Not Quite a 3 AM Phone Call, But...
The text arrived at 2:35 AM.
It's Joe Biden. I like the choice, overall.
Mahalo.
August 23, 2008
CBS's Harry Smith & Barack
From the interview:
Smith: One of the issues that came up is what's rich, what's poor. You made some hay out of what John McCain was talking about being rich. And he was asked by politico.com how many houses he had you already have an ad saying it's seven and they're worth $13 million. What point are you trying to make?
Obama: Well, the point I'm tryin' to make is is that when you say that the economy is fundamentally sound, when you say that we've made great progress economically under George Bush -- when one of your top economic advisors suggests that America is a nation of whiners and that it's all in their head that we're in a recession -- that indicates that you're out of touch. You don't get it. And, you know, for John McCain to suggest that I am somehow elitist --
Smith: Which he did say.
Obama: Which he -- which he said --
Smith: He said you made four million dollars.
Obama: Well -- over the last two years. (LAUGHTER) John McCain's been livin' like this for the last 25. And obviously, doesn't have a very clear sense of what ordinary Americans are goin' through.
Twenty-five years, living as a multi-millionaire by marriage compared to writing a book that sells enough to help you buy an overpriced million-plus house for your family.
Oh, yeah...Barack is the one out of touch. </snark only an idiot would belive>
All Kinds of Breaking News
CNN Breaking News email:
CNN confirms Sen. Barack Obama has chosen Delaware Sen. Joe Biden to be his vice-presidential running mate.
And since waking up I've seen CBS and MSNBC announce it on the TV as well.
Even Ron Beasley @ Newshoggers has a Biden post.
However...my phone remains silent.
I have small doubts nagging me, small but deep doubts. I'm sure I'll feel more Biden-esque after the KO replay at 1 AM but I shall remain unconvinced until my phone buzzes.
August 22, 2008
Evan Bayh
Whatever....
I still think HRC would have been a good choice.
Budgetary Truth from Krugman
When you keep hearing the MSM parroting grampa's assertion that Barack is going to raise "everybody's" taxes, just remember that it's simply not true.
Perhaps a blockquote from Krugman with a couple of highlights will help:
...one thing’s for sure: Mr. Obama isn’t planning to raise taxes on the middle class, by any reasonable definition — even that of the Bush administration.
O.K., the Bush administration hasn’t actually offered a definition of “middle class.” But in May, the Treasury Department — which used to do serious tax studies, but these days just churns out Bush administration propaganda — released a report purporting to show, by looking at the tax bills of four hypothetical families, how the middle and working class would be hurt if the Bush tax cuts aren’t made permanent.
And when the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities looked at the report, it made an interesting catch. It turns out that Treasury’s hypothetical families got all their gains from the so-called middle-class provisions of the Bush tax cuts: the Child Tax Credit, the reduced tax bracket for lower incomes and marriage penalty relief.
These all happen to be provisions that Mr. Obama proposes leaving in place. In other words, the Bush administration itself implicitly defines the middle class as consisting of people making too little to end up paying additional taxes under the Obama plan.
Of course, all the evidence in the world won’t stop Republicans from claiming, as they always do, that Democrats are going to impose a crippling tax burden on ordinary hard-working Americans. But it just ain’t so.
Any questions?
Oversensitivity?
I wonder if anyone else is going to pick up on this, but the following picture is a screengrab off of the USA Today's website:
Different photos have different lighting situations, of course. Grampa is obviously in one of his sycophantic meetings.
Why does it look like Barack is testifying in court, though? Is it actually a photograph from him during the Rezko trial? Did he testify? Does it matter? Is it a coincidence that grampa is starting a new ad theme?
Has Barack been OJ'd?
These are the random questions in my mind.
Damn librul media...
Wisdom from E. J. Dionne Jr.
And it can be summed up as simply as this:
Don't worry, Democrats, the worst of August is over.
Because it is true.
The old saying is haste makes waste, and it is also true. There are times when rash action is necessary, but this isn't one of them. The vote on AUMF before the 2002 elections was a rush job, as well as the rampup to the Iraq cluster**** after it. Whenever W sees something he wants, it has to be in a hurry because he is a petulant little brat.
We're on schedule. I've got approximately 1,762 hours until I step into the voting booth on November 4 and I'm enjoying it as best I can - by slowly coming to the realization that W has so poisoned the family name that the odds are good I will not have to worry about them anymore during my lifetime. (I know - wishful thinking!)
