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George's Report Card: Did Clinton Ace Night Two?

August 26, 2008 6:11 PM

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David Schoetz reports:

Substance trumped style as the Democratic National Convention opened Monday night in Denver, with the party earning high marks for tugging at delegate heartstrings but flat-out flunking on the program's aesthetics, according to Night One's "Nightline" Report Card.

ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent George Stephanopoulos awarded an "A" to Democrats for maximizing on the evening's emotional highs, including stirring, surprise remarks from Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., the Liberal Lion who took the stage and moved many to tears.

"A triumphant, human moment for Teddy Kennedy, a historic and healing moment for the delegates," Stephanopoulos told "Nightline" co-anchor Terry Moran.

Success on Night One, headlined by Michelle Obama, wife of presumptive nominee Sen. Barack Obama, slipped to a "B+" when it came to "filling in the blanks" about the party hopeful. Stephanopoulos praised the would-be first lady for assuring delegates that her husband is a patriot, but was cooler on her ability to convince them he is ready to lead.

Any chance of an Honor Roll spot took a knock when Moran asked about the "bells and whistles" of the Pepsi Center stage setting, which Stephanopoulos called "garish and kitschy."

"I hated that stage," he said. "It looks like a slot machine in Reno."

On the Report Card's final subject -- the psychodrama surrounding Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., – Stephanopoulos marked an incomplete.

"We just don't know yet," he said.

Of course, Clinton will have the chance to change that tonight when she takes the stage as the Night Two headliner.

Did she make the grade? Tell us what you think.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (83)

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If I were her I'D STICK IT RIGHT TO THAT MUSLIM IMPOSTER. BUT SHE WON'T. NO REAL GUTS. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO FDR, TRUMAN AND THE LIKE. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED. YOU LIB'S GAVE INTO IDEALOGS AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS GREAT COUNTRY. WHEN REAL AMERICANS COME ALONG YOU CAN'T RECOGNIZE THEM. THE MUSLIMS ATTACKED US, NOW YOU JERKS WANT ONE FOR PRESIDENT. YOU ARE ALL NUTS. YOU MIGHT REALIZE YOUR LOONASY WHEN YOUR HEAD IS ON A CHOPPING BLOCK, TO LATE TO TALK AND NEGOTIATE THEN.

Posted by: bombem | Aug 26, 2008 6:43:59 PM

Did you mean ideologue, because idealog is not a word, not to mention your comments are inappropriate, untrue and un-American. Is bombem a Muslim name?

Posted by: formerdevildog | Aug 26, 2008 7:11:37 PM

It is safe to say that hillary will be better than the Marxist Michelle and the old toad Kennedy. But, that is not a very high bar.

Posted by: Sluggo | Aug 26, 2008 7:31:27 PM

I am in my 50's now,and this is the FIRST election since I've been able to vote that I am not going to participate in. I wish there would be a place on the ballot that we can vote for "NONE OF THE ABOVE"---none of the candidates are worth voting for.

Posted by: Karen | Aug 26, 2008 10:42:15 PM

Highest marks possible accross the board! She has more class than all the rest. I am so proud to have voted and supported for her.

Posted by: Lynn | Aug 27, 2008 12:00:51 AM

hiliary clinton gave the speech of this century i will never forget this night

Posted by: michael keyes | Aug 27, 2008 12:01:34 AM

Hillary knocked it out of the park. She made me wonder why I didn't caucus for her instead of Edwards. What a fantastic speech and as some would say presidential. Barrack you have your work cut out for you..........

Posted by: Kay | Aug 27, 2008 12:02:26 AM

Hilary was wonderful tonight, however, I still as a Democrate will not vote for that liar of a Muslim. I do not trust him one bit. He may not even be a Citizen of the United States. I may put Hilary in as a write in if I decide against McCain.

