.

Bill Clinton:

I say to you: Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world. Barack Obama is ready to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States.

MSNBC Head Phil Griffin:

Look, when Keith [Olbermann] anchors, he plays it straight down the line.

Bwahahahahaha! Good one Phil. Next you'll tell me he is "fair and balanced." Oh wait, how about this one - "Olbermann Reports, You Decide."

This is an Open Thread.

Tonight, Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for the Presidency. It is a historic night. Obama will become the first African American major party candidate for the Presidency.

Ironically, to increase his chances to become the first African American President of the United States, Obama is likely to place less emphasis on the historic nature of his candidacy then the rest of us are. But, on the most basic level, the history will be inescapable. Today is the 45th Anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech ("1963 is not an end, but a beginning"):

More . . .

It will be a feel good moment for the country but Obama has, rightly, in my view, been wary of being labelled as the "black candidate." I expect Obama will of course give the occasion its due but will not dwell on it.

Obama has some interesting choices and challenges tonight. He is a terrific set speech speaker, so prepare to be wowed.

I tell you what I will be interested to see, how much Obama decides to talk about the "glass ceiling." Maybe not at all. Maybe a lot.

Will he talk all change? Dancing with the one that brought him? Will it be the Iowa speech all over again?

Or will he try to connect with working class voters in Clintonesque populist fashion? Will he talk about foreign policy chops and specifics?

The history tonight is alluring. And rightly so. But the political junkie in me is interested in seeing the choices Obama the politician, not Obama the historic figure, makes tonight.

It is all very intriguing.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

CNN took over Brooklyn's Bar and Grill outside the Pepsi Center this week. After hiking over viaducts from downtown to get to the Pepsi Center, waiting in 15 minute security lines in 90 degree heat, it's an oasis. [More...]

There's an outdoor patio area with lots of televisions, tables and chairs. The indoor bar and restaurant had television screens, a CNN reporter's filing area, free wi-fi for everyone, cell phone charging stations, and free and plentiful food and drink -- including a full bar with premium brands.

It isn't open to the public -- you need credentials which CNN offered me (and several hundred others).

Today was the first day I went inside. I got there at 3, got an excellent seat at the bar and left at 8 pm. Dinner was cooked by four of Denver's best chefs and outstanding. The CNN reporters and anchors were there mingling (Photos as soon as I process them.)

It was such an inviting and friendly atmosphere with great vibes all around. An oasis from the heat and commotion at the Pepsi Center. And an extremely generous gesture by CNN.

On election day in 2006, CNN flew about 100 bloggers into Washington for a live-blogging party at the Tryst in Alexandria, Virginia. I didn't think anything could top that. The CNN Bar and Grill did.

Thank you, CNN.