Wednesday, February 20, 2008

If It's Wednesday, You Know It's Going to be Political

A Quick Note to a Couple Candidates

Dear Hillary and Senator John "You are a true American hero, sir, and we dare not speak your name aloud lest we be considered impertinent" McCain,

Hi. How's it goin'? It's ok, Hillary, you don't have to answer that.

Technically, you are both in very different positions right now. One of you is cakewalking to your convention and one of you, well, one of you is having a much harder time of it. I'm not naming names. But for my money, y'all are basically in the same position: you're both running against Barack Obama. And I don't know if you've been listening to yourselves, or each other, but I think you're making a few mistakes. Mind if I point them out to you?

1) Both of you have incorporated language into your speeches which aim to deflate Sen. Obama's speeches. First of all, that's just kinda ironic, don'tcha think? More to the point: Hillary, you said that America doesn't need "speeches, it needs solutions" and Senator John "I totally respect you, sir, and your years of faithful service" McCain, you...well, I think you possibly have a better speech writer but you said that by voting for you Americans will be safe from "eloquent but empty calls for change".

Let's dissect this for a moment. By going after Obama's oratory, you are acknowledging that part of his appeal is precisely his ability to make a speech like nothing most of us have ever heard. Don't knock it. Political oratory has a long and powerful history in American politics. The fact that we are all being treated to the sound of someone making sense and doing it so well, hey, that is just plain cool. But frankly, you both look a little desperate when you try to go after that.

I realize what you are both trying to suggest is that there is no substance behind the words. I don't really think you're paying attention. But beyond that, it sounds like 'sour grapes'. And also, Americans aren't as stupid as you are implying. We aren't flocking to Senator Obama because he sounds so pretty. That might get us in the room, but it isn't what is keeping us around. We're learning about him, listening to him, reading his book, talking about him with our friends and neighbors and you know what? He's winning. So give us some credit and hire a new speechwriter or two if you are so worried about it.

2) Stop playing the experience card. No one cares. Really.

Senator John "This is getting really tedious but someone is going to smack me if I don't accord you all the respect your years of service demand" McCain, you do well to pay attention to what's happening over on Hillary's side of things. She's been playing that card for weeks now and it isn't working. And if it isn't working for her, someone who's younger and more passionate than you, it sure isn't going to play once you and Barack are in the same room. His youth and looks and energy are going to make it look like the kind thing would be to silently turn our heads while Cindy escorts you slowly back to the home. Best not go on and on about that now.

Not to mention - and this is for both of you- Americans, at least this cycle, don't really care about experience. First of all, they understand that in reality no president is an expert in everything. That's why there are staffers and cabinet members and all sorts of other people with whom a President surrounds himself (or herself). Barack is smart. He'll choose wisely.

No. American's are way more concerned about leadership. They actually want someone in the White House who makes them believe and makes them work. They want someone who, so far, hasn't talked down to them once, for all his fancy eddication.

Don't you realize that we have been talked down to for the last 7 years? We've been told what to think. We've been told that we're traitors. We've been told that things have to be done for our own good and we're not to question the methods. That may be a legitimate strategy for parenting, but it's piss poor government. It certainly isn't leadership.

Americans, my friend says, are emotional voters. Yeah, we are. So someone who appeals to our emotions and our highest ideals AND reminds us of our potential for greatness is a formidable candidate. But note, he is also challenging us to work and make it happen. There have been other presidents like that, you know. They called us to fight fascism and sacrifice in the doing. They pulled us out of a Great Depression, ended slavery, and started us on a quest to reach the moon. When Americans are asked to step up, they do it. But collectively, we need to be inspired to greatness.

Plus, we don't want to wait on Barack for 8 more years so he can become more "experienced" (read, jaded and cynical). I'm not trying to call you out here, but if the 2 of you were less hardened by politics, you'd both be more appealing right now.

Understand the big picture: the last 7 years have broken our hearts. We're tired of the lies and the botched government. We're tired of worrying about our jobs and our homes and how to pay our medical bills AND still send our kids to college. We're fractured by stolen elections and 9/11 and this misbegotten war. We are tired and aching and frankly, most of us are way more scared of our own government than anything else.

We need a break. We want a break. We want someone young and passionate with new ideas and a proven record of bringing people together. We want someone who isn't an insider. That's really what you mean by "experience" and it's not playing. And we want this idea guy to get us off our butts and engaged in the process. Barack is doing that and you'd better figure out how to do it, too.

Hillary, some pundits are saying that if you don't win by double digits on March 5 you should pack it in. I don't care if you want to fight all the way to the convention. Knock yourself out. But don't hurt the party in the process. Michigan and Florida broke party rules and their delegates won't be seated at the convention. They made their bed; you've got to lie in it. Stop pushing the point. It makes you look desperate and cynical. It confirms what too many already fear about you, that you are in this for yourself. You need to be cool.

