# Democratic convention 2008 discussion thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 25, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236 "2008-08-25T20:18:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/221 "2008-08-27T20:47:18Z")
[QUOTE=jsc1953] First thing I thought of was that someone, inadvertently or intentionally, created a marvelous new portmanteau word. A groundswell of grousing. [/QUOTE] - waves hand \* Me too – my first thought, and I loved it. But then, I’m a sucker for that sort of wordplay. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/222 "2008-08-27T21:29:06Z")
[QUOTE=Digital Stimulus] I’ll find it very interesting to compare and contrast the Republican strategy. I expect we’ll get four nights blasting away at Democrats – very little in the way of constructive output, lots of tearing down. Oh, and too many helpings of the POW defense. [/QUOTE] One of the commentators (Matthew Dowd?) on ABC last night was a former convention organizer (I don’t know what his official title was) for the Republicans. He was touted as a convention “expert.” He claimed - before Hilary’s speech - that he could not find the throughline of the message the Democrats wanted to convey at the convention yet. He said that that at the last Republican convention the message was simple and repeated again and again, in \*every single \*speech: “Our guys is strong, their guy is weak.” Over and over and over. And it worked. So I would expect to see the exact same thing this time around, with a slightly altered message: “Our guy is experienced and tough, their guy is a messianic, untested cipher.” (Only simpler than that). Over and over and over. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/223 "2008-08-27T21:30:55Z")
again i say she said more in her speech last night supporting the primary winner than anyone else who lost a primary. her loss was also closer than any other primary. there was no call on reagan that he didn’t do enough for ford when he spoke. reagan didn’t even mention him by name in his speech. kennedy barely looked at carter, and mentioned him one time (one time!) in his speech. let’s think about how those elections turned out. sen. clinton mentioned sen. obama by title, full name, and first name. she called on mrs. obama, sen. biden, and mrs. biden. she said if you believe these are the things you want for this country, you want obama-biden. once again the woman does more than the men and it isn’t enough. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/224 "2008-08-27T21:33:41Z")
[QUOTE=ShadowFacts] One of the commentators (Matthew Dowd?) on ABC last night was a former convention organizer (I don’t know what his official title was) for the Republicans. He was touted as a convention “expert.” He claimed - before Hilary’s speech - that he could not find the throughline of the message the Democrats wanted to convey at the convention yet. He said that that at the last Republican convention the message was simple and repeated again and again, in \*every single \*speech: “Our guys is strong, their guy is weak.” Over and over and over. And it worked. So I would expect to see the exact same thing this time around, with a slightly altered message: “Our guy is experienced and tough, their guy is a messianic, untested cipher.” (Only simpler than that). Over and over and over. [/QUOTE] If that doesn’t work, the Republicans can always resort to the Michael Richards message. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/225 "2008-08-27T21:40:17Z")
[QUOTE=rocking chair] again i say she said more in her speech last night supporting the primary winner than anyone else who lost a primary. her loss was also closer than any other primary. there was no call on reagan that he didn’t do enough for ford when he spoke. reagan didn’t even mention him by name in his speech. kennedy barely looked at carter, and mentioned him one time (one time!) in his speech. let’s think about how those elections turned out. sen. clinton mentioned sen. obama by title, full name, and first name. she called on mrs. obama, sen. biden, and mrs. biden. she said if you believe these are the things you want for this country, you want obama-biden. once again the woman does more than the men and it isn’t enough. [/QUOTE] Any good points you may have been making were completely lost at the end when you made it about gender. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/226 "2008-08-27T22:22:47Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Lendervedder] Any good points you may have been making were completely lost at the end when you made it about gender. [/QUOTE] Eff the baby, so long as we’re rid of that bathwater. :dubious: FWIW, I felt that Hillary’s speech was a little dryer than Mrs. Obama and (god love him) Kucinich, but she carried her message well and did a good job of emphasizing that we do NOT want another 4 years like the last 8. If that’s not enough to avoid voting McCain, there really wasn’t much hope for those cats anyway. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/227 "2008-08-27T22:47:57Z")
Nice move by Hillary Clinton in the NY delegation. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/228 "2008-08-27T22:48:28Z")
