GOP Couldn’t Ask For More
The first thing I thought when I read this article was that Republicans couldn’t get this lucky. Having John Kerry, who served in Vietnam, Jimmy Carter and Algore each getting primetime speaking slots, combined with Bill and Hillary speaking, is fantastic for Republicans. We couldn’t have done better if Karl Rove were putting the roster of speakers together. Here’s what’s been announced:
The schedule so far includes dozens of speakers each of the first three nights, from Obama’s family to lawmakers past and present.
Thursday’s lineup is expected to be considerably pared down. So far the only speakers in addition to Obama are expected to be Gore and Gov. Bill Ritter.
Monday’s program will focus on telling Obama’s story. His half-sister will speak, along with his brother-in-law and several political allies from his hometown of Chicago, including Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
The primetime speaker will be Obama’s wife, Michelle.
Former President Carter also is scheduled to speak Monday night, as is Jerry Kellman, a mentor to Obama during his days as a community organizer in Chicago.
Tuesday’s headliner will be Sen. Hillary Clinton, with the keynote speech by former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney also will talk Tuesday, when the focus is on economic issues.
Opening night will talk about the corrupt political process in Chicago? Tuesday night will feature Hillary and Mark Warner, which is fine. Having John Sweeney speak, though, is just another reminder of the Democrats’ corruption machine-style politics.
Trust me. GOP operatives will have a field day with Sweeney, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Chicago machine-style politics. This paints a picture of postpartisan hopeandchange Obama? I don’t think that’ll work. (Maybe Mr. Rove really did put this list of speakers together.)
Wednesday’s theme is “Securing America’s Future.” The still-unnamed vice presidential nominee will be the primetime speaker. Former President Bill Clinton, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Daley and Kerry will speak that night as well.
Bill Clinton, Bill Richardson and John Kerry aren’t new style hopeandchange politicians. They’re yesterday’s news. Perhaps they’re setting things up this way to contrast these over-the-hill politicians with the Obamessiah. That doesn’t make much sense.
Conventions are supposed to be about the political party showcasing itself. It’s a time when you highlight up-and-coming talent. I guess Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Mark Warner fill that bill but having Jimmy Carter, the worst president in US history, Algore and John Kerry speak in primetime is telling people that the Democrats are the party of the past.
Of course, the week wraps up with another brilliant teleprompter speech from Barry. According to this column, that’s bad news for him:
In any event, the convention will be Obama’s last opportunity to speak with his beloved teleprompter. After that, he’s on his own!
The thought of Sen. Obama doing unscripted speeches must drive his handlers insane. We’ve already seen glimpses of his unscripted moments. They ain’t pretty. It’s why his handlers didn’t let him do the 10 townhall debates with McCain. Had they happened, Sen. Obama would be trailing outside the margin of error by now.
One last thing that’s worth noting is the Democrats’ tribute to Ted Kennedy, a real Hopeandchange kinda guy.
When it’s all over, we won’t be able to say that their convention wasn’t memorable. We’ll just be able to say it didn’t cast Democrats in a great light. That’s good enough for me.
Technorati Tags: Obama, Richard Daley, Jesse Jackson Jr., Richard Sweeney, Corruption, Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Hillary, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Democratic Convention, Election 2008
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog