February 02, 2007
DNC Winter Meeting: Barack Obama On The Stump
Who: Sen. Barack Obama
Standing ovations: 2
Used notes: yes
Introduced by:
Subtle Theme: The media sucks. I'm authentic. ("This is not a contest for the TV cameras. It's a contest for America.")
Overt Theme: "Democrats, this is not a game." Don't settle; follow your dreams. I'll restore hope.
Bragging: Subtly reminds audience that he oppopsed the war from the beginning. Then, he explictly mentions that he "publicly, frequently" opposed it.
Playing to the crowd: "The times are too serious to let the cynics win this time." The Iraq war "should have never been waged." Promises health care for all "by the end of the first term of the next president." "We don't have to send our young people off to fight if we make sacrifices here at home." Says every candidate should put forth a plan to get out of Iraq.
Cliches: "We have always been at our best in American when we aim high." "This is our time." "It is time for us to turn the page." "That's what we offer the American people: hope." "Together, we can hope."
Discordant note: "We internalize those fears."
Uses of the word "affordable" 0
Howard Dean suck up: 50 state strategy, baby.
Self-deprecation: Sometimes, he feels like he's on American Idol. Will he be voted off the island?
Blooper: None. Although he did criticize the media for focusing on campaign gaffes, rather than on crying children.
Staffed by: David Plouffe, Bill Burton
Posted at 10:25 AM
Comments
Obama should understand that most of us Democrats are well aware 'this is not a game.' What a ridiculous asssertion.
NewOrleanian | 02.02.07 11:10 AM
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No one introduced him?
james | 02.02.07 11:22 AM
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Come NewOrlean?
He was introduced, and ovationed...I don't know what the author of this note is talking about...
ALSO, It looks like a game, given what many democrats/republicans do, sign for, approve in the senate to the detriment of the American people,compared to what they present to you during campaign trails. That's why the majority of the american electorate (including some democrats voted for Bush by FEAR about terror )..You have got to read/ listen carefully when a politician speaks. This can work only if you clearly understand the momentum and the political stakes they are all have to consolidate as candidates...He repeated is so many times, for a reason... Because he refered to the american people who are "tired" and hopeless right now.
Franklin
Franklin | 02.03.07 10:50 AM
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Somehow I think Obama's assertion that "this is not a game" was directed more toward his peers.
nolalily | 02.03.07 03:04 PM
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There's Obama always ready to tell the world what is wrong with democrats.
Teresa | 02.03.07 03:52 PM
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Barack has the ability to serve the role of uniter. Hillary has that ability, but it has been eroded by year's of turning her name into a "four letter" word
mick | 02.03.07 04:58 PM
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james: You're misinterpreting a quote taken out of context. Obama addressed his sudden fame and popularity by observing that he felt like a contestant on a reality show -- though he didn't know if he would 'voted off the Island' (Survivor) or 'given a ticket to Hollywood' (American Idol). Then he said this is not a game, not a contest, it's a serious moment... the crowd fell silent and it was a very effective moment.
Hopeful in NJ | 02.03.07 05:03 PM
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Interesting that he's the "authentic" one, when he's the one that has been created by the media.
catherineD | 02.03.07 05:16 PM
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I thought "this is not a game" was intended for the media for focusing on gaffes and not issues.
Alex | 02.03.07 11:58 PM
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The "not a game" comment was aimed at the wider media and viewers who would see his speech later. Chris Matthews and others turn all these events into a horserace, and give the issues short shrift. The "not a game" clip was replayed many times by itself, and it came across as a pitch-perfect antidote to the horserace mentality. Well done Obama.
Geoff Ryder | 02.04.07 01:40 PM
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Perhaps Sen Obama's proclamation ("Democrats, this is not a game") is in response to some of the really childish things that have already been done to disparage his character. Doesn't seem ridiculous at all because he's right and some obviously need to hear that...
mdelaney3 | 02.05.07 08:32 AM
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To me, it just shows that he's taking this seriously...it shouldn't be a popularity contest. It should be about who can lead us to solutions to the problems we face.
Independents for Obama | 02.06.07 09:51 PM
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