The Battle Begins!
Today the Democratic Party Convention opens in Denver and everyone's in a dither about Obama's apparent shrinking lead over John McCain and the supposed defections by Hillary supporters. So, what's going to happen? Is Obama going to lose to John McCain? Of course that's always a possibility. Remember that the US Women's softball team which never loses came in second in the Olympics -- so it's possible. But . . .
Here's my thoughts on this:
1. John McCain is a very flawed candidate, whose primary claim is that he's a former POW. That makes him a war hero, but it doesn't qualify him to be President. He claims to be a Maverick -- even suggesting that things are worse off now than 4 years ago, and that he's stood up to the President. Well, the fact is, McCain has embraced almost all of Bush's policies and voted with Bush 95% of the time.
2. There is plenty of time to get things in order. The Warren Forum reports, which seems to have suggested Obama fell flat, will in the end prove evisceral. For one thing most Americans were watching the Olympics, and it's becoming clearer that this was not in any way a level playing field.
3. Do you really think that avid Hillary supporters will bolt the Democratic Party and vote for McCain who promises to appoint more justices to the Supreme Court such as Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. So, some of them are unhappy that she's not on the ticket or that she didn't get vetted. Obama was not obligated to choose her and she knows that. This isn't about Hillary, it's about the Democratic Party and the need to change the focus of the country after 8 years of disastrous rule. Remember that until January 2007, just over 18 months ago, this nation was effectively ruled by a conservative Republican government -- controlling all 3 branches of the government. So, unless you want 4 more years of Bush-like policies, you'll want to vote for Obama-Biden
4. Obsession with Change needs to go away. I agree with Frank Rich that Obama needs to deep six the "Change You Can Believe In" mantra. It worked well in the Primaries, but the issues are somewhat different. Yes, change is in order, but we also need a leader who will think carefully about the world and its issues -- that is, there's going to have to be a good dose of pragmatism. Choosing Joe Biden suggests not that Obama is weak and needs a tender -- as did GW -- but that Obama wants a strong partner who will speak his mind. Yes, Biden is an insider, but Obama will have to work the inside as well as the outside. Obama will give the face of change, but he needs to have some one telling him what's going on inside.
So my word to all the pessimists out there -- remember that the Press needs to fill space and they'll make stories if need be. They're telling us that Clinton delegates are going to create a scene and such -- why? So we'll tune in. If everything was happy, would we tune in? And yes Obama is going to have to get some mud on his hands. It's unfortunate but John McCain has gotten good at throwing it. And, like Hillary did, McCain will claim that Obama's being unfair in criticizing him -- why? Because he's supposed to be a different kind of politician. Well, choosing Joe Biden should tell you something, Obama is ready to rumble!
Final word -- Remember, Barack Obama is running for President -- not sainthood!
Here's my thoughts on this:
1. John McCain is a very flawed candidate, whose primary claim is that he's a former POW. That makes him a war hero, but it doesn't qualify him to be President. He claims to be a Maverick -- even suggesting that things are worse off now than 4 years ago, and that he's stood up to the President. Well, the fact is, McCain has embraced almost all of Bush's policies and voted with Bush 95% of the time.
2. There is plenty of time to get things in order. The Warren Forum reports, which seems to have suggested Obama fell flat, will in the end prove evisceral. For one thing most Americans were watching the Olympics, and it's becoming clearer that this was not in any way a level playing field.
3. Do you really think that avid Hillary supporters will bolt the Democratic Party and vote for McCain who promises to appoint more justices to the Supreme Court such as Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. So, some of them are unhappy that she's not on the ticket or that she didn't get vetted. Obama was not obligated to choose her and she knows that. This isn't about Hillary, it's about the Democratic Party and the need to change the focus of the country after 8 years of disastrous rule. Remember that until January 2007, just over 18 months ago, this nation was effectively ruled by a conservative Republican government -- controlling all 3 branches of the government. So, unless you want 4 more years of Bush-like policies, you'll want to vote for Obama-Biden
4. Obsession with Change needs to go away. I agree with Frank Rich that Obama needs to deep six the "Change You Can Believe In" mantra. It worked well in the Primaries, but the issues are somewhat different. Yes, change is in order, but we also need a leader who will think carefully about the world and its issues -- that is, there's going to have to be a good dose of pragmatism. Choosing Joe Biden suggests not that Obama is weak and needs a tender -- as did GW -- but that Obama wants a strong partner who will speak his mind. Yes, Biden is an insider, but Obama will have to work the inside as well as the outside. Obama will give the face of change, but he needs to have some one telling him what's going on inside.
So my word to all the pessimists out there -- remember that the Press needs to fill space and they'll make stories if need be. They're telling us that Clinton delegates are going to create a scene and such -- why? So we'll tune in. If everything was happy, would we tune in? And yes Obama is going to have to get some mud on his hands. It's unfortunate but John McCain has gotten good at throwing it. And, like Hillary did, McCain will claim that Obama's being unfair in criticizing him -- why? Because he's supposed to be a different kind of politician. Well, choosing Joe Biden should tell you something, Obama is ready to rumble!
Final word -- Remember, Barack Obama is running for President -- not sainthood!
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