I'm trying hard not to let my thoughts wander to an Obama victory for a variety reasons. The most of important of which is that I become very emotional. It disturbs me on a visceral level that we built our country through the use of human slaves. I can almost not bear to think about it - the trading and selling of humans, breaking families apart, the beatings, the hardships.
This became difficult for me in 8th grade when I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. When Huck and Jim are on the raft, and Jim tells Huck he's looking to get free so he can earn some money to buy his family back, it hit me hard. I still think about it some 35 years later.
I argued with my aunt a few years ago about whether we'd have a woman or a black president first. We both thought either would be difficult, but she believed that women faced more difficult obstacles. I thought that racism was alive and well in too many states, both south and north, east and west, and it would be too difficult to overcome.
And if you had included into the discussion that the first black president would be named Barack Hussein Obama, I would not have taken it seriously. So, we are on the cusp of our first African-American Presidency. Remarkable.
Showing posts with label President. Show all posts
Showing posts with label President. Show all posts
Monday, November 3, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
What's Going On?
McCain's Truman analogies are enough to make me gag. As McCain describes it, the polls are all wrong, and like Harry, his comeback will be the stuff of legend. I suppose when you trail in the polls as McCain does, you need to do some serious morale boosting to keep the campaign going. Who wants to vote for a loser, let alone work for one? McCain must maintain his fictional reading to keep everyone from jumping ship, and lowering turnout.
That said, his use of Truman is offensive to me. Not that I'm a huge Truman fan, mind you - Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the first things that pop in mind when I hear his name - but we'll save that argument for another day. The problem I have is that Truman was a populist, a common man for the common good. In every conceivable way, Truman is the antithesis of McCain.
Truman supported civil rights and a national health care system. Compare that to McCain's complicity in the fear mongering and creating racial tensions. If nothing else, his silence is deafening. McCain deserves everything his poorly run campaign has coming to them. So pay no attention to the man behind the curtain this week. McCain is simply going through the motions trying to stop the train wreck.
Look for for all remaining passengers to get off at the next available stop.
That said, his use of Truman is offensive to me. Not that I'm a huge Truman fan, mind you - Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the first things that pop in mind when I hear his name - but we'll save that argument for another day. The problem I have is that Truman was a populist, a common man for the common good. In every conceivable way, Truman is the antithesis of McCain.
Truman supported civil rights and a national health care system. Compare that to McCain's complicity in the fear mongering and creating racial tensions. If nothing else, his silence is deafening. McCain deserves everything his poorly run campaign has coming to them. So pay no attention to the man behind the curtain this week. McCain is simply going through the motions trying to stop the train wreck.
Look for for all remaining passengers to get off at the next available stop.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Say Goodbye
Watching McCain flail around is somewhat sad, although tempered by a healthy resentment of Republican policies. I think when historians look back on this era, they will write admiringly of the hoodwink job that the Republicans were able to pull on the American public.
You simply can't make me believe that there are 50 million Americans who have benefited from Bush/Frist/Delay policies during the past eight years. Yet, that's how many people will vote for a continuation of these policies. If not more.
You simply can't make me believe that there are 50 million Americans who have benefited from Bush/Frist/Delay policies during the past eight years. Yet, that's how many people will vote for a continuation of these policies. If not more.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Talk Shows
So far no TeeVee sighting of Palin on talk shows. I'm convinced that the republicans will do all they can to limit her exposure to MSM...we all know how driven the reporters are to get an accurate story. Palin seems bright and energetic, which is a plus for JM, but nobody could be ready for the onslaught that is about to hit her. There's simply too much too learn in too short a time.
The learning curve involves not just information but delivery, body language, choice of words, and confidence. Palin seems to be able to deliver a stump speech fairly confidently, but let's remember that she is mostly singing her life story - not nuancing a policy position to eliminate inconsistencies.
At some point, she will no longer be able to dodge the spotlight. Her performance under trying conditions will speak volumes about her abilities and potential and could go a long way in convincing voters one way or another. McCain cannot keep her from the public - there are just too many unknowns. He must let her sink or swim.
Many conservative writers are not happy with this pick, especially the foreign policy type. The narrative in the MSM has gone from what seems like pleasant surprise to mild disbelief. Risk, gamble, unknown, inexperienced are all words being used to describe this pick.
