The first and only Vice Presidential debate began. The date, October 2, 2008. The candidates were cordial, even friendly. Joseph Biden and Sarah Palin took to the stage. The Democrat entered the theatre from the left. The Republican strode onto the platform from the right. The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Sarah Palin inquired; might she call the Senator from Delaware "Joe." Delighted, and with a sincere smile, the gentleman from Wilmington told the woman from Wasilla, certainly. The scene was set. For the moment, all was fine and would be, in appearance. Only the words that whirled about spoke to the differences between these two Vice Presidential aspirants.
Some have become decidedly lax as they reflect on the Presidential election. A few presumed to be excited by the polls. Barack Obama has pulled ahead, ever so slightly. Progressives play with the numbers and feel a sense of exuberance. Frequently, Democrats and Independents who lean "Left" fail to recall; complacency will not increase the vote count. Sarah Palin has come far in her career. Often, in the past, she has shown herself to be a competent challenger. Sarah Palin is a formidable force.
Sarah Palin performs admirably, or was that Tina Fey. It is difficult to discern who is who. It is perhaps a greater challenge to determine which said what. Days ago, Katie Couric of CBS News, interviewed Vice Presidential nominee Palin. The original statements and much of the script is virtually identical or so it would seem. Tina Fey, may have meant to perform in parody. However, in the satire the humorist altered little. Indeed, Tina Fey directly quoted the Alaskan Governor. What a wondrous world. Wit and wisdom are one.
Regardless of a point of view, it may be true, the election coverage need not be the source of tragedy. There can be some comic relief. Please take time to laugh a little, cry a lot; weep for the Veep who may soon enter the White House. Moan for the United States citizenry Governor Palin may serve. Ponder the prospect, Sarah Palin, informed, innovative, a cause for intrigue, and an inspiration to others may soon preside over this country. The chances are good. Sarah Palin, if elected on the McCain ticket in 2008, may become President of the United States in the near future.
Please consider how important your ballot might be. Become conversant. Consider the issues and the individuals you believe might or do not represent your positions. Cast an aware vote. Research the candidates. Respond to more than the label Democrat or Republican. Realize, an election is not just a Party or political postures. Prominent may not equate to profound.
If you would, please share your thoughts on matters of import in this campaign season. You thoughts teach; no one else can tell your tale. I thank you.
Tonight, during the first Presidential Debate, in the year 2008, John McCain empathically claimed to know his chum of more than thirty years. The Arizona Senator strongly stated former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, would think Barack Obama wrong. Senator McCain repeatedly reassured the public that the Ambassador would not think it wise to negotiate with rogue nations such as Iran. John Sidney McCain reminded us of the refrain, Barack Obama is "naïve." Yet, it might be puerile to ponder that friendship ensures explicit agreement. Relationships may remind us of a capricious certainty and why countries engage in combat.
Americans each have an opinion on Sarah Palin. The Alaskan Governor has been the topic of conversation for weeks. The Press pours over her record. Average Americans read. Some say she is sensational. Sarah Palin has sizzle. Many hockey Moms relate to the woman who worked her way up. Governor Palin has cracked the glass ceiling. She has become a celebrity of sorts.
Several scorn the lovely lady. Others imitate the daughter of Eve. No one disputes, Sarah Palin has style. Yet, few have the opportunity to make an informed judgment. Less are able chat one-on-one with the Republican Vice Presidential nominee. Fortunately, two did. First Lady Laura Bush shares her thoughts after a conversation with Palin. ABC News Anchor, Katie Couric offers an objective view. Only a read from interviews with Ms Bush or Ms Couric reveals what each might think. Please peruse the reflections and dear reader, decide for yourself. Who might Sarah Palin be to you.
Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.
