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The Note: Obama Poised to Claim Democratic Party

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August 28, 2008 10:19 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein reports in Thursday's Note:

DENVER --

Even if it’s disappointed those who were looking for chaos rather than comity, they’ve had their roles: The defeated rival, coming to terms with a real kind of inevitability; the former leader, bestowing his blessings at long, long last; an evening capped by the grizzled veteran, basking in his moment -- and lighting the path for the chosen one.

In case Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., needed to see how it was done on Thursday, a couple of old pros made it work for him Wednesday. By the time Obama heard the roar of the crowd for himself, a convention that looked dangerously close to veering off track was tantalizingly close to fulfilling its goals.

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., made the case for Obama -- and against Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. -- more eloquently, coherently, and tactically than maybe even that guy at the top of the ticket.

Former President Bill Clinton completed the sentiments his wife started (but didn’t finish) articulating the night before -- and for a night, and perhaps now for a campaign, we witnessed grace and generosity.

Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.

And the masterstroke: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D- N.Y., made the final, minutely choreographed gesture herself. “Clinton did the honors for the man who had denied her dream of becoming the first woman ever nominated to lead a major party,” Dan Balz and Anne Kornblut write in The Washington Post.

(Suddenly, with McCain poised to pick a running mate, does it seem that the drama is drifting in the general vicinity of St. Paul?)

At last, a message: “This week's events served as a national debut, of sorts, for the Obama campaign attack machine, even if that machinery is operated mostly by supporters and aides, rather than the candidate himself,” Peter Wallsten and Doyle McManus write in the Los Angeles Times. “It was clear that the campaign has settled on its favorite theme: portraying McCain as out of touch economically and an identical twin to President Bush.”

Now, Obama just has to give at least the second-best speech of his life Thursday night at Invesco Field at Mile High -- while not letting the setting become the story. (He’s presumptive no more, but that doesn’t take care of presumptuous.)

“His campaign has gambled on the historic moment by creating a stage that will magnify his performance,” Eli Saslow writes in The Washington Post.

“Succeed here, in front of the largest Democratic National Convention crowd in nearly 50 years, and Obama's speech will be remembered as one of the most powerful moments in modern politics, a perfect launch into the final stage of the general election,” he writes. “Fail, and Obama risks fueling Republicans' criticism that he is an aloof celebrity, fond of speaking to big crowds, but incapable of forming genuine connections.”

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Hope Ditto contributed to this report.

August 28, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Palin, Sarah, Romney, Mitt, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred, Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (62)

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I’m surprised that Barack will be rising up out of the floor. I thought they’d have him descend from the heavens, or perhaps ride in on a chariot followed by an adoring mass of peasants and young Greek boys. When he claims the throne, will Emporor Obama have President Clinton banished from the empire for calling him a Chicago thug? More importantly, I’m worried about the Emporer’s position on nutrition. I know he wants Americans to eat less, and I really am trying. Last night I went off the wagon and had a Culver’s cheddar burger, fries and large drink. During the reign of Agustus Octavia Obama, will I be charged a surtax on drive-through orders? Will peasants such as myself be allowed to offer criticisms of the Emperor, or will we be arrested on charges of Racism Against Obama the Magnificent? If so, will our punishment consist of mere imprisonment, or might we be thrown to the lions? I’m just curious . . .

Posted by: One of the Peasantry | Aug 28, 2008 11:37:32 AM

Hillary2012: Obama did not corrupt anything. You will never get over this will you....Hillary wrote florida off right along with the others...she lost the caucus states and started to cry fowl.... some questionable friends....LOL... You really don't want to go down that road with the Clintons do you?

Now if Hillary does run in 2012 what makes you so sure she will win?? what makes you so sure you will still want to vote for her... what makes you so sure there is not someone else who comes along that you feel more strongly about. This is not 2012...Hillary has lost... No one corrupted the race... she ran a bad race. She didn't think my vote here in Iowa counted... She wrote me off, then she went into florida trying to convince those people that they need to give her their vote because she is fighting for them... Now you are a smart person, our party is not broken, we will win in November with or without your support.. why...because as a crumbling nation who's middle class has been destroyed...it is apparent that we do.