I might add that reporters have not had time to vet the story line that Palin and McCain are pushing regarding the Alaskan bridge to nowhere. Story is that Palin, being the maverick that she is, blocked a federal earmark for a bridge. There are some newspaper reports that cast doubt on this storyline - for a candidate already embroiled in one lying scandal, not being honest on your first day could spell doom.
The learning curve involves not just information but delivery, body language, choice of words, and confidence. Palin seems to be able to deliver a stump speech fairly confidently, but let's remember that she is mostly singing her life story - not nuancing a policy position to eliminate inconsistencies.
At some point, she will no longer be able to dodge the spotlight. Her performance under trying conditions will speak volumes about her abilities and potential and could go a long way in convincing voters one way or another. McCain cannot keep her from the public - there are just too many unknowns. He must let her sink or swim.
Many conservative writers are not happy with this pick, especially the foreign policy type. The narrative in the MSM has gone from what seems like pleasant surprise to mild disbelief. Risk, gamble, unknown, inexperienced are all words being used to describe this pick.
I might add that reporters have not had time to vet the story line that Palin and McCain are pushing regarding the Alaskan bridge to nowhere. Story is that Palin, being the maverick that she is, blocked a federal earmark for a bridge. There are some newspaper reports that cast doubt on this storyline - for a candidate already embroiled in one lying scandal, not being honest on your first day could spell doom.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Palinode
PALINode - appropriately, a formal statement of retraction.
Jumpin' Jeebus, this didn't take long.
LA Times Headline:
McCain's choice of Palin is a risk
It is simply surreal that McCain, in one fell swoop, could turn what was a fairly significant political advantage, judgement and experience, into a political liability. His pick of Palin reeks of political tactic, not of putting the country first. McCain has succeeded in revving up the base a little, but this will ebb shortly. He has just created a huge problem with independents...the voices of the conservative right are not being kind about Palin. The chorus will only grow louder, as McCain simply does not have the deep ties within the Republican party to quell what is sure to be out and out groaning over the next weeks.
McCain and the republicans have sunk tens of millions of dollars into a campaign designed to make Obama look risky and unprepared. Now it is McCain who looks unprepared - he met Palin only twice for a few moments each time before her selection? Now it is McCain who looks risky - a governor for less than two years of a state with 600,000 people a heartbeat away from leader of the free world? Now it is McCain who puts politics above country - Obama chose wisely. Biden as VP signals a seriousness about governing and signals that we will have a healthy national debate about foreign policy. Palin may help McCain excite the base, but if elected on election day, her carriage turns back into a pumpkin.
Stunned is still my reaction, and I remain convinced that this will implode on McCain in the not too distant future.
Jumpin' Jeebus, this didn't take long.
LA Times Headline:
McCain's choice of Palin is a risk
It is simply surreal that McCain, in one fell swoop, could turn what was a fairly significant political advantage, judgement and experience, into a political liability. His pick of Palin reeks of political tactic, not of putting the country first. McCain has succeeded in revving up the base a little, but this will ebb shortly. He has just created a huge problem with independents...the voices of the conservative right are not being kind about Palin. The chorus will only grow louder, as McCain simply does not have the deep ties within the Republican party to quell what is sure to be out and out groaning over the next weeks.
McCain and the republicans have sunk tens of millions of dollars into a campaign designed to make Obama look risky and unprepared. Now it is McCain who looks unprepared - he met Palin only twice for a few moments each time before her selection? Now it is McCain who looks risky - a governor for less than two years of a state with 600,000 people a heartbeat away from leader of the free world? Now it is McCain who puts politics above country - Obama chose wisely. Biden as VP signals a seriousness about governing and signals that we will have a healthy national debate about foreign policy. Palin may help McCain excite the base, but if elected on election day, her carriage turns back into a pumpkin.
Stunned is still my reaction, and I remain convinced that this will implode on McCain in the not too distant future.
Friday, August 29, 2008
The Palin Pick
There's a lot of head scratching going on regarding McCain's VP pick. Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska is McCain's choice.
This makes perfect sense to me on many levels.
1. McCain has picked someone who will not overshadow him. She has no political experience whatsoever, and allows McCain to remain the masthead of the ticket. As the AP put it:
She has more experience catching fish as a former commercial fisherwoman than dealing with foreign policy or national affairs.
