Obama or Clinton's speach

[ParisFrance]

Clinton's was outstanding as he was at ease and he appeared having fun doing it. His also make great points and then saying "if you like their ideas vote republican , but if you like ours vote democrat". Obama though he told only told his story and some of his hopes was incredibly inspiring. Who's was better?

[jpgray]

1. Obama burned Bush on several things

Notably the Patriot Act, specifically in naming the use of it to examine library records and to detain Arab Americans without allowing them to have an attorney. I think overall Obama's was more exciting, but that may be because he's the new guy.

[w13rd0]

10. It's worth noting...

...that last night, many here were complaining that no one mentioned the injustices of the Patriot Act. And today, Obama did...

[AP]

2. They were both perfect in unique (but similar) ways.

[Borgnine]

3. Don't make me choose!

They were both outstanding for different reasons. Clinton reminded me of better times, while Obama gave me hope for better things to come.

[trag]

4. I liked both.

But, while listening to Obama I found myself with chill bumps. He was awesome so I would have to go with Obama on this one.

[JI7]

5. well, Obama was introducing himself also. Clinton was mostly selling Kerry

Clinton did what he had to do as perfect as can be. we already know clinton so he didn't really have to introduce himself. he just had to make a case for kerry and he did it VERY well.

and Obama of course did a very good job of introducing himself and of helping define the party.

i think overall Clinton is still the greatest. but Obama is just starting out on the national level and he can only get better. and he was amazing today. so imagine what he will be like in a few years.

[LSdemocrat]

6. I can't pick one

The speeches complement each other so well. Both making the case for the Democrats. Clinton speaking for the Democratic past and vouching for the character of John Kerry. Obama speaking for the Democratic future, the optimism and promise of the American dream, and the difficulties that all too many non-wealthy and well-connected Americans face in pursuing their dreams.

And on the next two nights, I look forward to two great speeches by Kerry and Edwards on the Democratic present.

It's shaping up to be one hell of a convention.

[shockingelk]

7. They were different

Clinton's made the case that the Democrats can offer a better future, a call for unity which disarmed several Republican methods of attack at the same time.

Obama's was a patriotic, positive, inspirational vision and call for unity.

Unless you're talking about delivery - both were so off the scale they can't be measured or compared. Uh, well, other than the middle part where Clinton rushed - surely intentionally, but for that reason, Obama's delivery would win in a contest ifd I had a gun to my head and asked "WHICH IS BETTER, ASSHOLE?"

[BayouBengal07]

8. Both were great

Clinton's was an appeal to vote for Kerry and against Bush through hard evidence.

Obama's was more an appeal to emotion and a call to general Democratic and Progressive action.

That's the way I saw it. I still honestly think I liked Clinton's better (although it seems online that Obama's was like the second Sermon on the Mount or something), but regardless they were great. Obama's was beautiful and heart tugging, but if I were a swing voter, Clinton's would convince me better than Obama to vote against Bush. Obama's was a base solidification speech.

[ParisFrance]

9. I think you hit the nail on the head

about the purposes of the speeches. In alluding to "the sermon on the mount", I had a very similiar thought as though he was preaching the beatitudes and delivery a message of hope as if he were delivering a message from the bible.

[sandnsea]

11. Obama

He touched my heart in a way Clinton never did. He made me believe in America again. An America for everybody. The way Kennedy did. We're going to be seeing alot from this young man. He did so well, I seriously worry for his safety.

[angee_is_mad]

20. me too

I was thinking he is too damn good for his own good. I am sure the repubs are busy trying to dig up any dirt on him, because he is that BAD(good)!
Finally, a black politician who can cross racial and party lines and still be comfortable in his blackness.

[ButterflyBlood]

12. I thought it would be impossible to top Clinton

Obama proved me wrong. dead wrong.

this man has given me hope for America again.

Mark my words, that speech will go down as a classic. We heard the next "Cross of Gold" tonight.

