Obama at the Waffle House Invesco Field
[Guest post by DRJ]
Barack Obama is slated to accept the Democratic nomination for President tomorrow at Denver’s Invesco Field before 80,000 supporters. The Politico reports that some Democrats are nervous the event will reinforce Obama’s image as a celebrity - especially given reports of the elaborate Greek temple staging - or that there will be problems with the outdoor venue.
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has good political instincts and his advice hits the right tone:
“Bredesen also acknowledged that while he has concerns, Obama is a virtuoso performer who can’t be underestimated. “I don’t think that’s the right thing [to hold the event at Invesco Field], but they are not asking me and they have got a great track record so far,” he said. “I would love to see him out showing a certain kind of humility, being in touch with people who go to breakfast at the Waffle House, sending a message.”
Classic quote and good advice, too. Still, given Obama’s recent waffle on the issues, meeting at the “Waffle House” is a great image. (And No, I don’t think Bredesen meant it that way but it’s also funny that he might have.)
– DRJ
Elaborate Greek temple staging. I guess that’s supposed to bring up the image of a Greek god.
The only associations that pop into my head when I read that are ‘Tragedy’ and ‘Narcissus’.
Comment by Apogee — 8/28/2008 @ 12:11 am
It’s being described as a Greek temple but my guess is Obama intends it to be reminiscent of the Lincoln Memorial, especially since this is the anniversary of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the Lincoln Memorial was the backdrop for his speech.
Comment by DRJ — 8/28/2008 @ 12:40 am
“Can’t I just finish my coronation?”
Comment by Icy Truth — 8/28/2008 @ 1:53 am
This whole Greek temple thing smacks of something Leni Riefenstahl might have pulled off.
A can be a nasty ol’ cuss. I hope like hell the Telepromter fails.
Comment by the friendly grizzly — 8/28/2008 @ 3:48 am
Can you say ‘Nuremberg rally’?
Comment by Icy Truth — 8/28/2008 @ 4:06 am
I didn’t know they had Waffle House in Chicago. Ain’t that a Southern thang?
Comment by Xrlq — 8/28/2008 @ 4:12 am
Praying for a freak blizzard.
Comment by Hazy — 8/28/2008 @ 4:18 am
Well, there will be a freak blitzkrieg. . . .
Comment by Icy Truth — 8/28/2008 @ 4:21 am
Google shows the nearest Waffle House in Indianapolis.
As for Obama’s stage, kitschiness seems to be a hallmark of his campaign and neo-classical is as kitsch as anything. I wonder if it’s a socialist thing. Eschewing bourgeois values including good taste.
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 5:06 am
nk - And a great Waffle House it is …
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 5:37 am
Virtuoso? I guess he did not see Obama’s lame “performance” in front of the monument to Prussia’s kicking of French ass.
Comment by SPQR — 8/28/2008 @ 6:27 am
Speaking of great waffles … wasn’t it the pinnacle of irony when Sen. Kerry was up there complaining about McCain changing positions?
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 6:31 am
“The only associations that pop into my head when I read that are ‘Tragedy’ and ‘Narcissus’.”
HA! Et tu, Hillary?
Comment by Dmac — 8/28/2008 @ 7:03 am
I was actually thinking of Nero, fiddling away while Rome was burning. But “Rome” in this scenario means “Presidential Campaign.”
Comment by Dmac — 8/28/2008 @ 7:04 am
Good advice. But who cares? Obama is on a roll and he is loving every bit of it. And so am I.
Comment by love2008 — 8/28/2008 @ 7:09 am
Waffles? I don’t think so; he took too much heat the last time when he did the impossible — appeared arrogant eating a waffle. But even Obama’s supporters are diggin’ his flip-flops.
Comment by capitano — 8/28/2008 @ 7:21 am
If O-dub gets elected, “Waffle House” is what they’ll be calling 1600 Penn Ave.
Comment by mojo — 8/28/2008 @ 8:11 am
JD #10,
Should you ever be in the vicinity of Chicago, let me know. I’ll take you to Connie’s which is owned by the sister of the husband of my mother’s first cousin’s granddaughter.
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 8:23 am
nk - Next time I am in the Windy City I will take you up on that offer. Breakfast at Connie’s and dinner at Gibson’s would be a good day.
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 8:35 am
So what, exactly, does that make the two of you?