The polls will ebb and flow, the troops will be fully ensconced in their permanent Iraq bases in the sands well out of the towns and cities (Except, of course, for the ones that arrive home with great fanfare on the weekend prior to election day...), the price of gas will mysteriously drop in October (...and oilmen everywhere will be at a loss to explain it...), and even the saber-rattling will calm down until after the election (with the Iran invasion schedule depending on who actually wins the election..).
But we will make it there. America will have an election on November 4, 2008 that contains the possibility of moving forward as a nation, into the land of grownups.
For now, enjoy the process and try to break free of the tyranny of immediacy.
August 20, 2008
Predictable Post
Obama Tells Allies He Is Ready to Hit Back - washingtonpost.com
Which, of course, brings to mind...
Campaign Toning
Barack channels a softer version of Keith Olbermann's latest Special Comment:
"Yesterday, Senator McCain came before you," said Obama. "He is a man who has served this nation honorably, and he correctly stated that one of the chief criteria for the American people in this election is going to be who can exercise the best judgment as Commander in Chief. But instead of just offering policy answers, he turned to a typical laundry list of political attacks. He said that I have changed my position on Iraq when I have not. He said that I am for a path of "retreat and failure." And he declared, "Behind all of these claims and positions by Senator Obama lies the ambition to be president" -- suggesting, as he has so many times, that I put personal ambition before my country. That is John McCain's prerogative. He can run that kind of campaign, and -- frankly -- that's how political campaigns have been run in recent years. But I believe the American people are better than that. I believe that this defining moment demands something more of us."
I like the position he's taking, but a part of me knows that the mudslinging does work.
It is an odd sensation - a presidential candidate asking ALL of us to grow up and act like adults should.
I do like it.
Surprising, But I Still Don't Care
Another celebrity endorsement:
Toby Keith, perhaps best known to non-country audiences for his post-Sept. 11 song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," says he's a Democrat, and was impressed by the senator from Illinois.
*"So I thought it was beautiful the other day when Obama went to Afghanistan and got educated about Afghanistan and Iraq. He came back and said some really nice things.
"So as far as leadership and patriotism goes, I think it's really important that those things have to take place. And I think he's the best Democratic candidate we've had since Bill Clinton. And that's coming from a Democrat."
Personally, I think Toby speaking out like this will do some good. Generally, people seem to love their celebrities.
August 17, 2008
They Exist
Nice to know the other side of the aisle can think, occasionally:
Welcome to Republicans for Obama
August 15, 2008
What He Should Do
Once in a while Barack is going to have to deal with the smears in a more forceful way. He should have a press conference, hold up the book and just say that the nutcase that wrote can't even get simple dates right.
It should be similar to the Dirt off Your Shoulder moment this past April.
August 13, 2008
Ulterior Motives
I finally broke down and texted VP to 62262. Not because I need that giddy moment at some point in the near future, but because it was easy.
Personally, I find text messaging annoying in many, many ways, from the rhythm you need to get into in order to type with a keypad all the way down to the slang (Which, if the users never learn to type and/or speak properly, is going to drive me insane when I am a bitter old[er] man...) so many texters use.
But all the kids do it, right?
SOMETIME between now and the convention, Barack Obama, just like the cool kid in study hall, will surreptitiously send a text message announcing his pick for vice president. The ploy may seem silly — the fad candidate adopts the latest tech fad — but it’s an important part of one of Mr. Obama’s most under-recognized campaign efforts.
*
But announcing Mr. Obama’s running mate by text message has little to do with proclaiming the selection and everything to do with getting out the vote on Election Day in November. The move should add thousands — and more likely tens or hundreds of thousands — of cellphone numbers to what is already one of the most detailed political databases ever created.
A study conducted during the 2006 elections showed that text-message reminders helped increase turnout among new voters by four percentage points, at a cost of only $1.56 per vote — much cheaper than the $20 or $30 per vote that the offline work of door-to-door canvassing or phone banking costs.
*
This fall, Mr. Obama’s use of text messages could reinvent the get-out-the-vote machines used by American political campaigns just as his fund-raising from online donors upended the Clintons, who many thought controlled the most powerful Democratic money machine ever built.
On Nov. 4, the Democratic nominee will need more than dollars from small donors equipped with credit cards and Internet access. He’ll need a crowd — a big one. That’s why he wants your cellphone number.
