Critique immediately following Obama's '04 Convention speech

Many have seen/heard Barack Obama's famous 2004 DNC Convention speech, but few have heard the commentary immediately after.
PBS political commentators, Democratic pundit Mark Shields, Republican pundit David Brooks and historian Richard Norton Smith talk about the rising star Senatorial nominee after just watching the speech live.

[@kofisugar]

This guy is going places. ....

[@yellow8206]

kofi sugar He might just become a future president

[@sarahjulianne2954]

I liked this comment but then I unliked it to leave it on 44, just as I wish we could.

[@MrsTruthTeller]

Holy Shyt!!! The commentators called it..."they are even saying he may be the first African-American President of the United States" OMG that awesome. When you are gifted people can feel your presence. This is awesome!

[@mkelly534]

Amazing so many years after this speech how these reporters were right on

[@SAK1855]

Everyone watching it live said the same thing. I called my friend right after and we were gushing. I had met Obama a couple months earlier at a backyard event and hoped he'd be President. Then at an event a year later with both Obama and Hillary, someone shouted, "Hillary 2008!" and some people cheered. I shouted back, "Barack 2008!" and there was scattered laughter and cheering. I think I saw annoyance on Hillary's face.

[@SergioArambula]

"Watching Tiger Woods play in his 1st tournament". . .crazy lol. They called it perfectly.

[@FacePaster]

Future folks watching that speech won't appreciate what it felt like. 04 was a dark time. We were afraid of terrorists, of our own govt. Millions protested against Iraq war - didn't matter. We who opposed were called traitors. We were divided like never before. Dems looked weak. Our candidate uninspiring. Then this guy is on TV we never heard of. He was black & his name 'terrorist-y'. He spoke like no one else was speaking but we longed to hear. In only 15 min, we felt he would be president.

[@MB-gd6be]

"Like watching Tiger Woods in his first tournament." Wow

[@davidrobertnewman]

In 2008 another PBS luminary, Gwen Ifill, said there was a young attorney in San Francisco who was going places. Her name was Kamala Harris.

[@daripper4u]

What did she do for earning that compliment?

[@chrachrochris]

@@daripper4ujailed black people

[@DanielBarberMusic]

@@daripper4u She won a tough race for DA, beating a favored incumbent. I don't know what Ifill saw that got her to say that, but I imagine the people in CA were perking their ears up.

[@MrCleanMachine48]

kzbin.infocrpaurrALiI

[@RBSmada]

Yeah she said she was the female Barack Obama

[@millennialfalcon8958]

I vividly remember watching this at 14 with my parents, and they expressed their like for him and acknowledged his Presidential ambitions but lamented that we didn’t think enough of America would get behind him when his day came, and how glad we all were that they were wrong. In fact Obama got the nomination officially on my 18th birthday and he was the first president I voted for.

[@Remettaire]

Wow 🤩

[@MANZANOADRIAN]

Kerry for me

[@darkSide11011]

"PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HIM OPENELY AS THE (BLACK) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES"...... how right were u old timer lol

[@bullfranthrow]

I wish we could see more of this type of journalist in the u.s unfortunately they're a dying breed.

[@dangorgievski2907]

"This guy is going places"

[@ErisRising]

I remember this speech. I remember being tempted to move to Illinois just so that I could vote for him. Four years later, this speech was still playing in my head as I cast my vote for the man.

[@Prathik1989]

2:53 called it!

[@HacjienceYukona]

What an amazing speech. Gave me chills and brought me to tears...and I'm not even American. Cherish your great nation, Americans. So many other countries would die to have what you have. (On an unrelated note, Richard Norton Smith's eyebrows are LOL.)

[@wekesaemanuelmasika6822]

What's your country

[@bobhardball]

Right after this ´04 speech, I said Obama will be the first black U.S. president. Nobody believed me. But I went on to bet on intrade (20 000 Dollars!!!). Now I don´t have to work anymore, at least not for the next 15 years! Thanks Obama!!!

[@jalonglover4488]

Hey how are things going?

[@PinchHarmonic69]

Did you start working this year?

[@douglasbrown8064]

You back at work now bro?

[@pkmntrainer491]

Bros back to work 💀

[@kaven101]

Bump 👀

[@evanwexler6570]

I'm not crying, you're crying

[@crayolasniffers]

I remember watching his speech and saying exactly that.

[@MeetThaNewDealer]

Rest in peace to Mark Shields and Jim Lehrer.

[@greenlight2323]

This guy is going some places....

[@omarieswifey]

wow...that speech was electrifying

[@anthonycampos8057]

Barack Obama was the only thing people remembered about that 2004 DNC convention.

