...says the speech lacked any real substance. (<link> ) I basically agree with the AP's position - it is fairly difficult (though in my view not impossible) to lay out multiple, substantive policy positions in 35 minutes. But let's not pretend Obama did that. (I'm looking at you Dickerson!)

His "policy" position on abortion: make them fewer. Sounds great, but how? On gun control? "We can all agree that criminals shouldn't be walking around with AK-47s." Yes, we can agree on that, but I'm more interested in your view about whether private, lawabiding citizens can own handguns.

For those predisposed for Obama, it was a good/great speech. For those against him, it sounded like more of the same.

The biggest joke of the night was when Obama said he was willing to go head-to-head w/ McCain over national security at any time. Right...that must explain why Obama turned down repeated requests from McCain to participate in a series of town hall forums.

The AP consists of thousands of journalists, each having the ability to float something out along the wire.

So one conservative jackass is pooh-pooing the speach to try to downplay it for those that didn't watch it... That says a lot more about Charles Babington then it does about Obama's speach.

It will be studied in public speaking classes 100 years from now, whether Obama wins or loses. The speach was all that could have been asked for.

encourage more father participation in their childrens lives...for starts! But then, when your mind is closed....and you must run on the "small" issues because you got nothing on the big issues...like War & Peace, American's Moral Authority in the World, Jobs, Wages, Education, Economic Growth and Fiscal Responsiblity...Health Care and Energy Independance, Global Climate Change...you must go to the divisive and the niggly! McSame is DEFINELY YOUR man! My self? I'm goint with the better judgement.....!

Babington's basically full of shit. The notion that the speech "lacked specifics" is a comment which could only be honestly made by someone who didn't listen to it. So Babington either didn't, or is lying deliberately.

Sad.

The AP reporter is a Washington Examiner hack. They might as well as have used Jeff Gannon.

Besides.

Barak Obama’s speech as much more specific, and reality-based than anything that john McCain has spoken of, particularly John McCain’s promise to balance the budget by vetoing Congressional earmarks.

A. John McCain will roll over on that one to the Republican establishment, just as he has 95% of the time in the past.

B. Total earmark spending for 2009 will be about $18 billion. The deficit is currently projected at $482 billion (and certain to be much more since the Bush Administration, as always, refuses to budget for the Iraq war for the entire year).

Jon McCain is either out of touch with the federal government numbers, or assumes Americans are too stupid to add up numbers.

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Horus, I listened to the speech. I say it lacked specifics. Talking about issues is not discussing specifics. He said he would review every program and cut the ones that "don't work." That sounds nice, but it is entirely devoid of a) his criteria for what "works" and, more importantly, b) examples of *any* government programs in the entire universe of the federal government that he would cut.

And saying he wants "more accountability" for teachers...that's not an education policy. That's just more rhetoric. Does he support merit pay? What about firing underperforming teachers?

he could have been in a 35 min. speech do you?? He didn't even mention that McCain hasn't voted in the Senate since early April...that he didn't vote yea or nay on GI Bill, or Energy BIlls....that he has missed over 450 votes this eyar alone....and has one of the worse records for missed votes in the Senate for his entire career! Judgment?? how about the judgment displayed .....enough, I was going to talk about his judgment as a pilot...or a husband...but his political, security and foreign policy judgement is dreadful enough!

...that you're lying, or are also full of shit? There simply isn't time in a single speech to go over every single specific thing you will do to enact your programs. He gave a good, solid overview WITH SPECIFICS.

If that's not enough for you, stay home in November or vote McSame.

PatIowa, thanks for making my point. I myself didn't fault him for not being explicit on substance, but his fainting sycophants on TV and online are propounding the speech as one of great substance. They know he is deficient on it, so they are trying to find specifics where there are none.

And keep making those "bad pilot" comments about McCain - they play really well.

a pilot...rather then his inability to do his job as a Senator?? Jeez, so many deficits and so little time! =o) Did I mention he finish in the bottom 5 of his class at Annapolis?? or that he ws on the Century Club there....several times....for getting over a 100 demerits in a semester? Ahh..but that is all in the past....so get out the walker...and onward into the 21St Century with 19th Century policies!! WHOOOHOO! Ride'em cowboy!

PatIowa - I think you are confused. You must think that I have the same emotional and personal connection with McCain the candidate as you do with Obama. You must think that I think he's a great guy, perfect in most all respects, and a natural born leader - like you do with Obama.

But that is not what I think. While you may take attacks against Obama very personally, recognize that I don't with respect to McCain. I dislike and disagree with McCain on many issues, but I think McCain will do less damage to America than Obama will.

prorixum:

Horus, I listened to the speech. I say it lacked specifics. Talking about issues is not discussing specifics. He said he would review every program and cut the ones that "don't work." That sounds nice, but it is entirely devoid of [blah, blah, blah...]

The speech wasn't everything to all people. Big surprise. Still, it was incredible.

Exactly how so, exactly how is McCain going to "help" the country? Seriously, how? economically? <link>

How does he propose to unit America? What common purpose does he wish to achieve? other then getting elected?

I'm not emotional about Obama, I'm actually emotionally attached to Joe Biden, who was and IS my canddiate...I I realize that people are so synical they are uncomfortable with viewing people who have actually be inspired by Obama, inspired to unit, and to listen to their better angels and work towards a common goal....to fix the monumental problems facting the United States....and the World....inspired to think they to have a Right to a place at the tables of power...that THEY are the power! Silly people.....nearly as deluded as those who fought for those principles in the Revolution...I kept thinking lastnight about Ben Franklin upon signing the Declaration of Independence...."Gentleman, if we do not ALL hang together, we shall surely all hang separately"! Enough....if you haven't had enough of the failed policies of the last 8 years....then by all means vote McCain! That is your right as American!

The AP reporter is a Republican shill who always endorses the republican agenda. Do your research.

PhDiva,

Then he is truly an aberration among AP reporters. Pro-Obama bona fides is the typical requisite.