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Best Advice: Robert Gibbs
President Obama's Senior Campaign Advisor Robert Gibbs gives us the best advice he's ever received.
Was President Obama's DNC speech sober or soaring? Dana Bash, Ana Navarro and Richard Socarides weigh in
Dana Bash, Ana Navarro and Richard Socarides weigh in on President Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention.
CNN contributor Ryan Lizza: Obama's speech at DNC sounded like it had 'poll-tested lines' for specific swing states
CNN Contributor Ryan Lizza argues that while President Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention was ambitious, it did accomplish some of its goals.
“I don’t think it was the greatest Obama speech in terms of the sweeping rhetorical speech, nothing like his 2004 speech, but in terms of getting a lot of work done, I thought it accomplished something,” Lizza says. “And if you were a voter who just cared about what Romney would do or what Obama would do going forward, Obama’s speech had a lot more for you in terms of vision for America.”
The Washington Correspondent for “The New Yorker” also takes note of Obama’s efforts to impact swing state voters in the speech. “He had a lot of very specific, I thought, frankly, poll tested lines. You could almost see the strategist saying, ‘Oh you need this policy for Ohio, you have to talk about wind in Iowa,’ messages for the specific swing states,” Lizza says.
Lizza felt the energy was stronger in Charlotte that the Republican National Convention last week. “I’d still be surprised if there’s a big bounce, because we know what the dynamics of this election are: tiny group of undecided voters that don’t seem to move,” he says.
Rep. Judy Chu: Pres. Obama's speech was 'tremendous,' says Gabby Giffords appearance was emotional
President Obama accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president last night, concluding the Democratic National Convention this week. Both parties appealed to immigrants in the United States in both Tampa and Charlotte during the conventions, calling out to Latino voters especially. Meanwhile, Asian Americans actually represent the fastest-growing immigrant population in the country. Democratic California Congresswoman Judy Chu is an Asian American and Obama Campaign Co-Chair. She spoke at the DNC this past Wednesday and joins John Berman on “Early Start” this morning.
While many have argued the President’s closing speech wasn’t his best, Congresswoman Chu says she thought President’s closing speech was “tremendous.” “I think that his goal was different,” she says. “He had to combat the terrible commercials that have been laid out by the Super PACs, and he had to show that he is presidential, that he made some very, very tough decisions."
President Obama addressed immigrants with the slogan, “You did that.” Congresswoman Chu thinks it “was a way of showing that it was Americans that resulted in these policies that he put forth.”
Congresswoman Chu also comments on her friend Fmr. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords reciting the Pledge of Allegiance last night. “It was so emotional to see her out there, after all her struggles, to see her so committed to the Democratic future of this country."
CNN contributor Maria Cardona: America 'can't compare' Obama's DNC speech to 2008
As the Democratic National Convention comes to a close, CNN Contributor and Democratic Strategist Maria Cardona weighs in on President Barack Obama’s nomination speech late Thursday.
“You can’t compare it to 2008,” Cardona says. “I think that that was strategically smart, because, again 2008 was lightening in a bottle, he was not going to be able to recreate that. What he needed to do last night was reassure – and what I thought what he did brilliantly – he made us take ownership of the hope and change.”
Cardona praises the president for reaching out to all parts of the Democratic Party at the convention. “He talked about immigrants, he talked about women, he talked about gays, he talked about labor, everybody was included in [the speech],” she says.
August jobs report preview: CNNMoney.com Managing Editor Lex Harris says ‘we’re probably still going to stay at 8.3%’
President Obama concluded the Democratic Republican Convention last night when he accepted his party’s nomination for reelection with a speech touching on his vision for the next four years. That vision includes creating jobs, a critical test he faces this morning with the jobs report for the month of August set to be released in a few hours. CNNMoney.com Managing Editor Lex Harris joins Zoraida Sambolin on “Early Start” this morning to preview the jobs report.
“The forecast right now from the economists we talked is for about 120,000 jobs added,” Harris says. “It continues to tell the story of slow and steady gains. Unfortunately, it’s just not enough to bring the unemployment rate down meaningfully. We’re probably still going to stay at 8.3%.”
However, the Dow Jones and S&P 500 both closed at their highest points during Obama’s presidency on Thursday. Harris tells Sambolin how this could be good news for the president. “I think the market hit bottom in March 2009. Since then, it’s basically doubled under President Obama,” he says. “It’s a big story.”
Yet, Obama is not totally out of the red. The Federal Reserve meets next week. “Part of the reason the stock market’s been going up is because of the Fed. If they disappoint, we could see some shakiness there,” Harris says. “And Europe is still not fixed.”
