The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
Sometimes I like to ruminate on a speech before commenting. It's interesting to see which speeches really stay with you, which ones you can quote, which ones change the way you talk about the issues. I thought Condoleeza Rice, whose professional work I don't favorably view, gave an amazing speech. I not only cried when I watched it the first time, I cried it while watching it on replay last night (I'm a speech junkie). But it's Ryan's speech that I woke up quoting.
I've already made two random jokes to people based on this line:
"College graduates should not have to live out their 20s in their childhood bedrooms, staring up at fading Obama posters and wondering when they can move out and get going with life."
And I've loved the genius of how much is conveyed with an economy of words here:
"That money wasn't just spent and wasted, it was borrowed, spent and wasted. Maybe the greatest waste of all was time."
Jim Geraghty lists additional lines he loved:
"The president is just throwing away money . . . and he's pretty experienced at that."
"Without a change in leadership, why would the next four years be any different from the last four years?"
"These past four years we have suffered no shortage of words in the White House. What's missing is leadership in the White House"
"The man assumed office nearly four years ago. Isn't it about time he assumed responsibility?"
"President Obama is the kind of president who puts a promise on the record . . . and then calls that the record."
The tone was pitch perfect, wasn't it? Not angry at all, and all the more powerful an attack because of it. Yet an optimistic and hopeful speech above all.
We all reacted favorably to it last night, but as we're waking up this morning, I'm curious if you're still excited by it. What is the big takeaway from last night's speeches?
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Dec '10
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
The one liners were great, but I was more impressed with the attentive silence of the audience. As I said in the live chat last night, we had applause paragraphs, not just applause lines. He communicated substance with style, not style without substance.
This video captures the essence of the "fading poster."
Edited on August 30, 2012 at 3:35pmMay '10
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
I'd be willing to bet Mitt is pretty proud of his choice this morning.
As well he should...
Jul '12
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
I'll admit to tearing up during Condi's speech. Especially during the "Birmingham" section of the speech. You could feel her earnestness. It was just amazing.
Susanna Martinez's "‘Oh, my God, we are Republicans!" line was pitch perfect. Her story is exactly how the GOP will win Hispanics.
Apr '11
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
I may have fallen in love with Rand Paul.(I was always a Paul Ryan Fan.)
"I was saddened that anyone in our country, much less the president of the United States, believes that roads create business success and not the other way around."
"Anyone who so fundamentally misunderstands American greatness is uniquely unqualified to lead this great nation.
The great and abiding lesson of American history, particularly the Cold War, is that the engine of capitalism — the individual — is mightier than any collective."
<goosebumps>
"To lead, we must transform the coldness of austerity into the warm, vibrant embrace of prosperity."
Oh and Condi. OMG.
Edited on August 30, 2012 at 7:00pmJun '12
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
The fading poster line was spectacular- because it wasn't really an opinion, position, or aspirational sentiment. Just the unfortunate reality. It was also original. I'm tired of hearing about kitchen tables, the pump, supermarkets, or other everyman meeting places which are now limp boilerplate. I'm willing to bet everyone who heard it, democrat or republican, immediately flashed to their own childhood bedroom and felt for a moment what that must be like. The line was great because it had personal resonance that illuminated a complex truth: the path we are on...is wrong.
Aug '12
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
After being a bit underwhelmed by Anne Romney and only mildly impressed with Chris Christie the night before, I was feeling nervous about this convention. I started last night watching pretty weak, almost cringe-inducing speeches from guys who were almost the VP nominee, Rob Portman and Tim Pawlenty. Then I heard Condi was coming up and, like Mollie, I've not been a big fan, so I was expecting the night to continue to disappoint.
Instead she gave one of the most amazing defenses of conservative ideas and governance I've ever heard. Then Susanna Martinez gave her heart warming, down-to-earth story - proving that minorities are welcome and belong in the GOP. I was starting to feel like Paul Ryan wouldn't be able to follow what had preceded. Then he absolutely killed it. I've had an excited buzz all morning.
In the words of our next VP, "We can do this!"
Apr '11
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
Ryan started out slow - maybe he was a bit nervous - but he gained momentum as he continued. It turned into a barn burner at about the midway point. I love Ryan because he articulates the ideas and principles I think we badly need expressed, and he does it in a simple, convincing, honest - Reagan-like way. He is the very best spokesperson we have for limited government conservatism. Also, he's adorable and his whole family is adorable.
