One interesting side effect of this: Obama is seen treating these smears/urban legends with flippancy and derision.
OMG. He's *killing* the room. We're going to have a president who can pull off deadpan.
In fairness, McCain was funny as well. That was the point.
McCain was really good. They both were.
The true test though is to watch Obama's reactions while McCain is speaking: he's genuinely laughing his ass off.
Watch McCain's reactions while Obama is speaking: Not so much. He just looks uncomfortable.
I loved the Russian Tea Room comment. It is the first out right Palin dig I've heard from Obama and it was fan-tas-tic.
Barack means "That One". That was great.
To be fair, McCain was pretty funny too. Maybe a tad more barbed but genuinely funny.
In fact, it occurred to me that this was much more the 'authentic' McCain that so many people have liked well. He actually seemed much more at home and at ease with this group of 'liberal Manhattan Democrats' than he seemed at his own party's convention. Sort of sad.
(And Hillary Clinton gets award for best sport!! Both men played to/off her and she was great about it.)
Watching it on the telly, I thought McCain looked a lot more comfortable during his delivery of the barbs than he did receiving them when Obama had his turn. Overall it was pleasant to see McCain behaving well, with a minimum of creepy smiles.
I thought McCain looked more comfortable than he has all election season doling out barbs... it was like a pressure gauge release for him... He seemed to love sticking it to Obama while everyone life. He definitely looked a little strained trying to laugh at some of what Senator Obama said. I loved watching Senator Obama though. He was having fun, laughed at his jokes, it was probably a release for him to, to get to make some of the barbs thrown around. I want to keep a copy of this, it was awesome... and of course he brought it around to a higher place in the end.
I can't tell you how cool it will be to have a president that I actually love and I know 'love's us back'. Amazing!!
Wow. My mispels etc. would make sense if I had at least been drinking or something. I have got to start using the preview not that we've got it... sheesh!
I never would've voted for McCain, but I used to like him. Seeing his speech last night reminded me why I liked him. I was hoping for more of the same on Letterman but the angry and bitter old man showed up there.
I'd like to see McCain go down with a little dignity and grace.
The difference is that Obama clearly had writers; while JFK -- even if he had prepped remarks -- came off very natural.
(The rest of the video is fascinating to watch as well.)
Loved it. Great tension release for sure.
A class act. A lot of subtle politics in there, as well. He was kind of inviting McCain to accept a graceful defeat, a rehabilitation, rather than struggle through the mud for three more weeks. Interesting to watch how McCain relaxed as it went on, as if he found the idea beguiling.
I don't suppose it will last.
I love the shot he got in on Rudy...
"Who would have thought that a cross-dressing mayor of New York wouldn't win the Republican party nomination? I'm SHOCKED!"
Then took a dig at McCain...
"Tough primary you had there, John."
Good stuff. McCain was really funny also.
It was a great moment.
Thanks a million!
Interesting all the shots of mcShame. At one point he looked sideways as if he was annoyed he had to sit through Barack's speech and politely applaud and "look" polite too.
I doubt I could sit through anything of mcShame and look polite. I'd politely decline to be there!
You know Thera, one of the things I really love about Obama is that he doesn't back down from anything and yet is not confrontational about it - that's a gift. I wish I had it.
I was proud of both of them. McCain seemed like the Johnny Mac of old. And Obama was outstanding. Pitch perfect demeanor and delivery. The tux, however, was rather ill-fitting...
Loved the line about how his middle name was given to someone who never thought he'd be running for President.
For Democrats, an ill-fitting tux is most definitely a BIG PLUS with the voters. I'd be willing to bet that that was quite intentional. He may be no fashion plate but certainly knows how to look good in them and his wedding tux fit perfectly I think. Ill-fitting tux... acknowledgement (also somewhat ill-fitting to the occasion) of the people who are very much down on their luck... Sen. Obama STAYS on message no matter what the circumstances. Amazing.