2. McCain is a gambler. His penchant for high-rolling is well-known. This may be the biggest political gamble in history. Incidentally, how is it that McCain's love of gambling isn't an automatic dis-qualifier for the highest office in the land?
3. McCain's going after Hillary Dems. Make no mistake, this pick is purely political. McCain must think these voters are up for grabs...are they? I'm not sure. The Dems sure did focus on women's issues at the convention and Biden's stellar record on women's issues was front and center, leading one to believe that the Dems are concerned. Does Palin do it for these voters? I'm not sure, but I think not. Primary voters are more informed about the issues and Palin's positions will not be well-received. Moreover, what does Palin bring to the governing table? Not much, and surely not as much as other, much more qualified candidates. What advise to you see Governor Palin giving McCain on any issue, foreign or domestic? It doesn't play - this has a huge chance to implode.
4. McCain is trying to give independent voters who might vote for Obama because of the historic nature of his candidacy a reason to vote for McCain. The first woman vice-president of our country. This is dicey (intended gambling pun) because if the pick is seen as purely political, it may have the opposite effect. Independents could be repulsed by the latent opportunism seen in this pick.
There are many more layers to this. It's exciting today, but what happens when the initial surprise wears and we begin to learn more about Palin? It also seems pretty late in the game to introduce a new player to a skittish electorate. There simply isn't time to introduce her on a national level. Further, any Palin gaffe, large or small will be greatly magnified because there is so little known about her. There is absolutely no recovery time for any errors. Don't expect anything but message from her - no unscripted moments.
Game on.
UPDATE: You just cannot overstate how unserious this selection is. I understand that both McCain and Obama have holes to fill, but how does Palin do this for McCain? I feel pretty confident that the adults in the Repub party are not happy with this big middle finger pick from McCain.
This makes perfect sense to me on many levels.
1. McCain has picked someone who will not overshadow him. She has no political experience whatsoever, and allows McCain to remain the masthead of the ticket. As the AP put it:
She has more experience catching fish as a former commercial fisherwoman than dealing with foreign policy or national affairs.
2. McCain is a gambler. His penchant for high-rolling is well-known. This may be the biggest political gamble in history. Incidentally, how is it that McCain's love of gambling isn't an automatic dis-qualifier for the highest office in the land?
3. McCain's going after Hillary Dems. Make no mistake, this pick is purely political. McCain must think these voters are up for grabs...are they? I'm not sure. The Dems sure did focus on women's issues at the convention and Biden's stellar record on women's issues was front and center, leading one to believe that the Dems are concerned. Does Palin do it for these voters? I'm not sure, but I think not. Primary voters are more informed about the issues and Palin's positions will not be well-received. Moreover, what does Palin bring to the governing table? Not much, and surely not as much as other, much more qualified candidates. What advise to you see Governor Palin giving McCain on any issue, foreign or domestic? It doesn't play - this has a huge chance to implode.
4. McCain is trying to give independent voters who might vote for Obama because of the historic nature of his candidacy a reason to vote for McCain. The first woman vice-president of our country. This is dicey (intended gambling pun) because if the pick is seen as purely political, it may have the opposite effect. Independents could be repulsed by the latent opportunism seen in this pick.
There are many more layers to this. It's exciting today, but what happens when the initial surprise wears and we begin to learn more about Palin? It also seems pretty late in the game to introduce a new player to a skittish electorate. There simply isn't time to introduce her on a national level. Further, any Palin gaffe, large or small will be greatly magnified because there is so little known about her. There is absolutely no recovery time for any errors. Don't expect anything but message from her - no unscripted moments.
Game on.
UPDATE: You just cannot overstate how unserious this selection is. I understand that both McCain and Obama have holes to fill, but how does Palin do this for McCain? I feel pretty confident that the adults in the Repub party are not happy with this big middle finger pick from McCain.
Great Speech
My first reaction to Obama's speech last night was over the top. I waited until this a.m. to post some thoughts so that I could fully process.
I thought his speech hit the target on three major areas.
1. Obama re-assured Democratic voters that he's a Democrat. He outlined specific proposals that he will champion as president. I must say he was somewhat light in discussing how he would pay for these proposals and see a Republican line of attack focusing on tax and spend. What else is new?
