Was Speech Setting Over The Top?

Expert Analyzes Whether Obama Accepting Dem Nod In Packed Stadium Worked, Or Went Too Far

(CBS)  It was considered a risky, perhaps even a daring move by Barack Obama's campaign, having him accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night in a football stadium.

The scene shifted from a convention center that holds 20,000 people, where the Democratic convention's first three days were held, to Denver's Ivesco Field, home of the Broncos, which seats 80,000.

The lights, the fireworks, the superstar performers, the packed house -- did it all work? Or was it, as many Republican politicians and operatives were suggesting it would be long before the event was even held Thursday -- too much?

On The Early Show Friday, former FBI agent Joe Navarro, author of "What Every Body Is Saying," says the imagery had its desired effect -- very much so.

It "absolutely" worked, Navarro told co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez. ”This was democracy at its best. It was open... You look at ... everything -- the people, the surroundings, the colors, the imagery. It reminds you of Athenian democracy."

Rodriguez pointed out that one of the charges made by critics beforehand was the columns on the stage made it look a little bit too much like a temple, like this was meant to worship Obama as a god.

"Not at all," Navarro responded. "This is about that, you know -- we use images of these columns from Athens to tell us about our history of democracy, about openness, about the people. And we have a great example of this where this has been opened up, I think, for the first time and may set a precedent for future conventions. Very powerful."

Navarro added that columns are used in structures throughout Washington: "They're at the White House, they are at the Library of Congress, they are at the largest memorials, and they draw us in, and they remind us, this is about democracy. Extremely powerful images."

One part of the night Navarro says he particularly liked was afterwards, when the Obamas walked off, as a family. He said the setting looked like that of "the White House. And you see them walking off into (it). ... (It showed that), 'Hey, we're normal. Just like you. We are a family.' Very, very powerful images here. We haven't seen these, by the way, since the Kennedys. ... And when you see them walking away, you see that they fit in. They're comfortable here. We're comfortable with them. This is extremely powerful. They're going to be talking about this for a very long time. Very tough to top."

Navarro noted to CBS News that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was criticized for giving his famous "I Have a Dream" speech (45 years to-the-day before Obama's speech Thursday night) at the Lincoln Memorial but, Navarro said, it wouldn't have looked the same if he did it at a concert hall or a hotel conference center.

And Navarro, a body language expert, was impressed with Obama's. Navarro told CBS News Obama spoke with his palms up -- "that is excellent ... It's like saying, 'Take what I present to you.' "

Also, Obama put his hand over his heart with an open, wide palm, as opposed to holding it sort of closed, which is what people do because it looks good, not because they mean it.

[creeper00]

Attention:

CBS announces appointment of new political editor...Joe Navarro.

Seriously, CBS, can''t you come up with anything more substantive than this crystal ball reader?

[dsr57]

I work over in the middle east as a contractor so I don''t get to watch TV that much so I''ve been getting most of my thoughts on this election from the web. Is it just me or is every headline that concerns Obama only says " Obama Says America Is Ready For Change" ??? I haven''t actually read or heard what he plans to change, I have heard him speak a lot about unity and things but no solid plans. I don''t see how people can really like him, I''m convinced that most people are going to vote for him on the sole fact that he is black. Which I also find weird because he is mixed and after his father ran out it was his white mother that rasied him. But he sure loves to call himself a black man.

[ozonmojo]

The CHANGE agenda seems to be in abeyance for now.Obama''s fans thought he would bring about the change himself,whatever it meant.But now he says only his followers could bring it about.So,they have not yet decided the issue.Please wait for another announcement from Mr.Axelrod with the necessary optics.

[dnsallday]

Obama Says America Is Ready For Change" ?? I haven%u2019t actually read or heard what he plans to change. I don%u2019t see how people can really like him; I%u2019m convinced that most people are going to vote for him on the sole fact that he is black. Which I also find weird because he is mixed and after his father ran out it was his white mother that raised him. But he sure loves to call himself a black man. Posted by DSR57
******************************************************
The video of his speech is on most of the news websites as well as youtube. If you really have interest in what Obama believes needs changing and some of his very specific ideas and plans on this, tune in.
Most of Obama supporters have listened to most of his speeches and the several Addresses to the Nation that he has given. We have also listened to respectable voices who have offered us insight into what an Obama Presidency might look like.

