Barack Obama did something fantastic last night. The speech was wonderful, or course. But it was the theme and structure underlying the speech that really was the icing on the cake.
Let me posit this: Last night's speech destroyed any concern trolling for awhile.
Let's go through the checklist and see why:
Concern #1: Obama not tough enough.
Been hearing this one since the primary. Obama is not a "fighter." His post-partisan rhetoric isn't what we need right now. Obama needs to fight back...Obama needs to counter the attacks...Obama is being defined by McCain! Concern! Concern! We're going to lose.
Well put all that to bed. Outside of maybe Kerry's speech, Obama himself got in McCain's grill and said "let's rumble." And he did it so effectively, so directly, and yet so slyly (remember the "tempermant for commander-in-chief" line?) that it proves he's ready to roll.
I've said for awhile that Obama must be a fan of Muhammed Ali, because he loves the rope-a-dope strategy. Let your oppponent exhaust himself, sit back, and then say, "That's all you got?" Then -- POW! Come back with the right cross and the left jab.
I mean, the attacks on McCain's message were direct last night:
"It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's because John McCain doesn't get it."
"I don't know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but this has been mine."
"You know, John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell, but he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives."
"Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush as been right more than 90 percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a 10 percent chance on change."
"I've got news for you, John McCain: We all put our country first."
Direct, clear, and in McCain's grill. Enjoin the battle.
Concern #2: Obama is not progressive enough.
Kos has already pointed out that this was a pretty progressive speech. I agree. The framing in this speech was pitch perfect. To raise progressive issues in a way that demonstrates our values, and those values are American values...just read it again. The only point as a progressive that I didn't like the speech was on energy. But that was a 5 second soundbite in 45 minutes of pure progressive poetry. I think he must of used the word "progress" eight to ten times last night. Moving forward...that is what progressive is all about.
Concern #3: Obama isn't specific enough on the issues.
Good night. The bulk of Obama's speech told us exactly what "change" means. Tax breaks for the middle class, not oil execs. A new energy policy to put America to work with green collar jobs. Investment in education, including a national service plan. Health care for every American, and nobody turned down when they get sick. Pension protection. Coherent foreign policy. And on, and on.
Obama finally did his job on this score, and the best part? THIS line:
"America, now is not the time for small plans."
Message: It's time for bold strokes.
Concern #4: But..but...will the party ever unify?
Uh, methinks so. This is one of the best conventions I've ever seen. And I think we are going to see a bold unification of Democrats behind this nominee. Because as Obama said...the stakes are too great, and we are at that pivotal point in history. Or, more importantly:
American, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise -- that American promise -- and, in the words of scripture, hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.
Indeed.
Store your concern in your footlocker and forget about it.
Now is not the time for concern.
Now is the moment we've been waiting for.