Comment by Scott Jacobs — 8/28/2008 @ 8:38 am
So what, exactly, does that make the two of you?
Right about the first cousin part I believe they morphed into ‘long lost paying customers-in-law’.
Comment by allan — 8/28/2008 @ 9:15 am
One hopes that, when Obama stands before his classical backdrop, that there is someone who will whisper in his ear”Remember thou art mortal”
Comment by Bar Sinister — 8/28/2008 @ 9:40 am
Obama’s speech is going to have to start off by explaining the stage, because of all the hype about it.
My prediction is he’s going to point out that ancient Greece was the birthplace of democracy, and the stage is alluding to/reminding us of the roots of our current system of government, the first one to put the power in the hands of the people.
Then again, maybe this will be his announcement that he’s actually a Greek god.
Comment by Phil — 8/28/2008 @ 9:45 am
My prediction is a hybrid. He won’t actually come out and say he’s a Greek god, any more than he has ever come out and claimed to be the Messiah. Some inferences are best left to be drawn by others.
Comment by Xrlq — 8/28/2008 @ 9:47 am
nk @ 8:23…
Are you understudy for Yogi in the Aflac ad?
Comment by Another Drew — 8/28/2008 @ 10:00 am
You fail at being a geek.
Comment by Scott Jacobs — 8/28/2008 @ 10:06 am
I’ll take you to Connie’s which is owned by the sister of the husband of my mother’s first cousin’s granddaughter.
So what, exactly, does that make the two of you?
Comment by Scott Jacobs — 8/28/2008 @ 8:38 am
Close relatives.
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 10:24 am
Another Drew #25,
Do you mean this ad?
Nope. No way they would pick me. I’m nowhere near that good-looking.
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 10:31 am
JD #19,
You don’t get Gibson’s unless you bring your girls.
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 10:37 am
nk @ 10:31…
Yep! That’s the one.
I’m confident that I’m not the only one whose reaction was similar to the duck after the “money” line…
Comment by Another Drew — 8/28/2008 @ 10:38 am
nk - Deal. My 6-year old angel had her first ribeye at Gibson’s. I made sure she was a carnivore from an early age.
I think I am coming up for a Bears game this fall, so maybe we could arrange an outing with you, Scott J, Dmac, daleyrocks, and whoever else I forgot from the Chicagoland area.
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 10:41 am
I love Yogiisms. “Ninety-five percent of the game is mental. The other half is physical.”
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 10:42 am
JD #31,
My email is at my profile at my site. (Click on my signature here.)
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 10:44 am
P.S. All youse other guys too.
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 10:46 am
Would be a blast to meet everyone, but that would require a lot of organizing and travel, something that Better Half would likely frown on.
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 10:49 am
Don’t worry about it JD. I’m here when you’re here. Just email me.
If Scott, daleyrocks and DMac can make it too, fine. But if not, not. No offense guys.
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 10:58 am
nk - I just have to figure out which game I get to use my Dad’s season tickets for. I get to watch the Bears get cornholed here in Indy on the opening week of the season.
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 11:00 am
Hey, I’d be up for it - but if we’re going to Gibson’s, I’m going to need to get me a big expense account again. But I’d suggest something a little more local and a lot more local political - Gene and Gorgetti’s. I used to go there years ago, and we watched to see which mobsters would come in and attempt to shield their faces with their hats.
Comment by Dmac — 8/28/2008 @ 11:01 am
The set was constructed by the same company that has built sets for…(wait for it)…Britney Spears!
From this morning’s
New York Post:
Comment by L.N. Smithee — 8/28/2008 @ 11:07 am
Gene and Gorgetti’s - Another fine establishment. I like the old Rosebud on the Southside too.
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 11:12 am
Yeah, the original location in the Italian Village is still the best by far.
Comment by Dmac — 8/28/2008 @ 11:52 am
Another Drew wrote: Are you understudy for Yogi in the Aflac ad?
Enhancing my reputation for overthinking trivial matters: If you pay close attention to that Aflac ad with Yogi Berra, he states that he DOESN’T have Aflac! His first line after backing off the barber’s shears is, “Not too close! Whaddaya think, I got that insurance?”
Comment by L.N. Smithee — 8/28/2008 @ 11:56 am
You fail at being a geek too…
You were SUPPOSED to say “Absolutely nothing!”
