Debate Will Have Two Participants

McCain decided not to commit campaign suicide, opting instead to lick his campaign-threatening wounds and get on a plane to Mississippi.

Let's see how he tries to spin all this nonsense. And let's see if Barack Obama can grill the guy's ass on every last issue.

Steve Doocy is the biggest idiot working in television today

That's all I wanted to say.

Today I gave a presentation...

...about how today's political culture is driven by the politics of the Narrative--stories and personalites winning out over policies and ideas. That was the perception when Barack Obama defeated Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Primary, and ever since the nomination of What's-Her-Name, it was clear that the Republicans were fighting to win the election on the back of compelling biographies and identifiable personal histories.

But my presentation today hinged on one key factor that is dominating this race: the MEDIA. Members of the MSM, as Vigilante pointed out not long ago, have taken on the job description of moderators looking to inject themselves into the story whenever possible, and in the MSM's hands, the presidential race has taken on the attributes of a high-stakes, down-to-the-wire sporting event--Presidential Bowl XLIV.

If the MSM has its way, this race will remain close and only get closer until crunch time, when one candidate will come through in the clutch and win the presidency after the "game" has been squeezed of all possible drama. In order for the moderators to achieve such a goal, it means that every story the MSM peddles--every Narrative they spin, whether by perpetuating current campaign narratives or creating yarns of their own--must fit into the "punch-counterpunch" framework of the best boxing matches. In short, each candidate must saturate the news cycle for a period, and then the other candidate must take over...back and forth, so on and so on. Because the simple is this: if you dominate the media narrative, you become the prominent candidate and the poll leader. Obama was the main draw (and, hence, the poll leader) right up through the Sarah Barracuda announcement--after that, the narrative shifted and the saturation of the Palin Story took effect. And voila!...McCain-Palin took the media reigns and rode it right into a slight lead in the polls. The combination of repeating the same old colloquial talking points, flaunting Palin's public speaking skills, and hiding her true stance on the issues worked savvily in the Republicans' favor. They found their version of Obama--a big, new, popular story to attract American voters. They seized control of the media narrative, and in so doing seized control of the national polls.

BUT THEN...

Can you say "bailout"? So can millions of other Americans...and for many of them, "solution to economic crisis" begins with "ousting Republicans from control." And so, as The Barracuda Effect became weighed down by Common Sense and Reality, the McCain-Palin Media Domination Phase came to a quiet close....and so did their lead in national polls.

So what does an old, cranky, tired, confused, desperate, calculating Republican presidential nominee do when he's waffled on the economic crisis and is losing his grip on the electorate, even with his Golden Goose-Killer by his side?

Well, he follows the advice of his advisers, of course, and attempts to TAKE BACK MEDIA SATURATION!

Smart idea...but what if it flies in the face of logic (well, perhaps I shouldn't be asking that question to the man who nominated Sarah Palin)? The last 24 hours of John McCain's presidential campaign have been among the most appalling and ridiculous of this 2-year process. He tries to steal back media attention by usurping a moment of genuine bipartisanship from Barack Obama, and then taking it ten steps further by calling for a delay of Friday's debate?!?! Obama's response was swift and correct (to paraphrase: "uh, can't presidents multi-task?"), clearly underlining just how presidential he is and McCain isn't.

Regardless of McCain's cowardly-whining-disguised-as-leadership, bipartisan negotiations commenced today in Washington, and--lo and behold--a tentative bailout deal was reached that both Democrats and Republicans believed to be passable and workable. "Great," I thought, "the debate will certainly go on as scheduled."

The headline I now read from the AP: McCain Campaign Won't Commit to to Debate on Friday.

Uh, huh. Yeah, I see how it works now. McCain is still holding out...still holding strong...still hoping that he will somehow look resolute and presidential as he bucks against a debate that should never be canceled for reasons so illogical...still wondering what the fuck he's gonna do to repair his image...still hoping one of his much more sinister and devious operatives will come up with a masterful strategy to get the Old Man out of this ditch.

