Obama's Acceptance Speech

It’s the enthusiasm stupid!

In football; speed is the uncoachable asset that is often a game changer, a difference maker. In politics the same can be said for enthusiasm. Take away the issues, the ads, even the candidates; it comes down whose party is more stoked. One can pick apart Senator Obama’s speech to the nth degree, make jokes about the venue, but don’t “sleep on” the impact.

Columnist George Will may have gotten it right; Senator Obama’s campaign peaked in March, but struggled to bring closure to the primary season. Lacking real post primary season down time, the Obama Campaign got hounded by the McCain team to go abroad only to be lampooned as a lightweight celebrity, called out for being presumptuous, and finally labeled as a risky.

If that wasn’t enough, there was the never ending drama of the Clintons. Soon, there were whispers of buyer’s remorse within the ranks of the Democratic Party. Quietly, the Democrats were hearing echoes of past August meltdowns and visions of what many would call effete responses from the Gore and Kerry campaigns to GOP body blows.

Then came Thursday night. On the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s historic “I have a Dream speech; Senator Obama may have freed the Democratic from their internal malaise. Senator Obama’s acceptance speech now has Democrats emboldened. Commentator and former Nixon speech writer Pat Buchanan anointed the speech as “manly”. Not since William Jefferson Clinton, have Democrats seen their nominee “man up” to the Republicans. More then the litany of policy statements, and the glitzy backdrop, Democrats wanted to see testicular fortitude from their guy, and on that midsummer night, he didn’t disappoint them. Senator Obama’s muscular speech gave his supporters confidence. That speech unleashed pent up passions and now the Democrats are brimming with confidence.

John McCain is on the clock, and while he hopes that his Vice Presidential selection of Alaskan Governor Palin will energize the GOP, it may not be enough. The enthusiasm gap between the Republicans and the Democrats in my opinion will be the difference maker. Simply put, after being charged and challenged by Senator Obama, the Democrats may simply want it more.