Most conventions - and speeches are pretty boring to me. Even when I like the speaker, the venue is awful in my opinion - that huge stadium. What I really appreciate about the Republican party of 2012 is the depth of our bench. We have many talented governors who are successfully doing their jobs. Nothing's more important than governing well.
Jun '12
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
I feel hopeful. To me, the greatest line was at the end, when he repeatedly said " we can do this" together with the roaring crowd. Having run a few businesses and turned around a couple, I know how hard it can be. If every single American truly understand how much trouble this country is in financially and its imminent collapse, few will vote for Obama. Because change will be perceived as survival.
Edited on August 30, 2012 at 9:25pmMar '11
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
As a rule, I avoid speeches and speakers. I have no patience for slow thinking.
But Ryan's was the best speech by an American (which excludes Netanyahu and Havel) since Reagan.
May '10
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
If Biden hasn't yet pooped himself, he lacks all self-awareness.
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
"Without a change in leadership, why would the next four years be any different from the last four years?"
In late October, an astonishing number of people who voted for Obama in 2008 are going to ask themselves this question and vote for Romney and Ryan.
Feb '11
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
Last night I thought Ryan was brilliant. This morning I think he's even better! Ryan's speech has staying power predicated on substance and style. We may have found our answer to Bill Clinton. By that I mean the man of the new generation with an instinctive understanding of politics and policy at all levels. Someone who can deliver the goods as well as plan the delivery. Ryan is a gifted politician. He is effortless. He has a humble charm, not Clinton's smarminess and peccadilloes, He is emblematic of Generation X.
The other two speeches that have stuck with me are: Artur Davis and Huckabee. The latter's speech was gracious and very effective in that his job was to remove any last squeamishness from evangelicals in voting for a Mormon. I think he was very effective there. Davis was extremely effective in saying "it's OK to admit you made a mistake in 2008, look at me. Now you can fix your mistake with R&R". Very helpful in getting to those who just voted for Obama because of his skin color or because they thought they were getting Change for the better.
Great night.
Edited on August 30, 2012 at 4:21pmDec '10
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
I know! It was great!
It sounded more like a coach or a good friend, earnestly and sincerely telling you not to give up. It's not over!
He was telling the college student regretfully looking at the faded posters that all isn't lost. Boy! Was that ever moving.
The tone of his voice captured the seriousness and urgency of the mood perfectly.
I only saw Condi, Susanna, and Ryan speak, but they all spoke with sincerity. It was very refreshing.
Nov '10
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
I posted Condi's lines about Birmingham to my FB feed. But I confess, there are so many great lines from her speech and from Ryan's, and from Martinez's, and on, and on, and on. I feel sorry for the Democrats.
I saw a kind of funny article about how the Republicans are having all these young and minority speakers, in an effort to appeal to minorities, while the Democrats have only old white guys talking because they need to appeal to white men. News flash folks: the Democrats are largely old white guys.
Nov '10
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
By the way, this is the response I got on my FB feed:
Feb '11
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
Lucy Pevensie: By the way, this is the response I got on my FB feed:
3 minutes ago
oh well he's part of the 40% who vote Obama no matter what.
Nov '10
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
No Caesar
Lucy Pevensie: By the way, this is the response I got on my FB feed:
3 minutes ago
oh well he's part of the 40% who vote Obama no matter what. · 0 minutes ago
She. I'm tempted to write something snarky back about how we've at least established who is open-minded here, but I actually think she's a nice person and don't particularly want to lose her friendship.
I put this stuff up because I realize that there are lots of people who only get filtered news.
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
Lucy Pevensie: By the way, this is the response I got on my FB feed:
11 minutes ago
I just posted something political in my FB feed, which I never do:
Oct '10
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
I thought Ryan's line about the sanctimony of central planners, or something to that effect, was a good one too. He did a fine job of showing what's wrong with the govt-centered ideas of Obama. Also, i loved the part where he talked about America being a country where everything is free except us.
Dec '10
Re: The Obama Poster In Your Childhood Bedroom Fades Some More
I deleted my Facebook. Best decision I've made this year. The stress of debating people who were either very liberal or very uninformed was too much. I feel much better.
I encourage you all to do the same.