John Berman has been at ABC since 1995, and allowed to appear on television since 2001. He covered the 2008 campaign extensively, following John McCain and Mitt Romney during the primaries and then Barack Obama in the general election. He also spent more than 20 months chasing George W. Bush around the country as a producer from 1999 until 2001, earning the clever nickname, "Pain in the Ass," from our 43rd president. He is a frequent and sometimes welcome contributor to all of ABC's broadcasts.
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Biden Makes the Case -- Night Three, Closing Thoughts
August 27, 2008 11:27 PM
It was, in the words of one adviser, a "prosecutor's case," and tonight Joe Biden showed why he was tapped for the ticket.
He made the case for Barack Obama arguably more effectively than Obama does himself. He also made the case against John McCain, surely more effectively than Obama himself.
And when you toss in Bill Clinton's speech, and the well-choreographed roll call, complete with its magical moment of Hillary Clinton asking for the acclamation vote, what have is a rollicking third night of what's been a remarkably well-organized convention.
After the first night, in particular, this was no sure deal. This had the makings of a rough week, with the early critique about the lack of message coming dangerously close to taking hold.
But the Obama team kept with its plan and has pulled off three nights that have begun to shape Obama, and the race, basically just like they want him shaped.
And oh -- by the way -- unity is in the air.
And so, the pressure is on for tomorrow night. This convention either ends on a bang if he delivers a well received speech, or it is a huge missed opportunity. Biden and both Clintons have set the table for Obama. Now it is all up to him.
That's all for tonight -- be back tomorrow, and check back tomorrow morning, as always, for The Note.
August 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (262)
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HawkTheSlayer
well spelling is not the point here. i can tell you now that i don't deserve 50% on spelling bec. i don't knw how to spell. but i knw who to vote for obama 08.
i love obama, if that makes me an idot then let me be
Posted by: love obama | Aug 28, 2008 12:26:32 AM
"NO WAY NO HOW NO McCain"
Hillary clinton
Posted by: love obama | Aug 28, 2008 12:28:21 AM
NO WAY NO HOW NO McCain"
Hillary clinton
NO WAY NO HOW NO McCain"
Hillary clinton
NO WAY NO HOW NO McCain"
Hillary clinton
NO WAY NO HOW NO McCain"
Hillary clinton
NO WAY NO HOW NO McCain"
Hillary clinton
Posted by: love obama | Aug 28, 2008 12:29:17 AM
Biden was picked as VP because he assured Obama, the Russians didn't invade Georgia, the state, but a country along the border of Russia. Obama, then assured the residents of Alabama, that they were safe.
Posted by: Bart | Aug 28, 2008 12:30:10 AM
You've got to be kidding...it was one of the most staged and phony conventions I have ever seen. I used to be proud to be a Democrat...now they look like freaks...I can't wait to vote for McCain.
Posted by: Rich | Aug 28, 2008 12:32:07 AM
Will rev. wright bless "the one" when he addresses the common people with his acceptance speech?
Posted by: Art in FL. | Aug 28, 2008 12:35:09 AM
abe
don't be one ( a democrat) anymore no one is holding your hand
Posted by: love obama | Aug 28, 2008 12:25:11 AM
-------------------------------
I will go with the winners! Country first, party second.
Thanks, enjoy the kool-aid !!!
Posted by: abe | Aug 28, 2008 12:38:14 AM
I can't vote for a person who supports denial of medical attention to innocent babies after a botched abortion so that he can support his constituency of mother's and their right to choose and carry out an abortion. Check out the facts and Obama's voting record in the IL state senate. Nobama.
Posted by: BewareoftheDeceit | Aug 28, 2008 12:42:52 AM
Come november, Obama will go back home to Kenya, where he was born. He wants to run for president, again...
Posted by: Angie in Jacksonville | Aug 28, 2008 12:43:06 AM
Three million dollars for a phoney stage for the one. That's a bunch of shi!. This is disgusting, that money could have actually done good elsewhere.
The democratic convention has been a royal sham!!!
Posted by: Vera | Aug 28, 2008 12:47:08 AM
you love the last 8 years in America?
well vote for McSAME!
Obama/Biden '08!!!!!
awesome speach Joe :)))
Posted by: William | Aug 28, 2008 12:48:50 AM
Obama's new energy policy -- It is the "hot air" from Joe Biden.
