[Hillary Clinton, or large photo of her, on camera:] Hillary Clinton supports the right to choose for women who are victims of rape or incest. (pause)
Hillary Clinton has been elected to several terms in the U.S. Senate. (pause)
Hillary Clinton received 18 million votes in the 2008 primaries, from both men and women. (pause)
[with picture of Sarah Palin also on camera:] Hillary Clinton: you’re no Sarah Palin!
[with both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on camera:] I’m Hillary Clinton and I approve this message–and I urge you to vote for Barack Obama! –I’m Barack Obama and I also approve this message.
I was too busy to post a review for day 3 of the convention, and yesterday I was busily comparing Sarah Palin to her soul brother Michael of Monty Python. But here we go.
–Bill Clinton said Obama was ready to be President, which was a good thing. Makes up for some of BC’s previous behavior in the primaries.
–John Kerry looked old, flinty, and worn out, God bless him. I still wonder how he got picked as the nominee last time…and don’t get me started on that aging Batman’s “boy wonder” or “Robin”, John Edwards.
2008 feels much better than 2004.
–Biden delivered an adequate speech marked by numerous slips and errors; but still, he gave out a strong “good daddy, regular ‘Joe’” vibe, and whacked McCain’s judgment and readiness severely, as he should have.
He was introduced by son Beau “rhymes-with-Joe” Biden, who may be a better and more compelling speaker than his father: little Beau may have quite a career ahead himself. (I will scream if they issue a wine called “BeauJoeLais”, though…I just will!!!)
–Al Gore.
‘Nuff said.
–Now as for BarackHussein-”Bolt”Obama:
A pleasant biographical video preceded the speech, with notable emphasis on Barack’s fatherlessness. (Cf. my diary on Obama and father issues vis-a-vis his campaign and Biden)
As for the speech: …that was a nice little speech, I thought.
Or a nice big one, rather. Along with hopey-changey type stuff, he mentioned plenty of specifics re lower taxes for most Americans; a renewable energy plan; etc. (The only thing I wondered about was his not evoking Bill Clinton’s “safe, legal and rare” re abortion; he mentioned reducing unwanted pregnancies, but I’m not sure that will go far enough for some people in the middle on the issue…)
The important point was the tonal one, though; he was not the meanderer of the Rick Warren event. (Cf. my diary What Obama needs to learn from McCain re Rick Warren, especially, quoting myself,
B. He needs to sound punchier and more aggressive. Why didn’t he say anything about getting Osama?
This time, he mentioned Osama. Oh, my friends, how he did.
In fact, he shoved McCain’s words at the Warrenfest and elsewhere, back down Mc’s rhetorical craw, by noting that Johnny said he’d follow Osama to the gates of hell, but he wouldn’t even follow him to the cave where he lives! OUCHHHHHH!!! !! !!!!!!!
Critical hit. John McCain, your hull is leaking. And I’m not sure taking on Sarah Palin as a 5th rate “She-bama” will plug the leak, either.
As for the surrounding scene, and the end of the speech: the fireworks (cf. the recent Chinese Olympics ceremonies…can we call the 2008 DNC the “Obamalympics”?) and big-stadium setting were a nice and populist celebratory touch. I was reminded of the Rolling Stones “Steel Wheels tour” concert I saw in the fall of 1989 at the Los Angeles Coliseum–a crazy-acting Guns N’ Roses as opening act–, complete with fireworks (I believe), and “Carmen” playing after the band had left the stage!
Speaking of the music from “Carmen”: don’t call Barack and Biden the Bad News Bears. I think they have a better chance than that. Especially with a convention and speeches like that.
McCain is palin’ in comparison, unless he uncorks some miracle at the 2008 RNC; and I doubt very strongly that that will happen. . . . . . .
Presidential candidate John McCain appeared flabbergasted at a news conference today, in multiple confused and shell-shocked ways, as he rolled out his Vice-Presidential choice.
Literally rolled her out: the Arizona U.S. senator had Palin posing on top of a cart in a beauty-queen pose as he pushed the small vehicle. McCain started by saying, smirkingly, “Icy hot! I would like to introduce this inspiring slice of baked Alaska, Sarah Palin, as my new running mate! Emphasis on ‘mate’! Heh heh heh my friends! And she sure loves to DRILL!”