Geeze, didn’t you people see Spaceballs?
Comment by Scott Jacobs — 8/28/2008 @ 12:02 pm
Too bad the morally bankrupt republican hypocrites fail to acknowledge that Sen. Obama’s stage is similar in theme and design to the 2008 Virginia Republican Convention’s stage. Sad? yes. Suprising? no.
Comment by Jim — 8/28/2008 @ 12:05 pm
2008 Virginia Republican Convention…
Oh My Gawd! How could we have missed that?
What a milestone event that was!
I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere that was so under-whelming.
But then, I’m just a poor CA boy, who doesn’t even want to go to the CA GOP conferences.
Comment by Another Drew — 8/28/2008 @ 12:21 pm
“I was actually thinking of Nero, fiddling away while Rome was burning.”
I flashed on Caligula, having proclaimed himself a god, dancing his little Venus dance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tebTGIddPDk
Comment by Federal Dog — 8/28/2008 @ 12:29 pm
Jim 12:05pm - similar in theme and design to the 2008 Virginia Republican Convention’s stage.
What stadium is the ‘morally bankrupt’ Republican stage built in, again?
Pepsi Center - 18100 seats
Excel Center - 19000 seats
Invesco Field - 76200 seats
But no, Obama’s not a shallow ‘rock star’, please look away!
Comment by Apogee — 8/28/2008 @ 12:29 pm
The Waffle House? Meh. Let’s talk seriously — Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. No question, simply the Best.
Its funny how this messiah is in such short supply of humility considering the Original Messiah literally cornered that market and still is the market… so much so, He didn’t even have an earthly house to call His own let alone His own shrine…
Comment by Dana — 8/28/2008 @ 12:52 pm
“Yeah, Jesus didn’t have an ass to ride, but this guy’s gotta have a satellite!”
– Sam Kinnison (re: Pat Robertson)
Comment by mojo — 8/28/2008 @ 1:12 pm
YOU PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS…CAN’T YOU TALK THE ISSUES…NOPE NOT ME I AM A TRUE BLUE REPUBLICAN AND ISSUES DON’T MATTER JUST MT LOVELY PARTY…YOU JUST WANT TO TRASH SOMEONE..BECAUSE HE IS SMARTER THAN YOU AND WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE USA…whether you want it or not…i AM SO SICK OF YOU PEOPLE…GROW UP …………………………………………..
Comment by DENNY — 8/28/2008 @ 4:05 pm
and another thing…how did you become so ignorant and intolerant?
Comment by DENNY — 8/28/2008 @ 4:11 pm
Oh Denny… how painful it must be to have to type that sort of crap, knowing that you are fitting in with a huge swath of Mobies that are opposed to free speech… Why don’t you put the caps lock key down, and just talk to us?
Tell me why Obama is great and Mccain isn’t (no need to pretend you are republican… why would you even announce you are one if you think we’re all evil?). Tell us why you prefer your ideas.
You could actually refine your and our views, be a smarter debater, and perhaps convince someone you are right. Instead, you are screaming at how awful we are and pretending to be a Republican. That like putting on a minstrel show: you’re only proving your own bigotry.
Comment by Juan — 8/28/2008 @ 4:16 pm
It was sarcasm—are you familiar with that term…or would you like me to explain it to you.
There is no way I am a republican…the cap lock is on because i am at work and didn’t notice it…but I am sure you know everything…so you muts have already figured that out.
McCain…he is bush re-incarnated. Tax break to big companies…no universal health care…no tax breaks to companies who stay in the US to keep jobs here…need more?
I think it is great he served his country in the military…he was a prisoner of war for 5 1-2 years… a war that ended 30 years ago. But that certinly doesn’t make up for cheating on his first wife or not knowing how many houses he owns. Don’t right back they are investment properties…because they aren’t. The one in Coronado the kids used so much they just had to buy a second one…
Comment by DENNY — 8/28/2008 @ 4:24 pm
DENNY is a liar.
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 4:26 pm
4:24pm
the cap lock is on because i am at work and didn’t notice it
Don’t right back they are investment properties…because they aren’t.
I would say your name is also your place of employment, but that restaurant chain has much higher standards.
Comment by Apogee — 8/28/2008 @ 4:28 pm
Or a fool. Or both.
