August 27, 2008
Posted: August 27th, 2008 11:53 PM ET

From
The crowd cheers as Bill Clinton speaks Wednesday night.
The crowd cheers as Bill Clinton speaks Wednesday night.

The Democratic Convention has finally come together. It has hit all the big themes, including the Iraq war and national security, just as those issues re-emerge after months of domestic focus.

One of the other things that Barack Obama has had to do is define himself and his family. Watching Michelle Obama throughout this week, I think she has come to be - through this convention, through her own speech, the video of her life - as a real figure and a likable person. I think anybody that couldn't see her in the White House before this convention could certainly see her there now.

You've got to keep thinking about John Kerry and John Edwards four years ago. You know, they left the convention also on a very high note - and of course went on to lose the election.

But this party has come together — three weeks ago, not many would have said you were going to see the Democratic Party on the eve of Barack Obama's speech where they are tonight.

Now it's up to Obama to go into that great stadium with the generals and the panoply of all these folks and pull it all together and be formidable.

That's the real question. Can he be formidable enough?

Filed under: Barack Obama • Democratic National Convention


Agnes   August 28th, 2008 4:49 am ET

I do not tow the party line while democratic process has been thrown aside. The true process of democracy has been circumvented while Tammany Hall lives on in Pelosi, Dean, Reid the DNC et al., fostering the inexperienced Obama and foisting him on the American people over their true choice, Hillary Clinton. How terribly unfortunate for America that she is not the democratic nominee. We have an inexperienced puppet whose spouse can not even hide her animosity towards Hillary. Just the sort of visage America needs greeting foreign dignitaries....

Mike, Vancouver   August 28th, 2008 4:41 am ET

To the TEXAS Witch Twister,

you are absolutely right, however it does allow those who want to go and see for themselves the opportunity to go and not just be in a 100 seat town hall meeting. Ya think......

Christopher in Silicon Valley   August 28th, 2008 4:37 am ET

Bill C. gave a heck of a speech.
Afterward, I was a little sad he isn't running.

Paris   August 28th, 2008 4:28 am ET

Is anyone even listening anymore? Are we so blinded by the limelight?
In his DNC speech Bill Clinton said “With Biden’s experience and wisdom supporting Barak Obama’s proven understanding, instinct and insight American will have the national security leadership that we need”.
Bill Clinton again tonight in front of the whole nation declared the following adjectives for Obama Understanding, instinct and insight but wisdom and experience were the adjectives describing Joe Biden’s abilities.

Bill Clinton cleverly and masterfully told the American people Barack Obama on his own does not have the wisdom and experience to be the Commander and chief.

Did the Democratic Party just ask us to vote for a Co-Presidency?

I thought we were voting for a Commander and chief?

Are we to leave the security of our nation to the “Instinct” and “insight” of a junior senator from Illinois?

Margaret   August 28th, 2008 3:48 am ET

I agree with Hope, LV,NV, Senator McCain has being using the "I was a POW line way too much (goodness, even on Jay Leno!!).

He certainly is not the same man that ran against Bush in 2000.

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

Fred   August 28th, 2008 3:40 am ET

Party unity... Do you know that this party is uniting behind a man who
can't even admit at this point he is white also..White mother, black
father, and a poverty stricken half brother in Africa ....History was not
made, because a black man did not get the nomination that historical
nomination that was wanted. He used the people calling himself black
with the help of Oprah Winfry. Boy did she ope up some doors.
Well lets see that the more is said about Barack brother in Africa amd
his white mother was an American, now deceased raised by her parents.
What ha become of the race he left behind. How proud he must be.
We are true Democrats and we have seen through the lies. We are
Hippocrates for John McCain. He don't go around saying he is something
he's not. Hopefully this makes some since

Hope LV,NV   August 28th, 2008 3:14 am ET

Voter, why on earth would you watch Obama if you dislike him so much?
You should worry that J Mac will P.O.W. his way right out of the presidency.
Question, Why did you cheat on your wife?
JM= I was a P.O.W
Do you think it will rain?
JM= I was a P.O.W
What about the economy?
JM= I didn't have to think about the economy for 5 years, I was P.O.W

Me in Texas   August 28th, 2008 2:13 am ET

Yup!!! that's what's going to happen this time too. Sorry Democrats you have to select the smart and strong Candidate in order to win.

