It was a missed opportunity. That stage can be a catapult.
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Yeah well, unlike centrist Obama, catapulting truly progressive AOC to mainstream prominence and adulation is among the last things wanted by the Dem establishment. It’s not just Trumpkins who despise her and the rest of The Squad.
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I’m not sure “despise” is the right word. “Fear” is more along the lines. She represents change, even if not nearly as drastic as they might think. (By global standards she may be left of center, but she is not a “leftist” let alone extreme leftist as usually portrayed.) For those who are very comfortable with how things are, change is scary as hell.
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It shouldn’t be scary to re-center the Democratic Party somewhere in the region of LBJ/FDR, but if you suggest that, they would look at you like you grew a second head.
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Let’s keep in mind that AOC, for all of her admirable qualities, is a junior Congresswoman. It’s not really “slighting her” to not give her a more prominent role in the convention, especially as she got to nominate Bernie Sanders.
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Which means the comparison to Obama in 2004 is right on. And he had a longer speech with a more prominent placement.
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I get why today is Biden Day and how it’s Biden o’clock right now
but do we really need all these speeches by other people praising him first
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I miss the grandeur and pageantry of the traditional convention.
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I already know how I’m going to vote, but I’m not sure my stomach can handle that. Glad I had to work late today…
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Obama’s keynote was an anomaly; Jack Corrigan and Bob Schrum were looking for someone who could generate some excitement. All the other potentials were snoozers, and Obama had a book on the bestseller list.
Bill Clinton was more typical; he had very short slots (like AOC’s) in 1980 and 1984, and only got pride of place in 1988, after he was pretty established. It was maybe the worst convention speech in Democratic Party history, but that’s neither here nor there.
Castro, 38 in 2012, is the only keynote speaker I can think of who was under 40.
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He must be doing worse in his re-election polls than I thought. Not going to tie more lead weights to his shoes.
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his Russian handlers probably suggested he keep a low profile…
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Did Powell hold up a small vial of baking soda during the endorsement? I hear that really sways people.
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I thought Colbert’s proposed slogan, “Stop Drop and Joe” pretty much sums up where America is right now.
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Next week will be a clusterfuck. Donnie is in charge and still hasn’t figured out what he wants to do.
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You know, I actually thought it was pretty good.
There was a quote in some article somewhere saying “Victory is legitimized by the loser.” That rang true as I watched, for example, the fairly-hokey Zoom call between eight of the losing Democratic candidates – they really genuinely looked like they were happy to be helping Biden, and had caring things to say about him. Now, they could all just be great actors, sure, but the fact that they’re willing to act for him speaks volumes.
All of them – Warren, Sanders, Buttigieg, ok maybe not Tulsi – have really been pushing hard for him in speeches praising him, and to me that actually makes a difference.
I admit, I went from “I’ll hold my nose and vote for Biden (and do anything else I can to get Trump out)” to “I actually kind of respect this guy, and think he’ll do well” over the course of the evening. Their marketing worked on me. No, I wish I weren’t voting for an old white guy, with an old white guy legislative history, but they made me genuinely believe he has a heart and will listen to experts. That counts.
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I normally do not watch Republican conventions (may have watched a few over the last 50 years), but this one may be worth watching for shits (show) and giggles.
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