2. Obama tied McCain not only to GWB, but to failed Republican policies. His line about making the Republicans "own their failures." was simply brilliant. I have been frustrated because many of the Dem speakers have only said that McCain is more of the same, without showing how. Obama hit that hard last night saying McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time and Obama wasn't willing to take a 10% chance on change.
3. Obama showed he was a fighter. He took Biden's mom's advice and bloodied McCain's nose. Obama made McCain look small, very small by taking on McCain's negative advertising. Saying there was too much at stake in this election for the same old partisan playbook, Obama directly challenged McCain to grow up and be serious. We all put our country first.
Overall, Obama did all this and more with flourish and a seriousness that demonstrated his capacity to be commander-in-chief. He blunted what is sure to be several lines of attack next week.
It's hard to imagine the Repubs following this spectacle. For substance, for imagery, for the all-star lineup of political talent.
I thought his speech hit the target on three major areas.
1. Obama re-assured Democratic voters that he's a Democrat. He outlined specific proposals that he will champion as president. I must say he was somewhat light in discussing how he would pay for these proposals and see a Republican line of attack focusing on tax and spend. What else is new?
2. Obama tied McCain not only to GWB, but to failed Republican policies. His line about making the Republicans "own their failures." was simply brilliant. I have been frustrated because many of the Dem speakers have only said that McCain is more of the same, without showing how. Obama hit that hard last night saying McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time and Obama wasn't willing to take a 10% chance on change.
3. Obama showed he was a fighter. He took Biden's mom's advice and bloodied McCain's nose. Obama made McCain look small, very small by taking on McCain's negative advertising. Saying there was too much at stake in this election for the same old partisan playbook, Obama directly challenged McCain to grow up and be serious. We all put our country first.
Overall, Obama did all this and more with flourish and a seriousness that demonstrated his capacity to be commander-in-chief. He blunted what is sure to be several lines of attack next week.
It's hard to imagine the Repubs following this spectacle. For substance, for imagery, for the all-star lineup of political talent.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The real war President
John McCain's new campaign slogan:
More War, Fewer Jobs.
It's a can't miss selling proposition. I simply can't remember a more bellicose, belligerent, or dangerous candidate running for President. Really.
More War, Fewer Jobs.
It's a can't miss selling proposition. I simply can't remember a more bellicose, belligerent, or dangerous candidate running for President. Really.
The Big Night.
Tonight's the big speech from Obama. I think he's up to it.
The republicans are already amping up the rhetoric about the stage craft for the speech - something about the columns in the background. It's pretty difficult to believe that petty statements like that help their candidate. Even fervent supporters of McCain have to recognize the historic proportions of Obama's nomination...at least, I think they must.
The Obama campaign picked a fighter in Biden, and I think they are going to take it to the republicans over the next 8 weeks. Nothing personal. Simply bash them over the heads with their own incompetence. It should be fun to watch.
The republicans are already amping up the rhetoric about the stage craft for the speech - something about the columns in the background. It's pretty difficult to believe that petty statements like that help their candidate. Even fervent supporters of McCain have to recognize the historic proportions of Obama's nomination...at least, I think they must.
The Obama campaign picked a fighter in Biden, and I think they are going to take it to the republicans over the next 8 weeks. Nothing personal. Simply bash them over the heads with their own incompetence. It should be fun to watch.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Obama's rope-a-dope
As more than a casual observer of modern-day politics, I have been appreciating Obama'a political gifts. Win or lose this race, and I think it is his to win, he has demonstrated that he is a brilliant politician. It is the type of brilliance, though, that does not blind you. Obama is easy to underestimate...he is understated, he is positive, he is wry.
Obama watched the republicans disassemble the Kerry/Edwards ticket in '04. McCain has most of the '04 republican crew on his staff, so the strategy is fairly easy to predict. This group is attacking Obama on his strength (popularity, ability to draw large crowds, excellent speaking ability) and are hoping that they can get under Obama's skin and make him seem angry. Thus far, Obama has been cool (sometimes too much so) and more recently has turned to a little mockery to strike back. This seems to be a better counter for Obama - as he appears to be having some fun with McCain, which should irritate McCain all the more.
Kerry picked Edwards sometime in June in '04 giving the repubs much time to focus on the ticket. This year, Obama has kept the repubs (and the media) guessing - as each day goes by, the republicans lose another day to gather information and formulate attacks on the ticket. And while this is all happening, the focus remains Obama vs McCain, young vs age, new vs old, change vs same. I think Obama wins in these mini-battles.
