Passing The Torch, Over Clinton

CBSNews.com Analysis: The First Night Of The Convention Was About One Thing, And It Wasn't Division, Writes Vaughn Ververs

(CBS)  This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

---

A Democratic Party that came to Denver with questions of division looming did its best to put forward a show of unity on the first day of its nominating convention. It was a night about defining Barack Obama, and Democrats made sure to stay on message.

The theme of the night was, “One Nation,” but it may as well have been, “One Party.” The focus was stuck on the candidate who will formally accept the nomination on Thursday, and pointedly not on the adversary he fought off and whose presence is still the talk of the convention.

Party leaders past and present paraded across the stage on Monday, interspersed with average Americans, friends and family, all of whom sought to introduce Obama to a nation of voters who still seem unfamiliar with him. There was former President Jimmy Carter, who appeared briefly on stage to wave to the crowd. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the audience as well as Obama’s sister and a parade of Illinois politicians.

Obama's wife, Michelle, delivered a heartfelt speech that focused on her life story and his, delving into hardships and triumphs the couple have faced. She delivered testimony designed to drive home the dominant point the campaign is looking to deliver in Denver - that Barack Obama is just like you. (Michelle Obama's Speech: Video | Text)

“In the end, after all that's happened these past 19 months, the Barack Obama I know today is the same man I fell in love with 19 years ago,” Michelle told a national television audience. “He's the same man who drove me and our new baby daughter home from the hospital ten years ago this summer, inching along at a snail's pace, peering anxiously at us in the rearview mirror, feeling the whole weight of her future in his hands, determined to give her everything he'd struggled so hard for himself, determined to give her what he never had: the affirming embrace of a father's love.”

But if Michelle gave the personal story, it was Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy’s surprise appearance on stage that proved to be the most emotional, and symbolic, moment. Battling brain cancer, Kennedy almost didn’t make it to Denver, let alone the stage. The convention floor broke into thunderous cheers when he appeared, introduced by the last direct link to the days of Camelot, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. (Ted Kennedy's Speech: Video | Text)

Symbolically handing over a mantle that stretches 40 years, Kennedy said, “This November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans. So with Barack Obama and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on.”

Conspicuously missing was the politician who narrowly missed making this her convention and whose supporters continue to stoke stories of division. Even on the morning of the convention’s kick-off, the stories that dominated the news were about tensions between Obama and Hillary Clinton’s camp over her role - and that of her husband - in Denver.

The fact that the line of Democratic leadership, from Kennedy to Carter to Pelosi, was paraded across the stage without the Clintons said volumes about what the campaign wanted Monday night. For a year and a half, Obama’s name has been intertwined with Clinton's. Tonight, the separation was clear and purposeful.

The Clintons will have their moments in the spotlight in Denver. Hillary Clinton will speak Tuesday night and former President Bill Clinton appears on Wednesday. There are signs that a protracted roll call vote might be avoided and that a fractious floor demonstration will never happen.

But Monday night was for declaring Obama the new face of the Democratic Party, a party he will now lead, at least into November - if not longer.

[shippg]

Wow! Sounds like the party is peaceful and happy, with no dissension whatsoever. As if!

[maramara2]

Michelle Obama''s speech has touched my heart. I am happy it was not about attacking McCain. This has made me to see what they stand for. I will vote for Obama come November.

[maramara2]

Kennedy and Carter are our pride too. These are true American heros.

[juless5]

Michelle made me proud to be an American.

[shoebox119]

And fun is had my all at the Denver carnival.

Posted by Trapbreak

________

I think it''s past your bedtime.

[wellhell3]

Typical DNC UNITY CHARADE bull ***** scam show!

And this BS about leaving the Clintons out when they are the only success the ******* party has had in decades just make you want to PUKE!

Talk about a bunch of hypocrite bastwards!

They''re more like freaking NAZI''s!

[paris1969]

When I saw the Obama children on stage, I wondered why the Obama''s with all their good judgement, education etc. would take their children to Rev Wright''s anti-white, anti-America Church? The well-written, nicely delivered speeches have not answered my question.