As a white middle aged female. I won''t be voting for him because he is black, like you suggest, but because he believes that the one best hope for America is that the Government be more open and that Americans step up to the plate and get more involved and take some responsibility for what is going on in Government. In other words this is our Country; it doesn''t belong to Exxon Mobil.

Also, do you think do you think he should be referring to himself as a white man?

[rational_1]

''Was Speech Setting Over The Top?''

Not if your name is Nero, Trajan or Claudius! But Barack....?

[briannorwood]

LOL! The poor GOP. We should call them the "green" party! Green with envy, that is!

[vastr-wcon]

.
Not since adolf have so many been fooled by so little.

/

[random_radar]

Personality cults and religions have perfected the art of spectacle. This was a well-staged event that projected all the right images and it had its effect.

The vacuous message of "Change!" without details is also part of the persona. Do not ask deeps questions or you will be pilloried as an unbeliever.

Follow the crowd with palm leaves in your hands. The Messiah has appeared and will lead you to the promised land.

You will dine on milk and honey--the milk and honey the government takes from you and returns in fractional amounts once they have satiated themselves on your labors. If you ignore the manacles, you verily can imagine you are free.

[mediawatch50]

Stop this idiocy. Please. We have more important things to talk about as a nation.

[teeus]

"...The vacuous message of "Change!" without details is also part of the persona..."

Not sure you were watching the same speech I was. I counted over 25 SPECIFIC policy changes or initatives in the speech. Just because you keep saying it doesnt make it so.

"...Follow the crowd with palm leaves in your hands. The Messiah has appeared and will lead you to the promised land. You will dine on milk and honey--the milk and honey the government takes from you and returns in fractional amounts once they have satiated themselves on your labors. If you ignore the manacles, you verily can imagine you are free..."
Posted by random_radar

Wow. Gotta tell ya--that is one giant pile o-***, but at least you wrote it well. Props to you.

[greeneyes222]

the production reminded me of those old newsreels of Hitler speaking to the multitudes. They adored him too, but look where that ended.

CBS, your "expert" needs to have his head examined. I haven''t seen anything that off-putting in a while.

[stn_sage]

Not since adolf have so many been fooled by so little.

Posted by VastR-WCon at 12:19 PM : Aug 29, 2008
----------------------
Who EXACTLY are you talking about, Vast? George W. Bush ---or--- Barack Obama?! Because right now, we have proof that it fits ''W''! Whether or not it fits Obama, we shall see!

[mtracy9]

CBS News is starting to resemble the National Enquirer more and more with its soothsayer analysts and "body language" people.

[emmer94]

"I am not an elitist. I am just showing my appreciation for all things grand. Don''t all folks have exterior decor like this?"

I guess he felt he had to show up the Clintons somehow. BTW...what nice things DID Hillary actually say about Obama in HER speech?

Once a gain, the Dem''s (in general) show they are the spoiled brat brigade.

[dan19491]

Obama scares me, no plan on how to pay for so much Free Money To so many. I do not want my taxes goint up 200%

[dagrandma]

Yes, by God, let''s have our football games and baseball games in stadiums but it''s just absolutely HORRIBLE to open up a stadium so people can see a man who might well be the next president of the United States. What were they thinking?

[stn_sage]

random_radar:
(assertions applied to Obama but reflect Bush)
Posted by random_radar at 12:19 PM : Aug 29, 2008
---------------------
1. Personality cults & religions. Bush is a guy you can have a beer with. He''s a nice guy.
He gave a powerful speech. His words were powerful. We can expect powerful actions.

2. Well-staged events & effect. ''W'' shows up in a jet! It has his name on it as if HE were the pilot!
He''s in a flight suit! He''s surrounded by military pageantry, including a banner that proclaims
''Mission Accomplished''. He announces we have been victorious!

3. Vacuous message without details. WMD in Iraq! But where? Nowhere. Who? No one. Bin Laden. Where?
In Afghanistan! No. In Pakistan! Maybe. Dead! Maybe. Fighting the war in Iraq! How? No plan.
Piecemeal. Fighting terrorism. How? No plan. Piecemeal. Katrina relief. How? FEMA! Plan? No plan!
Kaos! Homes destroyed. Death. Relief STILL not paid! Hundreds if not thousands of Americans have
been threatened and intimidated by the FBI and other security groups by Bush and by his followers
on the internet blog sites! Hundreds of lawsuits for millions of dollars have been paid to victims
of these political terrorism attacks!

