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August 26, 2008
Welcome to Denver
"I'm thoroughly disgusted with the Democratic Party. I believe the magic of Barack Obama was his ability to turn lifelong Democrats like us into McCain supporters overnight," said Cynthia Ruccia, who organized the group Clinton Supporters Count Too as a way for swing voters to campaign against Obama."My vote is a protest vote. I live in Ohio, I know our votes count in a very special way because whoever wins Ohio is often the person who becomes the president of the United States. And I do not want to reward the Democratic Party with my vote. I am disgusted with them."
Oops!
So far all the drama at the Democrat Convention is behind the scenes.
The best show came via the livecam. Nothing like pepper spray at dusk to rally the troops.
Meanwhile, inside the convention center...
Ted Kennedy was just sad. Using a water theme for what may be the last speech of his life was probably not well advised.
Michelle Obama was gorgeous and endearing. The intense transformation seems to have worked - unless of course you are familiar with the Michelle of the past. Her kids were the real stars which is probably how it should be.
For the next two days it's all Clinton, all the time. It's hard to imagine that will result in a big Obama bump. There's always Bruce Springsteen if all else fails.
If all goes well I predict an 8 point bounce.
UPDATE: Oh dear, even the NY Times can't hide Michelle's cynicism. Ya gotta give her points for standing by her man. Via JOM:
DENVER — When her husband ran for Congress in 2000, Michelle Obama groused so much about handshaking and fund-raising that Arthur Sussman, then her boss at the University of Chicago, finally asked if she truly could not find a single thing about campaigning to enjoy.Mrs. Obama thought for a moment. Visiting so many living rooms had given her some new decorating ideas, she allowed.
August 19, 2008
Wanna Feel Old?
Try the Beloit Mindset List.
August 17, 2008
The Saddleback Faith Forum
Last night McCain and Obama met for about 30 seconds during the intermission of Rick Warren's Saddleback Faith Forum. I admit to being skeptical of the venue, preferring a face to face Townhall meeting, or a debate to highlight the candidate's differences. I was wrong. It was a spectacular venue. Warren asked each candidate the same questions, sequentially, on things like leadership, listening, moral failure, decision making (and decision changing), Christianity, the Supreme Court, taxes, education, federal funding of faith based organizations, America's responsibility to the rest of the world, and why each candidate wanted to be president. (I live-blogged the event at JOM. The rundown can be found here.)
The differences between Obama and McCain were acutely illustrated by the forum, both in substance and in style. Obama was hesitant and academic in his responses, often avoiding a specific answer for a more, academic discussion of the question itself. When asked when life begins and should be accorded rights, he said the question was above his pay grade. He went on to say he opposed late term abortions provided there was an exception for the health of the mother, a position not supported by his voting record.
When asked for a situation when he worked across the aisle he cited ethics reform, saying he crossed the aisle to work with John McCain. The truth of the matter is that he welched on the deal.
Throughout the questioning Obama often looked and sounded like he was looking for the answer that would highlight his political rhetoric - (the hardest decision in his lifetime was opposing the war even though he was not in the US Senate yet and 90% of the black Caucus took the same position). He cited Clarence Thomas as the worst Supreme Court Justice, implying that he lacked the experience for the job, and confirmed that he was correct in voting against Roberts.
In stark contrast, McCain's answers were quick and sure and where Obama skirted the questions, McCain answered them directly. McCain's performance was so reminiscent of 2000 last night that it reminded me why I supported him.
My favorite McCain response was to Warren's request to cite an issue he had changed his mind on, and why. "Drilling" was the immediate response. "Drilling, drilling, drilling". (Obama said he had been wrong to oppose Clinton's welfare reform.)
When asked about his hardest decision, McCain said it was not taking early release as a POW thus spending the next several years being tortured. He went on to say it was the decision he was happiest about as well.
When asked for the names of the three wisest people he knows, McCain cited: General Petreaus, John Lewis, for his optimism, courage, committment, Meg Whitman, CEO of Ebay, great American success stories. (Obama cited his wife, grandmother, Ted Kennedy and Dick Lugar.)
What Warren succeeded in doing is highlighting the differences in both substance and style of the candidates, illustrating how each sees the world, and giving insight into how each would govern. By all accounts McCain came out ahead on both.
The StraightTalk Express lapped the field.
August 07, 2008
Are you sure
You want to elect a President who has no sense of humor?
The world is in love with a guy who can't admit he's wrong (The Surge won't work; Tire gauges will solve the energy problem); and who can't for the life of him laugh at himself.
From a comment at Ann Althouse:
Can Obama laugh at himself?
Of course not. That would be racist.
John Stewart should be careful about what he wishes for.
July 29, 2008
Dinner with Satch
Last night I had the pleasure of having dinner with Satch Sanders.
If you don't remember him, Sanders was a member of the Boston Celtics from 1960 to 1973. He won 8 championships. He played with Cousy and Russell and was known for his defensive play. He's as graceful and stylish now, as he was then.
"Satch" was a guest at our weekly Rotary meeting and for some reason sat next to me for the dinner and fellowship portion of the evening. Being the shy person I am, I asked him about a lot of things including racism and Affirmative Action.
My head is still wrapped around Clarence Thomas' book and the questions I asked here.
Sanders was both wise and eloquent in his response. On racism he pretty much shrugged off the question, indicating that he'd been who he is for so long it was hard to tell, or notice.
On Affirmative Action he simply stated that he always told people to accept whatever help they can get. In a world where favoritism is doled out on a daily basis for the silliest of reasons, you take your breaks where you can get them.
That's pretty close to my own (non-political) view of things. If someone is willing to hand you something because you are a woman (my generation) or a lesbian (Amy's generation) say "thank you". Just don't make the assumption that you deserve it.
Later, Tom "Satch" Sanders regaled the group with stories of his time at the Celtics, Red Auerbach, and what made the team great: Auerbach demanded that they arrive at training camp in shape which often resulted in a 20 game edge before the rest of the teams in the NBA caught up. Players
had to excel in both offense and defense (something we saw work for Doc Rivers* this year). The pay scale was ridiculously low, and Auerbach factored in the playoff bonus in the player's salary negotiations. Sanders received one year contracts for 10 straight years, so every year he was earning his place on the team for the next year.
Satch Sanders was a great player for the Celtics in his day. It was obvious last night that he carries that greatness with him wherever he goes.
- As Roger pointed out it is Doc RIVERS not Doc Martin. What can I say - I was starstruck.