[jedi080808]

Hillary was never a serious canidate. Her and Bills legacy is a total joke now and so are they.

That evil pair is getting what the deserve

[paris1969]

Funny Kennedy used his words from his 1968 speech when he was defeated by Carter .. and wouldn''t even stand at the podium with him .. he was so outraged. Bill Clinton is the only Democrat President to get re-elected for a 2nd term since 1944 ... and yet these obamatons have nothing but disgusting trash to say about the Clintons. Hillary has great reason to be outraged ... Kennedy didn''t!!

[jedi080808]

Funny Kennedy used his words from his 1968 speech when he was defeated by Carter .. and wouldn''''t even stand at the podium with him .. he was so outraged. Bill Clinton is the only Democrat President to get re-elected for a 2nd term since 1944 ... and yet these obamatons have nothing but disgusting trash to say about the Clintons. Hillary has great reason to be outraged ... Kennedy didn''''t!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by paris1969

Thats right Bill Clinton NOT HILLARY CLINTON. She is and over rated Bi@ch and everyone knows she is only a senator because Bill cheated on her.

Get over it Billary fans. Your girl is a total moron and wouldn''t be anywhere in life if it wasn''t for her hubbie

[jedi080808]

Hillary and her followers have a right to be angry and unless the DNC and Barky Obama offer something more than another slap in the face by not allowing her delegates a chance to vote, it will get worse regardless of who goes to the podium to pour the fetid honey onto the convention floor!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by sincityq

Have a right to be angry about what. Why does she need to stand up and remind everyone about how many votes she got. Like anyone has forgotten. You don''t see John Edwards or Mitt Romney wanting their names called out. Its all just for show and proves that the Clintons are only in this for their own legacy not for the country. If they were for the country they would fall in line and stop acting like good little dems and fall in line

[jedi080808]

Hillary and her followers have a right to be angry and unless the DNC and Barky Obama offer something more than another slap in the face by not allowing her delegates a chance to vote, it will get worse regardless of who goes to the podium to pour the fetid honey onto the convention floor!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by sincityq

Have a right to be angry about what. Why does she need to stand up and remind everyone about how many votes she got. Like anyone has forgotten. You don''t see John Edwards or Mitt Romney wanting their names called out. Its all just for show and proves that the Clintons are only in this for their own legacy not for the country. If they were for the country they would fall in line and stop acting like good little dems and fall in line

[trrrorislam3]

HUSSEIN SAYS AMERICANS MUST LEARN SPANISH,,,

ummmm it is the DEMONIC-RATS that want to grant amnesty to illegals,,, including HUSSEIN,,,

HUSSEINs solution for illegals is to grant them amnesty and have americans learn SPANISH,,,

words out of his own mouth,,,

Barack Obama: Your Children Should Learn To Speak Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZprtPat1Vk

Obama to America--Learn Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W7srmHLclw

[forevertru-2009]

As much as some Democrats would like to sweep Hillary and her supporters under the rug, it won''t happen.

Perhaps its time to consider that over time, what has started as a protest over the election will only be the beginning of the end for the Democratic Party.

Some people just don''t set back and take it....

[grammawhamma]

Kennedy and Carter are our pride too. These are true American heros.
Posted by maramara2 at 12:53 AM : Aug 26, 2008

If you think of Ted Kennedy as a "hero"...it''s no wonder you would support Obama.

[sistatee-2009]

Pass the torch UNDER Mrs. Clinton! Burn that ugly, custard pantsuit, and then stick her fat -ss ino a blue dress!

[formrusmcsgt]

Some people just don''''t set back and take it....

Posted by ForeverTru at 04:04 AM : Aug 26, 2008

Some know not how to lose with grace....

[formrusmcsgt]

Burn that ugly, custard pantsuit, and then stick her fat -ss ino a blue dress!