The conduct of public affairs for private advantage. ~ Ambrose Bierce (June 24, 1842 - 1914) American Editorialist, Journalist, Author, Satirist
Two issues of national import flooded the airwaves on Wednesday, September 24, 2008. On every radio and television station, broadcasters spoke of the economy and the elections. Journalists reported, tonight, the current President of the United States will address the nation, One of the persons who hopes to occupy the Oval Office after George W. Bush departs will not speak directly to the people. For Senator John McCain, the fierce urgency of now is offered as the reason he will suspend his campaign. The Presidential aspirant requested his rival do as he decrees correct, delay the debates. Whilst an audience estimated to be near one hundred (100) million anxiously awaits word from the self-proclaimed "reformer," John McCain muses his presence in Oxford, Mississippi would be unwise. As Americans have witnessed on the campaign trail, enter one Grand Old Party boy; exit the other. Some suggest the Republican President and the Party nominee are rapturous; they love theatre of the absurd.
Today, you, dear reader, can do as no one has done before. Any of us in North America can view the full version of Slackers Uprising is now available for free to all residents of the United States and Canada. In the land of liberty, please take some. Be bold; be brave. Prepare to find reasons to partake in the democratic process. Get ready to click for a film, or cast a ballot for the next President of the United States.
The hype may heighten; still there is work to be done.
Americans already confident that their chosen candidate will win the Presidential election, may wish to assess what happens quickly. People are fickle. A voter can vacillate. Someone may say they will cast a ballot for one candidate or the other. However, when a constituent finally places pen to paper, punches a card, pulls a lever, or touches a computer screen, one never knows what that person will ultimately do. No matter what any individual tells a pollster, every citizen must remember, people change their minds.
The only certainty is the notion nothing is constant. Each of us must recall, how capricious any human being can be and how imprecise public opinion polls are. Even election results can be other than they appear to be. When humans are involved, anything can happen.
Big businesses try to silence them, and these influential institutions succeed. Brazen persons, abundantly affluent, and government officials, content with the status quo also wish to secure the stillness. The hush from the hordes of those who do not vote does not disturb those who are well off. Undeniably, the quiet of millions calms those who want only the few and proud to vote. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are seemingly apathetic. Many of those who actively participate in elections are grateful.
The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund asks each of us to consider our values and the ethics of Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Environmental experts also join these protectors of the natural world when they inquire, would we rather have science survive or the ideology of a singular prominent person, Alaskan Governor, Sarah Palin. A woman who could potentially be a heartbeat away from the presidency holds dear a practice that might cause some to cry or cry out. Governor Palin, as an elected official, a churchgoer, and as a citizen promotes her personal fondness for aerial wolf and bear hunts.
Mother of five Sarah Palin ignites the race for the White House. Like an arsonist, this female is the flame, and every moth is drawn to her. Men and women alike, crowd into community events just to gaze upon this combustible personality. Since the Republican Convention ended, everywhere Sarah Palin travels, throngs of voters follow. The constituents wish to catch a glimpse of this Hockey Mom. "Sarah" as she is called, is thought to be one of them. She is the average American.
Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat the cry is the same, "We want change!" For well over a year Americans have heard the words. Barack Obama is "The change we can believe in." Currently, the cry is McCain is the change candidate, and certainly, he is. This Presidential aspirant, a celebrated "maverick," has altered the conversation and transformed his candidacy. More than once, the media counted the former prisoner of war, John McCain, down and out; yet, the Arizona Senator rose as a Phoenix from the flames. Many Americans trust that the formidable fellow who fought for his country with blood, sweat, and tears is the best person to serve as President of the United States.
Above the crowd chants, Americans can hear the roar of resentment. The Republicans have weighed in. Sarah Palin is the saintly small town American. She has traditional conservative values. And the venom needed to spread the McCain message with a vengeance. The Grand Old Party says, Sarah Palin is just what they needed to excite the base. The senior Senator, John McCain, the Republican Presidential pick was too dry, too dull, or too dogmatic. He did not seem to possess the magnificence of a maverick as he once did.
What do you talk about when you, a Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate have nothing good to say of yourself? What can be said to encourage people to endorse you when your proposed policies will hurt them? What do you talk about when you cannot explain, the last years that define the failure of your Party?
You speak of others. Then, no one will notice what you do not want them to acknowledge. When you are not as wondrous as people hope you will be, criticize someone else. Slice, dice, and place people on the defensive. Lessen the worth of one who looms too large for your liking. Then, attention will be diverted away from you. A common enemy can be your cause. If people in your Party have someone to actively oppose they will joyfully join you in a quest to conquer.