Senator John "Oh, so venerable" McCain, part of your appeal is your perceived independence and moderation. Pandering to the fundagelicals hurts you. You didn't need them to get this far. If you acknowledge them, especially if you put Huckabee on the ticket, you might pick up some votes in the general election but you'll lose more. You're already losing the independents. You really need them in November. "Straight talk" is your strong suit. Don't abandon that now.

Alright. We've all got things to do. I'll let you go. Take care.

Sincerely,

Lorraine

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24 Comments:

Blogger Red Seven opined...

Whether or not one believes that McCain, Clinton or Obama will be the better president, one thing is clear: Barack Obama is clearly the best candidate.

I personally believe that -- of the three choices left to us -- Hillary Clinton would be the best President. But my support for her has taken a real downturn lately, not because I've begun to doubt her abilities, but because she's losing credibility as a candidate.

I fully support the right of voters in Michigan and Florida to be heard at the National Democratic Convention, but only if each state gets a "do-over" primary, with both Hillary and Barack on the ballot. And I don't think Hillary would fare nearly as well in a March do-over as she did in the contested early races.

I remember how I felt when Howard Dean was undone by the Democratic Party machine -- devastated, I was. I fear that if Obama does not win the nomination, many legions of his followers will not burn nearly as brightly for Senator Clinton, but will instead stew in a cynical funk, much like I did four years ago.

While I continue to believe that Hillary Clinton would be a marvelous Madame Prez, I'm worried about a rift in the party of the Obama train isn't allowed to chug-chug-chug all the way to November.

In short, I'm flummoxed, and a little sad -- and I hate to see the back-and-forth bickering with the political party I claim as my own.

February 20, 2008 9:06 AM  
Blogger Kimberly Ann opined...

Well said, Madame. My biggest fear is that things won't go Hillary's way, so she'll pull something with the super delegates and the Dems will be torn asunder - protesting by voting for McCain. The last thing the party needs right now is a fractured base.

February 20, 2008 9:23 AM  
Blogger Lorraine opined...

Red, every Obama supporter I know will work to elect Hillary if she's the candidate. Agreed, maybe not with the same enthusiasm, but they aren't going to abandon the party. Not to mention, that if he isn't the candidate, I'm sure he will lend his energy and enthusiasm to the cause. And hopefully, help her to be as vigorous and passionate a candidate as we'll need to take the White House.

I'm pretty sure Hillary doesn't want do-overs in Michigan and Florida. And I'm sorry, but people knew what they were getting into when they didn't play by the rules. Too bad. Are those voters disenfranchised? Probably. So they need to get new people in party leadership so something like that doesn't happen again.

I know exactly how you feel about Dean and I felt it, too. I got a double whammy because after Howard dropped out I supported Edwards and then he dropped out. I didn't think Kerry was the best choice and even though I worked for him, it wasn't initially with as much passion. But I also got over it because as much as I wasn't crazy about him, I hated Bush. And frankly, by the end of the campaign, I was enthused.

But the difference this time around is that the party machine isn't what's guiding the decision. Last time, under different leadership, they set it up to get a candidate as soon as possible. Dean is letting this one play out. The fact that we've had time to hear a lot from both candidates is a good thing. Obama isn't railroading anything and neither is the party. He's emerging as the best candidate, which is what the primary system is designed to do.

Kimberly Anne, if she takes it all the way to the convention, she'd better watch how she does it. Voters who are sceptical of her will only become moreso. And that would hurt her long term if, say, McCain wins the election and she wants to try again in 4 years. Both she and Obama need to be willing to be gracious in defeat if they want to improve long-term odds. I just think she's the one who should start thinking hard about what that should look like because it isn't going to be enough for her to win on March 5. She has to do it by a lot. And right now the polls aren't trending that way.

February 20, 2008 9:40 AM  
Blogger Lorraine opined...

Oh, and Red, there's always some bickering. Can't help it with as big and diverse tent as we Dems have. But fist fights and mud slinging, that hurts. Both candidates absolutely should take that to heart in the remaining weeks. One of them is going to be the candidate and they both should take care to not cripple each other. Can't have our guy or gal limping into the general. And really, I think they are both trying to tread that line for the most part.

February 20, 2008 9:42 AM  
Blogger danny/ink2metal opined...

i wish i had as clear a grasp on the political situation as you, lorraine. that is some awesome commentary.

so thanks for putting it in a easily digestible capsule form.

February 20, 2008 11:22 AM  
Blogger Lorraine opined...

I'm not sure about that, Danny, but thanks. Would you like a glass of water to down all that punditry?

February 20, 2008 12:06 PM  
Blogger gone opined...

Rockstar!!!!!!!!!!

February 20, 2008 12:55 PM  
Blogger danny/ink2metal opined...

hm, water, no. but a gin and tonic should help make things even clearer, thanks!

February 20, 2008 1:11 PM  
Blogger Unknown opined...

::clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap::

The last person that even came close to what Obama is calling us to was Ronald Reagan, with his shining city on the hill thing.

