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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Greek Tragedy?
August 27, 2008 4:10 PM
1:50 pm MT: From ABC News' Rick Klein, author of The Note: So all the buzz today was supposed to be about two big Wednesday speeches -- Bill Clinton’s and Joe Biden.
Why, then, is everyone in Denver talking about stagecraft?
It’s simple: Reporters got their first glimpse of the stage where Barack Obama will deliver his speech tomorrow night at Invesco Field. Reuters described the set as similar to a "Greek temple."
Thus a legend -- not the good kind -- was born.
Said one Democrat: "This is a disaster of mythical proportions." Said another: "It's not enough that he wants to be president -- he wants to be Zeus." Said the first: "Will he send down thunderbolts from the mountain?"
Those are the Democrats -- though assuredly not Obama partisans. Cue the Republicans: The RNC blasted around an e-mail referring to the "Temple of Obama."
"Tomorrow you're going to see Obama come down from Olympus to be among us mere mortals," Michael Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, told reporters in Denver.
Senior Obama advisers dismiss the comparisons. There will be columns, they say, but it won’t look like a Greek temple -- or even the White House portico.
"It looks like any state capitol," one adviser tells ABC News. "It's a bunch of columns."
For the candidate who brought you his very own faux-presidential seal, this is not a good perception. Obama aides insist that the set is staying, and that it won't look as bad as it sounds right now; the real backdrop, they say, will be his supporters.
It raises anew the larger issue: After Berlin, and the "Celebrity" ads, does Obama want to accept the nomination in front of a screaming crowd of 75,000 people?
Obama folks, who see the evening as an organizing tool, say yes. There’s a real enthusiasm gap here that the Obama folks want to exploit
But I wonder: If this was being put together post-"Celebrity" -- had it not been in the works for months -- would the campaign have had such a problem with accepting the nomination inside the Pepsi Center -- just like people normally do?
August 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (75)
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my god, he thinks he is our God.
Posted by: trettion | Aug 27, 2008 4:22:53 PM
Hey you already read my posting on the Temple of Obama..lmao Now just let the republicians photoshop a Cesars costume on Obamie and make ads for tv.. "I' will lead the world" .. LMao this is gonna be fun.. hey nothing wrong her, pertains to the topic adn afetr all its the Democrats having you guys arrested lmao
Posted by: Hilly-Billy | Aug 27, 2008 4:28:09 PM
Obama is rapidly becoming the joke of the blogs.
PUMA!
Posted by: LeeLee07 | Aug 27, 2008 4:29:39 PM
"Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, an Obama supporter, said Clinton's challenge in getting her delegates to come on board with Obama "may be the biggest test of her leadership."
Posted by: geevill | Aug 27, 2008
---
Really?! A New Concept of democracy from the Temple of Doom on top of Mile High - Your own inability to earn support is the fault of your opponent for lacking leadership to persuade those who are against you to vote for you!
The Greeks actually counted their stones at the foot of their temple, one by one and one person one stone, a true Jeffersonian, excuse me, Greek democracy.
Now, Zero-bama either throw away votes by challenge them in court, or take them from his opponents.
Posted by: fact check | Aug 27, 2008 4:31:26 PM
He thinks he is the messiah, but the sad part is, his supporters treats him like that. Why wouldn't he get the messiah complex?
I wouldn't be surprised if he moved his speech over to the Bird's nest in Beijing....LOL...why not call all the 10,000 dancers out to recreate his miraculous career in full color. Will Obama sing a finale with Rezko, Ayers, and Wright? Wouldn't that be a hoot!
sigh....how did we get to this? The presumptiousness and arrogance of this horrible man is stunning.
Posted by: decentAmerican | Aug 27, 2008 4:32:51 PM
Will HIllary get a roll call vote or not? They want a unanimous vote for Obama? Not only has there been a roll call vote since like forever, but this wreaks of totalatarianism.
Again, how did we come to this? What are we doing to ourselves?
God help America.
Posted by: decentAmerican | Aug 27, 2008 4:34:50 PM
New Poll...Obama is up by 13 in NM, 6 in Nevada and down 1 in Colorado. Tough luck McSleeze!!
Posted by: jim | Aug 27, 2008 4:36:09 PM
Obama is a thug. He will never win. I am a PUMA and will never vote for him. I will fight for McCain all the way.
Gallop poll McCain up by 2!!!!
DNC is corrupt! WE have to get Howard Dean, Nancy and Braizille out!!!
Posted by: Fae | Aug 27, 2008 4:42:51 PM
I wonder how many pictures of himself he has hanging on the walls of his mansion?
Posted by: Mack | Aug 27, 2008 4:45:13 PM
I truly fear for our children's futures when I watch Obama's spell over the throngs. Wake up before it's too late people. Listen to what Bill Clinton said last night. We would be better off with a leader who can deliver half of his promises than one who can do nothing but keep us entertained until it's too late.
