Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Our Long National Nightmare Is Taking Her Sweet Time, Thankyouverymuch.

As I listened to Hillary Rodham Clinton’s speech on the telly (can we say “telly" this side of the pond?), I heard pride in our nation. I heard tenacity fueled by her avid supporters. And, peppered with mentions of America’s Barbie-beset little girls, I heard a rallying, communal, “You go girl!”

Naturally, what her audience was not treated to was humility. Nor did the reality of Barack Obama’s victory rear its unwelcome head. Senator Clinton seemed to have been packing up her political marbles and promptly exiting the playground – but not the political stage. Defiantly asking her constituents to write in (and presumably donate) on her website, while declaring she would “make no decisions tonight,” Hillary’s words flew in the face of a conciliatory, gracious, and above all victorious Barack Obama, who as of last night had exceeded the number of delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.

I needn’t tell anyone the historical impact of Senator Obama’s nomination. Suffice it to say, the man won. But instead of exalting this victory, Obama and others were left to ambiguous phrasing, saying he had “won the delegates to clinch the nomination” and declaring that Obama “will be the nominee”.

However momentous the occasion, however, stealing Obama’s shine is the least of Hillary Clinton’s transgressions. As she rallies her base, states her case for being the stronger candidate (despite being the losing candidate), and does mathematical gymnastics to lay claim to a majority slice of the popular vote, Mrs. Clinton seems to be trying to parlay her unflinching pawns into a checkmate on the VP nomination. To the crowd’s cries of “Denver! Denver!”, she may as well have stamped her feet and held her breath.

Another noteworthy address last night was that of John McCain. To a far smaller crowd than either Clinton’s or Obama’s, he stated his case. He took his shots at Obama. But rather than going toe-to-toe with McCain, Senator Obama is still involved in a dance with Senator Clinton. By now, it’s quite obvious who the more graceful partner is.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

McCain even appearing publicly last night was a HIGE mistep. He should have spoken this morning.

A.) CNN broke away from his speech, made it seem trivial.

B.) He spoke in front of less than 100 people and the speech was clunky and poorly written.

C.) That green backdrop -

D.) McCain looked drunk to me.

esther said...

LOL! He looked kinda creepy.

I think you're correct. If you want to appear to have no class, step right up and speak in NOLA on the day Obama wins the nomination. Who's the brilliant strategist who thought of that one?

Anonymous said...

And how can you say, you represent change if in fact you rip off someone else's campaign slogan??

What is this the amateur hour

esther said...

I know ex, why haven't they hired us?

Anonymous said...

Because if they hired us, things would get done.

Even I COULD NOT get McCain elected. The man looks terrible, is a horrible public speaker and looks like he is living in 1970.

Nothing memorable about him, serving in the military does not give you foriegn policy experience.

whitesox1967 said...

From White Sox 1967

Very good article and you are right. That night whs was being Hillary at her best. She was telling her overaged baby boomer women libbers that are out of touch with the new millennium America.

I was said here in the Chicago area that her father Hugh was a lot like our Hilary is today as we was involved with Chicago politics and friends of Richard M Daley Sr. in the 1950's and 60's.

esther said...

Hi, Sox!

Thanks for checking it out...I'll have to dig a little deeper for the next topics, since McCain is even easier fodder than Hillary.