President Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic convention Thursday was, as others have pointed out, more prose than poetry, and something of a pastiche of themes from earlier speeches.
He made a point a point of saying: “Our commitment to Israel’s security must not waver, and neither must our pursuit of peace.” And I heard only cheers from the audience, no boos.
His best line accurately summed up the Romney/Ryan/Republican plan for the economy:
“Have a surplus? Try a tax cut.”
“Deficit too high? Try another.”
“Feel a cold coming on? Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning!”
Weaker than expected job growth in August didn’t doom Obama’s reelection chances, but it didn’t exactly boost them either.
One of the less-noticed convention speeches was by financial pundit and Democratic party treasurer Andrew Tobias, which combined an explanation of why hard-headed investors should support Obama with praise for his record on gay rights:
Finally, one of the more heartwarming moments at the convention: former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, still recovering from a gunshot through the brain, leads the Pledge of Allegiance: