Style - thoughts of the DNC speeches

[illinoisprogressive]

this is from Political Insider:


Style

At the risk of creating crosstalk, I just watched the speech and wanted to add a thought. I used to like Edwards a lot. I liked him for crafting creative policies and having a certain talent to connect. I no longer like him very much. He really hasn't worn well for me, and I think the speech is a good example of why. On paper, it might have moved me. On radio, it could have worked. But when I actually see his facial gestures and the coordinated squinting that felt choreographed for every anecdote, it felt far too maudlin--Bill Clinton squared--and I know this is the way he rubs many people.

I'm not saying this is Edwards' fault. I have no doubt he's a smart, committed and genuine person. He might make a good president. But I don't see how he can overcome this, especially when you factor in the one-term-former-senator thing.

The race is going to showcase some fascinating, contrasting styles. We've got Edwards, who you can feel Reaching to Inspire (or Daring to Give an Honest Answer that May be Unpopular) in every sentence; Obama, who does that plenty but strikes a more sober, I Know My Own Strength kind of tone; and Clinton, who understands perfectly well that she's not built to be inspirational, she's a pragmatist and a pol who simply needs to show that she can get things done. That's not to mention Biden, Richardson and all the rest.

[saltpoint]

1. Listened with respect to our Democratic candidates at the DNC winter

meeting and heard a lot to like.

Republicans have much to be concerned about, not least that their houses are on fire and their president is doing a fly-by, dropping megatons of kerosene on the blazes.

Should the very bad news in Iraq get no better or even worse, the Democratic nominee in 08 has the sad advantage of an inside track. Sad because we'd prefer any successes at the polls to come as a result of critical thinking and a discerning electorate and not at the cost of American, British, and Iraqi lives.

I loved the Kerry-Edwards ticket in 04 (the winning ticket, the ticket that was cheated of victory) and would support it again no questions asked. I'll vote for our ticket even if another Democrat inspires me more than the one other Democrats choose across the primary schedule.

Edwards' speech was a knock out. You could see the approval when the C-Span camera did those crowd shots. It was a speech from the Rousing Populist school of addresses and it's time we had a little rousing populism after 6-8 years of dreadful lies and betrayal by the Bush administration.