Last night was a glorious night for politics. Senator John McCain delivered his best speech to date using the word “change,” the cornerstone of Senator Barack Obama’s campaign, 33 times. McCain was fierce, talking about Obama’s lack of experience and discretion to be a wartime commander in chief. Senator Barack Obama, in the most anticipated speech of his political career, was eloquent, praising Senator Hillary Clinton for her devotion to the American people calling her campaign “barrier-breaking.” Senator Obama also taking aim at Senator McCain knocking his claims for change amount to more of the same from the Bush administration. Two speeches, very different in tone, but arguably the best and most defining of their campaign to date!
McCain, a 71-year-old former Vietnam POW, and Obama, a 46-year-old African American. Does it get any better than this? Last night I heard every channel and commentator talk about this historic moment, the first African American to become the Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party -- a sign that we as a country are truly color blind. It was ground breaking! Some day my children will read in the history books about what happened last night. I often tell people that the reason I chose to raise kids in New York City, where I was born, is because I want my children to grow up in a melting pot. My children don’t know what race, color or ethnicity is. They don’t even think about it. It’s not about the differences. They have an Irish Catholic mother and a Jewish American father whose parents are from Hungary and Romania. Our family dynamics are the norm here on the East Coast.
I urge you this morning to do as I did this morning: read their speeches. Read McCain’s, Obama’s and Clinton’s without watching it. Look at the words. They tell you something that you often miss in the applause and the emotion of the moment. As someone who appears on television and watches the news constantly, I shouldn't be saying this but sometimes words mean more than the show and sometimes the opposite holds true. If you were awake last night you saw their speeches, if you missed them you can watch the video this morning but regardless take the time and go to the true meaning behind them. You can find the transcripts at foxnews.com. You'll see what I mean !!!
Before I go, I thought I would give you these: the lyrics to U2's song "It's a Beautiful Day." This was the song that played last night as Obama walked on the podium, declared victory and became the nominee for President of the Democratic Party. What a brilliant song!
I'm with you Justin...100%...anyone who really wants "change" and tries to make it happen, gets squashed before they make it all the way to the Pres. nomination...It's all about the money and the power...who has it...who wants it...what they are willing to do to get it...to try to get past that system, is like a salmon swimming upstream...it won't happen...it's not designed to happen, this whole Repub vs Dem thing is just to keep us busy fighting while the REAL changes (for the worse) are happening under both parties...2 sides of the same coin...we can't win...we can only postpone the inevitable...vote anyway...it is our duty.
June 5, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Steve
I am officially done reading her columns...or all time! U2 lyrics and gushing over Obama. As if people in other cities don't experience the melting pot.
June 4, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Justin
Nothing in Washington DC will ever change. Democrats, republicans, it really doesn't matter. It's all just a bunch of hot air, empty promises, and sweet lies. 80% of our elected officials don't give a flip about America. One party is just intent on growing the federal government a little bit faster than the other. Bringing the bacon home for the people that financed their campaigns and fattening up their own personal wallets on money that isn't theirs is what life on capital hill is all about.
June 4, 2008 at 10:16 am
chuck
Yes, its going to be a tough one for the Republicans.
Senator Obama has issues still. Why? Real simple: his background of South Chicago hasn's been vetted yet. He talks change but doesn't reveal how would change things. And withdrawing from Iraq during a surge isn't going to help him. Worst to come out with a meeting the President of Iran and others has only leads to more questions who he really is. The driveby media tried to diss Hillary and brush her off. But don't count on it. Thanks to her she's revealed more Obama's weaknesses than strength.
When it comes to change,real change I don't trust novice politicians like Obama. Why? U can talk change but what are your ideas for real change? Failed socialist liberal ideas? What does a civil rights lawyer know about change and terrorist? I seen and learned more from Corporate CEOS who run sucessful companies than drive by salesman politicians who preach to the masses like a choir. Obama hasn't convinced me at all. Who really is and why has he linked himself with those of the far left. Real Change is what Newt Gingrich is practicing. With his solutions group he has touch and ran with subject than a novice civil rights lawyer who does the talk that's all.
Reminder: private sector leaders are real change agents not politicians who talk in cliches.
