Jamesgatz / Creative Commons
On Tuesday night, San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro made history when he took the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, to deliver his keynote address, becoming the first Latino to do so in the party’s history.
The reaction has generally been positive, but I think that’s out of necessity. Most people didn’t know what to expect, and for the most part, Castro’s remarks turned out to be slightly better than okay.
Having seen him speaking before, I was a little less impressed with the man who many were hoping would deliver a speech as stellar as the one a younger Barack Obama delivered back in 2004. I remember that speech; Castro’s never came close.
For starters, the opening — including the introductory remarks by twin brother Joaquín — was virtually transplanted in its entirety from the speech Castro gave at the Texas Democratic Convention in early June. About five minutes into last night’s address, I was beginning to think the 37-year-old mayor planned to reuse the whole speech. So it came with great relief that, after talking about his background and his family, he entered into the new parts he had written especially for the DNC.
There were a few good lines, specifically the one about Romney’s healthcare stance:
“When it comes to getting the middle class back to work, Mitt Romney says, ‘No.’ When it comes to respecting women’s rights, Mitt Romney says, ‘No.’ When it comes to letting people marry whomever they love, Mitt Romney says, ‘No.’ When it comes to expanding access to good health care, Mitt Romney says…. [Crowd yells 'No'] Actually… [Applause] Mitt Romney said, ‘Yes,’ and now he says, ‘No.’ Gov. Romney has undergone an extreme makeover, and it ain’t pretty.”
And then there was the line about his mother and grandmother:
“My grandmother never owned a house. She cleaned other people’s houses so she could afford to rent her own. But she saw her daughter become the first in her family to graduate from college. And my mother fought hard for civil rights so that instead of a mop, I could hold this microphone.”
Still, there were other speakers last night who gave much more rousing speeches than Castro did, most notably, former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and current Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. It was Governor Patrick who, in a last-minute divergence from the script, delivered one of the most memorable lines of the night: “It’s time for Democrats to grow a backbone and stand up for what we believe!” (His speech original read: “stiffen our backbone.”)
The undisputed rock star of the entire evening, however — outshining everyone like the moon outshines everything in the night sky — was First Lady Michelle Obama, who delivered perhaps the greatest speech ever delivered by spouse at any national convention. Her most memorable line, which encapsulated the message of her speech, came when she said, “In the end, for Barack, these issues aren’t political — they’re personal.” Her purpose was to draw a clear distinction between the incumbent president and his Republican opponent, conveying the message that Governor Mitt Romney doesn’t understand the American Dream but that President Obama lives the American Dream.
In all, it was a great opening day at the DNC that has the potential to overshadow all three days of last week’s Republican National Convention in Tampa — even Romney’s address wasn’t nearly as good as the First Lady’s.
And to think, we still haven’t heard Bill.
About Hector Luis Alamo, Jr.
Castro did okay, but what I find disappointing is that he is the FIRST latino keynote speaker for his party.
Rubio > Castro
Castro > Rubio
orgullosa de sus logros,,,,algo asi necesitamos ,por favor no saben lo arrogantes que l el rubio,como lo van a comparar con el
los latinos no nos setimos conectados con rubio
Really enjoyed his speech last night he gave me the chills!
@celeste Estas equivocado, muchos latinos se sienten conectados a rubio,no me gusta Julian Castro
viva la raza………….
Having never heard him speak, I enjoyed last night’s. But I could see where repetition would take some of the sparkle off.
Rubio is not eligible to run for president. His parents are not American citizens. Castro is an Obama Latino/Hispanic reflection. Pure academic, parents political activist, never held a job not involving academia or politics. I woold put up governor Susana Martinez against them both any day.
That line about his mom working hard so he wouldn’t have to hold a mop but instead hold a microphone….and “Dios te bendiga” to his daughter. You are cold as ICE if you weren’t moved by that. Se me salieron las lagrimitas!!!
Yes it did. What’s with the negativity?
Great speech by a prominent Latino in politics. Just wished that Marco Rubio would have received the same respect and adulation from Being Latino…
Rubio is a sell out.
I thought he was great. I liked that he really made a point to show that he was proud of his heritage. That really resonated with me. As opposed to Rubio who represents a self hating, traitorous demographic in the Latino community
Who cares about sell out Rubio Castro is the best
nice speech but nothing special
@jose since Rubio and Ted Cruz are republicans they will never get respect from Being Latino or other sites like NBC Latino,just the way it is unfortunatly
To me he brought it home, and very well spoken! I agree with Gabriella, what Latino out there can’t relate to a memory of a beloved grandmother or mother “echandote la bendicion”?? Bravo!
Juan, Jose, if you actually read the article….
CORRECTION: There’s a second article on the website on Rubio that I’m sure both of you will enjoy. It’ll be posted to Facebook in a bit. My apologies. Cheers!
Castro was amazing . Perhaps I’m
being biased as a Texan but so much of what he brought up .. hit home ! He’s YOUNG , intelligent, and going places !! It’s our time ! IT’S OUR TIME !
Slightly better than ok? More like he hit it outta da park!!!
I watched his speech!
@hector i have no problem with BL being biased in their views,its their page&they can run it however they want.its all good,i still like the page,lookin forward towards the article on Rubio
SPOILER ALERT: Strictly as a politician, Rubio is much better than Castro.