That is forward-thinking and just plain smart. If the kids turn out like they're supposed to, I look forward to the result.
August 12, 2008
Barack-Rolling
Thanks to JP:
August 09, 2008
Any Complaints You Hear...
Will be produced by toxic levels of envy & jealousy.
Tickets for his upcoming Democratic Convention speech were made available and:
Tickets for Barack Obama’s Democratic National Convention speech at the Invesco Field in Denver sold out within 24 hours, according to campaign officials.
It had better be a good speech, I guess.
August 05, 2008
DaBr Asks THAT Question
Because everybody else in the MSM is parroting it:
Why isn’t Barack Obama doing better?
Because a close race in the media begets a (possibly) closer race and better ratings for the media, in my opinion.
I'm not alone in thinking that the polls may be suspect, either, according to Ron at NewsHoggers:
Obama's strength has been among younger voters so what if the polls are weighted to older voters? Pollsters only call land lines not cell phones. There has been a steady move away from land lines to cell only. The younger you are the more likely you are to have made the move.
That seems fairly reasonable to me.
The real fun is when you read Kirkrrt's comment on that post:
August 01, 2008
He's Not One of Us
Statistically, at least:
Speaking to donors at a San Diego fund-raiser last month, Barack Obama reassured the crowd that he wouldn't give in to Republican tactics to throw his candidacy off track.
"Listen, I'm skinny but I'm tough," Sen. Obama said.
But in a nation in which 66% of the voting-age population is overweight and 32% is obese, could Sen. Obama's skinniness be a liability?
A question only the Murdoch media could ask.
Expect repetition ad nauseum shortly...
July 29, 2008
Bob on Obama
So far, this much is true:
The man has been taken to task for promoting hope, threatened with mutilation by Jesse Jackson for suggesting that a lot of black fathers could do better by their kids and had his patriotism called into question because he wants to wind down a war that most Americans would dearly love to be rid of.
John McCain can barely stop himself from sputtering at the mere mention of Senator Obama’s name. He actually ran an ad blaming Mr. Obama for high gasoline prices. Even Republicans had a good laugh at that one.
And yet Mr. Obama continues to treat Senator McCain respectfully. As far as personal character is concerned, Mr. Obama has scored very well, indeed.
It's relatively early in the campaign.
Negative only needs a couple of weeks' worth of repetition. Done nearer to Election Day, it remains fresh in the mind.
McCain is probably losing more support the more he spews the W/McSame-brand idiocy, I would hope, but 40% is about as low as he'll go.
Like I said before - so far, so good...
July 26, 2008
Well, That Settles That...
He must be a scary muslimblackfundy-mental if he's leaving private prayers in the Wailing Wall like THIS:
"Lord — Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will."
Scary, scary, scary man....
Goodness Gracious!
At Sadly, No! we find that if a demmycrat is popular, he must have one hell of a body count:
This isn’t one of those snarky jokes we’re so often accused of making. It’s real, and it’s likely coming soon to an inbox near you (replete with nine-hundred AOL and Hotmail addresses in the ‘cc’ column).
You’ve heard of the Clinton Body Count, and now it’s time for…
The Obama Death List
And, again, Wheeee!
July 25, 2008
Keeping Hope Alive
Ted Rall has been a bit critical of Obama's centrist leanings since the "presumptive" was put in front of the nominee's name.
Yet even he can show a bit of hope:
Funny thing is, when I read it I thought of Reagan.
OK, an SNL skit from the time of Reagan:
President Reagan: [ shaking her hand ] Well.. I hope I've answered your questions as best I could.. given the very little I know. Goodbye, and God bless you. Thank you very much. [ she exits the Oval Office, as Reagan suddenly alters his personality to a take-charge attitude ] Okay, get back in here! [ his staffers enter the Oval Office from the adjacent room ] Alright, let's get down to business! I'm only going to go through this once, so it's essential that you pay attention! 1: Casey!
William Casey: Yes, Sir!
President Reagan: You'll spearhead our new operation to fund the Contras. The C-5As with the TOW missiles and the grenade launchers will leave for South Africa at 0800 hours! I want you to supervise the loading. 2: Regan!
Don Regan: Yes, Sir.