Also, I'll have to go over the tape again, but if I recall correctly, Obama's jokes 'fit' whereas some of McCain's, while very funny, 'pinched' or caused a little disconnect. I think he had a line about ACORN ... which is funny sort of in the same way that GWB looking for the missing WMDs was funny. I don't recall Obama making light of anything like that that, not something that would be "hurtful" in that way.
That wasn't a tux, of course. I'm sure his tux is perfectly tailored. The tailcoat may have been rented.
The tux reminded me a bit of how Abe Lincoln never really looked comfortable in clothes due to his gangliness.
That is good company to be compared to just like the Chicago Tribune did in endorsing Obama, the first time in 161 years endorsing a Democrat. They endorsed Lincoln in 1860 as well.
Regarding the tux: he did say it was rented. ;-)
Best line of the night: Greatest weakness: I guess I'm a little too awesome -
LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!
Plus he has a fabulous laugh.
"..It's not true that I was born in a manger...I was born on Krypton....." I almost fell out of my chair.
Oh my god, we're going to have a classy President! And I think he looks great in a tux.
I thought the exact same thing last night. It is certainly more engaging.
I enjoyed watching this last night. A real pleasant surprise to see the two of them on stage yukking it up. Agree with Elizabeth that McCain was pretty funny as well and it offered an opportunity to see a side of him that has certainly been absent during the campaign - the side that seduced so many reporters who fawned over him the past several years and caused so many of his colleagues, including Democrats, to constantly invoke the refrain that he's a "good guy, but..." That hasn't been in evidence thus far, and having read the Rolling Stone piece, I was beginning to believe it a total fiction. It doesn't make me reassess his career and his campaign, but he does seem a bit more complicated than we give him credit for.
And of course, our amusement should also be tempered by the likelihood that neither of them wrote the jokes.
Obama's praise for McCain at the end was really nice. You could see that McCain appreciated it as well. Obama is just a class act. Wish we could say the same for McCain.
I'm afraid I must dissent. Obama's material was good, but his delivery was a little stiff, and he spent too much time looking down at his paper -- which meant he wasn't making much eye contact and it was too obvious that he was reading a script. His delivery did improve as he loosened up and got into it. I didn't like McCain's material as much, but his delivery, especially at the end, was pretty good.
On the other hand, Obama's smile is like the sun coming out on a cloudy day, all the more beautiful because his expression is usually so serious. And I thought his responses to McCain seemed more genuine than McCain's did.
I can't believe I'm spending so much time critiquing this....:-)
I liked his delivery. But I did worry a little bit that some of his jokes about the economy could be used as damaging soundbites.
And I've NEVER been a concern troll.
I wondered about that, too, DirkVA. See TPM front page about the RNC flyer they're circulating.
Pretty good. Obama looks to only do deadpan, but pulled it off - I liked the "middle name from someone who never expected I'd run for President", and over the next few weeks we can debate whether America's ready for the first President from Krypton. I was waiting for signs he'd stolen the jokes from my earlier list -
but go, except for the obvious reference to stadiums - still like the garbage joke the best (in the comments)
That should have been "but no go, except...."
"If what Republicans say is true, then they should regard me as a hero too, just different branches - McCain being part of the Air Force, me being part of the Symbionese Liberation Army.
"It's not true Democrats don't have litmus tests. I belong to the Strictly Constructionist Latte caucus. If Sarah Palin can have a tanning booth in the Governor's House, I can have a Starbucks in the White House."
Obama was very funny. When he made the Russian Tea Room joke McCain looked pissed off. McCain was good but he has a hard time hiding his contempt. Did anyone notice that Hillary looked radiant?
Gold, Jerry! Pure gold!
October 17, 2008 1:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
One interesting side effect of this: Obama is seen treating these smears/urban legends with flippancy and derision.
October 17, 2008 1:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
OMG. He's *killing* the room. We're going to have a president who can pull off deadpan.
October 17, 2008 1:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
In fairness, McCain was funny as well. That was the point.
October 17, 2008 2:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain was really good. They both were.
The true test though is to watch Obama's reactions while McCain is speaking: he's genuinely laughing his ass off.
