THE PLANK NOVEMBER 5, 2008
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David Kusnet was chief speechwriter for former President Bill Clinton from 1992-1994. He is the author of Love the Work, Hate the Job: Why America’s Best Workers Are Unhappier than Ever.
Last night, John McCain gave the last speech of his presidential campaign, Barack Obama gave the first speech of his presidency, and each rose to the occasion.
By assuming personal responsibility for his defeat, pledging to cooperate with his victorious rival, and hushing his supporters when they jeered Obama, McCain once again became the unifying figure he was before a campaign that sought to do little more than solidify the Republican base. Ironically, while race (or at least xenophobia) seemed to be the subtext of much of McCain's campaign, racial progress was the theme of his concession speech.
Awkwardly and archaically, but with transparent sincerity, McCain declared, "Though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound." While McCain has often expressed his admiration for Theodore Roosevelt, who knew that he remembered, much less would remind the American people, that "a century ago" his hero's "invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters"?
As he did before the campaign, McCain benefited from the contrast between his own graciousness and the boorishness of some of his party faithful. In the months ahead, McCain will likely try to work with Obama on some issues, hardcore conservatives will scapegoat their former standard-bearer for his defeat, and McCain will regain the iconic status he once enjoyed with the media and most Americans. As did Wendell Willkie and Franklin D. Roosevelt, the two may even become allies in a crisis or on common concerns.
In a similar spirit to McCain's taking responsibility for his defeat, Obama credited his victory to others--his supporters, all Americans, and the American system of government. And as McCain explicitly celebrated racial progress, Obama spoke of it implicitly, while downplaying partisanship, ideology, and other potentially divisive themes. Obama's remarks were designed to advance his strategies for the future, and last night that meant uniting Americans and asking them to address daunting challenges, including "two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century." Thus, his speech was soothing, serious, even somber, and seemingly designed to dampen both his supporters' expectations and his opponents' doubts.
Directly addressing those "whose support I have yet to earn," Obama declared: "There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree."
While McCain recalled Theodore Roosevelt, Obama invoked "the first Republican President." He quoted what "Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, ‘We are not enemies, but friends. ... Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.'" Racial progress, national unity, and humility in the presence of history--these are themes that, as the first Illinois President understood, touch "the better angels of our nature."
14 comments
I might feel a little better about McCain's "gracious" acceptance speech if it wasn't such a 180-degree flip from the vile, negative, ad hominem, name calling campaign he was running until about 12 hours ago. As it was, his attempt to salvage his reputation was repugnant. The idea that he can put on the fake uniform of a decent, America first, reach-across-the-aisle politician again after showing his true character is grotesque. As far as I'm concerned he can take the better angels of his nature and stick them up his....
- PHOLMES07
November 5, 2008 at 2:39am
I might feel a little better about McCain's "gracious" acceptance speech if it wasn't such a 180-degree flip from the vile, negative, ad hominem, name calling campaign he was running until about 12 hours ago. As it was, his attempt to salvage his reputation was repugnant. The idea that he can put on the fake uniform of a decent, America first, reach-across-the-aisle politician again after showing his true character is grotesque. As far as I'm concerned he can take the better angels of his nature and stick them up his....
- PHOLMES07
November 5, 2008 at 2:39am
The spirit of Obama has obviously not rubbed off on any number of bloggers at TNR Online.
- liberal reformer
November 5, 2008 at 3:21am
Not to let it get lost in the shuffle, can we see this victory for the Democrats as a repudiation of the Supreme Court's attempts to choose the presidency. And in any attempts they might try to make in the future?
- jet
November 5, 2008 at 3:38am
"who knew that he remembered ... that "a century ago" his hero's "invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters"?"
He referenced it at his Alfred E. Smith dinner speech: www.youtube.com/watch
- achester99
November 5, 2008 at 4:21am
What a great new America to wake up to!
- frilz1
November 5, 2008 at 7:00am
The nightmare is over. I feel like I've woken up to an America I've always known, but have forgotten. Time to shrug of the cobwebs, straighten up, and get to work.
- fougasseu
November 5, 2008 at 7:45am
Wow. I am amazed that McCain's speech last night is interpreted as restoring McCain's reputation for graciousness - partly becasue I did not realize he ever had such a reputation, but mainly because his campaign has been marked by months of relentless and dishonest attempts to paint Obama as a Muslim and foreigner whose patriotism is impaired by ambition and whose socialist philosophy will wreck the economy (not to mention that he pals around with terrorists). Give us a break Mr Kusnet! If you want to argue he made a fine speech last night, nobody can argue with you. But let's face it, McCain's campaign and his four-year flirtation with the agents of intolerance he once condemned have left him in a deep hole from which no single speech can elevate him.
Neil
- purcellneil
November 5, 2008 at 8:00am
liberal reformer
The spirit of Obama is one that is appropriate to the man who would lead the nation. He cannot be truthful about McCain's dishonorable campaign without alienating McCain's supporters. Similarly, McCain made a speech that reflected his sense of duty in this situation.
No doubt he has some regrets for how his campaign was conducted, and it seems to me he understands that he has lost the respect and admiration of millions of us who, just a few years ago, imagined him to be a decent, honorable, and even heroic American.
Those of us who comment here do so without the responsibility Obama and McCain bear in this situation. We can be honest. I wish John McCain well, but his campaign was all about mud. It's his own fault that he is stained by it.
Neil
- purcellneil
November 5, 2008 at 8:15am
well said, neil.
- GSpinks
November 5, 2008 at 8:59am
Rock on brother Neil.
The spirit of Obama is that we're all accountable for our behavior and to each other.
- Wandreycer1
November 5, 2008 at 9:23am
McCain did give a good speech, which stood in stark contrast to the dead-enders in his audience. It would have been understandable if they were sad or disappointed their candidate didn't win. But no, they just looked angry and bitter. And they booed Obama every time, even though McCain always told them to stop. So, they weren't pro-McCain but just anti-Obama. McCain just has to take responsibility that his campaign style, and esp. the Sarah Palin pick, left him with nothing but these types of people. I can still hear them whine "but we don't know Obama. The American people need to know about his terrorist associations, blah, blah." They richly deserve the 349+ electoral vote bitch slap.
Speaking of Palin, NBC's Brian Williams and Chuck Todd were remarking on a lack of chemistry between her and John McCain during their joint interview a couple of weeks ago. I sure noticed it last night, despite McCain's props to her.
- satyendra
November 5, 2008 at 10:17am
"Not to let it get lost in the shuffle, can we see this victory for the Democrats as a repudiation of the Supreme Court's attempts to choose the presidency. And in any attempts they might try to make in the future?"
Uh...sure. Whatever fills your sails.
- selish70
November 5, 2008 at 10:39am
Oh, I thought the post-mortem by Mark McKinnon was strange. He said he had previously volunteered for McCain, but didn't want to help McCain run against Obama. Was he an Obamacon?
- satyendra
November 5, 2008 at 10:42am