President Reagan: Well.. I'm afriad you're going to have to resign. But.. first you'll make a public statement supporting me, which I wrote myself. It's over there on the word processor, just key in and press 5. The code name is..? [ Regan shrugs his shoulders ] Oh, alright, I'll do it for you! Now, any questions? [ Casey raises his hand ] Yes.
Anyone else remember this one? The image of a hypercompetent Reagan drew HUGE laughs...
The Speech
Barack went to Berlin:
July 22, 2008
Soon Enough
July 15, 2008
The New Yorker Picture
I will admit that I groaned when I first saw the picture. It's all there, I thought, the funny-looking clothing, the huge afro on Michelle, the picture of Osama on the wall, and an American flag in the fireplace! In other words, every false detail you can find in those endlessly-forwarded emails amongst the old people as well as the 27%.
Crap.
Then, of course, it was time to read a bit of the uproar.
The whole range of reaction was good to read, but I think Barack missed a good opportunity to sell even more of the historically-liberal magazine as well as himself to the American people.
There is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary.
Brendan Behan
Imagine this, if you will:
My fellow Americans. There's been a whole lot of rumor and innuendo about me and Michelle since we started our journey to the White House.
In this information era, I've had to set up a web page to deal with all of these lies, but that only works if people want to know the truth.
There's a new issue of The New Yorker out today with almost every whispered rumor and lie illustrated for all of us right on the cover.
I think it's one of the funniest things I've seen in my life, except for the American Flag drawn in the fireplace.
If we are going to move forward as a country, we've got to get over these false divisions. We've got to learn to laugh at those who believe that I am a Muslim because somebody's nephew heard my pastor say it.
We've got to enjoy what a great nation we have because there is that optimism and opportunity for everyone, even a person of mixed heritage that was born in Hawaii.
So I would hope that everyone gets an issue of this magazine or, if you can't do that, get a copy of the picture itself and, when someone tries to pass of one of those lies to you, show them the picture and ask "Which lie was that again?"
You would probably even be able to point it out right there.
Thank you and God bless America.
Heck, I know it would never happen, but with the media frenzy going full-tilt on this today it would have been one hell of a large podium for Barack to speak from...
July 11, 2008
Barack had a Plan
Go to Europe and raise some spirits with a speech at Brandenburg Gate. A nice idea, I guess, because:
John F. Kennedy visited the Brandenburg Gate after declaring "ich bin ein Berliner" in 1963. Ronald Reagan stood at the gate in 1987 and challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall."
I heard of the plan a while ago and actually thought Barack might be overdoing the JFK thing. Apparently it is a nice place to give a speech, though, so whatever...
Of course, some pipsqueak thought it might make him look a bit too presidential, however:
Report: Bush Privately Told Germany He Had Misgivings About Obama Speech
OK, it might not have actually been him:
Today, Der Spiegel reports that Bush administration officials privately told the German government that they don't like the idea:
The respected Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper reported this week that a member of the Bush delegation approached Merkel's foreign policy advisor, Christoph Heusgen, at the G-8 summit in Japan to discuss misgivings about Obama's planned speech.
Yeah, you wouldn't want to have some foreign country influencing how our candidates are perceived:
When McCain travelled to Colombia last week, the government there shared with him the minute details of the freeing of hostage Ingrid Betancourt -- and they also helped to assure that his appearance came off as very presidential.
...unless it's going your way, apparently...
July 10, 2008
A Possible Explanation
Every once in a while, my brain seems to do a self-check and examine why it's thinking like it seems to be thinking. A few days ago (NOT due to any specific event!) I started thinking about the reasons I'm supporting Barack and seem to want to believe. (cue theme from The X-Files)
This morning, Gail Collins may have something for me:
...if you look at the political fights he’s picked throughout his political career, the main theme is not any ideology. It’s that he hates stupidity. “I don’t oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war,” he said in 2002 in his big speech against the invasion of Iraq. He did not, you will notice, say he was against unilateral military action or pre-emptive attacks or nation-building. He was antidumb.
Most of the things Obama’s taken heat for saying this summer fall into these two familiar patterns — attempts to find a rational common ground on controversial issues and dumb-avoidance.
You've got to admit, having someone who knows what fights to engage in and being anti-dumb would be a refreshing change from the past 8 years...