Posted by SistaTee at 04:26 AM : Aug 26, 2008

Does Hillary even own a dress?

[juwboy]

paris1969 said:

"... Kennedy used words from his 1968 speech when he was defeated by Carter ..."

In 1968, ROBERT Kennedy ran for President and was assassinated, so Hubert H. Humphrey became the Democratic candidate.

Any other signs of premature senility, paris1969?

[jedi080808]

Does Hillary even own a dress?



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by formrusmcsgt


Heck no she doesn''t own a dress do you think those huge fat legs would ever sport a dress. Her poll numbers drop everytime she laughs, if she ever were to wear a dress or try to look like a women her political carrer would be over

[airboatboy]

That lady has got some ba--s. Maybe that''s why she doesn''t wear a dress.

[realpatriot1]

Anyone who doubts the role of sexism in our politics need only read the last few comments.

[jedi080808]

If Barak Hussein Obama wins in November, Hillary will probably never get the opportunity to run for president. However, if McCain wins, Hillary will be the shoo in nominee in 2012. Also, in 2012 John McCain will be starting his reelection campaign at the age of 76. So, if you want to insure that Hillary never gets to run for President of the United States, vote for Obama. But if you want to see a Hillary Clinton presidency in 2012, vote for McCain this November.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by AmJoe

Wrong. Hillary will never get elected again. This was her one shot, and she couldn''t beat a one term senator. Don''t forget how polorizing that women is.
Obama''s election was just as much about a dislike for her as it was a liking for him. Not to mention that If Obama loses her and her supporters will be the reason. As an Obama supporter, I would never support a Clinton

[maramara2]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NlnEFHiOxc4

[maramara2]

Hey guys, PUMA is fraud put forward by the MCBUSH Campaign to destroy the democratic party. They know that with the two camps, Obama and Hilary united, the GOP will stay out of the white house for decades. Thats why the put up this group.
PUMA has be debunked. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NlnEFHiOxc4

[alicerea1]

I don''t want to have lunch with Obama or Michelle.
Neither one is not like me. They%u2019re both scary.

Obama hopes the Americans are sleeping.
So does Michelle.

All of a sudden, Michelle loves this country now that Obama stole the primaries.

Obama is a disgrace. He''s embarrassing.
What is wrong with the media.
What are they afraid of.
Examine and report on Obama. The media should for all presidential candidates.

Obama''s HOPE message is that he can pull this off
He keeps changing his mind........that''s his CHANGE message.

Rezko the criminal.
Ayers the domestic terrorist.
Reverend Wright the racist.

Obama for President?

Wake up Democrats! Wake up America!

Run from any presidential candidate with Obama''s connections.

[peterp111]

Once again, the Democrats are in the process of behaving like children come convention time. Memeorandum captures a slew of stories on bickering between the Clinton and Obama camps.

This is neither new, nor unexpected. They will offer excuses for this - it''s the Clintons, a too close primary race, but none of their excuses can ring true. They are, for the most part, a party of children and became that by choice.



In national political terms, prospective nominee Barack Obama is most certainly the equivalent of a young child. His attractiveness is not so much a gravitas, or an earnest grasp of important domestic or international affairs - it is the wanderlust of the almost always emotionally immature Hollywood star, or starlet.

As if Hillary Clinton speaking from the floor as part of the New York delegation can really resolve the bitter differences of boys and girls accustomed to having their way on the play ground for all too long.



And if there''s anything the vast majority of Americans simply can''t tolerate, it''''s a child who does not know how to behave, especially in public. Don''''t be surprised if Democrats are spanked yet once again this year in their seemingly never ending quest to gain the White House. I''m afraid the National Park Service may need to add a playroom and a playground or two before that even becomes practical for them at this point.