Why is he doing this? ....Because at least it's media attention. And even if it's grasping at straws, what does Johnny have to lose? He's already down....he might as well pull out all the insane stops to try and get up off the mat. He's throwing insanity at the electorate and hoping something sticks....his Media Saturation Period depends on it.

I do want a debate tomorrow. I am naively excited about this election cycle. But if Johnny can't make it, I at least hope the networks stick around, Barack shows up, and uses the 90 minutes to talk directly with the American people about why he's the only one capable of leading this nation....since after all, he's the only one who's willing to show up to share his views with America.

Postpone the Debate? LUDICROUS!

Power's back on here in Obama Country (eh, at least our house is Obama Country)...but still taking care of fallen trees, etc. For now, a quick tidbit...

The events of the past several hours--in which Barack Obama called John McCain proposing a bipartisan effort to deal with the $700 billion financial crisis, then McCain called Obama back to accept, and mere minutes later made the second-most calculated political announcement of his campaign (guess what number 1 is), a feigned attempt to make himself appear "bipartisan" by calling for a delay of Friday's debate until a "solution" is agreed upon--is just the latest example of how Barack Obama is the most sincere presidential candidate we've had in decades, and how John McCain is so lost and so desperate that he's willing to play politics at every turn.

Obama, who is popular because of his powerful message and his inclusive policies, didn't come out with a massive press conference to announce how we should all bow down and respect his bipartisanship--he merely acted unselfishly bipartisan, and made a private call to John McCain. And instead of just politely returning the call and accepting the proposal, McCain refused to stop there; rather, he then unveiled the massive press conference to announce how we should all bow down and respect his bipartisanship. On the one hand, you have to admit that it was a pretty smart call, given the fact that McCain has waffled on this crisis constantly, Palin has done nothing but repeat campaign talking points and set up photo-ops, and Barack Obama has proposed solutions and made gains in the polls for his honest work. He was able to steal the spotlight, undercut Obama's true generosity and bipartisanship, and force Obama to back-track and make clear that he was, in fact, the one who started this bipartisan conversartion. On the other hand, it was as slimy and two-faced a move as one can imagine, one that was made purely for political gain--in short, it was signature John McCain, Presidential Candidate.

And so, to address this call for us to "put aside partisan politics and delay the debate," I first must say that McCain is doing nothing if not playing partisan politics. And then I must say that delaying the debate is the most ludicrous proposal I've heard from McCain since he walked out onto the Nutter Center stage and said, "Hey America, how 'bout Sarah Palin for VP?"

At best, the proposal shows complete tunnel vision and an utter lack of the ability to multi-task, a trait any presidential candidate should be anxious to display. At worst, it shows that McCain is trying to avoid a debate that he fears will further bury him in the polls, and perhaps also make his ultra-slim lead in states like Indiana and Ohio disappear.

As for Barack's response, I don't even need to paraphrase it:

"It's my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess. It's going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once."

Nailed it, nailed it, nailed it.

Barack Obama may one day go down as my favorite president of all time.

Are you there, Ike? It's me, Ohio...

Just over a week ago, the remnants of Hurricane Ike came blowing through Ohio and didn't let up for about 20 hours. I was downtown at the time, going to get some Obama-Biden signs with my two boys...but Democratic headquarters was closed for the day, and then we had to rush back home, as K called to tell me the power had gone out.

Over a week has passed...still no power. So here I write, from the university where I work/attend, just to let y'all know that we're still here...and that our commentary will return when the electricity does.

In the meanwhile, let's all bask in the return to sanity in the national polls, where Barack Obama is again at 50% in some, with as high as a six-point lead.

A big hurray for that...and a prayer for electricity.