4. Get ''in line'' or else, implies ''W'' and the GOP! The war president will lead you to victory!

Part 1, continued

[stn_sage]

random_radar:
(assertions applied to Obama but reflect Bush)
Posted by random_radar at 12:19 PM : Aug 29, 2008
---------------------

5. You will eat and drink less because of the inflationary economy created by irresponsible GOP
spending that has created a HUGE national debt, budget deficit, a weak dollar, a housing market
collapse, an ongoing banking system collapse, increased homelessness, unemployment, and cost
structure from everything from food to health care to insurance! If you ignore your declining
well-being or poverty you can pretend you are free living in a democracy instead of a fascist
state!

My point, as usual what you accuse Obama of, more readily applies to your own republican
president in reality! And it''s NOT a pretty picture!

Part 2, finis

[wogerwabbit]

What backdrop are the Repugnants gonna use... chain link fence from Guantanamo? That seems fitting.

[blackyowe]

I thought it was horrible! I can''t believe how pathetic this country has become.

[stn_sage]

Obama scares me, no plan on how to pay for so much Free Money To so many. I do not want my taxes goint up 200%
Posted by dan19491 at 12:58 PM : Aug 29, 2008
------------------
Dan! Were you worried when ''W'' was giving the wealthy millions of dollars in tax reductions while starting TWO wars?! How about when he was steamrolling Republican porkbarrel spending through Congress?! There wasn''t an earmark not worth throwing tax money at then! Or, when he was letting the oil industry write the energy bill, did you worry about that! NO!?

Well, Dan! If you didn''t, you sure as h3ll should have! Worry about reality, not about things that probably won''t come to pass! Unless your a big money earner, in which case, I''d say your taxes probably will go up, because they''ll have to! Whether a ''D'' or an ''R'' get in there, they''ll be going up!

[jjreding-2009]

This is ridiculous. You people are just looking for things to complain about when it comes to Obama. You''re afraid that he''s hit the nerve of the country, because I for one cannot afford to buy food, pay rent and utilities or any other necessary thing that may have to be done. Barack Obama is NOT going to raise taxes. He is going to roll back the free giveaway to the upper income level, you know, the middle-class that makes $5 million a year. Corporate giveaways will be ended, tax breaks for oil companies making obscene profits will stop and he will put pressure on Iraq to start spending that $79 BILLION they''re sitting on that was earned by the blood of more than 4000 Americans. Once they start spending their own money on their own country, that will free up $10 billion a month that we''re wasting on a country that obviously doesn''t even want us there. Seems to me that it''s the right wingers who are the whiners, not the underprivileged poor and the so-called middle class who''s seen their income DECREASE during the past 8 miserable years. It''s time for the oil barons to leave office so we can get back to some semblance of normalcy in this country of ours. By the way, I live in Cleveland, Ohio, which was just crowned the second poorest big city in the country, right behind Detroit. Don''t tell me about how the economy has improved during the Bush disaster.

[gocubs58]

This is a typical CBS news headline. "Was it over the top?" They are blatently supporting McCain, from headlines like this one to actually editing out his blunders in interviews.

[platteman]

If you''re Jesus Christ, then no problem, BO, well I believe he thinks of himself about the same as Jesus. So in that context, then not over the top. Just think of all the people the Dems could have helped by staying put in the Pepsi Center. Oh well, what do you expect from people who want to take from the rich and give to the poor. A Black Robin Hood, taking from white rich people to give to poor people. We already know that the Great Society produced some of the worst fraud on the American People ever. So it looks like we will have a return to the Great Welfare of BO.

[jjreding-2009]

Oh yeah. And about that stage last night. The columns were built to resemble the front of the White House, not a Greek temple. And you better do your research too, because rather than comparing Obama''s speech to Hitler, it should be compared to the nomination speech John Kennedy did at the Oakland Coliseum, not an indoor arena.

[jahpdq]

Beyond over the top. Bread and circuses.

[manumurf]

He mentioned the word immigration only once. I think the Illegal Immigration Issue should be one of the priorities of any administration. The benefits/improvements he outlined sound great but should be enjoyed by people who are here legally.

[smurfcrusher]

"Rodriguez pointed out that one of the charges made by critics beforehand was the columns on the stage made it look a little bit too much like a temple, like this was meant to worship Obama as a god. "


And yet, Bush Senior also had columns, but it was OK for the Republican?

[stn_sage]

All this griping from the rightwing about Obama being too showy, audacious, or over-the-top is SOUR GRAPES!
Pure and simple!

