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DENVER — Those Democrats growing increasingly concerned that Barack Obama is letting slip away a golden opportunity to win the presidency well have thought they glimpsed a possible solution to the nominee’s recent struggles. Not only make up with Bill Clinton — as quickly as possible — but sign him up as a speech writer and (dare we say it) speech coach. As he almost always did in delivering a major speech as a presidential candidate and while in office, Clinton hit all the right notes in his high-profile appearance tonight before the Democratic National Convention. He effortlessly mixed effective rhetoric with specific examples of the ills he believes the nation has suffered under eight years of Republican rule. His coversational cadence and wry humor make the details he imparts easy to digest. It’s a style Obama could benefit from studying (especially the humor part). And Clinton — effortlessly, it seemed — encapsulated the two themes that most experts think should make it a Democratic year, but that Obama has had trouble communicating. "Clearly," Clinton said, "the job of the next president is to rebuild the American dream and restore America’s standing in the world." After being welcomed by boisterous, sustained applause, the most successful Democratic politician since John Kennedy wasted no time on building up to the line his party’s rank-and-file was eager to hear. "I am honored to be here tonight to support Barack Obama," he said right out of the gate. Of course, he then veered quickly to praising Obama’s vice presidential pick, Joe Biden. "I love Joe Biden and America will too," he said. There were no such effusive words for Obama, but that was just as well — they would have rung false, after the bruises the Obama and Clinton camps inflicted upon one another in the party’s primary battle. He returned to the endorsement part of his message soon enough, referencing the latest strong words of support that had been provided Obama Tuesday night by Hillary Clinton, "Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she is going to do everything she can to elect Barack Obama. [Pause]. That makes two of us." [Huge, huge burst of applause.] Later, he tackled directly the "not ready to lead" tag the John McCain camp is trying, seemingly with some success, to make stick to Obama. "Barack Obama is ready to lead American and restore American leadership in the world," the ex-president said. "Barack Obama is ready to honor the oath to oreserve, protect, defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States." Now, the big question for Democrats: Will this be a one-shot deal or the start of several such appearances? – Don Frederick
DENVER — The Democratic National Convention made Sen. Barack Obama the first African-American presidential nominee of a major party Wednesday, capping an emotional and divisive nominating contest and sending him into a tough battle against Sen. John McCain. In a dramatic moment befitting the historic 2008 race, Sen. Obama’s rival for the nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton, stepped to the convention floor as her home state of New York was called upon to cast its votes. Continuing her campaign for unity, she asked that the vote be suspended so Sen. Obama could be chosen by acclamation. “With eyes firmly fixed on the future, in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory. let’s declare together in one voice, right here and right now that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president,” Sen. Clinton proclaimed, surrounded by a cluster of fellow New Yorkers. Her motion was seconded with a thunderous boom from the delegates. Most, but not all, of her loyal supporters already were following her example and rallying around the man Democrats are sending to battle this fall. In the roll call of the states, Sen. Clinton received votes from nearly every delegation, though her total fell far short of the delegates she earned. Earlier, she had released supporters to vote however they see fit, but said she was casting her own ballot as a New York superdelegate for Sen. Obama. Even as votes were tallied for both senators, the mood inside the convention hall was festive, as one state after another followed convention tradition by touting its industries, its sports teams and its connections to Sen. Obama, who was repeatedly cast as “the next president of the United ClintonSen. HillarySen. John McCainSen.
The Democratic National Convention parades is Cricket XI and their Indian Cricket XI counterpart. I am blogging this as I listen (on TV) to Bill Clinton address the Democratic Convention live in Denver. It goes without saying that the American politicians know how to put up a show and get the maximum mileage out of this media crazed nation. Every TV station, newspaper, website and blog is generating tomes of information on this 4 day "circus". And the democrats are providing the firepower. The Democrats are lucky to have a literal All-star team which it has been parading since Monday. What struck me is that the top Democrats can be compared to our Indian test cricket team. 1) Ted Kennendy the grandfather of US Politics opened the innings struck the first ball out of the ground. Just as Sachin Tendulkar would do. 2) Michelle Obama blew away the crowd when she spoke just as Virendra Sehwag would plow into the opposition. 3) Brian Schweitzer, the governor of Montana is seen as the newcomer on the Democratic scene, much like Obama was 4 years ago. And he had the crowd eating from his hands in his folksy style. Much like Gautam Gambhir does with the opposition bowling. 4) Hillary Clinton spoke from the heart and anyone who had doubts about her support for Obama, laid those to rest. She reminds me of Rahul Dravid, whose intentions are never in doubt even if his form sometimes is. 5) Bill Clinton hit his first ball out of the stadium too. There is probably no other speaker in the US who can compete with Barack as an orator, and Bill was on fire. He showed us exactly why he is one of the most popular Presidents the US has ever had. And in the cricket team Saurav Ganguly comes to mind. Out of form, ex-captain still clinging to his past glory and once in a while showing us why we loved his style and play.
6) Joe Biden who was picked for his vast foreign affairs knowledge as the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Head brings the much needed experience to the ticket. Joe Biden has been known to be blunt and sometimes ruthless in his dealings. Just like our own VVS Laxman does especially against Australia. 7) Barack Obama….well what can one say about him. A virtual unknown 5 years ago, he has come up from behind to become the first minority African American to be on a presidential ticket. Much like M S Dhoni who has shown the way for cricketers to emerge from smaller towns and cities away from the big metros. John Kerry the old warhorse who was run out of the race by rascal politics of the Republicans, but someone who has come back time and again to show that class is permanent. His contemporary in the cricket team would be our very own Bhajji who has been accused of crazy stuff most of it justifiably slow, but who has not lost his funny demeanour to come out trumps. 9) Al Gore the outspoken environmentalist who brings sheer weight (no pun intended) to the Democratic Party…what with the Nobel Prize. His contribution to the success of Bill Clinton’s Presidency is not well proclaimed. His counterpart in the cricket XI is none other than our own Kumble, the workhorse for most of the past two decades, mopping up wickets and bowling out the opposition. 10) Bill Richardson the governor of Utah, a Hispanic and a one time candidate in the race. He brings the support of the the other big minority group and is known to be a cool customer. Much like Zaheer Khan has been for India for the past few years. 11) And last but not the least Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg who looked like an awestruck kid but was amazingly sincere and down to earth in introducing her uncle. She has been one of the first people to throw her weight and that of her family behind Barack with a wonderful op-ed in the NYTimes. She reminds me of Ishant Sharma…raring to go, wide-eyed 19 year old giving the Aussies a tough time on their own home ground. So there sums up my comparision. Care to agree or disagree. Would love to hear your opinion. As hard as I try I cant think of more than 2 or 3 Republicans for the same task Technorati Tags: cricket obama democratic national convention DNC clinton tendulkar india USA politics
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08/27/2008 
