By Odeisel
**UPDATE** Monday, August 25, 2008 11:30 AM EST
As many of you have probably seen by now Michelle Obama just
delivered her speech as the first keynote speaker of the DNC. After an
emotional day for the Democratic Party, featuring a tribute to former
President and present humanitarian Jimmy Carter, and a courageous
appearance from Democratic royalty Ted, Kennedy, it was left up to
Michelle Obama to deliver the goods.
Consensus and prognosticators seem to agree that she nailed it. She
touched on all the issues that we prescribed above; drawing on those
feeligns of family, and commonality and patriotism, but without making
Barack seem like some schmuck husband.
She drew on her personal history and stories of her childhood and a
father with multiple schlerosis not depending on help but forging ahead
with rugged self determination. She spoke on the strength of her
mother in holding the family down, and the presence of her older
brother as a positive male role model in her life, two things which
normalized her experience not as solely Black, but American and
relatable to all. In that frame we have a mission accomplished.
She gave obligatory kudos to Senator Clinton and used her own
identity as both Black and female, referencing both the 88th
anniversary of Women's Suffrage, and the 45th anniversary of the March
on Washington to evoke visions of an America where anything is
possible. This both brought people in emotionally and placated the
still disgruntled Clinton supporters. Mission accomplished.
The cherry on top came with the afterparty. The Obama children in
particular the precocious Sasha really brought home the idea of family
and the genuine love and affection that is readily apparentis not
something that could be faked. This love is self evident and i think
it went a long way towards humanizing Barack Obama without limiting him
as a man, or reducing his stature as a potential head of state.
In a nutshell, Barack trusted his most prized treasure and secret
weapon with the task of softening up America to his image. He chose his
partner with his political destiny. She, with three generations of her
family in tow delivered in spades. Full of emotion and absent of
rhetoric she made the connection. The ball is in Barack's court now.
*******************************************************************
**UPDATE**
Much has been made about celebrities injecting their opinions and
star power into the general political conversation. Some sectors
wonder aloud whether or not they should be there and what exactly
qualify celebrities to even speak on world affairs with little more
than their own fame to qualify them. Alfre Woodard would tend to
disagree:
*******************************************************************
**UPDATE**
High gas prices and increasing travel costs have combined with other
issues to limit the number of protesters. While expecting thousands of
protesters, the Denver Police Department has numbered the protesters to
around 1000.
The loud minority spoke on many issues including the war in Iraq,
the crumbling economy, and human rights issues. They are comprised of
college students, high school activists, and veterans among others.
Perhaps the tremendous police presence has discouraged protesters from
getting rowdy.