DNC Convention Speeches Day 4: Al Gore and Barack Obama

4:45 CT (ish): David Plouffe talks about the voter registration drive.

5:12: Jennifer Hudson does the national Anthem: That girl can sing!

5:31: Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is speaking, and he sounds like he has a hairball in his throat. He’s talking mostly about western values.

5:36: DemConWatch: “You’ll notice there are 3 podiums at Invesco - two on the sides and the main one in the center. Word is that only Gore and Obama will speak from the center podium.”

5:45: Howard Dean is introduced by a Howard Dean video, which had to be authorized by … Howard Dean. Lovely. Angelo notes that it’s similar to the guy from ALong Came Polly that paid for the camera crew for his E True Hollywood story. Dean talks his 50 state strategy, and talks in more generics about no being able to afford 4 more years of the same. He tries to bring out the red meat, but is stunningly bad at riling up the crowd. I think it’s because he frames things very poorly. He line that McCain is not a maverick, but instead a yes man would be good if it was a climax, not said as a throwaway line.

5:58: John Lewis is out next, introducing the tribute to MLK. Also, both Lewis and Dean used the main podium; so much for only Gore and Obama using it. Lewis discusses being at MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. He’s a civil rights legend, and he discusses the paththe movement has taken, and what it means to nominate Obama and what is done.

6:08: Bernice King says that Obama was nominated not because of the color of his skin, but because of the content of his character. She introduces Martin Luther King III. He talks about how proud his father would be, but that there is more work to do.

6:14: A DNC video. The musical accompaniment? Fake Empire, by The National. Good song, but I don’t think it’s really the message Democrats want to send.

6:33: will.i.am and John Legend perform that silly Obama “Yes we can” song.

6:40: James Dobson prayed for rain tonight. Skies are clear in Denver, but Hurrican Gustav looks threatening next week during the Republican Convention. Way to go.

6:46: Sheryl Crow time. At least for the people there. Airborne Toxic Event on here.

6:57: Obama’s campaign just sent out a text to all those who signed up reminding them that his speech is tonight.

7:03: Mark Udall, Senate candidate and son of Mo Udall, talks about western politics.

7:07: Veep runner up Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is next. He attacks McCain a bit and alks about when he lived in Honduras a bit. The theme is putting into action what you believe in. It’s not like McCain has a storyline here that would dwarf working on the streets of Chicago. On the plus side, he’s showing far more energy than he did for his SOTU response. He finishes by getting the crowd to yell the mountain to move aside.

7:14: Bill Richardson time. He’s a governor, by the way. He’s pushes back against the celebrity mantra. He gets the crowd riled up. I missed a bunch ordering dinner.

7:30: Stevie Wonder is out as Al Gore’s opening act. He jokes about McCain recycling the policies of Bush, and talks about how differences between presidential candidates matter, citing 2000. He then talks at length about the climate crisis and how American innovation can solve it and how special interests and oil companies are preventing that. He’s being very blunt in his criticisms of Bush and in the stakes for this election. He gives America a history lesson on Lincoln, and condemns the Mexican War in the process.

8:05: Michael McDonald time. I still can’t believe he’s there.

8:15: Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Ike, addresses the crowd.

8:16: A tribute to retired generals includes what I think is the only appearance by Wesley Clark this convention. Scott Gration discusses his history with Obama, and why he is qualified to be C-in-C, mainly focusing on judgment, integrity, and patriotism.

8:23: Joe Biden is back for more. Of course, one address would not be enough for him. The one person he says hello to? Harry Reid. Go figure. He jokes about playing for the Denver Broncos. He goes through a list of people Democrats want to help. Biden introduces a number of ordinary people who are going to speak. And the only person he says goodbye to? Harry Reid. How odd.

8:28: A truck driver from Michigan is first.

8:30: An insurance agent from Ohio talks about the emails about him are lies. I can’t imagine anyone who took the time to watch C-span coverage of the convention is that misinformed. It’s the least informed people who are susceptible to that.

8:33: A pet store owner from Florida is very unhappy about the Bush years.

8:34: A woman from New Mexico discusses education.

8:37: Pam from North Carolina is next. Her husband lost a job and needed surgery; then she did. :She should immediately be put in a commercial. She also was a Republican.

8:40: A lifelong Republican from Indiana is next. His name is actually Barney Smith. He lost his job when it was replaced overseas. Saying that Barney Smith should go before Smith Barney erupts the crowd, and they chant his name! Whoever wrote these deserves a raise.

8:49: Obama’s prepared remarks.

8:51: The music plus the ridiculous spotlights make this seem like a disco hall.

8:56: Dick Durbin is here to introduce Obama. He starts by referring to Obama’s 2004 keynote. Durbin talks about people needing change, and how people are now familiar with Obama.

The video introducing Obama starts. It’s a good biographical story.

9:12: Here he is.

9:14: Long applause. This is going to go long, I think. He thanks HRC again right off the top, and President Clinton right after. He also thanks Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden.

9:57: Liveblogging this seemed a bit unnecessary. You’re going to have watch it. Very impressive.