Barack in his own words

Yesterday, I finished reading Barack Obama's book, The Audacity of Hope. The book is astounding, one that clearly allows the reader inside Obama's head and heart. It not only provides a background for understanding how the man came to embrace the virtues of grassroots organizing and bottom-up campaigning; it not only sketches in miniature the direction in which the man wants to take this country, replete with ideas, plans, opinions, facts, and stories; it also allows Obama to lay his hopes, dreams, doubts, and fears out on a literary platter, open to all who are willing to engage him. It is the perfect antidote to anyone who would say that the candidate is "too inexperienced, too little known, too untested, or too unaccomplished" to hold the office of president. Not only does Obama detail his many trips abroad and his work in the Senate, but he provides a glimpse into his life that will ring true to any American...to any citizen of the world. In her convention speech, Sarah Palin referred to the book as a "memoir," but it is much more than that--and in the instances when Obama does offer brief anecdotes from his life, they are always in support of a much grander idea, a much broader, all-inclusive American ideal, a much bigger hope for all peoples. The Republicans have gone to great lengths to publicize Palin as a relatable figure to many voters, but in Barack Obama's generous, insightful words, I see the full scope of the human experience, the unmistakably relatable element of honest humanity. I see myself in him; I see all Americans in him.

 It is very telling that I finished the book--which is a very intelligent, very powerful document--on a day like yesterday, when this blog was swirling with a string of increasingly nasty comments, mainly from two individuals, one of which is me. And while there may be solid points cased within the nasty packaging, those points are not why the comments were made--they were made in order to up the ante on the opposing writer, to win a never-ending battle of wit, to win an argument not based on logic or truth, but based on who can deliver the most exacting zing.

That is not the kind of argument I want to get in, even if my stubbornness and loathing of perceived injustice compels me to ignore my desire to remain above the fray. So it is all done--at least on my end. I was angry before--but then I re-watched the glorious Obama-Biden video that K posted a few days ago. I re-read some of Barack Obama's words. And I realize that while  zingers can be fun, and can also sometimes be appropriate, they better be in service of the underlying point and not the other way around. This election is about the hope for change...the opportunity to participate in change. It is a time to stop playing games and start working together to make a difference. That is why I support the candidate I support. That is why I wanted to take part in this blog.

So as we move forward, I feel it is absolutely appropriate to quote Obama, and to let his words provide a perspective that I wish to adopt for the remainder of this election cycle. I want to share the closing passage of The Audacity of Hope (sorry to spoil it for those who wanted to be surprised...), a passage that I feel stands with some of the best writing I've read in years, one that contains some of the most eloquent, passionate, and powerful sentiments Barack Obama has ever expressed.

"What satisfies me now [is] being useful to my family and the people who elected me, leaving behind a legacy that will make our children's lives more hopeful than our own. Sometimes, working in Washington, I feel I am meeting that goal. At other times, it seems as if the goal recedes from me, and all the activity I engage in--the hearings and speeches and press conferences and position papers--are an exercise in vanity, useful to no one.

"When I find myself in such moods, I like to take a run along the Mall. Usually I go in the early evening, especially in the summer and fall, when the air in Washington is warm and still and the leaves on the trees barely rustle. After dark, not many people are out--perhaps a few couples taking a walk, or homeless men on benches, organizing their possessions. Most of the time I stop at the Washington Monument, but sometimes I push on, across the street to the National World War II Memorial, then along the Reflecting Pool to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, then up the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial.

"At night, the great shrine is lit but often empty. Standing between marble columns, I read the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address. I look out over the Reflecting Pool, imagining the crowd stilled by Dr. King's mighty cadence, and then beyond that, to the floodlit obelisk and shining Capitol dome.

"And in that place, I think about America and those who built it. This nation's founders, who somehow rose above petty ambitions and narrow calculations to imagine a nation unfurling across a continent. And those like Lincoln and King, who ultimately laid down their lives in the service of perfecting an imperfect union. And all the faceless, nameless men and women, slaves and soldiers and tailors and butchers, constructing lives for themselves and their children and grandchildren, brick by brick, rail by rail, calloused hand by calloused hand, to fill in the landscape of our collective dreams.

"It is that process I wish to be a part of.

"My heart is filled with love for this country."