Reporters in the room moaned, though not in ecstasy, as McCain ranted on, “You thought Obama was pretty, but…”
McCain then suddenly looked highly pained and worried, as if waking from a dream, as he looked at the beaming Palin–who was wearing a rather skimpy T-shirt saying (in smallish letters), “Abortion stinks–but being a beauty contestant and getting people sexually aroused and impregnating each other is fine!”–, and whispered, “My God! What have I done…”
The Republican presumed nominee then announced to the audience, holding up his hands, “My press base maverick friends: this was all a little joke, like we did to keep up our spirits in POW camp. …My real running mate is Michael Palin of Monty Python. Funny, elegant, British–foreign policy experience, see?–: just perfect for VP.
“In the event, that, uh, British citizens are ineligible to be my running mate, I may rechoose andpickChuckabeeorRomneyoranyoneIcanfindatthislatepoint. But it’s Michael, for now. Really. Would I lie to you?”? He flashed his teeth to the audience.
Then, the desperate candidate (who, by the way, was desperately flaunting his own T-shirt with flashing neon letters reading “Beware Obama bin Biden”), borrowed a flaming tree branch from a local Klansman at the rally and waved it at Palin aggressively, screaming, “Go back to Iceland, devil woman!” Remarkably, though, a moment later, the candidate, appearing to squint and look at Palin closely and to be reweighing his thoughts, cried out, “Hey, you’re a pretty good-lookin’ beauty queen! Just like my wife Cindy!”, before he tried to jump on Palin.
However, before he could complete this aggressive operation, McCain was eaten by a polar bear that was wandering nearby (as part of an “Alaskan Governor’s Exhibit” put up by the campaign) and that galloped off with the bellowing candidate inside.
UPDATE: Last word from McCain’s campaign staff was the senator bravely refused to leave the polar bear’s stomach until all the fish that were inside for longer than he was were let out first, and that McCain issued a statement: “I’m a POW goddamit! And me ‘n my hot buddy Sarah gonna POW POW POW TOGETHER IN THIS ELECTION!!!”
SUPER UPDATE: Although Monty Python disbanded years ago, a press release from a certain M. Palin has just come out, saying, “This McCain bloke is so stupid, we’re going to reform just to make fun of him!
“And to make fun of his running mate!
“–’NOBODY expects the Sarah-Palinish Inquisition!!’“
Though I didn’t have the chance to glue myself to the whole day/night of DNC coverage, I was at least able to catch some big hitters.
Mark Warner (former Virginia gov) showed why wonky isn’t always bad: he was not the most exciting guy, and his speech was not exactly the “Obama 04″ speech. But people understand that details on creating jobs and other economic stuff are not always light and fluffy; MW’s somewhat technical-tinted presentation added some intellectual ballast to the evening. –Warner wouldn’t have been a bad Vice President!!
Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana was somewhat in the same vein, though more exciting and excited. His presentation was largely about energy issues, and his joke about McCain’s proposed $4 billion tax break for oil companies not being the kind of “change” we need echoed a “change” pun I’d wanted to make for a while.
Then finally, Hillary, resplendent in a pantsuit of Kos orange–as Kos noted himself, though I noted it before reading him– (and cf. my possible role in getting her to attend YearlyKos 2007, re a link in a Nation article by Ari Melber), was preceded by a film about her, complete with at terrifying rendition of “(Girl) You Really Got Me” by the Kinks. Despite this scary episode, Hill then made serious effort to get her supporters to be Obama supporters, somewhat poignantly asking if her supporters were just HER supporters or also supporters of Americans who need help, including President Obama’s help.
She often performed zingily as Zinger Woman: “sisterhood of the traveling pants suits”, “No way, no how, no McCain” and of course the one about the Twin Cities RNC coming up, with Bush/McCain linked as “twins”, apologies to Danny DeVito and Arnold S.
Maybe her noblest moment in public life. Looking forward to more from her.
The only unpleasant moment of the night was seeing an African-American female Hillary supporter interviewed on CNN say repeatedly that she might not vote for Obama. What does it take to convince people?
The first day of the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado best not be like the subsequent days: although not everyone loves Dave Gergen and Jimmy Carville, they were probably right that Day 1 was a little light on substance and punch. (Not light on bloviating, though: if boring someone to death were a felony, a lot of the speechmaking politicians I saw last night would be looking for a bail bondsman right now.) Hopefully Obama has planned this as a “build-up” thing, i.e., start out light as meringue, then punch heavy as plutonium later on. We’ll see.