Similar to his battle with Clinton, Obama is absorbing all the attacks by McCain. He is dodging and weaving, allowing McCain to lob all he has at him. As long as McCain fails to connect, and he hasn't, Obama is content to keep his campaign on the high road and control the message. McCain must be completely irritated at not being able to get his message out. Obama speaks, and everyone listens; McCain speaks and everyone yawns.
Obama is using the Olympics to cast a very positive image of himself. His latest ad doesn't even mention McCain. As Obama introduces himself to more of the public, what they are seeing simply doesn't jive with McCain's attacks.
I see more of this going through Labor Day, with the possibility of McCain going more negative. Clinton made many of the same mistakes that McCain is making. Too negative, too much focus on her opponent, not enough focus on local issues and the GOTV efforts.
Having watched the republicans destroy many good democrats over the years, I must admit that there are times when I want BO to strike back harder. But I look at what he has accomplished - and chiefly among those accomplishments is beating the premier brand in Democratic politics in the past 40 years, and becoming the first African-American nominee for President of the US. He has surrounded himself with big thinkers and intelligent people. Sure, they're going to make gaffes, but so far they have limited the damage.
I think they deserve the right to run the campaign as they deem without second guessing - at least not from my section in the bleachers.
Obama watched the republicans disassemble the Kerry/Edwards ticket in '04. McCain has most of the '04 republican crew on his staff, so the strategy is fairly easy to predict. This group is attacking Obama on his strength (popularity, ability to draw large crowds, excellent speaking ability) and are hoping that they can get under Obama's skin and make him seem angry. Thus far, Obama has been cool (sometimes too much so) and more recently has turned to a little mockery to strike back. This seems to be a better counter for Obama - as he appears to be having some fun with McCain, which should irritate McCain all the more.
Kerry picked Edwards sometime in June in '04 giving the repubs much time to focus on the ticket. This year, Obama has kept the repubs (and the media) guessing - as each day goes by, the republicans lose another day to gather information and formulate attacks on the ticket. And while this is all happening, the focus remains Obama vs McCain, young vs age, new vs old, change vs same. I think Obama wins in these mini-battles.
Similar to his battle with Clinton, Obama is absorbing all the attacks by McCain. He is dodging and weaving, allowing McCain to lob all he has at him. As long as McCain fails to connect, and he hasn't, Obama is content to keep his campaign on the high road and control the message. McCain must be completely irritated at not being able to get his message out. Obama speaks, and everyone listens; McCain speaks and everyone yawns.
Obama is using the Olympics to cast a very positive image of himself. His latest ad doesn't even mention McCain. As Obama introduces himself to more of the public, what they are seeing simply doesn't jive with McCain's attacks.
I see more of this going through Labor Day, with the possibility of McCain going more negative. Clinton made many of the same mistakes that McCain is making. Too negative, too much focus on her opponent, not enough focus on local issues and the GOTV efforts.
Having watched the republicans destroy many good democrats over the years, I must admit that there are times when I want BO to strike back harder. But I look at what he has accomplished - and chiefly among those accomplishments is beating the premier brand in Democratic politics in the past 40 years, and becoming the first African-American nominee for President of the US. He has surrounded himself with big thinkers and intelligent people. Sure, they're going to make gaffes, but so far they have limited the damage.
I think they deserve the right to run the campaign as they deem without second guessing - at least not from my section in the bleachers.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Clinton and Obama meet
Looks like Barak and Hilary held a no aides meeting last evening. Person to person. I'm sure their conversation was broad ranging, and it is almost a certainty that they discussed the VP issue.
I feel about Obama the way I feel about Bill Belichek and Theo Epstein in the Boston sports world. The latter two have put impressive management teams together and surrounded themselves with intelligent, competent people. The results are significant by any standards, let alone in the era of salary caps and free agency.
In the final analysis, I can offer no advice to the person who has overcome so many obstacles to become the Democratic nominee, and odds on favorite, for President of the US. He has demonstrated good judgement and excellent leadership throughout this process. Most recently, his handling of the Clinton refusal to concede has been very impressive. There are many pros and cons to every VP choice and I have no doubt Obama will choose wisely.
I can't wait to nod my head knowingly when he announces the person...
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