I know, people freak out when Reagan is mentioned with Obama, but honestly - they both offered something to Americans that neither Senator Clinton nor Senator McCain are offering - a positive vision for our country.

I found it interesting that Clinton last night pulled out the 'strong Commander in Chief in dangerous times' card. I personally believe that Americans, especially younger Americans who were children when 9/11 happened, are tired of being scared.

We want to believe in ourselves as a people again. And Obama is the only one offering that.

Beautifully stated, Lorraine.

February 20, 2008 4:09 PM  
Blogger Lorraine opined...

Hat, where? (looks around in confusion for Bono)

One g&t comin' up, Danny.

(curtsies) Oh, man, Maine Gay, yes I heard that and just about coughed up my Mexican lasagne. Damn her eyes for playing the fear card. GET OVER IT! We don't want to be cowed into voting for someone because we're too afraid not to. Man, sometimes I really wish she'd read this blog.

February 20, 2008 4:35 PM  
Blogger Sling opined...

'Don't you realize that we have been talked down to for the last 7 years? We've been told what to think. We've been told that we're traitors. We've been told that things have to be done for our own good and we're not to question the methods. That may be a legitimate strategy for parenting, but it's piss poor government. It certainly isn't leadership.'..
I copied that paragraph,with the intention of doing one of those..Huzzah!
type comments.
Then I read the next paragraph,and the next..and the next..
So now i'm only left with the option of copy and pasting your entire post,and shouting,"HUZZAH!!'

February 20, 2008 6:11 PM  
Blogger Iwanski opined...

Brilliant analysis.

Best thing I've read ANYWHERE in a while.

February 20, 2008 8:25 PM  
Blogger Lorraine opined...

Know what I think is cool? The fact that Sling and Iwanski left back to back comments. Because, hello, they are still the best ticket for '08.

February 20, 2008 8:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous opined...

Ba Ha Ha Ha (Note no W)

Well Well Well

Good work

Peace

:+}

February 20, 2008 11:02 PM  
Blogger sageweb opined...

What Red said. But more cursing.

February 20, 2008 11:22 PM  
Blogger Unknown opined...

I have one thing to say to you.... "AMEN SISTER", well said!

February 21, 2008 6:52 AM  
Blogger Lorraine opined...

Anon: Peace back atcha.

Sageweb: Barak Obama loves you. Trust.

C&D: a) Thanks for stopping by and 2) want to share a hymnal?

February 21, 2008 8:35 AM  
Blogger TWISI opined...

Great post!

Today I was watching Morning Joe on MSNBC and Joe Scarborough made a really good point. He said that everyone keeps criticizing Obama for not having any experience. But one experience he has had of running a 100 million dollar election campaign over the past year is working out pretty well.

I thought that was an interesting take on things.

February 21, 2008 10:10 AM  
Blogger Red Seven opined...

"Every Obama supporter I know will work to elect Hillary if she's the candidate. Agreed, maybe not with the same enthusiasm, but they aren't going to abandon the party."

I wish I only knew the Obama supporters that you know. I do believe that most of them would vote for Hillary if she were the candidate -- but many would make loud grousing noises about having to hold their noses to do so ... and I've heard from many others that they'll stay home if their only choices are Clinton or McCain.

I read something earlier today that said that Obama is offering the "postive vision for our country" that MG talks about, while Hillary, if left to her druthers, would rather talk about the problems currently facing the nation. I see both sides on this one. On the one hand, I want to believe in the promise of America again, too. On the other hand, eight years of BushCo has left the next president with a whole lotta crap to sweep up after, and I'd like to hear our next leader acknowledge that as well.

I think that Hillary would be a much more authentic and credible candidate if she weren't trying to create her own "movement of hope" right now. Because that just ain't her bag.

February 21, 2008 10:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous opined...

VOTE JOHN MCAIN!

February 21, 2008 4:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous opined...

So, who are you all voting for?
JOHN MCAIN is the man!

February 21, 2008 4:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous opined...

MCAIN '08

February 21, 2008 4:04 PM  
Blogger Lorraine opined...

Someone please get Anonymous a gin and tonic. He/she needs to relax.

February 21, 2008 4:18 PM  
Blogger more cowbell opined...

Great post, Lorraine. Given Senator Clinton's behavior this past week, I sincerely hope she does not fight all the way to the convention. She's hurting the party as a whole, and I can't figure out why someone as smart and savvy as her is sounding so desperate. The "celestial heavens" speech? Embarassing. The "shame on you Barack Obama" thing? She came off like a lecturing mom over some spilled milk. And I'm a mom. But I wouldn't want to come off like that in a campaign.

There have been other things of late that have disappointed me. She's all about experience and how she could handle situations, but ... she's the one throwing out desperate embarassing measures out, stooping to dirty politics as usual, and he's the one who remains cool and unruffled.

I'm just disappointed because I didn't expect that from someone as sharp as she is.

February 25, 2008 12:21 PM  

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