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.
According to the Republicans, Senator Barack Obama is the most liberal Senator ever. As the Republican shrills made the talk show rounds the common theme was a familiar refrain. Senator_______ (you fill in the blank with any Democratic nominee) is the most liberal Senator ever. I am not a believer in déjà vu, but I can't help but think I have heard this line before. Oh yeah now I remember; how about the last 20 years! It seems like whenever the Democrats nominate someone that person is immediately labeled the most liberal Governor, Senator, etc. ever.
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.
Women are in leadership roles in every avenue of life. Today, two have risen far above the fray. They have accomplished more than many a man. Senator Hillary Clinton and Governor Sarah Palin each saw the top of glass ceiling and put cracks in the upper limits. For these exceptional persons, the sky was not high enough. They sought to be more, to be all that they could be. Perchance, the pair succeeded. Yet, as these skillful and courageous females spoke of what they had achieved, or could, were there no constraints, frequently, the reaction from others was sadly, as could have been expected. For centuries, conventional wisdom may have weighed women down. At least words of woe have dampened the spirit of daughters of Eve who hoped to soar.
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.
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 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.
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.
This election season, perhaps, more so than any other, has produced a plethora of policy proposals. Frequently, a single candidate will show how well he [or she] can strut his [or her] stuff. Americans experience that each of the anointed nominees introduces an idea and then, they offer another that is in direct opposition to the original plan. It is beautiful to behold. The current presumptive challengers have demonstrated how well they dance.
Since Political Parties no longer craft platforms, Presidential hopefuls can truly swoon and croon. The songs aspirants sing sound so serene. The tangos are anything but timid. Democrat or Republican, these guys can do the twist and shout. Each can perform the Hustle like no disco dancer could. Barack Obama and John McCain trip over their feet; and the two, tip toe on the dance floor. The "old guy" and the "celebrity" are really able to maneuver . . . around issues. The "white-haired dude" and the "other guy" have preformed well, at least in comparison to each other.
However, neither holds a candle to the newest entrant to the Presidential election, Paris Hilton.
Three words inspire us all. There are "Gonna be wars," and yes, we are going to "Bomb, bomb Iran." As every inhabitant of the globe knows, "withdraw [from Iraq or Afghanistan] means chaos." If Americans and citizens around the world think things are bad now, you ain't "seen nothin' yet." "It, [this war and that one] was ugly." However, each of us can be assured the combat will continue. Engagement may be impossible to escape. The fight may flourish for "maybe a hundred" years. As Presidential hopeful so eloquent stated, that is "fine with me." However, a perpetual war is not satisfactory for those who advocate for peace.
The presumptive Presidential nominees have been selected. Now, it is time for some campaigning. Political postures are promoted. Fundraisers are in full swing. Commercials fill the airwaves. The mud is slung. The people are presumed satisfied with candidates and the positions they present. On occasion, when one of the electorate dares to speak out, he or she is silenced by chants from a proud and loyal crowd. All is secured in Election 2008.
It begins again. Each election season the public hears promises, "I will not go negative." This candidate or that will state, "Attack advertisements are unacceptable." A husband or wife will reassure the people; "Certainly, my spouse will not engage in such shameful exchanges." Yet, no matter how honorable a Presidential hopeful may seem, commercials they approve can be arguably ignominious.
It's ironic that John McCain, once a media favorite, finds himself on the short end of increasingly lopsided news coverage. Barack Obama has proved a master of modern political stagecraft, and the U.S. media seems content to lap up his spoon-fed goodness. While such unquestioning acceptance might make good television, the media is failing to play its critical role in the political process. Similar just-swallow-the-message behavior helped lead this nation into an unjustified war. Obama is no Bush, but the press owes the public more than the fawning adoration they're passing off as "The New 'Objective'" [Archive No. 0828].
Before signing off, a reminder that I'm offering a limited-edition portfolio to help cover the cost of books for my upcoming semester of grad school. Since sales were tepid on the selections I made, I've tweaked the portfolio offer so you can pick out your favorite toons. For only $20, you get reproductions of your five favorites, professionally printed on 8x10 photo stock, along with an original pen sketch of George W. Bush. Order soon, as this offer only lasts until 20 sets are sold:
Back in seven . . .
Cheers . . .
Andrew toon@offthewahl.com
The Courts and Congress have come to believe there is reason for fear. Enemies are everywhere. Those who wish to do us harm are in our homes. They talk to us on our telephones. Some sashay in through our computers. "Evil doers" are ubiquitous in the United States. Our open society places the public at risk. We, the people, must defend ourselves. Thus, the Supreme Court and Congress have given the government and us the means. The highest judicial body in the nation has made it possible for the common man to protect himself with a pistol; Legislators provided the President ethereal firearms. Indeed, individuals and the Commander-In-Chief were bequeathed more than either had asked for. In 2008, we have entered the Summer of Separation. In the United States we say, "Farewell to privacy. Hello to arms."
In his mad dash to the middle, Barack Obama joins John McCain and George W. Bush as a trampler of American privacy rights. It looks like "The Further Adventures of Big Brother Sam" (Archive No. 0826a and 0826b) will continue, regardless of who takes the White House.
In Florida, talk of fuel prices flourishes. Citizens communicate concerns in Letters to Editors. For the populace in this Southeastern State is the focus of numerous negotiations, consultations, and deliberations nationwide. The subject is offshore drilling. Might Americans abandon opposition to this environmentally perilous practice and let the petroleum flow. There is much push and pull. There always is when purses are pinched. With the cost of gas high, and the use of cars critical in a culture built on travel, much hot and cold air is bandied about.
The upcoming strategy for the Republicans for the fall campaign is beginning to take shape. The bulk of the campaign will revolve around the lack of patriotism of Senator Obama. He is already being cast by the Republican nominee and the Republican minions as being unpatriotic and a hater of America. Let the swift boating begin. The goal of this strategy is to scare the rural and working class white Americans who are being targeted because of the final weeks of the Hillary rural strategy. The belief is that Obama is vulnerable amongst these voters because of race, class, and patriotism. The Republicans have to get the debate away from the issues and focus on divisiveness. If the Republicans were to run on the issues this election would be over tomorrow.
In a nation, where appeasement is condemned, Americans are anxious. The people have been pacified for so long they can no longer recall what it means to be other than indulged. On June 6, 2008, Congresspersons, uncomfortable with the notion that they might have to use the rod, concluded, for now, it is better to spoil the already pampered Americans. Lawmakers said, as they have so often, "Let them eat oil!" After all, the people love petroleum.
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