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 4:28 pm
HOW CAN YOU NOT NOTICE WHEN YOU ARE TYPING IN ALL CAPS DENNY ?!
Don’t right back any more lies, please.
Comment by JD — 8/28/2008 @ 4:33 pm
JD - right back at’cha!
Comment by Apogee — 8/28/2008 @ 4:51 pm
DENNY -
and another thing…how did you become so ignorant and intolerant?
– Now now; we asked you first.
Tax break to big companies…no universal health care…no tax breaks to companies who stay in the US to keep jobs here…need more?
– No, that is quite enough spew. Those companies that he is offering no tax breaks to stay in the US . . . are none of them big?
I think it is great he served his country in the military…he was a prisoner of war for 5 1-2 years… a war that ended 30 years ago. But that certinly doesn’t make up for cheating on his first wife or not knowing how many houses he owns.
– You are correct. Because they are different things. And if you are somehow suggesting that not knowing how many houses he owns renders his entire military career null and void - then you, sir, are null and void.
Comment by Icy Truth — 8/28/2008 @ 5:07 pm
Barack A-tombstone-bar-in-a-jukejoint-car Obama does not yet how many houses he owns either. Because forfeiture is mandatory in federal sentencing and if Rezko’s stolen money was commingled with his in buying his Hyde Park mansion, he’s losing it.
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 5:15 pm
does not yet *know* how many houses he owns
Comment by nk — 8/28/2008 @ 5:16 pm
You people can spew all THE venom YOU WANT and ignore the truth but we saw what America really is last night.. Not what you seem to think it is. We will all go on without you. Spew your venom…because that is all you have…not a leg to stand on AND IF I WANT TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS I WILL..CLOSED MINDED ..NOT WILLING TO LISTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE…SPEW
IF Rezko’s IS ALL YOU CAN COME UP WITH…YOU ARE IN SAD SHAPE. Let talk about out and out lying for a minute here…THE LIE AND CHEATING OF THE BUSH GROUP…he did great lining his and his fathers pocket with OIL BLOOD.
DON’T LOOK FOR RESPONSE BACK…I WON’T WAST ANYMORE TIME TRYING TO SHOW YOU THE WAY
Rez
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 7:09 am
SO THERE!!!!!
Comment by Icy Truth — 8/29/2008 @ 7:14 am
“AND IF I WANT TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS I WILL..CLOSED MINDED ..NOT WILLING TO LISTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE…SPEW…..
DON’T LOOK FOR RESPONSE BACK…I WON’T WAST ANYMORE TIME TRYING TO SHOW YOU THE WAY”
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 7:09 am
aka “I’ll say whatever I want, however I want, but if you do it it’s called ’spewing.’ Oh, and if it hurts your eyes to read all caps, you’re ‘close minded’ (sic).”
OK, got it. Denny, can you make me some pancakes now? I love your Grand Slams, and I’m hungry.
Comment by no one you know — 8/29/2008 @ 7:15 am
One very last thing ..so there…why don’t you listen to a true Americans comments about obamas speech last night..PAT BUCHANAN…on CNN—he might not vote for obama but at least he listens to the other side. YOU WILL NEVER listen or try to see the other side of things. Just go on spewing…see ya at the obama inauguration. kma.
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 7:17 am
*closed minded*
He DID type that. What do you know.
Comment by no one you know — 8/29/2008 @ 7:18 am
YOU WILL NEVER listen or try to see the other side of things.
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 7:17 am
OK, whatever you say. But why do you keep typing if you think no one is listening?
We won’t look for a response though. You told us not to. And we listened.
Comment by no one you know — 8/29/2008 @ 7:20 am
All of a sudden, Pat Buchanan, the racial-separatist history-revisionist Nixon-administrationist, is a definitive authority?
Comment by Icy Truth — 8/29/2008 @ 7:24 am
DENNY - You have some interesting ideas. Could I subscribe to your newsletter?
Comment by JD — 8/29/2008 @ 7:31 am
I can’t help but respond…The personnel attacks at my possible employment place..the personnel attacks on my typing skills…Can I subscribe to your newsletter…cute. But lets talk about the bush lies the continuing problem in this country of the poor …the lining of pockets with blood money from oil…Lets try to stick to the subjects here which is Americas future…Not my place of employment or my newsletter… Pat B.—you might see him as a racial separatist..but his opinion on the speech last night speak volumes about his honesty in calling it like it is….
