August 26, 2008 - 2:05am
News

By and large, delegation very positive about Michelle Obama's Monday speech

New Jersey delegates cheer Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver Monday night: Scott Weingart PhotoNew Jersey delegates cheer Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver Monday night: Scott Weingart Photo
DENVER - A good orator indulges in autobiography to the extent that he or she can connect to a common story, with the danger never far that the wrong points of emphasis can entrap the speaker in self congratulations.

Michelle Obama’s maternal confessional and intimate revelatory family detail treaded too close to the edges of egotism for only a handful of the New Jersey delegation, with most Democrats hailing the effort as a dead-on bull’s-eye.

They spilled into the spacious Celtic Tavern on Blake Street after the convention on Monday night, and the liquor flowed as U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) celebrated the presidential candidate’s wife as a people’s champion.

"Her speech reached out and spoke to the common story," said Lautenberg. "It reminded me very much of my own story, growing up in Paterson, working hard, having a father who died young. She told a story that many of us can relate to."

"I thought it was wonderful," said Brooklyn projects native Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, hobnobbing with Somerset County Democratic Chairwoman Peg Schaffer.

Public relations guru and Democratic Party fundraiser Michael Kempner likewise praised the speech, saying that Michelle Obama accomplished a single important task tonight.

"Her obstacle coming in here tonight was that people did not like her, and she gave a speech, an introduction of herself to the American people, that was very down-to-earth and very real," said a very enthusiastic Kemper. "You’d have to consider it a success."

That grounded quality struck a lot of people here.

"I felt as though she was talking to me in my living room," said Safanya Searcy, a Newark Central Ward precinct captain.

Not everyone was willing to hold up a perfect ten, however. When asked about the merits of the speech, Bergen County Democratic Organization Chairman Joseph Ferreiro gave a puckish grin, as if he didn’t want to take any digs at the potential first lady.

"I thought it was okay," shrugged the ardent Hillary Clinton backer.

And veteran Essex County political operative Tom Barrett was slightly squeamish with all of the layers of personal biography and self-reflection, noting how former Gov. Brendan Byrne was a war hero, who never mentioned the subject of the war.

Max Pizarro is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.

Comments

Reality check for Michelle and Barack.


Michelle's story was a tear jerker. Especially her talk about children and how she and Barack sacrifice for their children and worry about their future. However, the reality set in when she mentioned that she often campaigned for her husband while her mother took care of their children. She did not mention her professional career nor the fact who took care of her daughters then. The sad part of it all was that Barack Obama, the dad, appeared on the screen after the speech greeting his family from … Kansas City. Both daughters look a bit confused looking for a real dad behind the screen. There goes the talk as opposed to the reality where parents’ careers and personal ambitions take over their family life. There is never an ideal solution for families, however, you do not placate your love of family and sacrifice for your children when the reality contradicts your words. This is something that we have witnessed from Obama in last several weeks repeatedly.

08/26/08 8:32 am

Michelle O., "Hospital Executive"


I love her but all of the talk about her career makes me wonder if she's nothing more than another patronage hire a la UMDNJ, Rutgers etc. Just like another healthcare "executive" Michelle, the first lady of New York State.

08/26/08 8:44 am

Michelle Obama


There's no denying that she can shovel it just as well as Barack.

"You don't learn from smart people, you learn from idiots. Watch what they do, and then don't do it."- Minnesota Fats

08/26/08 9:09 am

PolitickerNJ Convention Coverage


It is so time consuming reading all of the in-depth coverage concerning the Democratic Convention here on PolitickerNJ. It'll be so much easier reading about the GOP Convention next week in the 1 article in which it will be mentioned, in passing.

08/26/08 11:37 am

Mz Barack


Biden thought she did a great job too...

"I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American first lady who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking woman" Biden.

Hmmmmm...sound pretty racist to me..oh well Joe did remind us he is from a slave state...

08/26/08 11:40 am

pizarro on michelle's speech


Speech was a tonier version, but nevertheless as scripted and predictable as a Miss America contestant's studied response to "What is your idea of being a perfect everything-to-everyone-at-all-hours-of-the-day?" And the mawkishness afterwards of Daddy-on-screen was bad enough to make your teeth ache!

08/26/08 2:32 pm

pizarro on michelle's speech


Speech was a tonier version, but nevertheless as scripted and predictable as a Miss America contestant's studied response to "What is your idea of being a perfect everything-to-everyone-at-all-hours-of-the-day?" And the mawkishness afterwards of Daddy-on-screen was bad enough to make your teeth ache!

08/26/08 2:33 pm