Obama Acceptance Speech Most-Watched Ever

By: Vaughn Ververs
Topics: Democratic National Convention

Barack Obama's acceptance speech was watched by 38.4 million people, the most-watched presidential speech ever, according to Nielsen estimates. The speech beat out the U.S. audience for the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics, which drew about 34 million viewers.

The Obama speech attracted about 60 percent more audience than tuned into John Kerry's four years ago, reports Washington Post television writer Lisa de Moraes. Comparisons to some past speeches are harder to discern because the ratings company did not isolate individual hours and networks gave more time to the conventions in past years. But the huge number is pretty evident. "It appears (Obama's speech) is far and away the largest audience for an . . . acceptance speech since Nielsen instituted the People Meter, which was the first time we were able to have 'persons' data" a Nielsen representative tells the Post. Read more here.

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by vetforobama September 1, 2008 7:46 PM EDT: vllylly, remove the filters. Even republican pundits (including FOX News) were calling it a remarkable speach. Go to republicansforobama.org for what real republicans have to say.

OR Go to the link below to see how McCain and Obama both reacted to the hurricane. Stark difference

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/31/1315576.aspx; Reply to this comment


by vetforobama September 1, 2008 7:38 PM EDT: Alicerea1, What a load of nonsense. No Hillary voter in their right-mind (or Right-wing-nut-mind) would vote for McCain. He is against everything she holds dear to her heart. And before he new Obama was going to win he was all over Hillary, slamming her every other day. He didn''t start with "poor Hillary" until it was clear she couldn''t win.

As for the convention, count how many women get prominant speaker rolls at the GOP convention and you will find that it will not even be close.

Every time Palen mentions Clinton she gets booed. Because all the women know she Palen is disingenuous

Go to republicansforobama.org OR vetsforobama.org; Reply to this comment


by alicerea1 September 1, 2008 2:15 PM EDT: To all Clinton Democrats that have felt cheated:

This primary has revealed DNC "leadership" to be corrupt, mean-spirited, and lacking respect for basic democratic principles.

They have completely and effectively ceded the moral high ground to Republicans at this point.

1. We have seen the race card played, with assistance from both Dean and Brazile.
2. We have seen rampant sexism with no objection by the DNC.
3. We have seen the superdelegates endorse as quid-pro-quo for campaign contributions.
4. We have seen arm-twisting of the congressional delegates by "neutral" Nancy Pelosi to declare for Obama.
5. We have seen an unabashed ageism campaign against John McCain, calling him "confused", and that he has "lost his bearings".
6. We''ve seen a softening of support for the gay and lesbian community.
7. We''ve seen caucus cheating.
8. We''ve seen intimidation of Hillary supporters, hack attacks and coordinated threats against voters and media that dare to dissent.
9. We''ve seen manipulation of the party nominating system and media to favor one candidate over another and the outright redistribution of votes cast for one Hillary and given to Obama.
This is now a democratic party in name only.

Thank God for McCain''s choice..............; Reply to this comment


by jone775 August 31, 2008 4:53 AM EDT: Oh, I see all the haters are out tonight. Anybody who can''t appreciate Obama''s acceptance speech has flipped there lid. Even hardcore republicans were praising it...; Reply to this comment


by vllylly August 31, 2008 3:36 AM EDT: I can''t believe that this speech is being called memorable, or great. Omama did not make one statement that spelled change. I was so sick of hearing the "same" tired attacks coming out of his mouth on McCain. What is Obama about? What change?

He really should focus on himself and not "McChange."; Reply to this comment


by danesej August 31, 2008 2:27 AM EDT: For those of you who criticize Barack - shame on you. You unbelievers will be the death of us. Imagine, for a minute, that a truly honorable man, Barack Obama, could become our leader - just imagine that. What are you doing to make our world a better place? How does a man like John McCain make our world a better place? Barack inspires us to make our world a better place. Put all the puzzle pieces together and you will see - you will understand, that we need a leader who BELIEVES IN US and the only one who believes that and in the HOPE we all need is Barack Obama. When did HOPE ever become a bad thing? Shame on you, you hopeless people, you tired and negative people. Shame on you.; Reply to this comment


by danesej August 31, 2008 2:24 AM EDT: For those of you who criticize Barack - shame on you. You unbelievers will be the death of us. Imagine, for a minute, that a truly honorable man, Barack Obama, could become our leader - just imagine that. What are you doing to make our world a better place? How does a man like John McCain make our world a better place? Barack inspires us to make our world a better place. Put all the puzzle pieces together and you will see - you will understand, that we need a leader who BELIEVES IN US and the only one who believes that and in the HOPE we all need is Barack Obama. When did HOPE ever become a bad thing? Shame on you, you hopeless people, you tired and negative people. Shame on you.; Reply to this comment


by catmcclure1 August 31, 2008 1:51 AM EDT: JUST LOOKAROUND: THE HUMAN ANIMAL CAN RATIONALIZE ANYTHING AND IGNORE THE OBVIOUS AND PROVEN--FOR EXAMPLE, SOME PEOPLE STILL SMOKE.
There are approximately 30 percent of the voting populace that still support Bush.
These are lost souls who cannot fathom the Obama message of hope and change for the better in the USA.

They have CHOSEN to be programmed to believe in lies.; Reply to this comment


by ordisi1 August 30, 2008 9:30 PM EDT: Obama is sharp, smart and a GREAT communicator. But the message is boring. We''ve heard it before. I watched the speech and turned it off because it had no substance. He delivered it like a pro and the historic nature of his nomination was the reason why we all tuned in. I take issue with the media equating the ratings with supporters. I''m a Republican and routinely watch all Demoncrats so I can be well informed. I don''t like to blurt the party line...I want to speak the truth.

Here''s my confusion: Obama talked about the BAD Republicans wanting Americans to "pull themselves up by their own boot straps" -- as if that were a bad thing. Exactly when did that become a BAD thing??? Didn''t Obama''s mother and grandparents urge Obama to reach for Harvard, reach for the stars??? Obama grew up in a single-parent home. He could have waited for programs to help but instead he got up at 4:30 a.m. with his mom to go over his school work and to DO BETTER. Did Obama pull himself up by his boot straps??? Or did he wait for a public program to help him??? Come on...his message doesn''t resonate with me. And that''s his problem.; Reply to this comment


by buzzardskorn August 30, 2008 5:25 PM EDT: Anyone who can still call Obama an empty suit and out of touch just shows how much they have truly fallen into the illuision of seperation!!!

This man is THEE BEST THING THT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS CTRY IN 40 YRS!!

PRESIDENT OBAMA/BIDEN08/12
SOUND JUDGEMENT!!; Reply to this comment