[@ellisisland1374]

So true. lol😄

[@callangray3427]

2:51 4 years later correct

[@San47di]

+Mugsys RapSheet Thank You So Very Much for posting this video, as it is one of my Absolute Favorites!! :-)

[@shabanasks]

i cried watching this because its just so amazing that they predicted it. And he is an amazing. I am so proud that Obama is our president!

[@hannejeppesen1809]

Agree. US is my adopted country, I was so proud when Obama was elected president. When I came to the US in the late sixties, still a lot of racism in many states, I felt when Obama became president it was a huge step forward, unfortunately 8 years later when Trump was elected president it was a huge step backwards, very disappointed. Not because he was a conservative we have had republican presidents I liked a lot, even if I didn't agree with them, Bush 41 and Gerald Ford comes to mind, but Trump has none of their class.

[@OMEGA919]

"It's a shame the networks aren't covering this, because they just missed a bit of history." Understatement of the century, right there. I remember the next day, my mom called me saying how great the speech was, but she (like most) never heard of him, and couldn't even pronounce his name in our conversation. 4 years later -- President of the United States.

[@KinkyKelly76]

haha...O shocked the world.... came out of know where and BAM! God Bless you O!

[@lastcommodore2071]

We in the Chicago area already had high hopes for this guy, long before he became a national sensation.

[@WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

I am British and was at university in 2004. I remember thinking - this guy is someone to watch. Little did we know we were looking at a two-term president.

[@OolTube02]

"... the first black president of the United States..." Man, that guy who said that has egg on his face today!

[@1247.cccccc]

They plan these affairs in advance, obviously.

[@bi30]

The "under God" portion of The Pledge was added in the 50's during McCarthy's anti-Communist hysteria. President Obama has NEVER endorsed legalizing MJ (though he should); pro-war, pro-gun, pro-death penalty Wingers have no leg to stand on when it comes to "protecting the life of the unborn" or "what's against God's will". The Bible saves NOTHING about Homosexuality but says LOTS about caring for The Poor. And the only Party that endorses "legalizing Meth" would be The Libertarians (Ron Paul).

[@sydneysichangi3667]

this guy is going places

[@ThreeBlindMice-ni9tm]

I fell out of my seat, quite literally, when I heard this speech. Prior to this speech my workgroup believed we needed to convince Secretary Powell to run for president. The United States needed to show the world that minorities and wonen deserved equality in leadership roles. But even by 2003 Secretary Powell was shying away from discussing his future because the GWOT was going poorly. This was our new hope and I stand behind our decision to put our faith in an untested commodity such as President Obama. It has been a long road to finally reach this understanding and trust, for his side to finally see what it was we were trying to show his administration from 2008-2016… The dedication of my entire life has been to helping restore our democracy and faith in our fellow mankind. I will see you in the fort, Mr President. Q formerly of Anonymous

[@sherimc354]

We all knew after that speech!

[@spartan052582]

2:51.....wow he nailed it on the head!! LOL

[@Firearrowlj7nn]

2:45 what a prophecy

[@cwwwj]

Listened to this speech on my gen 3 iPod with the touchwheel.

[@ElMaestroGordo]

How prescient!

[@mattep74]

I said on a mailing list the next day that he will run in 2008 and they said it was to early

[@wsxuytnb]

Yes badtown88!! By far the most amazing and stunning candidate in American history!

[@nathanblair7266]

Like watching a certain UMich QB’s tape in the late 90s

[@dscroggs4]

this keynote speech was air'd nationally so not much response from any main stream stations

[@hrysivjt67]

Back when America was normal.

[@MWayne-zz1cr]

If the Democrats were smart back then, they would've dropped the underwhelming John Kerry for Obama right then and there.

[@Sean-gt4vv]

Bush probably still would have won

[@brendan5235]

@@Sean-gt4vv100% he would have. Bush had too much in his favor, unfortunately

[@rags847]

Thanks Mugsy! Are there any PSB post-analysis (Shields and Brooks) in your stash?

[@PenaltyKillah]

4:00 "a Black youth with a book is acting White" Wait, WHAT

[@rellman85]

A lot of people used to say and think things like that-I remember those days, and I’m thankful for how far we’ve come. (Still plenty of progress to be made, needless to say.)