A Vietnam veteran and America's potential Commander-In-Chief, needed to make the decision of a lifetime. As a candidate for President, would he superficially vet his choice for a possible Vice Presidential candidate, or might he substantially examine what could be exposed in the press before he picked the preferred Sarah Palin. The choice was clear. Yes, he, a former prisoner of war, would prepare for what could be a battle. This crucial determination might define his career. Presidential aspirant, John McCain would evaluate the essentials. However, he did not engage in this process post-haste.
What does one say when, by acclamation, a man whose background and experience may be more American than most who have been nominated to be the Presidential candidate , is chosen to represent the his Party? How might one find words for this moment? Overwhelmed with feelings, does an individual shout, Hooray? Through the tears of happiness, might we exclaim, "This is incredible!" Can we communicate the sensation. The possibilities are phenomenal. This historic moment is fascinating. Oh joy; oh bliss. Perchance we can believe not only in change, but also in the beauty of people dedicated to a cause. Possibly each of us can have faith in unity. We can perchance, begin anew. Hope is alive. The dream survives. The impossible is probable.
It is important to express a deep, sincere, and special gratitude to Hillary Rodham Clinton. Every one of us might acknowledge our earnest appreciation for those Clinton supporters who cast a delegate ballot for Barack Obama.
Let us each wish upon the stars in the skies and those in our eyes. Democrats, Independents, Republicans who remember the intent of our forefathers, let us do what we must to ensure government is again, of, by, and for the people.
Tonight Hillary Clinton, I thank you. Your speech was sensational. The words were welcome. A call for unity could not be more needed. I believe only you could make this plea in a meaningful manner. As grateful as I am, and indeed, I am truly pleased that you spoke as you did. I wonder if this pronouncement, as presented, will solve what some see as the dilemma of the disaffected. Will your words alleviate the concern too often expressed about the Democratic candidate, Barack Obama?
I had the incredible privilege of hearing, seeing, and being with the glorious Michele Obama a few weeks ago. Near a month earlier, I listened intently to the speech she shared in Miami. It was in the twilight of the day when Michelle Obama presented just a bit of the story she told the nation this evening. Although, at that event, the entirety of her narrative was yet to be revealed, I knew then, that this woman was, is wondrous. I said so when given the chance.
I saw them. I heard them. The undecided voters were no longer in the shadows. The seven, eleven, or fourteen percent, the unpersuadables who either decline to state a preference, or have not yet determined whether they could or would support the presumptive nominees, Barack Obama or John McCain, were there. They stood at the door of the Arena. It was a Thursday afternoon, in Boca Raton, Florida. Hundreds, myself among them, stood in wait as the storms overhead threatened. Rain clouds did not deter us. What some thought oppressive heat did not dissuade the many who wished to hear the former First Lady. As we stood outside and discussed when the doors might open, many shared their deeply held conviction. Obama could not possibly beat Senator McCain without Clinton, and her supporters. If Hillary was at the top of the Democratic ticket, several speculated, we could crush John McCain.
Throughout the ages, life has been but an allegory for the Shakespearean drama Macbeth. When people observe the strength of a wedded woman, they wonder. Might she be the spouse behind the man? Couples whose passion for power burns brightly may be reminiscent of those who perform in the tragedy played out on many a theatre stage. A pair, married partners, in the present, may be as characters in a revival of the this best-known of William Shakespeare's tragic productions. The tale, written in centuries long past, often evokes reverie of today's truths. Only the characters differ.
If this dramatic piece, were to be performed today, possibly, Hillary and Bill Clinton would be cast as the main characters. The two are slightly more modern, and a bit less morose than the actors in years gone by.
MoveOn.org presents this production with a desire to seek donations. This self-proclaimed "Progressive" organization hopes to advance the Democratic candidate, and look for dollars to do so. In essence, MoveOn would wish the public to think that if we advocate for Barack Obama then the Party platform will be fulfilled. As one who does not necessarily see these two entities as equivalent, I offer this audio-visual presentation more as a tool to inform than a request for a contribution.
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