Posted by: beck | Aug 28, 2008 11:42:48 AM

Zerobameus he himself enacted a God of Nothingness, now that he is descending up on us at the Temple of Doom on top of Mile High.

Posted by: Jokerous | Aug 28, 2008 11:47:06 AM

Jealous you Republican losers??

The Democratic Party's convention is a HUGE SUCCESS and will be topped off tonight by a great speech from a great and true American leader!!!!

The Republican convention by contrast will be a BIG disappointment and boring FAILURE!!!!

The highlights will include speeches by the biggest failure that has ever occupied the White House, George Bush and his evil side kick (the true brains) Cheney!

We are all wondering whether McBush can even fill the convention hall! Because there is no way he could ever fill a 75,000 seat stadium!!!!

He can barely fill his phony town halls with a couple hundred hand picked losers!

Ha ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!!

What a JOKE THE REPUBLICANS ARE!!!!!

Obama/Biden 2008!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Davis | Aug 28, 2008 11:58:09 AM

HRC supporters - now that the primaries finally have come to an end on Wednesday, there is no need to tell the Zerobameus blind-supporters or anyone for the matter whom we have voted for. We respect HRC's choice and her appeal for unity, but we also have our own choice and decisions. We are against Zerobameus, and it is not simply because HRC's win or not being nominated so she is not to be blamed in November. We are now simply those dems who will not support Zerobameus, the God of Nothingness from the Temple of Doom on top of Mile High.

Posted by: Jokerous | Aug 28, 2008 12:01:57 PM

neil1785: this is not about the Clintons...this is about the policies and who has the best judgement on how to get us out of this mess we are in. So far, Obama does. McCain has nothing...it must be because McCain put us in this mess and he agrees with it. Empty suite...

Posted by: beck | Aug 28, 2008 12:04:12 PM

Anyone that voted for bush/cheney in the last 2 elections should sit this one, for the good of the country, because you have proven you are totally lacking in good judgement. Obama/Biden 2008!!!

Posted by: pt | Aug 28, 2008 12:04:44 PM

His POW experience has made
McCain believe that national
security means POW - perpetually
ongoing wars in various places
started by POTUS.

Posted by: anon | Aug 28, 2008 12:07:18 PM

The BIG MAN upstairs is going to have a BIG surprise for the Republicans next week during their FAILURE of a convention!!

Even HE is sick of the Republican EVIL DOERS and their lies as well!

So HE is sending Hurricane Gustov to the Gulf Coast to remind the WHOLE COUNTRY about the horrible human tragedy caused by Hurricane KATRINA 3 years ago and what incompetent FAILURES the REPUBLICANS are!!!!

So FOCUS FOR THE FAMILY and the rest of the "lying thieving con artist right wing-nut Evangelicals" better start praying that Hurricane Gustov is not too BIG, instead of praying for rain on Obama's speech tonight!!!!!!!

Maybe this is gods PAYBACK to the evil Republicans and their henchmen "praying for something bad to happen to Obama."

PAYBACK from the BIG MAN upstairs???

Posted by: Davis | Aug 28, 2008 12:13:34 PM

Jokerous,

You were never an HRC supporter and your last comment proves it!!

You are just a lying Republican troll and have always been one!!!!!

Obama/Biden '08!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Davis | Aug 28, 2008 12:17:53 PM

McCain has learned little
from his POW days and his
time as a navy combat pilot.

His distorted worldview sees
war as the only solution to
resolving differences between
nations.

Posted by: anon | Aug 28, 2008 12:19:34 PM

I can't wait to see Biden debate romney or ????, because he will certainly have the "deer-in-the-headlights" look like dan quayle did with Benson. Obama/Biden !!!