June 4, 2008 at 9:32 am
julie m
haha! watching mccain was about as exciting as watching grass grow!
June 4, 2008 at 9:26 am
Rich Snyder
This election will be more important than any other in the recent history of the United States of America. We as a country are at a point where, as a nation, we are so polarized by our extreme differences. I would have never predicted this after 9/11. The added stress of a weak economy has not done anyhting to help morale. My hope is that both nominees rise above the usual negativity and pettiness that accompanies these elections. I also hope that whichever one is elected can truely get past the blatantly partisan political war games that occur in our nations capitol.
June 4, 2008 at 9:07 am
An opinion
Umm... it might just be me, but I actually watched Sen McCain's speech and thought it was rather unimpressive... I guess that's why you are urging people to read the transcripts rather than watch the actual speeches... Watching Sen McCain's speech after watching Sen Obama's speech made it clear to me why this fall will be tough for Republicans...
June 4, 2008 at 7:55 am
aboutthis blog
Alexis Glick is an anchor for FOX Business Network. Prior to joining FOX, Glick served as a correspondent for the Today Show and co-anchored the third hour of that program. Before her stint at NBC News, she was the senior trading correspondent for CNBC and reported from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
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Liz
I'm with you Justin...100%...anyone who really wants "change" and tries to make it happen, gets squashed before they make it all the way to the Pres. nomination...It's all about the money and the power...who has it...who wants it...what they are willing to do to get it...to try to get past that system, is like a salmon swimming upstream...it won't happen...it's not designed to happen, this whole Repub vs Dem thing is just to keep us busy fighting while the REAL changes (for the worse) are happening under both parties...2 sides of the same coin...we can't win...we can only postpone the inevitable...vote anyway...it is our duty.
Steve
I am officially done reading her columns...or all time! U2 lyrics and gushing over Obama. As if people in other cities don't experience the melting pot.
Justin
Nothing in Washington DC will ever change. Democrats, republicans, it really doesn't matter. It's all just a bunch of hot air, empty promises, and sweet lies. 80% of our elected officials don't give a flip about America. One party is just intent on growing the federal government a little bit faster than the other. Bringing the bacon home for the people that financed their campaigns and fattening up their own personal wallets on money that isn't theirs is what life on capital hill is all about.
chuck
Yes, its going to be a tough one for the Republicans. Senator Obama has issues still. Why? Real simple: his background of South Chicago hasn's been vetted yet. He talks change but doesn't reveal how would change things. And withdrawing from Iraq during a surge isn't going to help him. Worst to come out with a meeting the President of Iran and others has only leads to more questions who he really is. The driveby media tried to diss Hillary and brush her off. But don't count on it. Thanks to her she's revealed more Obama's weaknesses than strength. When it comes to change,real change I don't trust novice politicians like Obama. Why? U can talk change but what are your ideas for real change? Failed socialist liberal ideas? What does a civil rights lawyer know about change and terrorist? I seen and learned more from Corporate CEOS who run sucessful companies than drive by salesman politicians who preach to the masses like a choir. Obama hasn't convinced me at all. Who really is and why has he linked himself with those of the far left. Real Change is what Newt Gingrich is practicing. With his solutions group he has touch and ran with subject than a novice civil rights lawyer who does the talk that's all. Reminder: private sector leaders are real change agents not politicians who talk in cliches.
julie m
haha! watching mccain was about as exciting as watching grass grow!
Rich Snyder
This election will be more important than any other in the recent history of the United States of America. We as a country are at a point where, as a nation, we are so polarized by our extreme differences. I would have never predicted this after 9/11. The added stress of a weak economy has not done anyhting to help morale. My hope is that both nominees rise above the usual negativity and pettiness that accompanies these elections. I also hope that whichever one is elected can truely get past the blatantly partisan political war games that occur in our nations capitol.
An opinion
Umm... it might just be me, but I actually watched Sen McCain's speech and thought it was rather unimpressive... I guess that's why you are urging people to read the transcripts rather than watch the actual speeches... Watching Sen McCain's speech after watching Sen Obama's speech made it clear to me why this fall will be tough for Republicans...