Video: Behind the scenes at Invesco and the “regal” stage
posted at 3:10 pm on August 27, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Earlier, I wrote about Barack Obama and the Temple of The One, but the picture we had didn’t give quite the same perspective as this taken by “See Swann”. The intrepid correspondent’s narrative gets a little tiresome, but his access to the field at Invesco/Mile High Stadium gives the best possible look at the staging for Obama’s acceptance speech on Thursday night:
Greek or Roman architecture? Based on my limited recollection, the Romans used similar construction but copied it from the Greeks. Perhaps architects can answer that question, but what hasn’t been answered is why Obama decided to go with this theme rather than use a more traditional, American theme for his staging. Should a man who is trying to push back against being defined as an elitist opt to speak from an ersatz Greek temple? What screams elitist more than a Mount Olympus reference?
“See Swann” agrees, albeit unwittingly. In his narration, he approvingly refers to the staging as “regal”. That doesn’t exactly make Obama an egalitarian Everyman. (via Power Line)
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As for the design of the stage, it looks like fu**ing Washington.
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Exactly – except the monuments in DC are a tribute to our country’s greatest leaders from our most challenging periods, not an affirmative action candidate.
kuhio on August 27, 2008 at 3:54 PM
No doubt the Clintons think of themselves as the two prophets who came to speak against the AntiChrist.
pedestrian on August 27, 2008 at 3:55 PM
The ABC reporter investigating VIP donors in Denver has just been arrested.
Pianobuff on August 27, 2008 at 3:55 PM
The difference is D.C. is the nation’s capitol and this is the scene for a speech. This all shows his arrogance as does the O-force one, the seal, etc., etc.
carbon_footprint on August 27, 2008 at 3:55 PM
True…… but I was thinking more……… more like THIS. (Think of Hillary lying on the bed…..)
Seven Percent Solution on August 27, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Romeo13 on August 27, 2008 at 3:56 PM
No, probably the Clintons will be fed to the lions for mob entertainment.
txdoc on August 27, 2008 at 3:56 PM
He’s going to come out in rainbow spandex pants and a tank top, rip his shirt off and run to each corner of the stage and wind mill his arm and put his hand to his ear to hear which side of the stadium cheers loudest.
Alden Pyle on August 27, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Wait a minute… I thought that the Liberals thought it was inappropriate for The One to be speaking at a house of worship. You remember all the fuss after Saddleback- separation of church and state, blah, blah, blah…
So, now he has constructed his own temple?
If he doesn’t come in riding on a donkey while the masses wave palm fronds, I will be disappointed.
Damiano on August 27, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Liberal fascism.
carbon_footprint on August 27, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I think this is the effect they were going for.
Alden Pyle on August 27, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Now that’s scary. I bet the tip to Germany did inspire someone on the staff to package the feel of Berlin in Denver.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Reichstagsgebaeude.jpg
econavenger on August 27, 2008 at 3:56 PM
What he says may sound like Greek too.
Herb on August 27, 2008 at 3:56 PM
If D.C. architecture were made out of plywood and placed on the 50-yard-line of a football field as a temporary backdrop for an empty suit to impress his braindead followers, yes. I would crap on that.
It’s the fakery, Dave. Get a clue. He’s evoking elitist imagery using Home Depot materials. Fake, fake, fake. He’s an elitist poser who thinks the American people are dumb hicks who will fall for the appearance of glitziness, star-power, and a regal-looking setting, just like his devoted followers have so far. He thinks that by evoking MLK’s great speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial that we will be dumb enough to think he’s the second coming of MLK. Just like Obama himself, it’s all a facade covering either emptiness or an unacceptable reality. Yes, Dave, I take a giant crap on that.
aero on August 27, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Personally I don’t think any of this is particularly elitist or even out of the ordinary . . . that is, if you’re Julius Ceasar, Adolph Hitler, King George, one of the Capets or any of the other phallically challenged luminaries in history.
It occurs to me that this is precisely the sort of thing that should be ridiculed and laughed at in a healthy democracy.
JonPrichard on August 27, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Dave Rywall is perplexing me. Usually Dave’s comments are “spot on” and intellectually constructed with logic and clarity.
carbon_footprint on August 27, 2008 at 3:59 PM
And Elvis. Don’t forget Elvis.
Slublog on August 27, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Oops, might need this ====> /
carbon_footprint on August 27, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Bill Maher called, he wants his “Politcally Incorrect” set returned.
pt on August 27, 2008 at 4:00 PM
No, you must mean Rave Dywall.