June 30, 2008
The Goal IS Confusion
Jim Peterman IS a very good and proud American:
FINDLAY, Ohio -- On his corner of College Street, Jim Peterman stares at the four American flags planted in his front lawn and rubs his forehead. Peterman, 74, is a retired worker at Cooper Tire, a father of two, an Air Force veteran and a self-described patriot. He took one trip to Washington in 1989 -- best vacation of his life -- and bought a statue of the Washington Monument that he still displays in a glass case in his living room.
He believes a smart vote is an American's greatest responsibility.
So far, so good, right?
Then we get to the second sentence of the short paragraph and start to sense trouble:
Which is why his confusion about Barack Obama continues to eat at him.
On the television in his living room, Peterman has watched enough news and campaign advertisements to hear the truth: Sen. Barack Obama, born in Hawaii, is a Christian family man with a track record of public service. But on the Internet, in his grocery store, at his neighbor's house, at his son's auto shop, Peterman has also absorbed another version of the Democratic candidate's background, one that is entirely false: Barack Obama, born in Africa, is a possibly gay Muslim racist who refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
"It's like you're hearing about two different men with nothing in common," Peterman said. "It makes it impossible to figure out what's true, or what you can believe."
Our president once referred to this method:
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."—Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005
Unfortunately, repetition works for the truth and non-truth, as well as complete and utter bullshit.
Unfortunately.
June 20, 2008
This Is Dedicated to the CM-IC*
*Congressional Military-Industrial Complex, that is...
June 16, 2008
Another Endorsement
The guy who got the most votes in the 2000 presidential election, lost and made a movie to get over it, Al Gore is going to do the endorsement thing tonight (via email):
A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.
Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.
This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.
To state the obvious...
June 12, 2008
E-Campaigning Done Right
Ever since Barack became a possibility for the presidency, the BS has been flying. Intelligent people have been observing and analyzing it from the beginning.
It's nothing new in campaigning, of course, and I would expect it to get far worse in tone and execution over the course of the next few months.
But then there was this one:
Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama's official web site has provided seemingly unlimited blogging space for anti-Semites of every race, color and creed to spit their venom about Israel and Jews. Doug Ross has discovered yet another blog on Obama's official web site that explains how the 'Jewish lobby' works. The blog has been around since at least April.
I knew how the Obama campaign website worked and how anyone can register to post on it, so I couldn't disbelieve what was said. Fortunately, I didn't believe it, either.
Besides, the internet has a wonderful method for dealing with situations like this: Sunlight. In my case, the NewsHoggers led me to Comments from Left Field which did a wonderful job exposing the BS as the BS it seemed to be.
My initial reaction didn't sit well with me: Shut down the community blogs on Barack's site. I didn't like the idea myself because it's a reflection of bunker mentality. Open and honest government allows for idiots and well-wishers alike.
Then I thought it might be good to simply stop accepting new members. Similar mentality in my mind, similar distaste for the idea.
Then how many moderators would you need to monitor how many blogs?
Then I wake up this afternoon and sanity has prevailed: Fight the Smears
I like it.
June 08, 2008
Sunday QT
QT reminds us that it's going to be a long 5 months of this wit:
Keep your head up
Blog headline: "The audacity of hype."
Blog headline: "The audacity of nope."
Blog headline: "The audacity of dopes."
Blog headline: "The audacity of mopes."
Blog headline: "The audacity of hoops."
Only 149 days to go . . .
June 06, 2008
More Than Mojo
Mark Morford, jumping in with both feet:
While Obama's certainly an entire universe away from George W. Bush in terms of quality, integrity, intelligence and overall inspirational energy, well, so is your dog. Hell, it isn't hard to stand far above and beyond the worst president in American history.
But there simply is no denying that extra kick. As one reader put it to me, in a way, it's not even about Obama, per se. There's a vast amount of positive energy swirling about that's been held back by the armies of BushCo darkness, and this energy has now found a conduit, a lightning rod, is now effortlessly self-organizing around Obama's candidacy. People and emotions and ideas of high and positive vibration are automatically draw to him. It's exactly like how Bush was a magnet for the low vibrational energies of fear and war and oppression and aggression, but, you know, completely reversed. And different. And far, far better.
It's something, it seems.
Today's Comedy
I've mentioned before how I look at a whole lot of websites.
I also enjoy music and have found more than a few gems at Popdose.
It's nice to see them branching out every once in a while, as well:
Political Culture: 15 Republican Rumors about Barack Obama
June 05, 2008
Just In Case You Were Wondering...