Even the graphics/presentation were discouraging: as I saw the Kennedys introduced, the typeface of the letters projected over the stage, the “star” light images swirling around the stage, the music, made me feel like it was some kind of game show. Surely one of America’s top Dem families deserves better, as do we all.
The highlight of the night was, of course, Teh Ted: the Senator-for-Life from Massachusetts looked remarkably healthy for a man stricken by brain cancer. And the speech was o.k. too. Did anyone catch the multiple quotes he made from Tennyson’s Ulysses? which is a poem about an old man–and Greek hero–who is ready for one last voyage “to sail beyond the sunset”. …If you don’t read great literature, this is another good reason to start: to mine the maximum out of what our public figures say….
(Of course Jim Leach had to come on afterwards and have his speech leach all the excitement out of the air with his history lecture. Oh well, not everyone is Ted K.)
I didn’t see Michelle’s speech but word is that there may have been a cliche or two in it. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, though: especially since a frightening proportion of Americans still seem convinced that the Obamas are going to put on turbans and start blowing up the Chrysler building any day now. Since that is the sad situation we are in, some time spent convincing people that Obama is an actual, live and genuine American, may be time well spent.
The first night may have had a comfort cushion effect, making folks feel easy, and honoring the past. Night 2 may profit by showing more substance and teeth, though, since meringue can get tiresome after a while. Let’s see how the Dems slice the pie tonight.
I’m wishing for the former, but I thought I should bring up the possibility of the latter, as unlikely as it may be. (Although Tom Eagleton didn’t have any real slips on the McGovern campaign trail per se; he’d just had electroshock therapy when younger. Meanwhile, Biden comes up with new zingers like “Barack Americans”, which gives me little hope…)
By the way, this will probably be one’s last diary that evokes Biden’s past much. (Cf. this comment from my diary yesterday, noting that people were not being very honest in the poll about whether Biden should be VP.) But as we all hope that Joe doesn’t use his Joementum in a self-destructive way that could hurt others too, let’s ask about the NON-conscious reasons that Barack may have picked Bi to be his partner.
Pop psychology, with the emphasis on “pop”
It might seem a stretch to overthink “the psychology of Barack Obama”–except he does it himself, having written an entire book with a name that evokes mental phenomena in regards to his own background, Dreams from My Father.
The snippets I have heard of why Biden is the optimal VP–working-classy, killer instinct, Catholic, foreign policy experience, etc.–still don’t add up for me, when compared with the downside. Picking someone who might perform a wildly idiotic act on the stump, cf. Biden’s previous record of epochally poor judgment, is enough of a negative that someone like Sebelius or Jack Reed seems safer. (Not to mention better-qualified in many ways)
But as they say: when no other form of analysis works, use pop psychology. And it seems to me offhand, that Obama has never had much of a stable father figure (Barack Obama Sr. was the classic absent philanderer & alcoholic, etc.), and that Biden may subconsciously help fill that role.
Biden, for all his faults, does seem to have a “protective daddy” thing about him. Despite Biden looking like Steven Seagal’s uncle or something, his persona comes off as a little more Bill Murray-ish than Seagal-ish to me: the kind of slightly wild and smirky guy who might short-sheet your bunk at camp, or put some unmentionable substance in your soup so he can laugh at you gagging on it; but who would come out swinging for you if you were in real trouble.
Add this to his “compelling personal story” (not unlike John Edwards, remembering how Edwards lost his 16-year-old son in a car crash), with Biden’s wife and baby daughter dying in a car accident, and Biden commuting back every day to take care of the two boys: and this personal story of tragedy and sacrifice, including the “good daddy to his kids” part, plus the more general “protective dad” thing of Biden being someone who will throw punches for the Party and his partner, may appeal to Obama on a level far below the conscious level. Especially seeing Barack’s personal history, including that with his own father.
(There are people reading who would probably lynch me for mentioning that Edwards did not become a man above criticism simply because of a tragic family death, and that Biden may be in a similar situation; but a rope can’t go over the Internet, luckily.)
Cheney and comfort
Some external support for this idea, call it the “psychological interpretation” of why Joe is now #2, may be in NYT today re Barack’s decision,
…But Mr. Obama was seeking a running mate with whom he would be comfortable governing for four or eight years, a bit of advice Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts had given him. …
, with my personal emphasis on “comfortable”.
