McCain's Disastrous Speech

The reviews have come streaming in for John McCain's "Don't Forget About Me" speech, and they aren't pretty. It's hard to see how, if McCain continues to bungle these opportunities, he has a chance in the November election. If Ronald Reagan was the "great communicator," then McCain is his party's grating teleprompter reader. But it wasn't just the snide delivery of his rhetorically ham-fisted remarks that emphasized old politics. The Kenner, Louisiana venue itself (I guess Denver's convention center was booked), with that atrocious green poster-board backdrop, the low-ceilinged room full of a few dozen cat-calling, country-club Republicans taunting Barack Obama, well, let's just say it wasn't a "Mission Accomplished" moment.

To say that there was stark contrast between the speeches of Obama and McCain is an epic understatement. One man stood on a grand stage, making history. The other signaled that unless he improves his communication skills fast, he'll be history in no time flat.

Here's a sampling of other opinion:

National Review Online

McCain's speech was creaky, ungracious, and unnecessary. I never understand why politicians don't take the opportunity, when so easily presented, to simply be gracious and hold their fire. I couldn't help but think of the astonishing contrast Barack's triumphant speech to a massive and adoring crowd will be. It was not a comparison McCain should have invited.

Andrew Sullivan

Put McCain's speech against Obama's--and this was a wipe-out. Not a victory. A wipe-out. Rhetorically, the are simply not in the same league. And if the contrast tonight between McCain and Obama holds for the rest of the campaign, McCain is facing a defeat of historic proportions.

Rolling Stone

Worst. Speech. Ever. Good God, John McCain gives bad podium. It's like watching the out-takes from an Andy Rooney kvetch.

Here's TPM's video wrap-up



Atrios

"It'll make you look like cottage cheese in a lime jello salad." Always a good look for older gentlemen... The aesthetics of McCain's speech, just mercifully completed before a slightly energized crowd of literally dozens, was awesome in how dreadful it was.

Time

On paper, McCain made a reasonably strong argument tonight. But he didn't do himself any favors with his delivery. His presentation wasn't horrible, for him. But McCain is an awkward speaker at best; he's far better interacting with voters in a town hall or with reporters on the back of his campaign bus. He has none of Obama's formal oratorical skills--a contrast that will become only more glaring as the campaign progresses.

Here's the speech, for your perusal.