[grannyj2]

There is no way in ---- I would ever vote for a person that is such a sweet talker as Obama is. They cannot be trusted. How people can fall all over him is beyond me. People, read his background. Learn about this man. If you are honest with yourself, you won''t vote for him either. By no means am I a McCain voter either. There is nothing there for this election to vote for! We need a real canidate to elect that will work for the people of this country, not for the high powered rich people. It is people like us that pay all the taxes and get beat down everyday and neither of these people will do anything to help us just as the Bush wacker hasn''t done it either. They will just fatten their bank accounts while the little people still suffer. THEY DO NOT CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[formrusmcsgt]

I must say that I have seen a lot of huge egos in my life, but I don''t think any come close to Hillary''s.

She claims to now support Obama. She claims to strive for unity.

What I see are ego assuaging moves on her part.

She refused to concede.

Wants her name in nomination.

Wants a roll-call.

Says she''s voting for Obama but tells her delegates to vote for whoever they please.

The woman''s ego knows no limits, in my view.

[jmurrieta1]

The Right Wing Talking Heads are all boo-hooing over Hillary.

Such sensitive fascists!

If Hillary had been the nominee, they be slinging every bit of mud at her they could. They''d be trying to rip her a new one.

Hillary backers would do well to bear this in mind. If McCain wins, you''re toast. It will be 4 more years of Bushit.

And Cold War John will have us in one war after another, will continue tax cuts for billionaires while trashing the middle class, and will appoint Supreme Court justices who put women back in the traditional role that rich white men like so much--in other words, "shut up ****, I''m in charge."

That''s how Republicans think of you.

[trrrorislam3]

Obama''s DNC Message: I''m Like You
CBSNews.com Reports: Democrats To Push Obama%u2019s Similarities With Average Americans

rightttttttttttttt

HUSSEIN puts foreigns ahead of americans,,,

how many non-muslim americans have a syrian born muslim tony rezko helping you buy a multi million dollar house???

how many non-muslim americans travelled to pakistan for spring break???

how many non-muslim americans say the muslim call to prayer is the prettiests sounds on earth at sunset???

how many americans want to have to learn spanish???

how many americans want to give tens of millions of illegals amnesty???

how many americans want open borders???

how many americans want to send one trillion of their taxpayer dollars to kenya???

how many americans want to spend their taxpayer dollars on slavery reparations when they already paid via the civil war with their blood???

hmmmmm manchurian candidate maybe,,, hmmmm

[patriot12436]

Well since obama didn''t choose hillary for vp running mate, he just blew his only chance of getting elected in November.

[formrusmcsgt]

Well since obama didn''''t choose hillary for vp running mate, he just blew his only chance of getting elected in November.

Posted by patriot12436 at 07:51 AM : Aug 26, 2008

Maybe he felt that someone who is such a poor administrator that she ran her campaign $25 million in debt probably means that she isn''t well qualified for the VP slot.....

[jmurrieta1]

"Well since obama didn''''t choose hillary for vp running mate, he just blew his only chance of getting elected in November. "--Posted by patriot12436



Or so says John McCain in his wet dreams. If you still have them at that age.

The pathetic, desperate Repugs are grasping at straws. If Hillary HAD been nominated they''ve have every Slime Boat on the sea going to destroy her.

So it''s safe to ignore the fake blubbering of Repug shills like the above.

After all, this shill probably got a toaster from the McCain campaign. You can tell by the overblown screen name--so predictable.

Drop dead, shill.

[antoniof123]

Well, by the end of the week the Democrats will come together and that is the biggest fear the neo cons have they know that they can only muster up enough votes if they keep the party divided.

Well neo cons it will not happen this year because once Obama unleases his treasure chest of money on McSame the neo con party will have to decide suffer a full blown blood bath in congress losing more seats in both house and senate or try to win the President. Either way they are in a no win sitution.

[timdgrim]

The pathetic, desperate Repugs are grasping at straws. If Hillary HAD been nominated they''''ve have every Slime Boat on the sea going to destroy her.
Posted by jmurrieta1
***********
It wouldn''t matter if Jesus Christ himself was running on the Democratic ticket, the Republicans would find something wrong with him. It''s just the way they do their corporate interests business.

