Ohrwurm
Boston July 27, 2004
Morning
Fleet Centre
Democratic Convention
He settles into his chair, makes sure his earpiece is firmly lodged, nods and smiles to the interviewee.
"Okay you big republican hot shot, here's your big chance to bring down the next bright light of the D triple C"
He's not falling for that today. He's warmed up and ready. She's been in his eyeline enough these last few days that he can imagine her out there, hair gathered into a messy pony tail, hand up to her headset. He glances out at the camera knowingly.
"I don't do that."
"I'm sorry?"
"Oh, no, senator…" he gestures to his ear, "Just my producer…"
"You know the old saying, 'comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable', You're up in 5…4…3…2…"
"I'm Will McAvoy, and I'm here this morning with Illinois State senator and democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Barak Obama, who will give the Keynote address tonight here at the Democratic National convention in Boston's Fleet Centre."
Good Morning Senator."
Good morning, Will."
"I'm wondering if you can give our listeners a preview of what you plan to address in your speech tonight?
"What I'd like to do is talk about the vision the Democratic Party has for this country. You know, I think that there's enormous strength in the country, enormous resilience in the country, but people are struggling, and as I've been traveling throughout Illinois over the last 18 months, what I've been seeing are people who are concerned about their economic security, concerned about their ability to pay for their health care, their kids, sending them to college, and if we can project an optimistic vision that says we can be stronger at home, more respected abroad, and that John Kerry has the message and the strength to lead us in that fashion, then I think we'll be successful." (Barak Obama, July 25 2004, Meet the Press)
"Push him on the Iraq war and Kerry's support versus his antipathy"
You and the candidate have some areas in which you concur, but also some area in which you differ. I think it's fair to say that our engagement in Iraq is one of those areas of disagreement. Can you tell us how you plan to deal with the fact that you were against the invasion of Iraq while Kerry and Edwards supported the resolution approving the use of military force."
"I think that it is important for Americans to understand that as members of the Democratic Party we are focused on the future instead of looking back at the past, and that now everyone is interested in seeing a successful policy on the war."
"Well, hardly an answer… see what else you can do Will."
She lets him go to it, but the senator will not be swayed and they only have ten minutes. Will moves on to other questions and Mac lets him go. She's starting to get a feel for his style, the way he maneuvers around interviewees, sidles up to a topic, then drills the question in. She's done a little research herself, and knows about the wunderkind prosecutor cum speech writer and his crossover into journalism. He's going somewhere, she can see it in his technique, and his charm. The camera loves him, and the audience does too.
"Time to wrap up Will, see if you can get something warm and squishy for a final note"
Will nods imperceptibly.
"Well we are all looking forward to your keynote this evening Senator, ACN will be broadcasting it live from right here in Boston's Fleet Center at 9:45 Eastern Daylight Time." He turns to Obama, "I know the opportunity to deliver the keynote address is an honor, but tell me, sir, how are you feeling about all this pressure?"
"I'm sure I'm going to be excited, although I was here last night and something that really takes the pressure off, you realize that nobody's listening... So, you know, who knows what lines I could slip in there...No one would notice. So as long as I'm smiling and waving, I think I'll be OK." ( Barak Obama July 27 2004. NPR)
Thank you very much Senator. That was Illinois State Senator, Barak Obama, who will be delivering the keynote address, here at the Democratic Convention. We'll be right back."
"Three minutes back folks, then we're throwing back to New York for a news update"
Will is shaking hands and wishing the Senator good luck.
"I think he's going to blow the roof off tonight."
Will nods, but she's not sure if he's talking to her, or responding to something the Senator is saying.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"America, tonight, if you feel the same energy I do, if you feel the same urgency I do, if you feel the same passion I do, if you feel the same hopefulness I do—if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as president, and John Edwards will be sworn in as vice president, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come. Thank you very much everybody. God bless you." (Barack Obama, Democratic Convention 2004)
That was Illinois State Senator Barak Obama with his keynote address here in Boston's Fleet centre. I'm Will MacAvoy with ACN's continuing coverage of Democratic National Convention, we'll be back right after this."
"And they say the art of oratory is dead! That was fucking amazing! Seven minutes back and we'll do some analysis, you good Will?"
"Yup."
"Are you good on the analysis or do we want to throw it back to Dan in New York and the panellists there, and then come back and fill in."
He glances up at her quickly, "No. I'm ready to go."
"Okay then, we'll come back to us right after the break, then invite in New York and we'll do split screen on the analysis… need anything on paper?"
He shakes his head as he scribbles some notes of his own.
"No one else could have said that… that thing about the black kid reading," she says.
He nods, "Yeah, I got that," he assures her, "He wrote the thing himself, you know"
"He told you that?"
"I asked him yesterday…after, you know… as a former speech writer…"
"Well it's difficult to say who is going to be remembered most for this conference, Kerry or Obama. You going to mention the signs on the floor? The way delegates were scooping up Obama placards as souvenirs?"
"Mmm hmm… unless Dan beats me to it."
"Hmmmm" she says, "You're not just a pretty boy talent."
"Don't call me that."
"I was purposely not calling you that."
"Some of us are trying to work here, Mac."
"I think we've just seen the future. That was the first black president of these United States."
He looks straight out at her. "That's exactly what I was writing down."
"Bam!" she says, "We make a good team, Will"
He smiles into the camera lens at her, and wishes she had called him Billy.