[HarveyBriggs]

13. Obama, head and shoulders above Clinton.

For the first time in four years I felt that this country had a chance at a bright future. And Obama delivered that sense of hope.

I saw homage to JFK and MLK in that speech. In fact as Obama listed what he believes, I heard echoes of what Martin had once only dreamed. Having once sat as a small child in living rooms listening to people now considered heroes in the civil rights movement, I was absolutely captivated. Toward the end I saw other people spellbound, too.

Where Clinton talked about vote their guy or our guy, Obama spoke of a United States of America.

Obama's speech was also very tough talking about the slanderous myth that a black kid with a book is acting white -- same thing Bill Cosby was talking about a few weeks ago that offended most of the traditional liberals in this forum. Along those lines I feel traditional liberalism is very racist, in that it does not allow frank discussions of problems in the black community that challenge the traditional liberal view of the black man as a shuffling stepinfetchit who cannot succeed without the intervening aid of a savior white man or woman.

What I can't understand is why you criticize a Obama for talking about his background, when comparing him to a man who "still believes in Hope?"

I do not believe Bill Clinton thinks this way. I see Clinton's and Obama's view of the nation as very, very close.

So why this need to see the white man as superior to the black?

What impressed me most wasthe way Obama described the America I believe in with all my heart and soul. It's been a long time since I've heard that from anybody who has spoken that way. In fact the first person who did so while I have been voting was Bill Clinton -- the fellow who turned me, a moderate Republican, into a moderate Democrat.

With all due respect to Lenny Bruce, say "Hi!" to the man on the Cream of Wheat box next time you see him, Paris.

Harvey Briggs

[fujiyama]

14. I give a slight edge to Obama

just because he's someone we hadn't heard before. We all expect a great speech when listening to Clinton. The man can speak and I think last night was one of his best.

It's too bad no time was given for Obama on national broadcasting networks. It was a powerful and inclusive speech. I think one of the images I will have in my mind from this convention is that of Obama addressing the crowd going wild. It was just so huge and excited. Granted, Clinton, Dean and others also got similar ovations (Dean's was really amazing), but Obama was introducing himself.

[readmylips]

15. Clinton was our great yesterday....

Obama is our great tomorrow. They are both unique, not of the same era.

[Bush was AWOL]

16. Obama, in my opinion

I already knew what I was getting with Clinton and he was definitely great, but Obama was very very inspiring tonight and caught me off guard. I have no doubt in my mind as long as he can avoid the Republican smear machine he will one day be president of the United States. Most impressive young politician I've ever seen.

[oasis]

17. apples and oranges.

[AVID]

18. Clinton stirred the brain and heart

OBAMA stirred the soul . . .like a good Langston Hughes poem "I've known Rivers"

I go with Obama

[angee_is_mad]

19. Barack made me cry

his speech touched my to very bottom of my soul. I just watched it for the 3rd time and I feel the same way as the 1st time.
Clinton was fantastic, but tonight a star was born and his name is Barack Obama!!!!!!!
I am so pride to be an American.

[leftistagitator]

21. Obama will be president one day.

Unless the right does something to him, and he will not only be a great president, but a great leader of the world. He's got it, some kind of magic spark, you could just feel it. I don't know how it's possible not to be swayed by that speech, even some of the freepers admitted they were moved. He was fantastic. He's got the talent of Al Sharpton without all of the baggage.

[union_maid]

22. Luckily, we don't have to choose

If I had to, I'd choose Obama for a couple of reasons. For one thing, the Kerry parts of Clinton's speech were not new. They're well worth repeating, but they're not new. For another, Obama is the future and as such the embodiment of a reason for optimism. First time I'd ever seen him was on MTP on Sunday and after that speech I'm a fan. Took a lot longer than that for me to warm up to Clinton.

[Walt Starr]

23. Clinton was good, don't get me wrong

but Obama is laying it out for the future. Bill had his time. Obama is carrying the torch now.