Watch McCain's reactions while Obama is speaking: Not so much. He just looks uncomfortable.
I loved the Russian Tea Room comment. It is the first out right Palin dig I've heard from Obama and it was fan-tas-tic.
Barack means "That One". That was great.
October 17, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
To be fair, McCain was pretty funny too. Maybe a tad more barbed but genuinely funny.
In fact, it occurred to me that this was much more the 'authentic' McCain that so many people have liked well. He actually seemed much more at home and at ease with this group of 'liberal Manhattan Democrats' than he seemed at his own party's convention. Sort of sad.
(And Hillary Clinton gets award for best sport!! Both men played to/off her and she was great about it.)
October 17, 2008 2:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Watching it on the telly, I thought McCain looked a lot more comfortable during his delivery of the barbs than he did receiving them when Obama had his turn. Overall it was pleasant to see McCain behaving well, with a minimum of creepy smiles.
October 17, 2008 2:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
I thought McCain looked more comfortable than he has all election season doling out barbs... it was like a pressure gauge release for him... He seemed to love sticking it to Obama while everyone life. He definitely looked a little strained trying to laugh at some of what Senator Obama said. I loved watching Senator Obama though. He was having fun, laughed at his jokes, it was probably a release for him to, to get to make some of the barbs thrown around. I want to keep a copy of this, it was awesome... and of course he brought it around to a higher place in the end.
I can't tell you how cool it will be to have a president that I actually love and I know 'love's us back'. Amazing!!
October 17, 2008 3:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. My mispels etc. would make sense if I had at least been drinking or something. I have got to start using the preview not that we've got it... sheesh!
October 17, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I never would've voted for McCain, but I used to like him. Seeing his speech last night reminded me why I liked him. I was hoping for more of the same on Letterman but the angry and bitter old man showed up there.
I'd like to see McCain go down with a little dignity and grace.
October 17, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kinda reminds of this at 6:20.
The difference is that Obama clearly had writers; while JFK -- even if he had prepped remarks -- came off very natural.
(The rest of the video is fascinating to watch as well.)
October 17, 2008 4:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Loved it. Great tension release for sure.
October 17, 2008 8:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
A class act. A lot of subtle politics in there, as well. He was kind of inviting McCain to accept a graceful defeat, a rehabilitation, rather than struggle through the mud for three more weeks. Interesting to watch how McCain relaxed as it went on, as if he found the idea beguiling.
I don't suppose it will last.
October 17, 2008 9:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love the shot he got in on Rudy...
"Who would have thought that a cross-dressing mayor of New York wouldn't win the Republican party nomination? I'm SHOCKED!"
Then took a dig at McCain...
"Tough primary you had there, John."
Good stuff. McCain was really funny also.
October 17, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
It was a great moment.
October 17, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks a million!
Interesting all the shots of mcShame. At one point he looked sideways as if he was annoyed he had to sit through Barack's speech and politely applaud and "look" polite too.
I doubt I could sit through anything of mcShame and look polite. I'd politely decline to be there!
October 17, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know Thera, one of the things I really love about Obama is that he doesn't back down from anything and yet is not confrontational about it - that's a gift. I wish I had it.
October 17, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I was proud of both of them. McCain seemed like the Johnny Mac of old. And Obama was outstanding. Pitch perfect demeanor and delivery. The tux, however, was rather ill-fitting...
Loved the line about how his middle name was given to someone who never thought he'd be running for President.
October 17, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
For Democrats, an ill-fitting tux is most definitely a BIG PLUS with the voters. I'd be willing to bet that that was quite intentional. He may be no fashion plate but certainly knows how to look good in them and his wedding tux fit perfectly I think. Ill-fitting tux... acknowledgement (also somewhat ill-fitting to the occasion) of the people who are very much down on their luck... Sen. Obama STAYS on message no matter what the circumstances. Amazing.