Akzed on August 27, 2008 at 4:00 PM
eegads
tru2tx on August 27, 2008 at 4:01 PM
You forgot your /sarc tag.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 27, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I’m kind of disappointed. I was expecting this.
Pianobuff on August 27, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I can’t believe we get to actually watch this unfold. And we thought watching Dukakis and Kerry dismantle themselves was entertainment! This is better than comedy gold – this is a solid platinum, truly once-in-a-lifetime f*ck up of truly monumental proportions. Never, ever, has either party had the opportunity to completely take over the gov’t, and because they were so greedy, the press fell allover themselves to ensure Obama’s nomination and now, like Abe Lincoln once said a long, long time ago, you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. Wow. And the best part is? Obama believes his own press, why, how could anyone NOT see his greatness after watching this feast for the eyes? BRING IT – I CAN’T WAIT!
JustTruth101 on August 27, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I Will they be sacrificing virgins?
flyoverland on August 27, 2008 at 4:01 PM
The monuments in DC are a tribute to the nation’s greatest who led during our biggest challenges, not an affirmative action candidate who has been packaged, managed & launched by the American hating Left.
kuhio on August 27, 2008 at 4:02 PM
I liked Lynn Swann better.
flyoverland on August 27, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Bless their hearts, for all their pretensions of elitism, these are pathetically vulgar people.
texette on August 27, 2008 at 4:02 PM
It goes along with The Anointed One trying to use the Justice Department to block the Ayers-Obama ads.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Yes. Dave Rywall.
Akzed on August 27, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Alphie too.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 27, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I’m beginning to think Obama’s computer password must be “megalomania.”
Check out this passage about Robespierre–the French revolutionary–and see if it doesn’t ring a bell:
(http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/historical/biography/maximilien_robespierre.html)
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on August 27, 2008 at 4:04 PM
If Baracky pulls an ‘Apocalypto’ and starts ripping the hearts of out his devotees while they are lashed to an altar, I will definitely watch the entire event.
Bishop on August 27, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Man, Obama is creepy. Ugh.
capitalist piglet on August 27, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Hope and change…..
The deadbeat trough sloppers hope to get more slop in their troughs, and change the American values of rewarding hard work to rewarding uselessness.
Replace a badly needed kick in the butt with a free check, that’s the democrat way.
What happened to getting out of something what you put into it? The dems believe in getting out of something what someone else puts into it. It will ruin this country.
The Democrat convention has turned into a something for nothing flunkie feelgood fest.
saiga on August 27, 2008 at 4:06 PM
If this becomes a mainstream joke, Barry will blame it on a low level stage hand under Bon Jovi’s employ. Barry will say he wanted a humble log cabin as the backdrop, dammnit!
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Entertainment will be provided to fill in the time between speeches.
Alden Pyle on August 27, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Dave, I also hate freedom, beer, bald eagles and fast cars.
Chuck Schick on August 27, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar and a stage is just a stage, but serious discussion of election issues would be a smoke.
Sigmund on August 27, 2008 at 4:07 PM
I’m surprised they didn’t go the full nine yards for this look.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 4:07 PM
The sheer lunacy of this event is going to make for the best South Park episode ever.
pt on August 27, 2008 at 4:07 PM
This… is….. the very ground….where….the MAN-GOD shall be REVEALED and UNLEASHED unto the WORLD.
LORD OBAMA!!! RIIIIIIIISSSSSSEEEEEE!!!!
indythinker on August 27, 2008 at 4:08 PM
The One!
Seixon on August 27, 2008 at 4:08 PM
It looks like BHO has chose to orate from his own Greek Theatre (Berkeley) or perhaps his own Temple of Wings (also in Berkeley).
He’s doing it from a large stadium (neo-Greco Bombast moderne?)
Watch for the lighting to simulate a laurel wreath.
Listen for his speech to echo “Friends, Romans, Countrymen”.
Gravitas.
I see it as more mixed-metaphor.
Arbalest on August 27, 2008 at 4:08 PM
OMG I can’t wait!
Alden Pyle on August 27, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Noooooo! They have to keep it, they just have to! It’s absolutely perfect for Obama. Nancy Pelosi herself called him “a leader that God has blessed us with at this time.”
(Apologies in advance but - At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if his campaign just went ahead and hung Obama from the cross. It’s pretty much all that’s left…)
Gilda on August 27, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Take a look at the place from the air
William Amos on August 27, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Thursday night, Obama’s going to mouth poop.
Akzed on August 27, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Now that they’ve built the temple, where will the bath house go? All good Greek cities need a bath house… especially with 75,000 hippies running around.
Damiano on August 27, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Ew… I wonder what the lighting will be like…. Nice Spotlights from above so he casts no shadow? Darkened background so he has that nice “glow”?
Romeo13 on August 27, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Wow! Elsewhere in Denver… This looks familiar…
mpbk on August 27, 2008 at 4:11 PM
I’m told the orthodox look was a little too much.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Probably something like this, if they can swing it.
Slublog on August 27, 2008 at 4:13 PM
It looks like a combination of a greek theatre and Congress where the State of the Union is done.
Is Narcissus playing President again?
Enoxo on August 27, 2008 at 4:16 PM
His own personal aura should provide a very nice backlight.
Star20 on August 27, 2008 at 4:16 PM
The ABC reporter investigating VIP donors in Denver has just been arrested.
Pianobuff on August 27, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Yes saw that. add in the fairness doctrine, the efforts of BHO on the ayers thing and this is starting to really freak me out. Do the dems have a chevez complex? McCain can use this. the americian people will not except infringment of the first amendment. If McCain can paint the democratic party and BHO as agents that wish to surpress speech McCain wins by a landslide.
unseen on August 27, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Once I saw the windows it was clear to me that this is supposed to suggest “Whitehouse”. My guess is this backfires…incredibly pretentious. Meanwhile, McCain’s doing the minor league ballparks…but the “dems” are the “party of the people” huh?
pjaromin on August 27, 2008 at 4:17 PM
I was late. I thought I wouldn’t need it but then I remembered the how we gained lots of people lately.
carbon_footprint on August 27, 2008 at 4:17 PM
That’s it!
Gilda on August 27, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Dems in 2000: Complaints about hanging chads
Dems in 2008: Complaints about hanging up
fogw on August 27, 2008 at 4:18 PM
+1 Internets for you Sir!
carbon_footprint on August 27, 2008 at 4:19 PM
Barry’s appearance on the ‘regal’ stage unlikely to play well with blue-collar (bitter, clinging) Dems.
petefrt on August 27, 2008 at 4:19 PM
sorry, wrong thread
fogw on August 27, 2008 at 4:19 PM
Wait a minute…………….. you don’t think they are actually going to allow the Denver Broncos to play football on that field after “The One” has touched it do you?
Seven Percent Solution on August 27, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Messiah, in his own words. I think he is playing to the scenario he put forth during the primaries.
Maybe it will be a mass hypnosis session?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 4:21 PM
If the ‘One’ had any proper humility, (as any good Roman emperor would have), while delivering his speech to the ‘unwashed Dhemocrats of Rome’, he should have a lowly servant (sipping from a goblet of Kool-Aid mind you), standing behind his right shoulder whispering into his big ear: “Remember master…you too are only moral and are not divine”.
I’ll be looking for him to do just that.
But I doubt that it will work out that way.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on August 27, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Reminds me of the amphitheatre at Arlington National Cemetery…
click here
Alan on August 27, 2008 at 4:22 PM
When is the torch light parade, before or after Obama’s speech?
Engrpat on August 27, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Eewwww….. maybe… not so much a Greek Temple…
As a SOUTHERN PLANTATION HOUSE!!!
Columns… door… windows….
Hee hee hee….
Romeo13 on August 27, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Stages?
Zounds!
Sink me.
Just stuff and nonsense! Don’t you know?
He must give his boot a dapper strap
And it’s smarter if his garter has some snap!
A cravat should be flounced about his necks
He should drape his cape
Puff his cuff
And embroider his lapels!
He must be the King of the beasts in pastels!
La, he has to strike a pose
And bear the weight of well-tailored clothes
And that is why the Lord created him
BlakeneyP on August 27, 2008 at 4:25 PM
I wonder if the pool at San Simeon is still intact.
jfshaughnessy on August 27, 2008 at 4:25 PM
that was only for Heros of Rome, not the Emporer… he WAS Divine…
So my guess… no servant… LOL….
Romeo13 on August 27, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Thank you. That made my day!
JustTruth101 on August 27, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Idolators
Elizabetty on August 27, 2008 at 4:25 PM
When is the torch light parade, before or after Obama’s speech?
