Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Day 2 - Redefining America's Promise

Today the calls for entitlements reached a fever pitch as the Democrats started calling for an assload of them, including the calls for universal health care and "equal" rights and blah, blah, blah. Also, the big push was to define the McCain administration as Bush's third term.

I do have to note that the speakers today included the governor of the great state of Ohio, Ted Strickland.

Former Virginia governor Mark Warner gave the keynote address. I missed most of it. Lost interest immediately. It certainly wasn't nearly up to the fire of the 2004 keynote, delivered by none other than Barack Obama. It was also eclipsed by the main event of the night, the speech by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Of course it was Hillary's night, intoduced by her daughter, Chelsea. Notables in the audience shots including VP nominee Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, and former President Clinton. Michelle looked un-thrilled through most of the speech. I wonder why? Probably not because of Bill's straying eyes.

Her message was the standard unity speech, although I could sense she was less than enthusiastic. But short of making a floor fight of it and losing what cred she had, she didn't really have a choice. Also, it was definitely her statesman speech, and she has really come a long way from the scary first lady we shuddered to think about 16 years ago. I'm just going to predict that she will be back in four years if Obama loses. She did get some good red meat in there, of course. Or should I say good soy meat? But she hasn't lost that ability to sound just a little sarcastic.

I really wish she was the candidate instead of Obama.

Also (because there wasn't that much real news) on day two:

Party Unity My Ass - The name says it all. Wanna bet they're going to be quickly ignored and vote McCain?

Timing is Everything - The University ofIllinois released documents detailing the link between Obama nad Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers. Do with that what you will, but the question is: Will Obama or a surrogate address it, or will it be swept under the rug for the week?

Self-Indulging news story
- Even more so than 2004, the blogosphere is making news. I don't have any liberal bloggers I know of actually at the convention, but I believe I do have a link on one for the GOP next week.

Red Meat Count was way up over yesterday. Every snippet I caught up to the big Hillary speech was about how Republicans were destroying the country and enriching their oil buddies.

Okay, we're over the hump for this conventin, on to Wednesday....

6 comments:

Shaw Kenawe said...

Today the calls for entitlements reached a fever pitch as the Democrats started calling for an assload of them, including the calls for universal health care and "equal" rights and blah, blah, blah.

A majority of western democracies as well as Japan give universal healthcare to their citizens. And we already have it here--in the form of Medicare. And you have a problem with "equal" rights? Or do you admire the Muslim nations that don't believe in that basic American ideal?

Michelle looked un-thrilled through most of the speech.

That's because you were watching her through your biased eyes. She looked rapt to me.

Also, it was definitely her statesman speech, and she has really come a long way from the scary first lady we shuddered to think about 16 years ago

Let's see first it was Hillary who was "scary," now the Right has labeled Michelle "scary." You guys have issues with strong, articulate, ballsy women don't you? For me, I would rather spend an evening talking with "scary" Hillary or Michelle, than the pampered, Barbie Doll, Cindy--who drives around Arizona with a license tag that says "MS BUD." That prospective First Lady didn't earn her wealth or status, like the two Democrats you're "scared" of.

Party Unity My Ass - The name says it all. Wanna bet they're going to be quickly ignored and vote McCain?

Yeah. I'll take that bet. You actually believe Hillary's 18 million are gonna go for McSame? PS. Several older women in my family were ardent Hillary voters--they'd die before they'd vote for McCain.

Shaw Kenawe said...

Timing is Everything - The University ofIllinois released documents detailing the link between Obama nad Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers.

That will matter only to the rabid Right. No one else is paying attention. Barack Obama is not William Ayers.

Patrick M said...

And you have a problem with "equal" rights?

I don't have a problem with equal rights. But I do have a problem with "equal" rights, which usually involves government involvement. There's a reason for the quotes.

[Michelle] looked rapt to me.

That's probably your bias creeping in there. Plus, it was also a setup for a joke.

You guys have issues with strong, articulate, ballsy women don't you?

Actually, that's the kind of woman I'm looking to date.

If you missed it, I was positive about Michelle's speech last night. And for the record, we don't label her scary, but angry. Some of that anger may be legitimate, but some of it belies an attitude toward people we dislike.

You actually believe Hillary's 18 million are gonna go for McSame?

Not all. But it's something that Obama's going to have to address on Thursday or he'll disenfranchise some, maybe enough to cost him a key state.

Barack Obama is not William Ayers.

Never said he was. But every negative story that pops up means that the Obama camp has to fight against it. And that takes them off message. That's where McCain has an advantage: All his skeletons are out of the closet, whereas Obama may still have some.

Anonymous said...

I don't have a problem with equal rights. But I do have a problem with "equal" rights, which usually involves government involvement.

Well, it did take an act of Congress, The Civil Rights Act, to give our fellow citizens who had darker skin their Constitutional rights. Without "government involvement" and the brave men and women of each political party, I don't thing it would have happened.

Actually, that's the kind of woman I'm looking to date.

Stick to your values, Patrick. You will find her. Be who you are, and don't compromise on anything.

She's out there. And she's beautiful.

The rest of this crap is unimportant.

You'll get the fabulous woman you deserve. I'm counting on it.

:-)!

Satyavati devi dasi said...

You already know how I feel about universal health care and equal rights. I would like some equal rights, actually.

I can relate a whole lot more to Michelle Obama, who takes care of her little kids and gives her husband the little wink, and who is extremely intelligent, articulate, and a real support to him, than I can to Cindy Lou rolling around in her inherited money and posing on the cover of Vogue in her size 0 jeans. Has she actually said or done anything memorable yet? Does she have any idea what the average American woman's life is like? I always get the feeling that if I went into the Obama's house I'd find Walmart house brand stuff on their shelves and Michelle cooking their supper. I feel like I could have a conversation with her about the price of green peppers and she'd agree with me that they can rot there before we'd pay a dollar apiece.

As far as I've seen, I can't find anything in my life or experience that's a common ground with Cindy (with the POSSIBLE exception that I like older men).

And that just ain't enough.

Patrick M said...

Shaw: There's a reason I add the quotes: Too often, government policies are used to create equality of outcome, not allow equality of opportunity.

She's out there. And she's beautiful.

You obviously haven't noticed that my dating life sucks. but thanks for the positive (if ultimately futile) encouragement.

Saty: I'm sure I'll be able to address that better after the Obama speech.

As for relating to Cindy McCain, you'll have to decide after she speaks next week. I warmed a little more to Michelle after her speech. Didn't change my opinion, but it did my perception.

And green peppers for a buck is too much? That's a sale price here, and half the time they suck.