August 29th, 2008

It was Ankarlo’s last day in Denver for the DNC and hear what he had to say about all the action that happend on the last day of the Democratic Convention. Also John McCain has a new Vice President to run with him in November, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and hear what Ankarlo and others think about this surprising choice.

August 28, 2008

Ankarlo is live from Denver for the final day of the Democratic Convention.  President Bill Clinton rocked the Pepsi Center last night here in Denver, so much show that Barack Obama only needs to show up tonight and say I agree with everything Clinton says.  He will then become the next President.  Ankarlo also picks apart Joe Biden’s speech.  If Clinton hit a homerun, Biden hit a single.

Today’s guests include:  Body language expert and former FBI profiler, Joe Navarro, Roland Martin from CNN, Fritz Wenzel from Zogby International and Nancy Watzman from the Sunlight Foundation.

Tomorrow:  Ankarlo reacts to Obama’s speech tonight and previews the Republican Convention.

Day 4 and Photos

I’ve told you more than a few times that I’m a preacher’s kid, a Pentecostal preacher’s kid and much like many black churches a Pentecostal crowd like to shout Hallelujahs and Amens and talk back to the person delivering the message.  It’s been a while since I’ve been in one of those services—that is, until Wednesday night in Denver.  That’s when reverend Bill Clinton took the stage at the Democratic National Convention and all I can say is this evangelist of a bigger government more taxes had the choir screaming for more.  The crowd hung on every word and shouted back throughout the message.  I’ve seen President Clinton many times over the years and though I’m not a big fan and though his approval ratings have suffered in recent months he has rarely been better.  As I told you yesterday on my show, while many thought he might deliberately throw Barack Obama under the bus with a less than stellar endorsement I believed he would do exactly what he did at the Pepsi Center.  He did it for two reasons:  1) He loves being the big dog—and indeed he was and 2) His fierce competitive streak made him deliver a message so powerful that all Barack Obama has to do to cause this once failed convention to end as a success is hit his Roman stage on Thursday night and say—“I agree with President Clinton” and leave the stage.  Yes indeed, this was most definitely the Clinton Convention and Mr. Obama would do well not to forget that.  Amen and Hallelujah.

A note on history: 45 Years ago today, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered one of the most memorable speeches in our nation’s history. Dr. King had a dream over four decades ago and tonight, for the first time, a black man will accept the nomination to become President of the United States. Politics aside, this is history; tonight I am a proud American. It wasn’t that long ago America passed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Act. America still had “seperate but equal” as it’s phrase until those critical years of the 1950’s and 1960’s. First, Brown V. The Board of Education in 1954. Then Martin Luther King and so many other. Today, Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Party’s nomination. I will be watching live from Invesco Field and part of me will be smiling watching him speak.

Photos by Aaron Farnham.

August 27, 2008

Here is what happend on day 3 at the Democratic convention with Ankarlo mornings.

McCain Ad: Obama thinks Iran is tiny

Day 3 and Photos

Last night, it was Hillary’s turn.  Her speech was well written, but poorly delivered.  I have seen her speak many times during the course of this campaign in Iowa, New Hampshire and now Denver.  Her heart just wasn’t in it last night.  She said everything she was supposed to say, but we all know Hillary wants to be the nominee.  Hillary received a standing ovation when they introduced her as the crowd waved Hillary signs throughout the Pepsi Center.  In fact, I managed to get my hand on a Hillary/Unity sign that was paid for by Barack Obama for America. 

The speech lasted just over 20 minutes and one of the first messages was that of unity.  She said, “My friends, it is time to take back the country we love. And whether you voted for me or you voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose.”  But, does she mean it?  She mentioned Barack Obama’s name at least 14 times during the speech.  Hillary also mentioned McCain several times with the most memorable line being, “And you haven’t worked so hard over the last 18 months or endured the last eight years to suffer through more failed leadership.  Noo way, nohow, no McCain.” The attacks were echoed by earlier speakers including Virgina Gov. Mark Warner, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer.  The McCain attacks are all the same, “four more years.”  I think the Democrats are going to have to do more than that in order to attack McCain.  The same Bush attacks have been around for years and really haven’t affected McCain’s poll numbers.  Will they start now?