Posted by: Thom | Aug 27, 2008 12:02:54 AM

I believe that the 30% of the Clinton supporters that do not want to vote for Barack Obama are racists. That's not what here speech was about, it was about unity. Just an FYI, it's no secret that some people are making this about color. I haven't seen anything negative from Brack Obama, but yet because of your ignorant views, you've decided to vote for McCain. It's your perrogative, but don't try to make it harder for Barack , because he is a GOOD man and will be a GREAT PRESIDENT. I'm disgusted with those of you with your negative and uneducated comments. Your exactly what the world doesn't need.

Posted by: Crys | Aug 27, 2008 12:03:02 AM

Hillary was gracious and spectacular as always, I can not believe they will allow this travesty and not allow the peoples choice for the Democratic nominee!!!!

God bless America because McCain will beat Obama!!!!

Posted by: Ladyshay | Aug 27, 2008 12:04:03 AM

The people still speak when you see them all support Hillary, but she is the one we feel should be the nominee and not just because we want her but because she IS the best candidate to be our leader in the White House!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Dee R | Aug 27, 2008 12:04:13 AM

Hillary's speech was great.....so impressive, now let's get together and CHANGE the direction this country has been going.... nowhere!! Barack the vote!!

Posted by: Shelley | Aug 27, 2008 12:06:51 AM

Hillary gets an A for her effort to clean up the mess she created.

America is full of haters and they look for the littlest of nothing to justify their position of hatred and opposition to change in the direction this country is going.

No matter how the election turns out--we are doomed because of the ugliness of people who want to stay in power and continue raping this country and getting richer and richer off of people with less.

What amazes me is how the media THINKS it knows the private thoughts of people and tries to read what they want in what people say and think in order to justify their agendas in supporting the status quo.

Posted by: Jo | Aug 27, 2008 12:07:15 AM

I Was so excited by Hillary's
Speech!!!! I voted for Hillary in the Primary and I have to admit I was unsure of Obama, however after watching the convention tonight and the speech, I truly believe that Obama is the best candidate for President.

I never would have voted for the McCain. "NO McCain, NO Way!!!!!!"

Posted by: Sandy | Aug 27, 2008 12:07:15 AM

The democrats did a great job tonight. Everything went fine Hillary Clinton was great. Go Dems.

Posted by: Walter Bolton | Aug 27, 2008 12:07:31 AM


I think the democrats are handing the white house to the republicans. How stupid we should have won by a landslide. So thank u Nancy Polosie and Ted Kennedy and Caroline you will have no one to blame but yourself when we lose.I will vote for McCain so I can vote for Hillary in 4 years and so will a lot of us.

Posted by: cora brothers | Aug 27, 2008 12:07:57 AM

Good speech. Now let's see her stop begging to have her bills paid and actively support the nominee. Bills she ran up when she refused to drop out of the race at a time when it was clear that she would not win the nomination. She needs to actively campaign for the party and look as if she seriously supports the nominee and not appear to be window dressing.

Posted by: charlyse bery | Aug 27, 2008 12:08:35 AM

Good speech. Now let's see her stop begging to have her bills paid and actively support the nominee. Bills she ran up when she refused to drop out of the race at a time when it was clear that she would not win the nomination. She needs to actively campaign for the party and look as if she seriously supports the nominee and not appear to be window dressing.

Posted by: charlyse bery | Aug 27, 2008 12:08:45 AM

I cannot rate Hillary's speech as a 10... she was more of a hundred. Mind you, I am not a Hillary fan nor am I a Democrat, but I am a descendant of a very prominent political family, and I know how a major league politician plays the game, and she was superb. Like George said, tonight, she raised the bar! The best part is that every word that came out of her mouth was the Bible, so although, she shone as a politician, she did it without loosing an inch of credibility. Wow! She rocked!

Posted by: Mimi | Aug 27, 2008 12:09:01 AM

Hillary did a commendable job in speaking of herself. Not one time did she mention Obama would be a great leader, or has high standards, or is a great man. Count 'em up - not once. it was a vote the party message, and a weak effort to bash McCain. Overall a C- at best

Posted by: Brad | Aug 27, 2008 12:09:14 AM

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