Four Brief Points

{1} The Counter-Puncher: Since the democratic primary, I have noted that Barack Obama is what is known as a "counter-puncher" in the sport of boxing. A counter-puncher has perfect balance. He allows his opponent to throw punches at him, to a point where the opponent becomes overconfident, and begins to load up on his shots. At the point when the opponent has committed to a hard punch that requires that he shift off-balance, the counter-puncher lets loose his own punches. The combination of the opponent moving forward, and the solid counter-punch, punishes the opponent.

{2} Unfinished Business: Older DUers recognize that Barack Obama is a student of history. The anniversary of King’s "I Have A Dream" speech provided a powerful context for Obama’s speech. But there was something more, that students of the history of the 1960s recognized last night. Barack Obama was influenced by his reading of Malcolm X’s autobiography as a teenager. During the primary, he paraphrased Malcolm several times. Last night, when Obama respectfully ridiculed McCain, and challenged him as an individual to serious debates, that was more Malcolm than Martin. And in the 1960s, while Martin was the more popular figure, Malcolm was the least popular person in America to debate.

{3} Unity: The entire Democratic National Convention illustrated that our party finds strength in unity, without having the republican weakness of uniformity.

{4} Weakness: Today, John McCain will reveal his selection for VP. He has had to scramble in the days since Obama picked Joseph Biden. His choice is in reaction to Biden. The VP pick will provide evidence of how wounded McCain’s campaign is.

(6) the media and public now has a split second attention span, so the great victory of the convention is already (literally) yesterday's news to them. We can sit amazed that what we watched transpire doesn't resonate for months and years, but it won't.

(7) How we will make this live on is through the work we all do to carry on the hope and message - to turn off the TVs, get off of the laptops, find an Obama office and volunteer - grab a phone, sign up voters, bring them to polling places - to get involved!

Obama set out the direction and provided the clarity and energy. It is up to us now!

#6it assaults the spirit. #7. it is up to us.

{5} Work: We have an opportunity to work very hard, against the republican machine and their media poodles, to insure a November victory. That victory can be on the national, state, and local levels. It is up to us. (This is, of course, similar to #7.)

that's 5X5

McCain proves over and over again that he really does not take the time to think about what he is saying, how long has he been digging at Obama for a lack of experience and then if all the info is correct he picks Pahlin who is 44 and has been Governor of Alaska for 2 years as his VP. Talk about a lack of experience, second of all nothing shady about the Alaskan state government is there? Not to mention could he pick a weaker candidate to debate with Joe Biden? His ticket was weak to begin, does he think this will sway some Clinton votes his way? What is he thinking?

sorry about the double post

McCain proves over and over again that he really does not take the time to think about what he is saying, how long has he been digging at Obama for a lack of experience and then if all the info is correct he picks Pahlin who is 44 and has been Governor of Alaska for 2 years as his VP. Talk about a lack of experience, second of all nothing shady about the Alaskan state government is there? Not to mention could he pick a weaker candidate to debate with Joe Biden? His ticket was weak to begin, does he think this will sway some Clinton votes his way? What is he thinking?

It is all literally smoke and mirrors now.

their private game I am not so sure about...

A cornered animal is very dangerous.

Tells me that John McCain is 'on the ropes' covering up completely and saying 'don't hit me' ..... already heard some pundits saying Biden can't be the attack dog in his debates with Paling because 'it would look like he's picking on a woman' especially when it comes to foreign policy. WTF? If she can't handle Bidens 'bullying' .... how in the hell would she handle 'Russia's Putin, Iran's Amananadina-jab (spelled that incorrectly on purpose just cause the 'jab' part goes with the boxing analogy) on and on ......

Hey we're supposed to believe that our VP is a heartbeat away from the most important job in the world. Geesh ..... what a funny morning. Peace.

That is a summation of our difference.

I know little about Malcolm X. And I appreciate it when you point out what typified him. I saw the increase in aggression (if you will), and found it very satisfying. Something lacking in other campaigns. I came from a complacent family of Connecticut puritanical types. And hated it. When I heard "Stop singing, and start swinging.", I was filled with a sense of fulfillment. They wanted change. Badly.

And here I thought I was so smart to have picked up on Michelle's paraphrase of Sly and the Family Stone. You can make it if you try.

There's nothing I don't like about this man and his family. What a good feeling it is.

:applause: