With Michele Obama and Hillary Clinton’s speeches already delivered, it seems the Democratic National Convention is well under way. Obama and Clinton’s speeches were both strong, powerful appeals to Democratic voters across the nation—different tactics, however, were used to voice these appeals. Michele Obama, as others have pointed out, sought to humanize her husband. She stressed family values, explaining how she herself is proud to be a sister, a wife, a daughter and most importantly a mother. Obama continued to mention the “Great American story” in context of her and her husband’s lives growing up. She also focused on expressing her patriotism, a topic of some controversy—stating that the history and the hope for the United States are the reasons that she “loves this country.” Overall, Michele Obama’s speech was emotional and heart-felt.

With Senator Clinton’s speech, the Democratic want for the White House seemed blatant. With comments obviously directed towards Senator McCain, Democratic campaigning seemed much more noticeable than in Mrs. Obama’s speech. With the concise statement, “No way, no how, no McCain,” Senator Clinton expressed her views regarding Obama’s Republican opponent. She continued to link McCain with President Bush, making McCain and Bush seem like running-mates rather than men of the same political party. Her vocabulary was severe, stating that the American people have “endured the past eight years” and “suffered from poor leadership.” Hillary often spoke of her own campaign, reminding her supporters of the reasons she ran for president and the reasons she supports Senator Obama.

I could not help but notice the way in which Hillary continued to address exclusively the Democratic Party. Referring with sincerity to people who joined the “family of Democrats” and continuing to praise the Democratic Party and all of its members, I began to wonder if she was addressing the moderate members of our nation at all. Myself being rather moderate and still on the fence on who I will vote for, I felt somewhat excluded in the comments she was making. Was it best for Clinton to focus on appealing to firm Democrats, set in their ways, or should she have used less partisan vocabulary and addressed those of us who are somewhat non-partisan but still open for persuasion?

Was either speech more effective? Or were they both equally as effective in their own right, using different methods of persuasion? It may be easier to determine when the RNC is underway and we are able to see how McCain’s campaign can defend itself and its nominee against each of these tactics used by these two powerful women.