[rktsci3127]

Well, where''s Obama''s brother...the slum dweller?? Michelle and Barack Obama are pretty incredible hypocrites and how anyone in that audience could applaude her is beyond me. One very strange family.

[bjrober]

TO JMURIETTA
What a shame that you think seniors like me and McCain are not capable of thinking for ourselves and have a wonderful history of accomplishments. I learned to respect my elders from the time I was a small child and my children and grandchildren do the same.

You need to go visit some of these wonderful elders and maybe it will soften your heart, just a little.

[fstop100]

With barry obama in the White House, this country can only have 1 direction...DOWN

[fstop100]

Michelle and Barack Obama are the biggest phonys.
How can they go from and anti-American, anti-white, anti-Jewish spewing hatred church to pretending to like America so much?

After 20 years of that, you don''''t change all of the sudden.

THIS IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!

Someone gave Michelle acting lessons because that was not the Michelle that we have previously been introduced to. Did her bitterness just disapear like that?

They want the power, then look out.

I, and many others, cannot and will not trust them enought to vote for them.
They are fooling the American public big time.

[sly_64]

They should have passed the torch, under Clinton, and set her on fire. That would be funny.

[wellhell3]

The DNC with this kind of krap journalism, just very well may have lost this election! You idiots have lost your freaking minds! You just may have lost a whole voting block with this exclude the Clinton''s tactic! Good luck to you finding a damned vote under a rock! Barak Obscammer''s ego is going to wind up eating itself for lunch!

The man is insane! Totally insane! He lives his adult life associating with criminals and anti-American radicals, a group puts out an ad telling people the truth about it, and this freaking NAZI thinks he can use his influence to BLOCK it from being aired on tv!

WELCOME TO YOUR THIRD WORLD COUNTRY, FOLKS! Too bad Saddam''s dead, we could just elect him! Or how about Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, or what the hell, let''s just bring Putin over here for president!

[metroduck75]

Can anyone tell that Mrs. Obama was simply reading a script? She was so unconvincing and phony.

[metroduck75]

Obama / Biden

Celerebrity of 1 year / Washington Insider of 36 years.

Let''s all Change for Worse!!!

[longtree-2009]

Obama should have picked Hillary as his VP and if she refused then select someone else. Hillary got royally screwed out of the number two position. Obama should have done the right thing and offered her the job first. Am an Independent and still have not decided but it''s beginning to look like it won''t be Obama. Obama also has ignored his half brother living in poverty in Africa but has played up his half sister. Could not do that to my half brother, no way.

[kmccliment]

court injuction filed yesterday against Obama. Must prove citizen ship. filed by former A.A.G. of Pennsylvania in federal court. hillary will run.

[nolalou]

WellHell3, the only thing ''totally insane'' are comments from idiots like you!!! You want to see the worse in Obama , so you make up any little excuse to get all worked up! Hillary LOST.. GET THE F OVER IT! Don''t like it, fine , go ahead and vote for McCain , and get 4 more years of failed economic policies, and foreign policy! I''m sorry, but I''ve had it with you sore loser IDIOTS, and frankly, you can all go to HELL!

[liberalme]

I don''''t want to have lunch with Obama or Michelle.
Neither one is not like me. They%u2019re both scary.


Posted by Alicerea1

And that speaks volumns!! ("Neither one is not like me" could use a little work)

We believe what "others" tell us and we fear what we don''t "know". That''s plain ignorance.

If you want to go spewing hatred--first find out why YOU don''t like these people--not why others hate them---and to be fair, look into your own candidate--but aww that would be objective and to some--they think Faux news, lintball and hannity really know what they''re talking about!

There were no facts in your post, just the same old repetitive jargon.

[kmccliment]

court filing is real missy, google it! Barry Soetoro has been lying!!

[liberalme]

court injuction filed yesterday against Obama. Must prove citizen ship. filed by former A.A.G. of Pennsylvania in federal court. hillary will run.


Posted by kmccliment at 08:41 AM :

BS Prove it!