If MCSAME could do that, you can bet the GOP would book the stadium! But, on a short-notice, volunteer basis, it can''t be done! And, why not?! Because---

MCSAME (and the GOP) are without a compelling agenda or ideas, they just want to continue spending vast sums of money in Iraq instead of the good ole USA!
No patriotism. They just want to cause death and destruction and embarass us internationally! Well---

The public is tired of THAT agenda! We want a new agenda that is positive and not negative. That is creative and not destructive. And, finally one that is American and NOT un-American!

[camn4runr]

I watched the early show earlier this week. Someone made the comment about Obama not having experience. You don''t need experience if you are being led by God. Evidently Obama knows who and who''s he is. He trust his Creator. With Him, you can''t go wrong. Bless the Lord.

[stn_sage]

CBS News is starting to resemble the National Enquirer more and more with its soothsayer analysts and "body language" people.
Posted by mtracy9 at 12:52 PM : Aug 29, 2008
------------------
I agree with you. Some of these ''pieces'' should be beneath their dignity to do. But, what I REALLY don''t like is when they ACT to make one candidate or the other appear better by covering up their mistakes by altering their comments as broadcast over the airwaves or written in the newsprint! Then, they lose any credibility they have as a news organization!

[hypnotoad72]

Posted by jjreding at 01:21 PM : Aug 29, 2008

Posted by stn_sage at 01:21 PM : Aug 29, 2008

You''re both on the money.

Of course, in 1953, the corporate tax rate was something like 88% (and they still whine about it being too high in 2008, when it''s - what - 20%? I don''t know the precise figure, but do know it''s a heck of a lot lower than it used to be...). Up until 1980, exec pay was only 40x that the average worker (more than 400x now and it''s easier to see how). And it''s almost wrecked the Country in the process.

Country first? How will the economy be dealt with - both candidates need to talk reality.

[reel-crazy]

Perhaps the subtle meaning of this stage was to show the collapse of the Roman Empire... ooops, the Bush Empire

[dsr57]

I think it''s pretty horrible to use a stadium for this also. We''re talking abou thte guy who says he can pull us out of Debt. Then WHY spend all that money to fill a stadium? Gross over spending I think

[sandy19731]

I was in D.C. last week and I thought the setting looked like the old government buildings there including Congress and the White House. I also liked the way the families walked away looking quite at home. Obama''s girls are delightful.

[specialty8]

Nobama has a great speech but I have never ever heard a single way he can do any of the things he has promised other than tax and spend.He said he will reduce mideast oil by 96% during his term. How? Pelosi and her cronies will not do anything or will the great one invent something we have not heard about yet?

[ericv2644]

Go Obama, Congratulation to Gov Palin. May we have a vigorous exercise of Democracy.

[dnsallday]

Nobama has a great speech but I have never ever heard a single way he can do any of the things he has promised other than tax and spend.He said he will reduce mideast oil by 96% during his term. How? Pelosi and her cronies will not do anything or will the great one invent something we have not heard about yet?

Posted by specialty8 at 02:11 PM : Aug 29, 2008
********************************************************** This seems to be a common problem with a particular group of people.
Millions of us are able to recite specifics that have been relayed by Obama and his campaign and yet there is your group who have heard nothing or don''t understand any of it.
Perhaps you should consider educating yourself.

[dnsallday]

Of course, in 1953, the corporate tax rate was something like 88% (and they still whine about it being too high in 2008, when it''''s - what - 20%? I don''''t know the precise figure, but do know it''''s a heck of a lot lower than it used to be...). Up until 1980, exec pay was only 40x that the average worker (more than 400x now and it''''s easier to see how). And it''''s almost wrecked the Country in the process.

Country first? How will the economy be dealt with - both candidates need to talk reality.

Posted by hypnotoad72
******************************************************* The tax rate for corporations is hardly relevent when only 20% of American corporations are paying any tax at all thanks to the loopholes that have been put into place specifically for them to avoid making any contributions to this country. And that has never stopped them from looking for still more handouts in the form of corporate subisidies.

[marlenemn]

The Republicans are just jealous. No one in their extremist hate-filled party could ever generate that number of people.

[specialty8]

Azure11
Well this a great news. We are going to get rid of every thing that does not work. Pelosi and congress better start packing their bags after they get back from the 5 week vacation!