Posted by: Bill Elliott | Aug 27, 2008 4:47:33 PM
Give me a break....I am sure he has no control over who designs the stages.
Posted by: beck | Aug 27, 2008 4:55:40 PM
Give me a break....I am sure he has no control over who designs the stages.
Posted by: beck | Aug 27, 2008 4:55:40 PM
====
Then, you would want such an idiot who does not know anything and cannot control his own convention to "control" your country?
Posted by: lazy to think | Aug 27, 2008 5:12:00 PM
ABC News is doing a very good hatchet job for the McCain campaign. Now wonder they have the worst ratings of all the major broadcast networks. If you are going to play partner with the Republicans, why not just be blatant like Fox News and stop pretending to be neutral? What in the world does stagecraft have to do with the issues?
Posted by: Kevin | Aug 27, 2008 5:12:04 PM
This grandiose stage production will come back to bite them in the but, when they try to paint McCain as elitist or out of touch.
DO THEY REALLY THINK AMERICANS WANT TO SEE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AS CELIBRITIES?
Obama playing Denzil playing President?
I hope the Republicans have a field day with this and create fantastic ads against the empty suit/actor!
Hillary supporter for McCain BEFORE and AFTER the convention!
Posted by: Debra | Aug 27, 2008 5:21:24 PM
He will distribute loaves and fishes during his speech.
Maybe even turn water into wine as an encore.
Why is all this money being spent for a "one night" spectacle. Why can't he give his speech like mere mortals do?
Posted by: Kerrie | Aug 27, 2008 5:23:26 PM
Glad you're having fun, Hilly-Billy!
When McSame loses on November 4th, at least you'll have a smile on your face!
Obama 08
Posted by: jackt51 | Aug 27, 2008 5:32:12 PM
Just heard some funny stuff on FOX from McCain camp about the celebrity politican and the Greek garb being sold for the occasion, and special togas for those that are more modest and cling to guns and religion!
It sounded so funny....they have really stepped in it this time with the overboard production, and they are in touch with the common man?
UGH I CAN'T STAND THIS
HILLARY SUPPORTER FOR McCAIN
This will go down worse than his speech in Germany that they paid rock band Reamonn to play for free concert in park to get 200,000 out to hear a nobody unknown 2 minute Senator. Plus free beer and flags passed out.
EVERYTHING IS STAGED WITH THIS WANNABE DENZIL WASHINGTON
Posted by: Debra | Aug 27, 2008 5:36:07 PM
Wow, the vultures are hungry today. They're statehouse columns, not ancient Greek. Read the article. You haven't even seen it yet. Nasty Repubs on this blog have gotten even more vicious. Obama doesn't think he's Jesus or Zeus. I doubt if some of you have listened to one word. You're just happy channeling Rush like zombies. One of us will have the last laugh in November, eh?
Posted by: obamamama | Aug 27, 2008 5:41:26 PM
We've seen it. Somebody posted picture links on one of the other blogs. This latest Obama gaffe is all over the blogs and have hit the cable news channels. Everyone is having a good laugh at Obama's expense.
ROFLMAO!
PUMA!
Posted by: LeeLee07 | Aug 27, 2008 5:45:53 PM
The repugnants are having their fun, but the jokes will fall flat when the stage tomorrow night in no way resembles anything Greek!
No Way, No How, NO MCSAME!!!!
Obama 08
Posted by: jackt51 | Aug 27, 2008 5:47:17 PM
With so many republicans skipping their convention as they fight for their electoral lives, the term PUMA rightly belongs to that party!
Obama 08
Posted by: jackt51 | Aug 27, 2008 5:51:11 PM
The McCain campaign has turned into a bunch of whining babies since Steve Schmidt took over. In an attempt to control the daily news cycle, they complain about every meaningless detail of Obama's campaign. When is the MSM or the Obama campaign going to start calling them out for acting like petty, immature 3 yr olds who cry to Mommy to get attention? I find it incredibly sad that they have been successful. The MSM is gleefully reporting this nonsense.
Posted by: EiVE | Aug 27, 2008 5:52:57 PM
Hey everybody--just chill because Obama is cool enough to take a little humor--in fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see him come out in a toga, looking pretty good, laughing at himself, offer up a little arugala as a symbol of better health and nutrition for kids in the Democratic future--and get on with more serious business. It's is a little something to smile about today but it doesn't make Bush or McCain any more humorous. They remain just as grim as always.
Posted by: alittleskeptic | Aug 27, 2008 6:24:23 PM
This is *so* great! Yeah... the Democrats in West Virginia are gonna just this Greek temple shtick!
Jim Jones Part II.
Posted by: Gary | Aug 27, 2008 6:28:51 PM
Don't talk bad about the Obama or he shall smite you.
Posted by: lorien1973 | Aug 27, 2008 6:36:12 PM
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