While some may wonder how you can be “fathered” by someone who is your de facto employee: yes, I know Biden is the “inferior member” on the ticket; but so was Dick Cheney on another ticket…
Actually, Biden resembles Cheney in more ways than I want to talk about right now. But maybe, at this point, Obama needs his own “Cheney” for personal reasons. “Obamaism” is not the easiest topic in the world: all we can do is try to understand what goes on in that brilliant head, and hope that every last thought is brilliant, with as few exceptions as possible.
“Daily Biden”??
Despite the spicy title I gave this diary, I certainly wish the Obama/Biden ticket the best, regardless of my thinking that Biden was a mistaken choice, when people like Reed or Sebelius were available. As people here support Obama/Biden, though, they should do so critically, e.g., being willing to suggest to Mr. Biden–by phone, fax, e-mail, DKos diary, etc.–, that he always carry himself in a way that will do maximum honor to himself and to his new boss Barack, instead of in a way that sinks to the lower depths which, sadly, Biden has proven himself capable in the past.
Sometimes constructive criticism is the best way to keep our politicians in top form, instead of mindlessly cheerleading them, or mindlessly attacking their critics. Then again, if some “Kossacks” want to be mini-Bidens whose chief joy is mindless aggressiveness, that does not speak well of them, or of their new idol Biden. (Biden does have his thoughtful side, after all, even if some people idolize mainly his “brawler” side.) Let’s hope everyone shows due self-control, from the Democratic nominees on down.
Unless you’d rather have Joe Bi behave–or behave yourself–like the Cuban tae kwon do fighter at the Olympics who went nuts and kicked the referee; i.e., if you really want him to go into some kind of Tom Eagleton-level flameout. But stupidity and mindless aggro get tiresome after a while. Word to the wise.
Peace out. And keep “biding” your time in productive ways.
CURTAIN RISES. LIGHTS ON Godotbama, center stage, sitting in a chair with a skull in his hand, he looking at the skull intently.
ACT I
Godotbama: I am the change I’ve been waiting for–give or take 50 cents. But I am now waiting…waiting…waitingwaiting for the perfect VP. For me. G.
I think and weigh, but whom shall I choose? The flawless one, without whom I shall lose? (taps skull, looks pensive)
…And so too doth the AUDIENCE (nodding towards audience) wait and pine; to see which, which helper shall be mine.
ACT II
(Shuffling out of the darkness, stage left, a female figure wearing a pantsuit, an “H” embroidered on her jacket:)
H: Is this a dagger I see before me? Hie hie. The Lady cometh, and not too late; if thou choosest not her, she shalt thee OBLITERATE.
G: Get thee hence, milady: thou art a ghost of sorrowful sounds, of clinging tones past.
(H shuffles back where she came from)
ACT III
(Shuffling out of the darkness, stage right, a male figure wearing sackcloth and ashes, an “E” embroidered on the cloth:)
E: It’s all good. Help the poor, then some more. Then get crankin’, at my fancy mansion.
Doesn’t hurt to love the ladies too. Hey, I love you. G, I’ll be your private dancer: even if, if my wife has can-
G (cutting off E with an imperious gesture): That’s enough. Lay off, or you’ll be layed on by Macduff.
(E shuffles back where he came from, scowling)
ACT IV
G (nostrils pricking, as an unknown figure very slowly shuffles out of the darkness in back of him, stage center): Who is that? coming out of the darkness? That the AUDIENCE (motioning towards audience) has waited for? That I have waited for? To complement my every flaw, and then lay down the law? …It’s…..it’s…
As noted before: even if Obama has picked a VP, he can unpick. Biden in particular: slurs against Asians are more McCain’s territory, you would think; why would Obama want to go there with his VP pick? And I almost wonder if Georgia got a little hint from Bush to call Biden, to make him look better to Obama, or at least to confuse Obama? Hm. May be worth a diary…
…I try to surround myself with people who are about getting the job done, and who are not about ego, self—aggrandizement, getting their names in the press, but our focus on what’s best for the American people.
I think people will see that I’m not afraid to have folks around me who complement my strengths and who are independent. I’m not a believer in a government of yes—men. …
Like guy #1 below?
1. Jim Webb
War hero, economic populist, writer, hard-charger, Navy Cross in Vietnam. A killer.
(For more, see, e.g., my diary “Lethal Weapon ‘08″)
Well, John McCain said he was wise. So there.
(Not sure he should be VP, but deserves a mention anyway, that mighty civil rights icon…)
6. Not Biden
More from the Time article in the intro above:
Okay, so the first qualification he mentions is someone who won’t be all that interested in getting his or her name in the media. That would seem a high bar for the famously voluble Joe Biden to clear.