Posted by: pt | Aug 28, 2008 12:19:58 PM


beck:
"Obama is fighting for all of us"

Obama won the first 9 primaries before his 20 year relationship with the anti-American racist Wright hit the news. That leveled the playing field and it was nip-and-tuck after that. Even so, Clinton almost won. Obama then dumps her for vice President, further splitting the party. To top it off, he turns the responsibility of uniting the party over to her at Denver. He is a shallow and unprincipled person, best suited to be a dog-catcher.

Posted by: Billw | Aug 28, 2008 12:25:44 PM

PATHETIC trying to STEAL focus from Obama tonight with 'ACCIDENTAL (wink wink) leak of VP pick..so worthy of ROVE.

McCain may get a lesson in MANNERS, think Democrats can't take focus his convention's closing night...think Again!

Posted by: mark | Aug 28, 2008 12:39:57 PM

Tonight a toga wearing Messiah (I jest not) will rise up out of a holy mist and appear on the steps of a Roman temple to deliver his sermon. He will read from the book of Alinsky and deliver the message of Marx, Stalin, and Lenin. It will be glorious. People will be fainting everywhere

Posted by: Norman | Aug 28, 2008 12:40:12 PM

Hillary Clinton: August 27, 2008
States, "Now, John McCain is my colleague and my friend. He has served our country with honor and courage."

Bill Clinton: August 28, 2008
States, "The Republicans will nominate a good man who served our country heroically and suffered terribly in Vietnam. He loves our country every bit as much as we all do. AS A SENATOR, HE HAS SHOWN HIS INDEPENDENCE ON SEVERAL ISSUES."

VP Elect Senator Joe Biden: August 28, 2008.
States, John McCain is my friend. We've known each other for three decades. We've traveled the world together. It's a friendship that goes beyond politics. And the personal courage and heroism John has demonstrated still amaze me."

Senator Obama: April of 2008.
States, "Either Democrat would be better than John McCain...AND ALL THREE OF US WOULD BE BETTER THAN GEORGE BUSH....

"shows independence on several issues" and "all three of us would be better than George Bush."

EVEN THE DEMOCRATIC COMPETITION KNOWS THAT JOHN MCCIAN IS COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES IN COMPARING HIM TO BUSH...NEW TIME..SO ENOUGH WITH THE MCBUSH COMPARISONS JUST DOESN'T WORK.....

Posted by: CuriousIndep | Aug 28, 2008 12:44:03 PM

Many voters have been inveigled
by the exaggerated and intensely
promoted military career of
John McCain.

The man is untutored in skillful
diplomacy and the judicious use
of military power when necessary.

His policies will weaken the
armed forces and bankrupt the
economy.


Posted by: anon | Aug 28, 2008 12:50:04 PM

neil1785: You must work for ABC... they leave your disgusting, racist remarks on.

I will say this again. You must not have any dignity, you sir, are a example of what is wrong with the Republican party.

Posted by: beck | Aug 28, 2008 12:53:45 PM


A LITTLE HUMOR, SO TO SPEAK..

And it came to pass that the national anthem was played and the ONE placed his hands over the wrong place. Some wanted to stone him, but his followers rose up and said "ye who have not fondled yourself, cast the first stone". Thus he was spared and he traveled the land, speaking to the crowds while often raising his head heavenward, as tho getting cues. And yea tho he walketh in the shadow of Wright, his charisma is great, and he plodeth on to achieve stardom. Then came a great gathering of the faithful in the west, and lo and behold, the appointed ONE came forth from the Greek temple, saying "A light will shine down... from somewhere. It will light upon you. You will experience an epiphany... ". The crowd rejoiced and awaited the blessed event, and waited, and waited, and ......

Posted by: Billw | Aug 28, 2008 12:57:42 PM


beck:
"you sir, are a example of what is wrong with the Republican party."

No, idiot Bush is the problem.

Posted by: Billw | Aug 28, 2008 12:59:30 PM

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