Some of Nothing

Things That Have Made Me Giddy
Thursday, August 28, 2008

* Democrats have consistently brought the issue of energy independence into the convention. It's one of the three major goals Obama has laid out for his first term, so making it a constant refrain now is a good way to lay the groundwork. But what makes me giddy is the fact that it shows Democrats taking it to the Republicans. Right now, Republicans are winning on energy. They've got the oil industry billionaires on their side. And the polls on this issue certainly aren't helping. Plus, there's Harry Reid's speech-giving impediment. Nonetheless, I'm giddy. Rather than lying low and focusing on their strengths, Democrats are working hard to reclaim this issue for themselves. That's change I can believe in.


* John Kerry kicked fear's ass last night:

He even used the 'T' word--Torture. I've heard people whining that no one's talked about torture until now in the convention. But there are two exceptions I take to that particular whine. First, torture is a downer, and this convention can't be all downer. Second, just like talking about being a POW, the more you talk about torture, the more you minimize it. So, putting that word into Kerry's mouth late into the convention makes it noteworthy and important. It's not all screech and clamor throughout (like politics). It's real and serious (like policy). Not a distraction but a focus.


* I actually partially agree with Andrew Sullivan:

Readers know my personal disdain for Bill Clinton. But longtime readers will also know I have always defended his solid centrist, smart record in office and defended him against his most over-reaching enemies. Tonight, I think, was one of the best speeches he has ever given. It was a direct, personal and powerful endorsement of Obama. But much, much more than that: it was a statesman-like assessment of where this country is and how desperately it needs a real change toward reform and retrenchment at home and restoration of diplomacy, wisdom and prudence abroad. Yes, he nailed it with this line:

"People around the world have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power."

While I prefer Clinton's person to the centrist (not always smart) parts of his record, I agree with most of Sullivan's assessment of Clinton's speech last night. Both Bill and Hillary have exhibited their best qualities during this convention, and I hope we see those qualities more often. When Obama can unite someone like Bill Clinton with someone like Andrew Sullivan, I start to believe.


* During all this convention clamor, Obama has been taking it to the newfangled Swiftboaters directly:

Barack Obama's campaign hasn't advertised this a great deal this week, but the campaign's "Action Wire" has been waging large-scale campaigns against critics. That includes tens of thousands of e-mails to television stations running Harold Simmons' Bill Ayers ad, and to their advertisers — including a list of major automobile and telecommunications companies.

And tonight, the campaign launched a more specific campaign: an effort to disrupt the appearance by a writer for National Review, Stanley Kurtz, on a Chicago radio program...

This effort is thrilling for those of us who have been urging mainstream Democrats to finally dispense some karmic justice on the right wing noise machine. We will not sacrifice another president to phony guilt-by-association and symbolic issues!


* Finally. John McSame starts to lose it.

Giddy...just giddy.


UPDATE: I agree with Digby that Wes Clark is a Class Act. He'll be at Obama's speech tonight, which also makes me a little giddy.

Nothing New byslag at 8:37 AM