Posted by: Carrie | Aug 28, 2008 12:48:56 AM
The convention had to be staged so that a riot wouldn't break out over all the BS the DNC had put on the delegates who were there to "represent" their voting district at home!
WHAT A JOKE! The delegates ought to be insulted by the way they were led as sheeple around this convention!
Posted by: BewareoftheDeceit | Aug 28, 2008 12:49:36 AM
Obama, his own worst enemy. A 3 million dollar stage just to give a speech, unbelieveable! How could you trust this clown in the white house?
Posted by: steve in JAX | Aug 28, 2008 12:50:52 AM
Obama's new energy policy -- it is Joe Biden's hot air.
Posted by: Carrie | Aug 28, 2008 12:51:24 AM
If you want the next 4 years to be much worse, vote Osama! You will see, first hand, how a depression starts.
Posted by: Michelle | Aug 28, 2008 12:53:05 AM
Nobama/NoPelosi/NoKennedy/NoReed/NoSchumer/NoKerry/NoBiden...now we might get something done. These were all a part of the last eight years!
Posted by: BewareoftheDeceit | Aug 28, 2008 12:57:11 AM
I couldn't have imagined how emphatic and convincing Clinton would be in light of all the speculation about his supposed anger at the Obama campaign. He held nothing back, was totally positive and effective. So was Biden.
Posted by: Two-cats | Aug 28, 2008 12:58:23 AM
You have to remember Obama is better than anyone else that was nominated in the last 30 years --- he needs a stage and 70,000 adoring fans to show he is the 'ONE'. He may confused and be thinking he is competing in "American Idol" instead of a Preidential race. Remember is the "ONE" we have been waiting for.
Heck with the cost --- of the stage (3 million), plus the cost to tear everything down at the current center, move to the "stadium" and then tear that down.
He should have donated the money to all the "homeless" people in Denver that were "swept" off the street before convention and gave his speech at the Pepsi center.
Posted by: Carrie | Aug 28, 2008 1:02:15 AM
Martha S.- Please, please get a life. As much as you would like to twist your heroine'e words from last night, it ain't going to happen. Get over it and move on. I am a female baby boomer, a practicing lawyer for more than 20 years who survived the discriminatory old boys' club of the legal profession during the last two decades. It has not been easy. I voted for Hillary's husband twice despite his rocky first chaotic term and his personal ups and downs which unfortunarely resulted in his impeachment. Obama is the future. His keen intellect and promise reminds me of Franklin Roosevelt. He is a man of our times that comes around once in a generation.
Hillary mismanaged her campaign. She could not stop the warring factions that existed between the Mark Penn and Harold Wolfson camps. That is not the sign of a good manager, let alone a strong leader. Her campaign is in debt uper to its eyeballs. Hillary should follow the lead of Teddy Kennedy and make a mark for herself in the Senate.It is time for the Clintos to pass the torch and exit stage left.
Posted by: RAM | Aug 28, 2008 1:03:45 AM
Bill was so convincing -- that he isn't even showing up for Obama's speech tomorrow. He was present for Gore's and Kerry's acceptance speech.
Posted by: Carrie | Aug 28, 2008 1:03:59 AM
Slick Willy tonight didn't mention all HIS failures in negotiating with the irrational foreign leaders, so Bush had to clean HIS mess up! Why didn't Willy take care of Osama bin Laden when he had his chance? Oh, I nearly forgot, he was preoccupied in the Oval office with Monica. WHAT A LIAR HE "IS"?
Posted by: BewareoftheDeceit | Aug 28, 2008 1:05:13 AM
Ref Michelle - it is incomprehensible to imagine any 4 yrs. that could be worse than the past 8 have been - unwarranted war, enormous debt, disrespect around the world, lost jobs, reduced earnings, abuse of presidential power...shall I go on? Face it, it is hard to top the mess George has gotten us in.
Posted by: Nancy | Aug 28, 2008 1:06:15 AM
A balanced ticket, a war veteran and...
Mitt Romney, who said, when asked if any of his sons were serving in Iraq, replied that they were doing something more patriotic by campaigning for him.
Mitt Romney who avoided serving in Vietnam because he was busy spreading his false religion in France.
Posted by: Your blood not his | Aug 28, 2008 1:07:49 AM
Angie in Jacksonville: How ignorant are you?? Obama was NOT born in Kenya. He was born in the United States. Have you ever heard of the state of Hawaii?
Posted by: RAM | Aug 28, 2008 1:08:24 AM
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