Barack Obama shakes up the Democratic National Convention
Can't say Barack Obama isn't all about change. He's bringing it straight to the Democratic National Convention, by taking the climax — his acceptance speech — out of the proceedings. From AP:
In a break with tradition, Barack Obama will accept the Democratic presidential nomination at Invesco Field at Mile High, a 76,000-seat stadium, rather than at the site of the party's national convention across town.
Democratic Party officials said the decision to move Obama's speech on the final night of the Aug. 24-28 convention to the giant open-air football field of the Denver Broncos was a natural extension of the Illinois senator's efforts to open up the political process.
Translation: a much better photo opportunity to look like a well-groomed populist folk hero.
Don't forget the bottom line, snarks The Trail:
Then comes the pitch:
"If you make a donation of $5 or more between now and midnight on July 31st, you could be one of 10 supporters chosen to fly to Denver and spend two days and nights at the convention, meet Barack backstage, and watch his acceptance speech in person. Each of the ten supporters who are selected will be able to bring one guest to join them," [campaign manager David] Plouffe wrote.
If that makes him sound a bit like a lottery salesman, well so be it. The Democratic National Convention is still hurting for cash and struggling to get organized. An official familiar with those problems confirmed over the weekend that the Obama campaign has begun fundraising on the convention's behalf.
Democratic Party chairman (and former White House hopeful) Howard Dean gave Obama's approach two thumbs up. What do you think?
*Photo: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
I just had to laugh at this because many times when people cannot find a fault with a person or movement rather. They try to find to most meaningless idiotic things to point out. What a shame. I think its jeaousty because you cannot deny Obama and the american people came out in record numbers because we are screaming for CHANGE. Vote OBAMA/BIDEN 08
Posted by: R | August 29, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Opening the process to Americans who want to be part of US history being made is what democracy is all about. For too long, party politics belonged to those who had money to give,who had leisure time. Obama's campaign is about citizens getting involved, seeing, listening, raising their voices. Making it possible for donors who can only afford $5.00 to be engaged, NOW, that is taking power away from the lobbyists and giving it to the ordinary people. Why the snarky tone, why the mean and cynical take? Since when did encouraging the non-rich and non-elite to become part of the process become unaccepted/ Who was it who said, the first shall be last and the last first?
Posted by: shirlin | July 08, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Now we finally know what Senator Obama means by "change": It's means staging a spectacle. Shades of imperial Rome or, should I say, Nuremberg.
Posted by: I M Glum | July 08, 2008 at 01:05 AM
Will there be a trochlight procession. This guy is really full of himself.
Posted by: beege | July 07, 2008 at 07:20 PM
What difference does it make? Does the choice of venue for a speech accomplish anything of substance? Absolutely not. I support Obama for president, but I think this whole issue is less than meaningless.
Posted by: D Nicol | July 07, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Why is the tone of your opinion piece so snide?
Posted by: Louis Benainous | July 07, 2008 at 06:56 PM
I would like to see John McCain fill a 75,000 seat stadium. He should definitely take it outdoors. JFK did it in 1960. I was looking forward to his speech before, this will make it even better and more dramatic. I hope they have fireworks.
Posted by: Carolyn Grace | July 07, 2008 at 06:01 PM