Measuring Hope And Change

We’re measuring hope and change four years after Denver and Obama’s first nomination.  Taking the Democrat’s pulse as the party gathers.

Four years ago, it was all over the moon for Democrats.  They didn’t know yet, in September, if they’d win the White House.  But they knew they were making history.  Barack Obama was like no candidate before him.

And to top it all, his message, his literal bumper sticker, was hope and change.  Words so sweet that when Sarah Palin mocked them it didn’t matter.  She did get it, said Democrats.  The earth was moving.  Hope and change. Now it’s four years on.  A tough four years.

This hour, On Point:  We talk with Democrats, and more, about hope and change and Barack Obama.
-Tom Ashbrook

Laura Washington, columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.

John Harwood, chief Washington correspondent for CNBC and a columnist at the New York Times.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Democratic U.S. Representative for Missouri's 5th Congressional District.

New York Times "Through three nights of gauzy videos, sentimental testimonials and, finally, his own address to the nation Thursday, Mitt Romney worked hard to show he has a heart."

Washington Post "Mitt Romney made one thing very clear during his speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night: He’s happy to run against President Obama in 2012, but he’s even happier to run against the Barack Obama of 2008."