Engrpat on August 27, 2008 at 4:22 PM
after the speech but before the book burning
unseen on August 27, 2008 at 4:26 PM
’scuse me – sorry for just popping in like this –
…..but it sounds to me (from the YouTube video) that See Swan might be a tad more impressed with walking in the footsteps of the Denver Broncos than with the building of the Shrine. Or at least equally impressed.
uncivilized on August 27, 2008 at 4:28 PM
I can’t believe they are going to use that barn red clapboard podium. The Barney & Freinds podium will clash with the Nuremberg Rally circa 1935 look.
Alden Pyle on August 27, 2008 at 4:28 PM
It looks like Soldier Field with the columns and the orange and blue screens/cloth at each end.
Sensible Mom on August 27, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Has anyone else noticed Dave is becoming increasingly snippy and disgruntled as Barry’s freefall accelerates? He used to be so much fun,…..November is gonna be especially hard for him.
a capella on August 27, 2008 at 4:29 PM
It may end up beinhg the mausoleum where they bury his campaign.
Alden Pyle on August 27, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Wow. Grandiose pomposity at its best. Is there any question as to how this will play to Joe and Jane Citizen in flyover country?
aero on August 27, 2008 at 4:30 PM
I would be, too. They’ve accomplished something in the last 20 years.
Pianobuff on August 27, 2008 at 4:31 PM
He’s anticipating separation anxiety.
Akzed on August 27, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Nope. They’re gonna peel up all the turf and save it for the Obamessiah Memorial Presidential Library. Or sell it on EBay.
uncivilized on August 27, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Heh. Livin’ a dream! All it needs are neat rows of slave cabins.
a capella on August 27, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Instead of spending time and money trying to fight the elitist image, Obama has seemed to decide to just embrace and run with it.
Grafted on August 27, 2008 at 4:35 PM
is this the Onion/
he’s going to have a replica of Air Force One too?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1050017/Pictured-The-miniature-Greek-temple-Barack-Obama-launch-final-push-U-S-presidency.html
windansea on August 27, 2008 at 4:36 PM
The liberal afflication “O”zeheimer’s Disease. Terminal cases are denoted with complete loss of rational thought.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Let us go forth from our homes and hang posters and emblems to hail our new Emperor.
George Orwell on August 27, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Here’s what I think he’s emulating.
dick on August 27, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Hmmmmmmmm
Alden Pyle on August 27, 2008 at 4:37 PM
She certainly looks thrilled. What happened to the smiling Saul Alinsky wifey-poo shnuckums from the other night?
Ten bucks she didn’t write the note.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 4:39 PM
This sort of gaudy show is unprecedented. Only democrats.
Trent1289 on August 27, 2008 at 4:40 PM
ROFLMAO! I heard the McCain campaign said that Bambi set this tripe up because Mount Olympus was booked!
elduende on August 27, 2008 at 4:41 PM
The end pavilions on each side of the stage are sort of close to Greek architecture, though the proportions and fine details don’t match the doric classical order. For instance, they didn’t bother to have include a base with a plinth and torus for the columns; they just stopped at the bottom of the shafts.
The center part of the “temple” is pure Barackian architecture. The square columns with the non-descript capitals are not anything that would have been found in the classical orders. And of course, the ancient temples were rectilinear and did not have curved sides.
**unintended metaphor alert**
As you view the video when the correspondent is on the stage you will notice that the “stone” elements of the “temple” are simply shells, probably made of glass fiber reinforced plastic or concrete. The perfect metaphor for Barry and his campaign: from a distance it looks impressive and attractive, but when examined up-close, it is revealed to be all stage dressing with very little substance of any kind!
Mallard T. Drake on August 27, 2008 at 4:42 PM
The best bullshit money can be buy…
Sergei on August 27, 2008 at 4:44 PM
The podium can be raised from beneath the floor. How awesomely awesome would it be to see him rise up as he speaks of stopping the tides, healing the earth, etc, etc?
(I am enjoying this way too much…)
JustTruth101 on August 27, 2008 at 4:45 PM
presumptuous?
nah
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1050017/Pictured-The-miniature-Greek-temple-Barack-Obama-launch-final-push-U-S-presidency.html
windansea on August 27, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Oh God. He IS playing President again. Full-sized replica of Air Force One, a “greek theatre” lay out like the State of the Union.
I REALLY need popcorn now!
Enoxo on August 27, 2008 at 4:46 PM
I think an arugula wreath would be more appropriate.
AZCoyote on August 27, 2008 at 4:49 PM
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