MyDD :: I WAS THERE: Jefferson Jackson

I WAS THERE: Jefferson Jackson

by danIA, Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 02:57:09 AM EST

Hey folks-

I got back from JJ just a while ago...didn't leave until 12 central time.

Here is my observations about the top three's speeches tonight before I go to bed. I'm trying to get these thoughts down before that become tainted by what pundits may say.

Edwards: Did very well tonight. It was passionate and hit many of his tried, tested, and strong speech points. He was able to talk about who he fights for and importantly why he is running. I must admit, I have never been a big Edwards person, last time or this. I have seen him many many many times over the last 4-5 years. This is the third time I have saw him in the last three weeks and the last two events I was impressed, I had to pinch myself a bit for thinking that way of Edwards, but I keep patting my Edwards friends on the back for a candidate who is making a good fight, no matter my thoughts about him.

Clinton: I really didn't see many new things tonight from her. There was definite energy with the chanting crowd, but I think it is a bad slogan and it closely resembles Obama's "fire it up." I think it is odd to chose something so similar, I also don't like Obama's little chant either. Clinton had the most signs of folks on the floor, reflective of the establishment of the party. Her counters to the other candidates were easy to pick out but not weak. She continued the strength and experience for change line. This speech struck me as similar to what I saw of her over Labor Day and a few weeks back at the Polk County fundraiser, where she broadly hits many policy points with verbal energy. She didn't win or lose with this speech, but stays put as the leader. She continued targeting Republicans, though important, wouldn't it be nice if candidates acknowledged they were in a primary?

Obama: I think he and Edwards did the best. Edwards in a softer way and Obama in a louder way (with huge energy from his crowd). Both of them were moving. I loved Obama's focus, on why he should be elected, a question that I think all candidates should answer and he certainly did well tonight. The speech was honest, energizing, and reaffirming in his ability to lead and move forward. I think he can build on this speech to show why him, not just why not someone else. This may not be the Kerry 2003 JJ moment, but if use correctly, this energy could give him what's needed in this tough battle.

I know some folks may not agree with my thoughts, but I am a guy who was seen all of these candidates at least 5 times each, some more than a dozen over the last year or so and have made my choices off of what I saw.

Good night and good luck. I hope this wasn't too rambling but its almost 2 AM.

Tags: Edwards, Obama, Clinton, JJ, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, 2008 elections, president, primaries, Iowa, Jefferson-Jackson dinner (all tags)

Permalink :: 13 Comments :: Post a Comment

It has nothing to do with Obama (2.00 / 1)

It's about Truman's heat in the kitchen.

by bookgrl on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 02:58:38 AM EST

Re: It has nothing to do with Obama (none / 0)

Oh, I thought it was her position on nuclear energy.

by desmoulins on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 11:55:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

and Obama's is the new motto for his pals (none / 0)

and funders at the hated Peabody Coal Company.

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." Democrat Party "Hack" and President Harry S Truman

by holden caulfield on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 11:30:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I WAS THERE: Jefferson Jackson (2.00 / 1)

She presented it that way at first, then "turned it up" on the GOP.

A firefighter for Dodd had the best line tonight that I overheard: "Hillary is turning up the heat and Obama is firing it up, luckily we are firemen!"

by danIA on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 03:01:56 AM EST

rec'd and added tags (2.00 / 1)

to conform to usual style of first and last names, plus mentioning which election you are writing about.

Thanks for the first-person account.

John McCain: 100 years in Iraq "would be fine with me."

by desmoinesdem on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 11:52:28 AM EST

Re: I WAS THERE: Jefferson Jackson (2.00 / 1)

Sorry it was so jumbled, maybe next time I will strive for organization.

by danIA on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:07:39 PM EST

There's a lot to like in a well-organized ... (2.00 / 1)

... well-researched diary ... but then again, giving it straight from head to keyboard to blog is good too.

Diversity ... its good, and if anyone disagrees with that, they can just piss off! 8-)#

*John Edwards* ... and the JE08 Supporters Blog

by BruceMcF on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 03:25:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I WAS THERE: Jefferson Jackson (none / 0)

Thanks for sharing your impressions! I think it's a field the Democratic Party can be proud of.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:33:33 PM EST

Re: I WAS THERE: Jefferson Jackson (2.00 / 1)

David Yepsin, Des Moines Register:

The leading Democratic presidential candidates showed up for the Iowa Democratic Party's big Jefferson Jackson Dinner Saturday night.

Five of them gave really good speeches.

Barack Obama's was excellent.

It was one of the best of his campaign. The passion he showed should help him close the gap on Hillary Clinton by tipping some undecided caucus-goers his way. His oratory was moving and he successfully contrasted himself with the others - especially Clinton - without being snide or nasty about it.

Historically, the iowa party's "JJ" dinner is a landmark event in Democratic presidential caucus campaigns. All the key party activists, donors and players from the state are present. This year, about 9,000 of them showed up, most were from Iowa though there was some grumbling that Obama packed the place with people from Illinois. The charge was denied by the Obama people, who were clearly pleased they beat the other candidates in the noise war inside Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

A candidate who does well at a JJ is quickly in the political buzz around Iowa. A candidate who does poorly can be quickly written off by some important players in the party. Candidates also know the event provides them with an opportunity to sound new themes, launch new attacks or mount a defense of their weaknesses. Local and national observers show up to chronicle the changes.

Obama was particularly impressive Saturday night. Should he win the Iowa caucuses, Saturday's dinner will be remembered as one of the turning points in his campaign in here, a point where he laid down the marker and began closing on Clinton, the national frontrunner.

http://blogs.dmregister.com/?cat=33

by Piuma on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:33:57 PM EST

Re: I WAS THERE: Jefferson Jackson (none / 0)

Thought he did an excellent job of showing the differences between he and Clinton.Edwards was also excellent. Maybe some of the Clinton supporters were plants???If
Had a really hard time watching Pelosi--she is such a dissapointment to me and am soooo very tired of the "leadership" they make everything sound so hollow to me anymore!!

by katiekat489 on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 01:41:18 PM EST

Re: I WAS THERE: Jefferson Jackson (none / 0)

You didn't ramble, you did just fine. thanks for an even handed summary of the night. I wish I could have been there.

Buddhist Clintonistas for Obama.

by Denny Crane on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 02:30:22 PM EST

Re: I WAS THERE: Jefferson Jackson (none / 0)

Thanks! Keep the eye on the ground accounts coming --please.

by aiko on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 08:22:46 PM EST

it has nothing to do with why republicans win... (none / 0)