As to the majority of the above: :thumb: I concur on your analysis of what could have been and maybe should have been.

 

the last paragraph I would say that most don't have the extreme dislike of Teddy you note. They see a brother to a nostalgic past and he is dying of cancer. It is about sympathy/pity vote and like with most people going through such crisis, the public tends to forget the past infractions and embrace the human interest of the picture.

 

Thanks Hatz.

 

I don't have an extreme dislike or even a dislike for Ted and am not one that constantly brings up the Chappaquiddic (sp? and no time to look it up) event and his past alcohol related problems. Actually as a politician I respect him because he is always true to his bona fide, blue to the bone liberal beliefs. I don't agree with his philosophies, but I respect him and them.

 

I understand the compassion side to his appearance. I just don't think it was smart politically to tie Obama to a man considered by many to be the poster child of the far left liberal wing of the party; certainly not as Obama is trying to convince the moderates that he's one of "them". If the convention was closed and he was only speaking to the delegates to get them fired up, Ted would have been a great choice. But conventions are 10% nomination and 90% campaign pieces. I dunno. Maybe I'm overthinking the apprearance, but every time Obama is associated with a far leftie, I just think it makes it harder to sell the moderates that he is not the far left liberal the R's are portraying him to be. Along those lines, I think it actually helps McCain with the moderates that the far righties are not strong on McCain.

Thanks Hatz.

 

I don't have an extreme dislike or even a dislike for Ted and am not one that constantly brings up the Chappaquiddic (sp? and no time to look it up) event and his past alcohol related problems. Actually as a politician I respect him because he is always true to his bona fide, blue to the bone liberal beliefs. I don't agree with his philosophies, but I respect him and them.

 

I understand the compassion side to his appearance. I just don't think it was smart politically to tie Obama to a man considered by many to be the poster child of the far left liberal wing of the party; certainly not as Obama is trying to convince the moderates that he's one of "them". If the convention was closed and he was only speaking to the delegates to get them fired up, Ted would have been a great choice. But conventions are 10% nomination and 90% campaign pieces. I dunno. Maybe I'm overthinking the apprearance, but every time Obama is associated with a far leftie, I just think it makes it harder to sell the moderates that he is not the far left liberal the R's are portraying him to be. Along those lines, I think it actually helps McCain with the moderates that the far righties are not strong on McCain.

 

You are correct, as far as I am concerned. There is a reason Kennedy spoke when he did. Pelosi as well. The party had to trot them out there, but they kept them covered as early speakers on the opening night of the convention prior to the real draw: Michelle Obama. His speech was also framed as a triumphant display over his ailing health, and appealed to emotions rather than policy - as did the rest of the night. I thought the same thing as you, but I also think Democrats would have been miffed had Kennedy not been bestowed that respect, so they gave him the stage in a less prominent role.

What I find amazing is that a man who just months ago was deriding The One as unprepared and unqualified is now his running mate.

 

Either he was lying then or he's lying now. Either way he's a liar.

 

Of course, things were nice and cordial when Bush and McCain went at each other in the Republican primary for the 2000 election...I am sure that Bush will honestly reflect that at the RNC.

Of course, things were nice and cordial when Bush and McCain went at each other in the Republican primary for the 2000 election...I am sure that Bush will honestly reflect that at the RNC.

Yeah, I wonder whether they'll resurrect the flyer with the picture of John and Cindy McCain and their adopted daughter from Bangladesh ...

I liked the way the DNC gave Hillary and her supporters another slap in the face during the roll call vote.

 

Hillary called for Barack to be chosen by acclimation. The chairperson asked for all in favor to say "aye." This, of course, received a big ovation. Then she asked for the "nays;" but instantly declared the motion passed without allowing any nays to be heard.

 

I guess they were afraid of what they might hear.

Of course, things were nice and cordial when Bush and McCain went at each other in the Republican primary for the 2000 election...I am sure that Bush will honestly reflect that at the RNC.

 

Don't you just love politics?