Election Issues Today

ACTION. CUT. AND PRINT. THAT’S A WRAP!

Yes, the Democratic Convention was like watching a well-rehearsed script.  But then, I pretty much expect the same thing from the GOP next week.

For the most part, Obama’s big speech was a re-hash of everything we have heard and read about his family, his background, his career, his beliefs, his accomplishments, his vision and plans for America.  Well, a little lite on the “plans” part, but otherwise, he summed up his entire campaign to this point; now he is off and “running” for the next 66 days, heading for the White House, he hopes.

Barack Obama had his party.  Many potential voters heard him speak in that big ol’ stadium in Denver.  I’ve read enough accounts of the evening’s speech to see that he impressed his supporters and didn’t change many minds of those who do not think he is the “Man.” Many say: “Where would he be if not for television?” 

I read recently that Obama’s opponents have called him the “biggest celebrity in the World” as though that were something bad. I guess they must think that would be an insult; but it is hardly appropriate to compare his celebrity to that of the likes of Paris Hilton. Perhaps his celebrity is more akin to Muhammad Ali, a person of great stature around the entire world, including the Muslim World, and Ali was certainly big in the United States as well…Muslim or not.  Yet, if there were the slightest truth to those internet rumors of Obama’s secret Muslim upbringing, his candidacy would be doomed.  Oh well, such is the fickleness of the American psyche.

So the big show moves to St. Paul.  Obama can take a break while McCain and his VP choice, Sarah Palin, Alaska’s governor, and all of the GOP biggies make their case for keeping the Grand Old Party in the White House.

YES, BILL CLINTON is still the BIG GUN!

I won’t say that Bill and Hillary gave Barack Obama a “luke warm” recommendation because they both made all the right sounds and gestures.  But how enthusiastic can they truly be?  Think of the dreams they had; the place in history they would hold if Hillary became the first female U.S. President and a former First Lady at that, and Bill became the First Man to sleep next to the President!

Joe Biden will do his job, both in the debates and on the stump.  He is the “establishment” man to add creds to Obama’s perceived weaknesses and lack of experience.  We shall see.  I’ve never really felt that a VP really added much to a ticket’s electability, with maybe two exceptions: LBJ with JFK in 1960 and George Bush as Reagan’s VP.

I continue to read so much about “sour grapes” and “we nominated the wrong candidate” that the Democratic Party Ticket will face a very strong challenge this autumn.  The challenge is not so much posed by the GOP, but by the challenge to become UNITED in their drive to unseat the GOP from the White House.    There was a tremendous amount of “lip service” to the ideal of unity but I think the two leading contenders just ripped the heart out of their supporters.  The only ticket that would have worked in the general election would have been Hillary for Prez and Obama for VP.  That ticket became impossible to form once Obama gained the edge in the primaries.  Prior to Super Tuesday, Obama would have been really happy with the VP spot.  For Hillary, nothing but the Presidency would have satisfied her ambition.

Now, just the big extravaganza in the Denver Stadium remains before attention  will be on St. Paul and the GOP Convention next week.

One thing that will be watched closely by both political camps and the media: Will Obama see the expected Convention “Bounce”?

Hillary Clinton was a HIT at the Demo’s Convention.

Some say that Hillary looked and sounded “presidential.”  Okay.  After all, she was the front-runner and the preference of millions of voters during the primaries.  The theme of her evening, though, was“unity” and unity will be the key to keeping pace with the GOP nominee during the general election campaign.  I personally believe that Obama has an uphill battle ahead of him; not just with white America but with blue-collar America too, and Christian America, and gun-toting America.

But preceding Hillary Clinton to the stage were NINE state governors; and by all accounts that I have read this morning, the Montana governor, Brian Schweitzer, gets the “bally-hoo” award for rousing up the crowd with some “good ol’ boy” talk of cattle and coal, government efficiency and energy. Peter Wallsten, writing in the Los Angeles Times this morning says: “Party activists got a glimpse Tuesday of a surprising new breakout star: a jovial, round-faced warrior with a bolo tie who managed to attack Republicans while keeping a smile on his face.”  Wallsten’s best line in his column was perhaps the following in mentioning Schweitzer’s comments on energy and the economy …”purely partisan red meat on a pocketbook issue.”

For the Democrats and the party faithful, this was a great evening to enjoy their stars, both established and up-and-coming.

Montana’s Brian Schweitzer

This is, after all, a “party” and its primary purpose is to praise each other and showcase themselves to the millions in the audience at home who will decide upon the future leader.

Will Michelle Obama be an Asset or Liability for the Democratic Ticket? 

It was fairly easy to find a video of Michelle Obama’s speech at the DNC last night.  How do you think she did?  Did she come across as sincere?   Abrasive?  Egotistical?  Wifely?  Motherly?  Believable as a First Lady?

First of all, it is most fortunate for the Obama campaign that “Michelle” is a very “american-ish” and “white-ish” and “house-wifey” name. This campaign is about being accepted by white America. It is about attracting white votes. If her name were LaKeysha, or Tamika or Shawntay….well, you get it.

Overall, I believe her performance was a “plus” for the campaign.  She will likely be a “voice” to be reckoned with.  She will not likely be found in the kitchen baking cookies, either.  Front row seat for this woman.

She looked good on camera; looked good on stage.  Her hair was particularly pleasing, I thought, and I am a guy, so not an expert by any means.  She also looked good in a sweater; there I am more of an expert, of sorts.

She spoke well; used English like it was easy.  That means she sounded “white.”  I know that sounds racist, but we all are to some extent…our little prejudices and such.

She used the term “improbable journey“ more than once.  I think that sounds like a “theme” for the Obama campaign.  I predict we will hear the term often during the next two months.  I’m certain that Senator Obama is quite proud of his wife’s performance.

First night of the convention?  ASSET for the Democratic ticket.