[@Charlie-uz8vb]

He's quoting Obama dumbass

[@mikepl92]

the speech was in 2004

[@wigglethemiddle1]

more civility! a wonderful contribution to our public discourse

[@bi30]

I have many of the post-speech comments recorded. Tell me which ones you're looking for and I'll see if I can post them. - Mugsy of BI30

[@dayonealive7021]

richard norton smith televised the vision of a black president on this occasion. we call this priming in psych 101

[@hannejeppesen1809]

Great speaking, and lots of charisma

[@Dan474834]

Most people never realize their mistakes, most will never reassess their beliefs in the light of philosophically sound arguments. Very few people are genuine truth-seekers. All my life I was a socialist. I supported Obama. But as I read and educated myself, I learned that a stable economy cannot run the redistribution of the produce of the very few. I learned that, just as a household cannot sink itself in debt, neither can a government without destroying itself. Gary Johnson / Ron Paul 2012

[@ngola07]

Those Guys..were talking history....in that speech .... history was made

[@CheezInspector]

LOL He actually went there and used a Tiger Woods comparison. I guess if Obama were Asian the dude would have called him the "Bruce Lee" of the political world. Sometimes people should think before they open their mouths ;P

[@bi30]

As one old enough to remember Reagan in '76, I don't see any similarity.

[@maximilianjack1764]

Hahahaha

[@rags847]

Thanks for posting this! Anyone know where the PBS analysis of the 2008 DNC is on KZbin? I can't locate it. Any help would be appreciated.

[@petitnicollas]

02:47 Holy crap

[@arclight2012]

GOAT

[@libero7]

Yes, he did.

[@AustinThinker79]

20 years ago…

[@momoni90]

DAMN THEY SAID THIS IN 2014 WOW

[@EricCharlesGraham]

2004*

[@phantomsuccour]

Yay!!!

[@EternalPhoenix2183]

Who would've thought that four years later that SAME guy would be President of the US?

[@bi30]

In '76, Reagan had lost his third bid for President, and his criticism of Ford helped Carter win in '76. Reagan wasn't a "rising star" in '76. He was still dismissed for being a "former B-movie actor" and few respected *anyone* from (nutty) California. By contrast, before Obama even gave this speech... as the video attests... people were already talking about him being "the first black President", and on his FIRST attempt, he is already the DNC front-runner.

[@ellisisland1374]

Good commentary.

[@bi30]

Idiotic offensive comments like "Obama fought to legalize the killing of babies" can put you on the fast-track to getting banned from my videos.

[@bwmcr]

@BI30 absolutely right.

[@marvinhype]

nothing from fox, msnbc,cnn. i would love to hear sean hannity.

[@neetrab]

YUP!! I mean, them not working w/ him just made/make them look like whiny toddlers.

[@nicp4306]

This commentary captures in summary the legend of Obama

[@52jamaica]

Yes!!! Why do people not pay attention!;)

[@Manatti06]

They compared it to Tiger Woods 1st tournament. Tiger Woods destroyed his first Masters

[@JP1226294]

@NoFuturePete looks as if what you said has happened.....good prediction!

[@Nibdsth]

It wasn’t a dream

[@hanscombe72]

Living in Australia in 2004. There were two documentaries I saw that really changed my whole perspective on the United States. One was Fahrenheit 9/11 and of all things “supersize me”. Where the Morgan spurlock (may he rest in peace) eats McDonalds for a month. I still remember the moment in that documentary talked about the box cutters that opened the frozen school lunches. Like box cutters were still bringing down the nation after the terrorists used them. These little snapshots into American life really pictured the place as a failed state.

[@SpottedSharks]

LOL - John Edwards

[@crumcon]

damn... the three guys here knew Obama would be the leader in the future

[@52jamaica]

@beallendall08...Nightmare would be 8 years of W...which we will pay for at least other 8 years!

[@jgrisso07]

Talking to a woman on her period is considered unclean. Slavery is okay. Wearing clothes of two different fabrics is a punishable crime. As is eating unclean food. That was the best wisdom of their day. We as a society progress and better understand the human condition as we go on. God created us and allowed us this progress. What was valid a few thousand years ago may not be any longer.

[@thebeatgoeson50]

And WHAT exactly would make you compare him to Tiger Woods???

[@jakelover1731]

Because Woods was the breakthrough African-American breaking into a white-dominated field, becoming the first black Masters winner after a long line of only whites winning it. Just like Obama managed with the presidency. Only white folks - until him.

[@bi30]

Bible Thumpers love to misquote Leviticus. A number of problems here: 1) The old Testiment didn't use the word "homosexuality". That's a modern contrivance. 2) Leviticus also says eating shellfish and wearing mixed-blend cloth are also stoning offenses. You can't pick & choose which parts of the Bible you want enforced. And if you read the passage IN CONTEXT, it is a story condemning his refusal to impregnate his brother's widow. Number of words Jesus spoke about being gay: ZERO.

[@wigglethemiddle1]

I find it bizarre that so many people on here - as well as the commentators - say over and over that from this speech they knew Obama was going places. From a speech? Is this what politics is? Degree of inspiration = level of governing ability? We should analyze a politician's ability to govern AND THEN talk about the quality of their speeches as an afterthought. Obama governs now as he acted as a legislator: flowery words of unity, hard left politics using exclusion and derision as "tools"

[@McAppl3d]

Obama said the main reason he ran for Pres. so early was due to the media. This speculation is the reason we had 8 horrible years of Obama.