I have picked my candidate for the upcoming election:
I know, I know...You're shocked...
BUT, in my mind, it's either this OR:
June 04, 2008
B.S. Dispelled
A few months ago:
The Illinois senator was ridiculed, criticized and generally harassed back in April when a top Hamas adviser, Ahmed Yousef, told a radio interviewer that the Palestinian militant group — considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. government — liked Obama and hoped he would win the U.S. presidential election.
Yousef’s remarks were labeled a Hamas endorsement and Republican used them as part of a fundraising appeal to supporters.
...and don't think that will stop the mindless chatter on fox but there is a certain reality to the situation:
That may have changed Wednesday, when Obama went before American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington a day after clinching the Democratic nomination and declared his strong support for Israel.
Israel’s security is sacrosanct and it must retain a qualitative military advantage, Obama said. Any peace deal must include Palestinian recognition that Jerusalem would remain Israel’s undivided capital, he said.
Hamas promply unendorsed Obama, a Christian who has had difficulty dispelling a rumor campaign suggesting he is a Muslim and that his advisers have a pro-Arab bent.
“Obama’s comments have confirmed that there will be no change in the U.S. administration’s foreign policy on the Arab-Israeli conflict,” Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters in Gaza.
Time will tell if fox reports that Barack has upset the terrorists...
June 03, 2008
Holy Optimism, Batman!
...not that there's anything wrong with that, but that was one hell of an optimistic closing.
Overall, I'd have to say that the guy seems to be running for office or something like that.
Barack's Speech
What can I say, really?
He's focusing on the GOP and the general election.
He's doing a hell of a lot better than McCain did earlier tonight, though that's just my opinion.
Campaign Email
As I'm watching the speech, I get email:
Earl --
I'm about to take the stage in St. Paul and announce that we have won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
It's been a long journey, and we should all pause to thank Hillary Clinton, who made history in this campaign. Our party and our country are better off because of her.
I want to make sure you understand what's ahead of us. Earlier tonight, John McCain outlined a vision of America that's very different from ours -- a vision that continues the disastrous policies of George W. Bush.
But this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past and bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
It's going to take hard work, but thanks to you and millions of other donors and volunteers, no one has ever been more prepared for such a challenge.
Thank you for everything you've done to get us here. Let's keep making history.
Barack
That's the feeling I have right now. It's time to roll up the sleeves and finally getting something done for the people of this nation instead of W's base.
If you don't know what I mean by that...
According to MSNBC
Barack Obama is now the Presumptive Democratic Nominee for the office of President of the United States.
CNN agrees.
In other words too long has passed.
Only three forevers to go...
A.k.a. 231 days.
June 01, 2008
One Step Closer
With all of the BS emanating from that place, it's no wonder:
That's Step #1.
I can only hope that this leads to an abandonment of organized religion worldwide.
Or...am I overstating things?
I can dream, can't I?
May 30, 2008
Morford Almost Has It
The answer, that is, to the question of just How is Barack doing It?
It almost cannot be understated: Barack Obama's steady, astounding, almost inexplicable rise to the top to not only become the presumptive Democratic nominee but also to overtake one of the strongest, smartest, most well-funded, tenacious rival candidates in American history — and also to out-poll his deeply connected Republican opponent — is both remarkable and historic on a number of fronts.
But the thing is, no matter how you crunch the data and try to logically analyze all the components that made Obamapalooza happen, there appears to be something just beyond the logic, just outside the normal machinery, that makes you shake your head in amazement, and perhaps remember this forever.
I've got to admit that Barack was my #2 guy. I still, to this day, wish John Edwards was riding this particular wave to D.C. this November, but...he isn't. Once John dropped out, I felt myself drift over to Barack. It felt natural enough. My main problem with Hillary was her last name. There was a fatigue settling in me from the same damn names showing up on my ballot every four years. Had she gone on to the nomination I would have just as easily voted for her, but there's that something Mark is talking about happening in this election cycle. At the end of the column, as mentions the nightmare that hides in the back of the nation's head, he gets really close to the answer but almost seems afraid to say it:
Then again, maybe, in a morose way, this is how we know transformative change is arriving, perhaps quicker than expected, but arriving nonetheless. We're already deeply scared of losing it. Really, how long's it been since we've felt anything like that?
Approximately 48 years, according to some people I've spoken with who were around at the time.
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!