Amputee veteran Ryan McIntosh inspires as ball assistant at US Open
The U.S. Open is coming to a close this weekend. With it has already come the close of American tennis player Andy Roddick’s career. The grand slam winner retired this past week with a memorable farewell after his final match.
But another truly inspirational story comes from the sidelines of the court. Ball assistant Ryan McIntosh is a 23-year-old amputee and ball assistant at the Open this year. McIntosh tells Zoraida Sambolin his story at the U.S. Open on “Early Start” this morning.
McIntosh, who lost his leg in while serving in Afghanistan, says his motivation for getting better was his son Kaden, born just five months after the injury. “And so, that was probably the biggest thing running through my head that I was going to be a dad and it wasn’t going to be the same for me,” McIntosh says. His father helped him cope, especially after one of his painful final surgeries. “My dad held my hand and dealt with that with me,” he says.
The highly athletic Purple Heart recipient was then back into sports only two months afterward. At the advice of an army commander, he tried out to become a U.S. Open ball person. At the tryouts, he was asked if he can throw a tennis ball. He says he responded with, “‘I’ve thrown a hand grenade, so I think I can handle a tennis ball,””
When McIntosh isn’t handling tennis balls for tennis stars like James Blake and Serena Williams, he’s helping wounded veterans become active again as an adaptive sports coordinator. His goal is to teach them they can overcome their injuries and “still do a lot of things.” “That’s what life’s about,” he says, “getting through the hard times and getting to the better times.”
What's trending for Sept. 7th, 2012
Female 'Halo' player wins $10,000 scholarship & robot "cheetah" is faster than Usain Bolt.
"Early Start" Instant Poll: Have you decided who you will vote for in November?
You've just seen two weeks of promises, speeches, pleas and arguments from the Republicans and Democrats.
The Democratic National Convention wrapped up last night with a speech from President Barack Obama accepting the party nomination. After the Republican National Convention last week, Mitt Romney made his pitch to the American people. Now, both candidates will take their vision for America's future on the campaign trail to try to sway voters.
As we dive head first into the national campaign, we want to hear from you: Did you hear anything in these conventions that helped you make a decision as to who you'll vote for in November? Vote in our poll and share your comments below.
'You can't touch this': John Berman's reflects on the 2012 RNC/DNC in photos
Editor's Note: John Berman reported live from both the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL and the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. Throughout his reporting, he's been sharing Instagram photos of the conventions. This piece was producing using some of those photos. Follow him on Twitter: @Johnsberman
You can't touch this. That’s right, if you are a political junkie, a political reporter, or a political player, there really is nothing that beats a convention. Nothing. Sure there are plenty of people who reasonably say that conventions have become pieces of performance art, staged with such precision as to render them meaningless, or even worse, dull.
Well I say to you people out there that these past two weeks are proof that something always happens at these things; something unexpected, something fascinating, something that in one way or another will absolutely impact the outcome of the election.
Seriously, two weeks ago, who would have thought to talk to a chair?
(This was my view of that Eastwood episode from just feet away).
Seriously two weeks ago, who would have though that the two most tactful politicians named Romney and Obama were named Ann and Michelle?
(This is how I saw it when Michelle Obama first saw the arena she was soon to own.)
Two weeks ago, who would have though that weather would threaten to completely disrupt and dismantle the carefully laid plans of both political parties?
(This is what Isaac looked like from my hotel.)
Two weeks ago, who thought I would meet the guy from Wings?
(me with Tim Daly)
I fully understand that nominees no longer get picked in contentious floor fights. Boy, do I wish I had been around when they were (except I feel like the levels of hygiene may have alarmed me back then.) But these days conventions represent that moment when a political campaign is allowed to put forth what it thinks its best case for winning. And it is always worth evaluating what they offer. Moreover it is worth noting in this aura of hyper-control that they often lose control. Note the moments of discomfort for the GOP with the Ron Paul folks on the floor. Note the almost inexplicable confusion and backtracking with the Democratic platform.
They also make for incredible people watching. Can you name all these political players I spotted the last couple of weeks?
A real "Real World" alum.
The son of Greek immigrants. (Not Wolf Blitzer)
He said his keynote in 1992 was "scary."
Mr. Speaker!
Big wave surfer, or Senator?
He's usually a very serious guy.
Guess Virginia IS for lovers!
Look closely, there are two lawmakers in this shot.
Finally, or as Bill Clinton said in 1988, “in closing,” if you need more proof that conventions still matter, are still fun, and are still fascination...
If you need more proof that you can’t touch this...I offer you: MC Hammer.
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