[@dscroggs4]

wasn't air'd i mean

[@02SVTFast]

The Bible says "nothing" on homosexuality? Dude... Leviticus 18:22- "Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin." Leviticus 20:13- "If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense." There are many more by the way.

[@bi30]

Sorry, I did NOT contradict myself. Learn to read. The passage you are quoting in Leviticus exists. My admitting that is not a contradiction. Your interpretation of the passage is what's in error. Corinthians 6:9 is about "immorality". Declaring homosexuality "immoral" is YOUR interpretation, not Gods.

[@bi30]

Do tell.

[@proudunapologeticliberal2026]

THIS GUY IS GOING PLACES WATCHING IN 2017

[@Kettle17]

What do you think of your man from Illinois now? Forget uniters and dividers, tonight we heard from a transender.

[@bi30]

Of Obama? Yes, though not quite as glowing this time around (still positive though). If you're still interested, I'll see what I can put together.

[@BigbossMM]

Obama 2012 yes we can

[@wigglethemiddle1]

"Supporting marijuana" (as you put it) is not an anti-American value. Allowing individuals to exercise their judgment and being free to implement that choice without the government making decisions about what form of life is best is one of THE MOST American-like values. We should be able to ingest what we want since no one is directly hurt by my action. When we have socialized medicine, however, that is when we can ban drugs, because, yes, then my private decision harms others (higher med costs)

[@kiltedcoyot3]

So sad this guy lied about everything.

[@kamheed]

Could you explain to me how he's a communist please? with examples.

[@danielpeters6937]

Why does this footage look like it’s from 1980? I mean this was 2004, that was like yesterday

[@brendan5235]

It looked better on a CRT

[@mleonsmith]

lol

[@beallendall08]

what a nightmare

[@gloriawashingon1452]

Tiger Woods? You people are sooooo out of touch

[@San47di]

No they weren't. This was 12 Years ago, when Tiger Woods was the stellar Golfer

[@zzendawgie]

"I feel like i just watched Tiger Woods" they love him and just cant help but be racist

[@pdoylemi]

+Joie Pecoraro What a silly thing to say. Tiger woods was a black man (at least perceived as one though he has a very diverse heritage) and leapt to the top of a white dominated profession by just being BETTER than anyone else. Racism exists, and for them to pretend that Obama was not following in the footsteps of Jackie Robinson, J. C. Owens, or Tiger Woods in breaking down barriers by being BETTER than all the rest would be foolish. To have compared him to JFK, for example (which he sometimes was) would have been unfair to Obama because Kennedy had every advantage in life and did not have to deal with the barrier of race. The only similarity other than their eloquence, intellect, and education was that Kennedy did have to deal with some prejudice against Irish Catholics - especially in the south. But it was not even close to what Obama had to deal with. How is it racist to compare two greats in their field who both had to overcome racial prejudice if they were to get to the top? Yeah - really racist to effectively say, "Tiger Woods is great, and this man is great too." They used what was (at the time) the #1 icon of greatness to compare him too, and it was more apt, because there are too many people who don't see brown people as great golfers, or as great speakers or leaders. It is sad that you don't even understand that people like you fan the flames of racism in this country. There are a lot of people out there who are reasonable, nice people, but have a bit of racism in them. They can be reasoned with, but when people like you say shit like this, they react emotionally. If people who fawningly acknowledge a brilliant speech, and see the new vision of this great man, and even suggest that he could be the leader of the nation, are called racist because of one comparison that you don't like, they tend to say, "Fuck it! If I am going to be labeled racist for something so trivial and not really even racist, then I'm not going to listen to those idiots, and I'm going to let my freak flag fly!"

[@wigglethemiddle1]

you clearly did not understand what I said. It is not necessary that there is a God (or even that the founders believed in a god). Replace any notion of "divine right given by god" with "natural rights of man against any government" and we still have a constitution that includes rights of the individual against the government (most important, the bill of rights)

[@wigglethemiddle1]

actually, one could make the case that Obama fought to legalize the killing of babies before and AFTER they were born. He did this when he opposed BAIPA, the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. The reference to God in the Declaration is not necessary to the function of our constitution. You could replace any notion of "divine right" with "natural right" and still provide a moral foundation for the Bill of Rights. So, no, this is not a theocracy.

[@ocblkrfam]

I had to look back and remind myself how great Obama was. He is ok. I really hoped more from him. But i guess that is what happens when you set the bar to high for yourself, sometimes you don't live up to those expectations.