Sarah Palin: Miss Contradiction

The Republicans have done a bang-up job trying to introduce Sarah Palin to the electorate. We know her beautiful family (with all its hush-hush behind-the-scenes machinations), we know that she has executive experience (executive power which she bulldozed her way into, and which she then abused in every way she saw fit), and we know that she's a pit-bull in lipstick (which apparently some sick bastards find attractive). Oh yeah, we also know that she placed second in the 1984 Miss Alaska contest.

With all that stuff having already been reported to death, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce the American people to yet another wonderful side of Governor Palin--and finally introduce her as the pageant winner she so deserves to be.

My fellow Americans, meet Sarah Palin, Miss Contradiction...

• Palin is the mother of a four-month-old special needs child who vehemently opposes stem cell research--the very research that could one day help millions of special needs children across the globe.
• Palin is also mother to a U.S. soldier who is being shipped off to Iraq sometime within the next couple days...yet she wants this disastrous mistake to carry on indefinitely.
• Palin is, as the Republicans have gone at great length to point out, a woman--one who stands in direct opposition to women's rights, equal pay for women, and above all a woman's right to choose.

She may have only placed second in the 1984 Miss Alaska pageant, and she wouldn't even come close to making anyone's short-list for a Miss Contraception pageant, but I feel Sarah Palin is the most qualified, most deserving, and most prepared candidate for the newly-minted Miss Contradiction Award for 2008!

Do we really need MORE abuse of power in the White House?

THAT ABUSE OF POWER THING....IT'S ONE OF SARAH PALIN'S CRIPPLING VICES

You can also see this link over at Swiftspeech!...the focus there is on Palin's overt racism, which is heinous and profoundly dangerous for our country--I am not overlooking that.

However, as the article continues, it becomes clear that "Troopergate," as Palin's current abuse-of-power investigation has been dubbed by many, is only the most recent example of the Palin's blatant abuse of power...

A brief snippet:

"Ironically, Palin was pushed into hiring the administrator by the party poobahs who helped get her elected after she got herself into trouble over a number of precipitous firings which gave rise to a recall campaign.

“People who fought her attempt to oust the librarian are on her enemies list to this day,” states Anne Kilkenny, a Wasilla resident and one of the few Alaskans willing to speak on-the-record, for attribution, about Palin. In fact, Kilkenny actually circulated an e-mail letter about Palin that was verified and printed by The Nation.

"For good measure, Palin booted the Wasilla police chief from office because, she told a local newspaper, he “intimidated” her."

Read the article...try your best not to cringe. Try your best not to shudder at what would happen to our country is Sarah Palin was leading it.

Obama/Biden: The Ticket of " Us"

I have been thinking about the two conventions all day, and I have been feeling this tension, not knowing how to communicate the frustration that rises in me when I think about how the Republicans hijack every political season with hatred.

Then, I opened a message in my email from Barack Obama and watched a video that he included and as I watched it, it hit me. The message we liberals, progressives, democrats, and left leaning independents need to get across is very very simple.

Our new theme should be this:

We are the party of "US"; They are the party of "ME"

That is why we value volunteerism and community outreach. Because it's about all of us.

That is why we value universal health care. Because it's about all of us.

That is why we value every town, small, medium, or big. Because it's about all of us.

That is why we value gay rights, civil rights, and women's rights. Because it's about all of us.

That is why we value economic relief for middle and lower class families. Because it's about all of us.

That is why we value keeping jobs here, at home. Because it's about all of us.

That is why we value the environment and don't just want to "drill, baby, drill." Because we all live here; it's about all of us.

That is why we value bringing the troops home. Because they should not die over lies; it's about all of us.

That is why we value properly funding our educational system. Because all children deserve a chance; it's about all of us.

It's us. Not "me".

This country is about all of us, not just a select few who want to get richer, more powerful, and live a life of twisted servitude and allegiance to God, a God who would be ashamed of the way they have become so "me" centered.

This election cycle is about us. All of us. We can be better, stronger, happier. All we have to do is think of "we" and a little less about "me."

Just as I thought...