BYE BYE SIGNED DENNY EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 7:47 am
I am linking this extremely NOT SAFE FOR WORK Barack Guntanamera-Quajira-Guantanamera Obama joke because I am in a very foul mood this morning and I want to give poor Denny apoplexy. You other guys can skip it if you want
Comment by nk — 8/29/2008 @ 7:56 am
Proof, please?
Proof, please?
Were you one of those people in Denver wearing the Gitmo Jumpers?
Comment by JD — 8/29/2008 @ 7:56 am
No, those would be personal attacks mocking your name. Big difference.
I guess it was too much to ask that you stop acting like a moron, and more like someone with more than three brain cells. Read comments by Leviticus and aphrael… Use them as the metric against which you measure your own responses.
Considering that unemployment under Bush is lower than what it was under Clinton (5.03% vs 5.6%), and average anual wage under Bush is higher than under Clinton (the ‘06 numbers have almost the same average increase as Clinton saw in 8 - $30,846.09 - $37,078.27 for Bush and $22,001.92 - $29,229.69 for Clinton)… And for the record, those pockets lines with blood-money pay a large part of what funds the government.
Indeed. Lets.
How does Sen. Obama suggest we pay for his billions and billions and tens of billions in new spending?
Comment by Scott Jacobs — 8/29/2008 @ 7:57 am
“personnel attacks”
– Ya know, the tricky thing about using spell-check is that you need to actually look at the replacement word and make a personal decision as to whether or not you think it’s correct.
the continuing problem in this country of the poor
– The problem is what, that they continue to exist? Newsflash: even if Obamarama were to enact all-out Socialism there would still be poor people; or, if you will, the poor would become lower middle class . . . and half of the existing middle class would drop down to join them.
Comment by Icy Truth — 8/29/2008 @ 8:06 am
Once again no substance just personnel attacks….
you are hopeless
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 8:13 am
I love your place of employment, though I wish you were a little quicker with the coffee refills.
DENNY - How do you suggest we eliminate the problem of the poor?
Comment by JD — 8/29/2008 @ 8:16 am
And you can’t read, apparently. I made some VERY specific assertations as to your baseless claim that somehow Bush has done wrong by the poor.
You make no attempt to respond to them. I suspect I know why.
Comment by Scott Jacobs — 8/29/2008 @ 8:17 am
Denny,
Go back to Obama’s troll school. You obviously didn’t learn how to make friends and influence enemies online. You are personally turning off people to Obama.
Comment by PCD — 8/29/2008 @ 8:17 am
Miss Wasilla good choice
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 8:26 am
scott jacobs..personnel attacks again..
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 8:26 am
So you have no rebuttle for my claims, just cries of “personal attack!”?
Ok. Good to know.
Oh DRJ? Could you mute the good sir, please?
Comment by Scott Jacobs — 8/29/2008 @ 8:29 am
mute me…I guess ignorance is bliss. If you don’t like what some one says…mute them…Typical
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 8:52 am
82 Denny- how about some new breakfast choices?
I think you would feel better amongst your peers at places like moron.org, codepinko, DU, Kos freaks, HuffPost.
Your magic negro is the one stifling free speech against him. Cracks me up obama’s minions are calling Palin just a mayor of a small Alaskan twon with no foreign policy experience. Meanwhile dem top pick has what experience??? Effing retards.
Comment by madmax333 — 8/29/2008 @ 8:59 am
One last time, buddy…
Can you refute my statements, or not?
Comment by Scott Jacobs — 8/29/2008 @ 9:02 am
Scott…
Remember: Facts to a Liberal, are as Kryptonite to Superman.
Comment by Another Drew — 8/29/2008 @ 9:05 am
LOVELY COMMENT—-Your magic negro is the one stifling free speech against him–
THAT IS IT…YOU MAKE ME SICK………THIS SITE IS SICK
Comment by DENNY — 8/29/2008 @ 9:06 am
So that’s a no, then?
DENNY, I would remind you who first called Sen. Obama “magic Negro”. Would you care to take a guess?
Comment by Scott Jacobs — 8/29/2008 @ 9:08 am
“personnel attacks”? What’s he doing, throwing low-level staff at you?
Comment by steve miller — 8/29/2008 @ 9:16 am