Texas Witch Twister   August 28th, 2008 2:05 am ET

A picture of people at the DNC in a football stadium does not represent a consolidated America. Say no to Obama. Some of Clinton followers will never vote OBAMA.

Tray In ST. Louis   August 28th, 2008 2:02 am ET

Today is a day I will tell my kids about. If you can't take this moment and say we as people have come a long way then maybe you aren't american. Somethings are just to big to find something wrong with and this is one of them. Open our eyes and be proud of who we are and what we can still do!

May this day God be happy with us.

Nevada dude   August 28th, 2008 1:55 am ET

wrong-i dont think of kerry edwards 04. i think of OBAMA BIDEN 08. dont you get it yet?? its about the future!!! a future full of hope and change and prosperity and PEACE!!!!!!!!

Michael   August 28th, 2008 1:55 am ET

Conventions are exciting. They get the voter base fired up which is a good thing. Lots of wild cheering, but that's easy becasue all the speeches are speaking to the chior. But little is done to actually define the candidate, it is a celebration. And for the Democrats unlike in 2000 and 2004 there is some healing that still needs to be done that is not visible to the viewing audience. There are still many really upset Hillary supporters. How many is unclear. Can they be brought back in? Will they present a problem similar to Nader in 2000?

I do think the Obama people are more excited for Obama than most were for Gore or Kerry. Will it translate in to more votes or just voters who are more excited about who they are voting for?

The ultimate test that will decide the election is the debates. They will determine who the undecided voters decide for and they are the swing votes that will decide the election. They aren't part of the chior, they need to be convinced. Slogans and bashing the enemy don't win them, substance on the issues does.

Jim in Atlanta   August 28th, 2008 1:53 am ET

Bernstein – stop trying to portray yourself as an objective news analyst. You are a biased commentator and your extreme view shows through time after time. You tried to come across as pro Hillary during the primaries because you wrote a shoddy book about her, but you've been for Obama since day one. We can see right through you and your motivations Carl. Americans aren't as dumb as you think they are.

Me in Texas   August 28th, 2008 1:49 am ET

Yup!!! that's what's going to happen this time too. Sorry Democrats you have select the smart and strong Candidate in order to win.

tonight   August 28th, 2008 1:41 am ET

Bill Clinton was artful and relevant !

John Kerry should have been this forceful 4 years ago.

Biden was ... Good. He flubbed a few lines, but i think this is because he was reading a speech written by more than one person. He is better OFF THE CUFF, which is more than can be said for the current President.

In the end Biden, delivered the MEAT of what Obama/Biden stand for, giving more substance to the ticket.... It was needed but was not exciting,

This is Politics, if he was all excitement and no meat, it would be said that his speech was fluff. AS IT STANDS HIS SPEECH had the most information.

See u in the Whitehouse.

PEOPLE! don't be tricked by the Republican LYING MACHINE!

ML - California   August 28th, 2008 1:28 am ET

Yes, it is up to Obama to do the rest. The Democratic Party may think that they have united, but I would say it will tell all when it comes time to VOTE!!! The Democratic Convention does not answer for the remaining Democrats in the Country who were not at the Convention.

Colo Sprgs, CO   August 28th, 2008 1:22 am ET

to answer your question "voter," YES WE CAN!!! Obama/Biden '08!

Mark   August 28th, 2008 1:15 am ET

What fools you democrats really our if you think we coming together?? What a joke folks!! Only thing your freak side show is doing is pissing alot of long time dem. voters off!! I think Mr. McCain is going to get lots of democrat votes this year for sure !!!! McCain's got our's !!

Dimslie   August 28th, 2008 1:10 am ET

Carl Bernstein is a one-trick pony. Why are you trotting out this dinosaur?

Marie in California   August 28th, 2008 1:03 am ET

The convention has come together? I don't think so.

No way.....no how.....Nobama!

Desmond Sequeira   August 28th, 2008 12:59 am ET

Of course, why be positive when you can be negative.
Have you not been down here? OBAMA has proved himself more than formidable from day one and every day since.

Phil Newton from Murphy, Oregon   August 28th, 2008 12:58 am ET

Obama will light Denver up tomorrow.

