His hawkish section featured: “We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy.” Why didn’t he mention Truman, who did far more than Kennedy to keep America safe?

After challenging John McCain’s character for over 40 minutes he says it is something we should never do.

Oh, so now he’s looking forward to debates.  That’s a new one.

If they were on the ballot I’d feel a whole lot better.

His tone really changed here. He doesn’t even sound convinced himself. First stumbles in his speech.

Howard Dean said Obama would be unveiling a new message tonight, and I figured out what it is. Obama used to say average Americans had to choose between filling their gas tanks or buying medicine for their sick kids. He’s switched it to a choice between keeping your job or buying medicine for your sick kid. 

There he goes again. Let’s bomb Pakistan where Obama lives.  I think he just called John McCain a coward for not being willing to bomb an ally.

That’s what he says he wants to debate with John McCain. Right now the only angry, nasty politician in sight is Barack Obama. The yelling and personal quality of the attacks are entirely unbecoming. Shocking really.

Who is going to pay for all this? There just aren’t enough “rich people” no matter what the definition to pay for a quarter of this. Then he has the nerve to assure us it is all paid for and government isn’t going to do it all.

Did he just endorse the line-item veto?

“John McCain doesn’t get it.” Of all the efforts to get McCain in this speech, this claim — which we will hear over and over again — is the one that sticks.  Tying McCain to Bush won’t really work with most voters who have been around for more than one election cycle.  But if McCain acts and sounds like a nostalgic old codger, he’s finished.  Bob Dole, in 1996, defended his age by describing himself as “a bridge to a time of tranquillity, faith, and confidence.” It was a beautiful line from Mark Helprin’s pen, but it was a defense of the past against the scourge of modernity.  Next week, the Republican convention can’t dwell on McCain’s remarkable record.  It has to focus  on the notion that McCain has always been ahead of the idea curve — even if it only half true.

I finally figured out who Obama reminds me of: Ricardo Montalban. This speech is pure Fantasy Island.  How is going to do all these things? I’m still waiting for something more than a pipe dream.

is raise taxes on the middle class. But corporations and investors are fair game. It is economic mindlessness. But he’s on his roll — fiscal and economy sanity be damned.

He’ll make us energy independent in 10 years.  I guess that’s right after he stops the rise of the oceans.

Obama of course left out McCain’s sharp denunciation of Phil Gramm’s statement. McCain’s response:  ”I think Senator Gramm would be in serious consideration for ambassador to Belarus, although I’m not sure the citizens of Minsk would welcome that.” This is the best he’s got? 

It is nearly 10:25 p.m. and we are still in the angry, attack, those “no good Repbulicans,” insulting mode. Whose idea was this?

Gee, I think it’s the Dems discredited policy of government will do it for you that is really coming through in this speech.

Barack Obama anticipates and attacks his opponent before saying anything about himself. At bottom, they still believe the winning formula is McCain=Bush=Obama victory. I don’t recall such a negative start to an acceptance speech. Ever.

John McCain did more than wear a uniform.