So, dear readers, 

Did anyone see Bill Maher on his Real Time with Bill Maher Friday night? Bill Maher did an entire tirade on vice presidential nominee, Governor Sarah Palin. I knew he would. When I wrote that letter/blog Friday morning, I did so because I knew he would do exactly what he did 12 hours later. Every stereotype about women he could parade out and exploit, he did. Even George Bush, the murdering evil retard, has not ever earned an entire 5 minute opening act of his disdain. Why do you think that is, people? Because she is a woman. Bill Maher, with all his talk of being progressive, is really just as sexist as the Republicans he criticizes. Difference is, Republicans do not want women to have sexual freedom, Bill Maher believes women are ONLY useful for their sexual freedom.

His panel included the very smart, astute Michelle Martin, who held him to task and he blew her off. She said, "you do not make this any better or easier with your comments about Palin being a stewardess." Chuckles ensued. Then, Michelle pointed out that Palin has the same experience as Kaine, Governor of Virginia, who was on Obama's short list and interviewed by Maher only moments before Martin's comment. Did Maher address the counterargument? Nope. That would not be "funny" enough. As Maher kept degrading Palin as a "hockey mom," and sneered about her children, Michelle pointed out that out of all the candidates, Obama, McCain, Palin, and Biden, only Palin has actually fucking governed. Maher simply kept making jokes about how she had once been a mayor of a small town. Scoffing and shoulder wiggling continued.

And finally, when Ms. Martin pointed out that this election is going to become more and more about identity politics and how we have to be very careful about where that goes and how far we exploit it, did anyone listen to her? No, the conversation floated away from such important topics. 

The panel that night, guided by Maher, should have taken the opportunity to show why Palin is wrong for office. It is NOT because she does not have experience. It is not because she is a mom. And it is certainly not because she has a vagina. It is because her stance on the issues that should matter most are too extreme and not good for our country or her citizens.

During cookouts, all I heard from any family member or acquaintance was "what was he thinking? She has no experience."  "You knowwwwww why he picked her, right? Right?" And then there were jokes about how stupid women are to follow any woman into office.

Today, watching last week's Daily Show, Jon Stewart took the opportunity to joke about how Palin looks like Tina Fey (which she does), but his joke did not stop there. He also said she looked like a sexy librarian from late night Cinemax. Nice. As Pamela Paul points out in her book, Pornified, and as I have discussed in previous blogs, men are able to reduce women to fuck objects any time they want to dominate over them. Someone is not your candidate, debate them on the issues. What kind of democrats are we, if we demean women and degrade them in order to make our point? Oh, but it was just a joke, right? The show went on, and Samantha Bee went on to poke fun at/exploit the concept of women only following Palin due to their vaginas. She went on to coin about 3 derogatory terms for a woman's vagina, but that was all in good fun, right?

As if all of the above was not disheartening enough, after watching said Daily Show, I was told by my very liberal, usually very sensitive husband that I am taking it "a bit extreme." He added that Palin is NOT experienced and she was a stupid choice. We began fighting about the lack of experience concept. When Obama (who I support) was brought up, he turns into a mouthpeice: "he has the same experience as Lincoln did." When I bring up that Palin has the same experience as Kaine, I am greeted with, "but Obama was smart enough not to choose him." When I remind him that Kaine was only notified a short bit before Biden, and that he was on the very short list, he brushed me off and said I was, "irrational" and "crazy." My husband insinuated I "take a joke."

Well, Jason... and all the other men who read this and think I cannot take a joke. When we see a male candidate be reduced and attacked on the basis of his body parts, on his role as a father, or on his job of being a governor, when that has been plenty for past presidents, then, I will take a joke.

Our fighting escalated and instead of debating me anymore, the fight became, "go ahead and vote for her, then" devaluing my point and dismissing my position. 

All of us need to realize that if we continue to use stereotypes and exploit gendered constructions, it may bite us in the ass during this election, and we might lose what we so desperately need. But there is also, far more at stake. The role and perceptions of women in this society and the value placed upon them could be placed in serious peril, even more than they already are.