Several Democrats here in Denver are worried about Obama’s poll numbers.  Others though are pointing to 1980.  Ronald Reagan was way behind President Jimmy Carter until late in the race after he reassured American he could lead.  Will Obama do the same thing?  The final part of the campaign begins Thursday night for Obama.  As for tonight though, it’s going to be all about former President Bill Clinton.  Will he rally the troops better than his wife did?  And then, what will Obama’s vice presidential selection Joe Biden say?  We’ll have all of that for you tomorrow between 8:30 and 12n during Ankarlo Mornings live from Denver…

Want to see just how “green” the Democratic Convention is?  Watch this great piece from our friend Paul Gleiser at KTBB.

Photos from the protests.  More to come.  Photos by Aaron Farnham.

August 26, 2008 Day 2

Today on Ankarlo Mornings:  Ankarlo recaps the Michelle Obama speech from last night.  She tried really hard to introduce to America a man just like us.  She talked about his working class roots and the love he has for his daughters. 

Also today, men were arrested in Denver last night after admitting to trying to assinate Obama. 

Guests today from the Pepsi Center include Dr. Jerome Corsi, Minuteman project President Jim Gilchrist, Actor David Keith for Project.org and Arizona Rep. David Schapira.

Day 2 and Photos

 

Michelle Obama was welcomed by a huge crowd last night at the Pepsi Center.  Her goal:  Make the Obama’s real.  There is no doubt, McCain’s celebrity ads have taken their toll on this campaign.  Because of that (and other factors) the Obama’s have a ton to do during this convention.  They have to reintroduce Obama, make Obama real and spell out their agenda.  Night one was a reintroduction.  My impression from Michelle’s speech was simple.  Did you know Obama and I both grew up in working class families?  We have both lived the American dream.  We are raising our children just like you.  It was silly and I am amazed people actually fall for it. 

Then the kids came out.  This happens at every convention.  You always have to have the family hug (or in the case of Al Gore, that nasty kiss with Tipper).  What was different last night was Sasha.  She is the Obama’s youngest daughter.  Sasha kept interrupting her Dad while he was on a video screen.  Obama, himself, was thrown off his game too.  He stuttered a little bit and said he was first in St. Louis then in Kansas City.  Hmmm.  For all the faults and hiccups, night one at the Convention made the Obama’s to be an all American family. 

Michelle Obama was brilliant when she mentioned Sen. Hillary Clinton.  Michelle said, “People like Hillary Clinton, who put those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, so that our daughters — and sons — can dream a little bigger and aim a little higher. “  This shoutout is obviously meant to bridge a gap between the Clinton supporters and the Obama supporters.  Several Clinton supporters I have talked to on the ground have said they aren’t budging.  Others, though, are open to Obama.  Hillary Clinton is the headline speaker tonight.  Obama’s camp has been trying to edit Clinton’s speech.  But, the Clinton’s aren’t having it.  Tonight will be interesting.  I’ll keep you updated throughout the day here and tomorrow morning from 8:30 until Noon live from Denver.

Check out our photo gallery from last night. Photos by Aaron Farnham.

August 25, 2008

Today is Day One from the 2008 Democratic Convention.  Ankarlo is live from the Pepsi Center. Today’s guests include ABC’s Cokie Roberts and Vic Ratner. 

Also, Ankarlo says Obama’s nomination is going to change race relations in this country forever.  Ankarlo has also noticed all the hate from Democrats here in Denver.

Tomorrow on the show, Day 2 from the Pepsi Center with reaction to Michelle Obama’s family speech, the tribute to Sen. Ted Kennedy

Day 1 Dem. Convention

Photo gallery from Day 1 at the Democratic Convention

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