Barack needs to choose wisely, because he ain’t guaranteed a win. If he chooses any of the first four I mentioned–in rough order of preference, and noting military service–, I think he might do pretty good. Otherwise, I just don’t BidenBayhHillaryLiebermanEdwards know if he’d do well at all.
Or disagree with me, dear readers. This may be your last chance to voice your opinion in public before Obama’s pick, after all. . .
Some say Obama chose a VP already.
Well, maybe it’s time to un-choose.
While this diary resembles my previous di on similar topics, there’s a lot more to say:
JOE BIDEN
1. Biden is a plagiarist. Even if it was 2 decades ago.
Actually, more than a plagiarist; just peep the Wik,
…in September 1987, the campaign ran into serious trouble when he was accused of plagiarizing a speech by Neil Kinnock, then-leader of the British Labour Party. Though Biden had correctly credited the original author in all speeches but one, the one where he failed to make mention of the originator was caught on video. Within days, it was also discovered that, while at Syracuse Law School, Biden had plagiarized a law review article in a class paper he wrote. Biden said the act was inadvertent due to his not knowing the proper rules of citation, and Biden was permitted to retake the course. Further, when questioned by a New Hampshire resident about his grades in law school Biden had claimed falsely to have graduated in the “top half” of his class, when he actually graduated 76th in a class of 85. …
Doesn’t this smell like “the old politics” in its sneakiness?
The minute Biden’s chosen, the Repub meme is, “Great, Dems have some slick-talker at the top of the ticket, and an outright liar and thief at the bottom! That’s Dems for ya, hellooooo John Edwards!!”
2. Biden made a de facto racial slur, or close, about Obama, i.e., the “bright, articulate, and clean” one also at Wik,
…The News Journal…columnist Harry F. Themal….goes on to quote Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen as saying that Biden’s candidacy might be endangered by his “manic-obsessive running of the mouth.” This foreshadowed Biden’s embarrassing gaffe when he commented on fellow Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama. Biden was quoted on January 31, 2007 as saying: “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy, I mean, that’s a storybook, man.” His comments took second place on Time Magazine’s list of Top 10 Campaign Gaffes for 2007. …
3. No military experience.
4. Etc. (Voted to invade Iraq; MBNA luv; etc.)
I don’t care if Biden says he’s “not the guy”; I want to see that actually happen, his not-the-guy-ness.
EVAN BAYH
1. Hard to distinguish from Hillary Clinton. (See Wik re his voting to invade Iraq, etc.)
1. Name is too much like that of Obama rival John McCain.
2. “Against death penalty”, except in practice; leading to “moral consistency” questions.
3. No military experience.
Especially after being sandbagged at Saddleback, I think Obama is in trouble, campaignwise. If he wants more trouble, he can choose one of the three happy boys above; but why would he want to do that??
Especially after the shellacking McCain gave him last night (in many minds), Barack Obama could use a little toughness on his team. Someone a little like McCain, but without the “ev-l” parts. Kucinich? Edwards? …
Hey, where’s Jim Webb?
I know Webb’s claimed he wasn’t interested in being O’s VP, but “never say never”. He would be especially useful now, for his military hero record, Navy Cross in Vietnam, concern for the economically left-behind, his comfort with the so-called “God and guns” culture, his bluntness and punchiness, etc. etc. etc.
In fact, with his personality and his ease around firearms, doesn’t he remind you a little of some movie toughies?
(courtesy of TheSalmonFarm.org)
Obama/Webb ‘08. You know you want it. Come on. Let it all out.
On the Mel Gibson tip, not only Mad Max is apposite, but maybe even moreso, the racially integrated if hilariously different-from-each other team of Murtaugh and Riggs from the “Lethal Weapon” film series, cf. this poster with the Gib flashing gun from the 2nd LW film,
(courtesy of Wikipedia)
There are so many hilarious similarities, e.g., Obama being the sort of cool, collected one, and Webb the more…”energetic” type, that one suspects Obama/Webb could make the sort of optimum team that Danny Glover/Mel Gibson a.k.a. Murtaugh/Riggs did. (Okay, there are some age and facial hair differences etc., but those aren’t so important)
“Obama/Webb: ‘Lethal Weapon’ for ‘08!” Not only is it amusing, but it could actually work.
If you don’t like it, try on Obama/Daschle for size, and see how that works…
