David Gergen Floored by Obama Speech

[RandySF]

Just before I went to bed last night, I watch David Gergen tell Anderson Cooper how "concerned" he was about Obama's upcoming speech and said it had a potential to be a disaster. Now Gergen just said it was the most powerful speech any president has ever made in the Middle East. When will Gergen chill the fuck out and realize that Obama has got it?

[jamieque]

1. You know what...

you are right? David needs to chill out and have some faith that Obama will be able to handle the issue at hand. I mean he has done an excellent job so far.

[roguevalley]

17. welcome, jamieque

[MADem]

2. Gergen was playing the spread. That's what a good talking head does.

Gergen's one of the best--he's worked for D's and R's--he's actually got some cred.

He couldn't lose--express concern (if he was right and Obama blew it, or a riot broke out, he could have said "Toldja so"), and then, when all went well, cheerfully admit he was wrong and praise the thing to the sky.

It enhances Gergen's appeal, rather than diminishes it, that he's able to course correct without demonstrating his having an ideological POV. It makes it appear that he has no agenda.

He's a smart fellow, bet he gets a big check for his appearances.

[KT2000]

5. Agree

he is about the only one that I make a point of listening to. He seems to have a core of decency that is lacking in the circus acts that are passing for commentary.
He also has intelligence and knowledge of history so he is able to put his comments within a rational context. Wish more were of his caliber - R and D.

[JerseygirlCT]

20. I agree as well. nt

[jimshoes]

3. Was mister gergen ever concerned when the

chimp was about to make a fool of himself on just about every occasion he opened his piehole?

[Suich]

12. Yes. n/t

[groundloop]

4. David Gergen does a good job

He's one of the few news "analysts" I can stand listening to. Of course I knew it was a great speech the moment I heard it, glad that Gergen is agreeing with me.

[UTUSN]

6. K&R #3 for, SO was I!1 n/t

[Adelante]

7. Gergen is one of the few pundits I can tolerate anymore

He may not get it right once in a while, but he's intelligent and broad minded, and doesn't twist the truth. So I like him.

[progressoid]

9. Which probably explains why he's dropped so low on the Repub totem pole.

While those at the top of the pole, Hannity, Rush, etc., call Obama a Muslim appeaser and a threat to national security.

[autorank]

8. Gergen is just following instructions.

Obama exceeded my expectations, which were high.

Gerben is a "Media Land" cyborg who has never made much sense. Strange dude.

[bridgit]

10. Well it was a tremendous speech I think Gergen understands how fickle...

images and audiences can be...but I'm glad David feels better now cause Obama was world-class-fine

[troubledamerican]

11. Obama is underrated

and much, much smarter than people on DU give him credit for.

[Suich]

13. Gergen and Christian Amanpour are both ok,

imo. Both seem to be able to rise above the partisanship.

Just sayin'.

:)

[depakid]

14. The realization should also be that not everyone would be in a position to give that speech

effectively.

Obama has the background, good will and rhetorical skills to sincerely pull it off.

[Libertyfirst]

15. Gergen leans right, but he is the most objective analyst on the air. n/t

[Aristus]

16. "That was a horrible speech! Wait!...it was well-received all over the world? Gracious! What EVER

was I thinking?!?!? What a wonderful speech!"

Gergen, you're becoming a clown! STFU!

[old mark]

18. Gergen represents the more intelligent, moderate Republicans.

All ten of them.
Well, OK, eight.

:shrug:

mark

[JerseygirlCT]

19. I rather appreciate Gergen's input

he calls them pretty much as he sees them, without feeling required to spin for on side or another. Which means I often disagree with him, of course. But it also makes it more satisfying when Obama gets a reaction like this from him. I think he does realize Obama's "got it", but since when has any person, even Obama, been 100% correct, 100% of the time?

I heard most of the speech myself and also thought it was very well done. It certainly struck the right chords with his audience. And when I think about all that has already been done in a few short months just to start correcting all the many mistakes of Bush... it's quite astounding, really.

[alsame]

21. He was also floored after the convention speech, he called it

a 'masterpiece'. I also saw his analysis after one of the press conferences and he commented that President Obama speaks like an adult and assumes his audience are also adults.

I'm sure he disagrees with some policy issues, but he seems to be quite complimentary about the President's ability to communicate complex ideas.