sen. clinton is on the floor now and has announced that she moves that obama is the nominee. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/229 "2008-08-27T22:50:30Z")
Woo HOO!!! Thank you, Hilary! Barack Obama, now the OFFICIAL nominee of the Democratic Party. I cannot stop bawling. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/230 "2008-08-27T22:57:30Z")
[QUOTE=ShadowFacts] He was touted as a convention “expert.” He claimed - before Hilary’s speech - that he could not find the throughline of the message the Democrats wanted to convey at the convention yet. [/QUOTE] He wasn’t looking very hard: the BBC Parliament channel is broadcasting the Democratic convention and I watched some speeches. Every single one of them had the theme of change. They were the ones before Hilary’s speech, Governor Springfield, being the only name I can remember. There was the ‘mobile phone guy’, an ex Governor (jeez, those teeth!); Governor Springfield (terrible delivery, and there’s no need to mention your state quite so often); a black Governor, who told how he’d trod much the same path as Obama, and was really rather impressive; and then there was some reptile who reminded me of Boss Hogg. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/231 "2008-08-27T22:58:52Z")
Wow…mark your calendars folks. History in the happen’in. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/232 "2008-08-27T22:59:18Z")
All in favor of declaring Obama the candidate by acclamation, say ‘Aye.’ _AAAAAAAAYYYYEEEEE!_ (All opposed say ‘no’) Barak Obama is our candidate! 😃 -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/233 "2008-08-27T23:02:17Z")
I’m disappointed…I thought this drama would unfold in primetime, and not while I’m stuck at work. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/234 "2008-08-27T23:12:51Z")
[QUOTE=malkavia] Eff the baby, so long as we’re rid of that bathwater. :dubious: [/QUOTE] Actually, that final sentence was the only point **rocking chair** was making; everything else was just leading up to it. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/235 "2008-08-27T23:17:25Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Lendervedder] Actually, that final sentence was the only point **rocking chair** was making; everything else was just leading up to it. [/QUOTE] **rocking chair** , is this true? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/236 "2008-08-27T23:22:40Z")
[QUOTE=jsc1953] I’m disappointed…I thought this drama would unfold in primetime, and not while I’m stuck at work. [/QUOTE] I darn near missed it – I was in a stone yard picking out rocks for our retaining walls. I caught the roll call on Air America in the car on the way home, coming in sometime around Nevada, I think (a couple before New Hampshire), then made it into the house in time to see two states turn the floor over to New York, and Hillary Clinton stop the roll call and make the official call to elect Barack Obama our nominee. This is without a doubt, the most profoundly moving thing I’ve ever witnessed or been a part of in my entire life. What an incredible stride we’ve just made. History will look favorably upon us. I’m so proud. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/237 "2008-08-27T23:28:04Z")
I called it! Way back on page one. She gets her respect and shows everyone that Barack is the real Dem choice. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/238 "2008-08-27T23:30:30Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] I think Hillary is sincerely over it. I can’t tell with Bill. I think he still really resents what he feels was the race card being played against him after his Jesse Jackson remarks. I think he wants his legacy recognized and wants his name cleared of any hint of racism. I think he’s actually entitled to both of those things. [/QUOTE] He’s a big politician. He can get over it. He should get over it at least, but maybe he wants Obama to do something in exchange for his support. I’d hope Obama at least tried to work things out, because Bill can be very useful. We’ll see tonight. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/239 "2008-08-27T23:37:19Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] Intentionally. I don’t think there’s really enough complaining about Hillary’s speech to make it a genuine groundswell, and since it’s mostly grousing anyway, I figured it sounded right. [/QUOTE] Cool portmanteau, but then _DtC_ comes in and suggests Bill wll “patch the torch” (post #214) – hopefully as a metaphor using the Statue of Liberty’s shining beacon to suggest how Obama will unite the country and bring us all together. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236/240 "2008-08-27T23:40:00Z")
Gee, no convention floor drama or coups d’etat or anything, and Hillary cinched the nomination for him herself. I also thought last night was probably the best speech I’ve heard from her. Perhaps we can entertain the thought that she isn’t Lady Macbeth- once Bill gets back from visiting the three witches. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-convention-2008-discussion-thread/461236.md?page=13)