Tonight in Manhattan, Senator McCain and Senator Obama appeared at the Alfred E. Smith Dinner, which is a charity event that honors Smith, the first Catholic Nominee (Democrat) for President who lost to Herbert Hoover in 1928.
McCain delivered his speech first. It is a very good speech though it is odd. If this McCain were running for president, the election may look different. In this speech, you can see the ethos of McCain from 2000. But the questions remains, who is John McCain: is the real McCain the one from 2000, a man who possessed honor, or is the real McCain the McCain of 2008, the one who lost his honor when he won enough delegates to become the nominee. He delivers a very good tribute to Senator Obama at the end of his speech, even if that it sounds like a concession speech and he knows he cannot win the election.
But this leads to the following questions: how can he attack Obama after this speech? Is that just tired political theater: the empty repetition of political attacks to keep ratings high for the networks?
Obama's speech was also odd; subtle but odd. While McCain's speech may have been funnier throughout the speech, Obama's good lines were better. There is also an odd point where it seems that he may have gotten booed as he discussed the excesses of the dinner celebration, especially in reference to the corporate retreats of AIG. It is a very poignant remark though it was not well received by the audience, who seems to hate discussions of their excesses. At the end of the speech, he delivers a very important message about helping others, which fits in nicely with the current financial mess.
One interesting point: there are a few points in the speech when Obama seems to show that he does not like delivering this speech. Maybe because it is for "play." Maybe because of "history." But there is some tension, which develops in the AIG discussion.
Here are the clips. For Sanity's sake, they are worth watching, especially as they show how McCain can be a human being---- even if it is a human being who knows he will lose the election in 18 days.
These are both good epideictic speeches, even if they just remind you that democracy is just a game for elites.
A final note: this is another interesting point of non-verbal communication. Obama enjoys McCain's speech; McCain has trouble enjoying Obama's.
McCain, Part I
McCain, Part II
Obama, Part I
Obama, Part II
3 comments:
Harrogate finally got artound to watching the videos, during Best Buddy's nap today.
Obama's line about McCain hanging out with Al Smith before Prohibition was funny. Really it was the only joke where you could tell McCain genuinely thought Obama was funny, too.
No comment on McCain's jokes aqt this time. But that may change later.
I have watched these speeches numerous times over the past few days.
I still think McCain is funnier throughout his speech. And though Obama's speech is not as good (quantity) ans has fewer jokes that are drop dead hilarious, his funnier jokes are deeply hilarious (quantity).
I agree with your points here, Solon.
I really enjoyed watching these clips, here and on the tube. It was a nice break from politics as usual. I wish we could have more of these lighter moments throughout the campaign.
All in all, I think my favorite was was watching how much Obama enjoyed McCain's speech, as you point out, Solon. Watching him laugh made me laugh even more.
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