Get ready, 'cause here we come.

deroy   August 28th, 2008 12:53 am ET

hey fool. i thought the economy was the issue!

Dready1Rasta   August 28th, 2008 12:50 am ET

CC Democrat- The Republicans WILL be having a Three Stooges film festival....Bush, McCain, and Romney.

Franky   August 28th, 2008 12:39 am ET

Hell yeah!! You don't see how touhg he is? I mean, he does play basketball, is that tough? Or wait a minute, he does make fun of people, is that tough? Or wait a minute, he's pretty calm, is that tough? Yeah...as you can see, it should be easy, LOL!!!

BK   August 28th, 2008 12:33 am ET

People need to watch both conventions. Don't let the media and party affliation decide for you. Make up your own mind. Be informed.

KenB, MI   August 28th, 2008 12:31 am ET

The convention is coming together...the Republicans are a part of what makes America, but delusional is when it comes to their political rhetoric when it comes to talking to the American people (I really don't like being played for stupid)

when the Rep Party attempts to take credit for the economic boom of the Clinton era they are mistaken...in as much as the Democrats get their hands tied during the past eight years of the Bush Presidency.

the American people need more than fantastic stories...we want change.

rayster   August 28th, 2008 12:30 am ET

After 35 years of politics and meny times on the balots, I should have brown nosed up to cnn do get a job like these stooges.
They are pathetic. What makes them think they have the pulse of the nation in thier hand.
Go home and have some hot chocolate and watch the news or something. Tired of these stupid comments

Dready1Rasta   August 28th, 2008 12:30 am ET

Voter AKA Clinton,no MCCain supporter-Can't you come up with original material or is that all The Repugs gave you to say? Typical, hiding during a fight, or sending others to do your dirty work-Pathetic.

Lee   August 28th, 2008 12:23 am ET

No problem. He is thoughtful, brilliant and completely unflappable. And he has the truth on his side.

JOE KILOZ   August 28th, 2008 12:22 am ET

W I L L-T H E Y--T U R N- O U T-- I N-N O V E M B E R ? ? ? N O !

Fred Crockett   August 28th, 2008 12:20 am ET

Carl, you are very correct that the speech in Mile High tomorrow is very important, but it is equally important that Mr. Carville's major-league fastballs continue high and tight until the end of the campaign. John Kerry impressed me more tonight than he ever has, and we wonder if he had done this four years ago........FC

Silent John   August 28th, 2008 12:10 am ET

Quick, an article on unity! CLOSE COMMENTS QUICKLY MODERATOR! WE NEED MORE BODY LANGUAGE ANALYSTS!!!

CCDemocrat   August 27th, 2008 11:58 pm ET

The democrats have come together it seems.

Next week we get 4 days of the GOP trying to sweep the 8 miserable years of Bush under the rug & blowing hard about Oabama.

Since they have nothinng to run on or take from the last eight years, the GOP convention should be a snoozer............hope they can keep McCain awake!!!

Maybe they should just have a 3 stooges film festival ??

Voter   August 27th, 2008 11:57 pm ET

Ten more weeks of this – can we stand it? How about Obama making a cameo appearance at the end?!

We can't have anyone else getting TOO much attention tonight, not when The One hasn't gotten his face on TV in a whole 24 hours.

Tomorrow night will be mind-numbing. I plan to watch the test pattern on TV for a little stimulation.

With any luck, Biden will talk, talk, talk Obama right out of the presidency. By the first week in October, he'll be wearing a muzzle!!

Dready1Rasta   August 27th, 2008 11:57 pm ET

Now it's time to shine our boots on some Republican butts!

daniel   August 27th, 2008 11:56 pm ET

No. Not now. 2024, may be.

Sherry, Atlanta   August 27th, 2008 11:56 pm ET

DID YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT. . .AND THE YOUTH VOTE WILL TAKE US OVER IN NOVEMBER.

THANK YOU

OBAMA/BIDEN '08-'12

W O W WO W   August 27th, 2008 11:56 pm ET

Y O U-H A V E-T O-T A K E--T H E-P U L S E-- O F-–T H E--

U N D E R C U R R E N T S--T O-R E A L I Z E-–T H E----

C O N T I N E N T A L--–D I V I D E--–I N--S O M E----–

C I R C L E S

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