[dnsallday]

We''''re talking abou thte guy who says he can pull us out of Debt. Then WHY spend all that money to fill a stadium? Gross over spending I think
Posted by DSR57
********************************************************* That was paid for by the donations to his campaign. I am extremely impressed by how frugal and responsible the Obama campaign has been with his campaign funds. I am a small donater (25.00 twice a month), and I donate for him to use as a means to help get him elected. I trust his judgement in how he chooses to spend it.
We will continue to support him the best we can financially and other wise.

McCain will be taking 85 million taxpayer dollars as soon as he becomes the official nominee for the Republicon party.

[dnsallday]

Well this a great news. We are going to get rid of every thing that does not work. Pelosi and congress better start packing their bags after they get back from the 5 week vacation!

Posted by specialty8
*********************************************************** The Republicons have blocked more legislation than at any other time in history.
Once again the Republicons make history and once again in a way that has a very negative impact on this country and the people.

Why do Repbublicons hate Americans so much?

[rainydayacct]

The setting had its pros & cons. Intimacy was lost at the expense of grandeur. Some say the stadium was necessary as Obama''s ego didn''t fit in the convention center. I joke, but I am NOW an Obama supporter. His arrogance is epic, but at least he''s an arrogant Democrat and not an arrogant, out of touch, Republican. Obama is the right person at this time in our nation''s history. The election isn''t about race or gender or even stage settings. It''s about bringing America back to the people. Voting for Obama. Voting for America''s future.

[dnsallday]

McCain decides that a young inexperienced,celebrity, (TV personality, competed in Miss Alaska beauty pageant) is the best choice to step in at a moments notice as Commander in Chief if needed.

McCain is trying to dazzle us with his judgement I guess.

[armydog2]

The setting was perfect the speech was amazing and the man is the right person for the job of Commander in Chief. OBAMA/BIDEN the only logical choice for the USA!!!!!!!

[specialty8]

I am not republican or democrat. I would vote for a independant any day to get rid of the waste in Washington we have now,but it would be a wasted vote because they have no money or support to promote themselfs.If you think Obama is going to lower taxes for 95% of Americans than the middle class must be left out because they probley pay 95% of all the taxes
in this country.Where will this money come from to make all this up for all the handouts that he has planned.Is it from failed goverment programs,do you think Ted and Nancy are going to let him cut all of the perks they get?Yea,dream on.

[xalen54]

It "absolutely" worked, Navarro told co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez. %u201DThis was democracy at its best. It was open... You look at ... everything -- the people, the surroundings, the colors, the imagery. It reminds you of Athenian democracy."
-----------------------------------

I don''t know what type of world she lives in, but in this one our democracies are not about rainbows & pretty colors...

[elkc]

When Obama becomes our next President it does not matter if he plays Monopoly with his kids sitting Indian style on a big rug in the oval office. Obama will be credited for bringing and doing more for America than "W" has done in 8 years. This country has been raped, slaughtered and disrespected by the cronies in D.C. for way too long. Obama''s confronting the nation last night equaled if not passed Ronald Reagan%u2019s stump speech. Obama opened the book describing the good, bad and ugly sides of common Americans who excelled despite the odds experts said could not be overcome in America!

Our Country has two choices; 1. Pull up a chair order a cherry coke and taste the sweetness of a government ran for the people and by the people or 2.Try to stomach the taste and eat old prunes left over from the ruins of a republican majority and its president!

Another point to ponder...McCain will be the oldest U.S. President to stake his claim on the Oval Office''s desk and chair, Viagra supply and fiber supplements. The likely hood (considering his remarkable life) is that a very cold lady from Alaska will have to be sworn in at some point in the McCain administration, as a replacement for a mission in the elected office he could not complete.

The bottom line is? Forget about McCain, you are either considering Alaska''s Sarah Palin or that America%u2019s Illinois resident Barack Obama. McCain will be the rusty old train sent to Train Heaven once Palin is delivered to the White House!

[krenz4]

I''''m convinced that most people are going to vote for him on the sole fact that he is black. Which I also find weird because he is mixed and after his father ran out it was his white mother that rasied him. But he sure loves to call himself a black man.
Posted by DSR57

AMERICA defines Obama as a black man, one drop of black blood makes you black remember. and as for his white mother raising him, that still does not make him white in America. Are you suggesting that because his mother was white, he is a better person? I think his mother dived into the black gene pool because she saw the value of that Kenyan mojo that she wanted her child to have.