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