Also, I'll have to go over the tape again, but if I recall correctly, Obama's jokes 'fit' whereas some of McCain's, while very funny, 'pinched' or caused a little disconnect. I think he had a line about ACORN ... which is funny sort of in the same way that GWB looking for the missing WMDs was funny. I don't recall Obama making light of anything like that that, not something that would be "hurtful" in that way.
October 17, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
That wasn't a tux, of course. I'm sure his tux is perfectly tailored. The tailcoat may have been rented.
October 17, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
The tux reminded me a bit of how Abe Lincoln never really looked comfortable in clothes due to his gangliness.
That is good company to be compared to just like the Chicago Tribune did in endorsing Obama, the first time in 161 years endorsing a Democrat. They endorsed Lincoln in 1860 as well.
October 17, 2008 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Regarding the tux: he did say it was rented. ;-)
October 17, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Best line of the night: Greatest weakness: I guess I'm a little too awesome -
LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!
Plus he has a fabulous laugh.
October 17, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
"..It's not true that I was born in a manger...I was born on Krypton....." I almost fell out of my chair.
October 17, 2008 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh my god, we're going to have a classy President! And I think he looks great in a tux.
October 17, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the full 52 minutes in one place:
http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/includes/templates/library/flash_popup.php?pID=281814-1&clipStart=&clipStop=
October 17, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wish more of the election was like this.
October 17, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought the exact same thing last night. It is certainly more engaging.
October 17, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I enjoyed watching this last night. A real pleasant surprise to see the two of them on stage yukking it up. Agree with Elizabeth that McCain was pretty funny as well and it offered an opportunity to see a side of him that has certainly been absent during the campaign - the side that seduced so many reporters who fawned over him the past several years and caused so many of his colleagues, including Democrats, to constantly invoke the refrain that he's a "good guy, but..." That hasn't been in evidence thus far, and having read the Rolling Stone piece, I was beginning to believe it a total fiction. It doesn't make me reassess his career and his campaign, but he does seem a bit more complicated than we give him credit for.
And of course, our amusement should also be tempered by the likelihood that neither of them wrote the jokes.
October 17, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's praise for McCain at the end was really nice. You could see that McCain appreciated it as well. Obama is just a class act. Wish we could say the same for McCain.
October 17, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm afraid I must dissent. Obama's material was good, but his delivery was a little stiff, and he spent too much time looking down at his paper -- which meant he wasn't making much eye contact and it was too obvious that he was reading a script. His delivery did improve as he loosened up and got into it. I didn't like McCain's material as much, but his delivery, especially at the end, was pretty good.
On the other hand, Obama's smile is like the sun coming out on a cloudy day, all the more beautiful because his expression is usually so serious. And I thought his responses to McCain seemed more genuine than McCain's did.
I can't believe I'm spending so much time critiquing this....:-)
October 17, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I liked his delivery. But I did worry a little bit that some of his jokes about the economy could be used as damaging soundbites.
And I've NEVER been a concern troll.
October 17, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wondered about that, too, DirkVA. See TPM front page about the RNC flyer they're circulating.
October 17, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pretty good. Obama looks to only do deadpan, but pulled it off - I liked the "middle name from someone who never expected I'd run for President", and over the next few weeks we can debate whether America's ready for the first President from Krypton. I was waiting for signs he'd stolen the jokes from my earlier list -
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/07/mars-needs-humor-recyclingobam.php
but go, except for the obvious reference to stadiums - still like the garbage joke the best (in the comments)
October 17, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
That should have been "but no go, except...."
October 17, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
"If what Republicans say is true, then they should regard me as a hero too, just different branches - McCain being part of the Air Force, me being part of the Symbionese Liberation Army.
"It's not true Democrats don't have litmus tests. I belong to the Strictly Constructionist Latte caucus. If Sarah Palin can have a tanning booth in the Governor's House, I can have a Starbucks in the White House."
October 18, 2008 5:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama was very funny. When he made the Russian Tea Room joke McCain looked pissed off. McCain was good but he has a hard time hiding his contempt. Did anyone notice that Hillary looked radiant?
October 17, 2008 7:19 PM | Reply | Permalink