Hillary Touts Herself and Women, Yet Not Obama, At DNCC

A tear in her eye, Hillary Rodham Clinton the first woman to "almost" become President, took the stage (at the Democratic National Convention) and her introduction video music said it all. The first four songs before she uttered a word were: "(Girl) You Really Got Me" (Van Halen), "Are You Going To Go My Way" (Lenny Kravitz), "American Girl" (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), and finally "She Can Change The World" (Big Head Todd & The Monsters). Clinton in the primaries got more than 18 million votes, won more states (by vote), but lost due to the "Super Delegates" votes, was obviously emotional when taking the stage. However, once the music was queued down and the cheering stopped (after 3-4 minutes), at the Denver Convention, Hillary Clinton went to a multiple message speech.

Some of the first words out of her mouth were, "I am so honored to be here tonight. No, I am here tonight, as a proud mother, as a proud Democrat, as a proud Senator from New York, a proud American, and a proud supporter of Barack Obama. My friends, it is time, to take back the country we love, and whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite, as a single party, with a single purpose! We are on the same team, and non of us can afford to sit on the sidelines. It is a fight for the future and it is a fight we must win, together. I haven't spent the past 35 years in the trenches, advocating for children, campaigning for universal health care, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women's rights (here at home and around the world), to see another Republican squander our promise, of a country that really fulfills the hopes of our people. You haven't worked, so hard, over the last 18 months, and endured the last 8 years to suffer through more failed leadership. No way, no how, no McCain!"

She spoke of running a race, against Obama, as being a privilege, of devotion of duty and overall lending the American people's time serving, to be a better nation. A mantra of the Democrats, for more than a century. Clinton spoke of the "cancer victim" who greeted her "with a bald head," a young man in a Marine Corps. T-shirt, and the people who were the "Sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits." Saying she, "Never gave in, never gave up, and we made history together." Calling on Harriet Tubbman, other women of the past, the women of the unions, teachers, hospital workers, and all of the women who have come before her. Saying, "Those are the women who allowed my daughter to vote for me, for President of the United States."Speaking on the John McCain front, Senator Clinton said, "John McCain is my colleague and my friend, he has served our country with honor and courage, but we do not need four more years of the last eight years. More economic stagnation and less affordable care, more high gas prices and less alternative energy, more jobs shipped overseas and less jobs created here at home, more skyrocketing debt/home foreclosures and mounting debt, more war and less diplomacy." You get the point. Obviously, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, from here on out, will be saying John McCain is George Bush in disguise. "It is obvious why John and George Bush will be in the Twin Cities, because it is harder and harder to tell them apart." This strategy has yet to work, for the democrats, but for Sen. Clinton what else could she say, but the Democratic talking points.

There was no mention of "we (the Democrats) are a completely different because of Barack Obama and Joe Biden's policies." Actually, she did not mention Barack Obama, but a handful of times, rather going back to "those who came before me." She did say, "Barack Obama is my candidate." Although, she had to say that, and then she spoke little else about the man who took her candidacy away. The best lines of the speech were either about Hillary Clinton, or they were about women of the past, not about Barack Obama. Maybe, this unifies the party of the Democrats. Then again, there are three John McCain commercials (here in Missouri), using Hillary's own words, to say that Obama was not ready to lead. Yet, another thing Hillary failed to mention. She did not say one time, Barack Obama is ready to deal with the things America faces today, and on day one. Not one time did she allude to the "Presidential Nominee" (Obama), as a strong leader, a man of trust, loyalty, or someone the American people can count on.

Finally, Hillary Clinton did what the Clinton's do, and that is tout the Clinton's. Rallying from a near tears beginning of her speech, to a rallying cry for women, in general (not a rallying cry, for Obama, or to vote for Obama). She would receive a grade of 50%, if Obama was grading her. Sure, she rallied the troops, got the whole convention cheering and women in tears (over her past women speech), but she did not advance Barack Obama's cause, in any way. Other than bashing McCain and Bush, which she only did in one spot in the speech, there was nothing about Barack Obama, or demonizing Republicans.

Just think, Bill Clinton speaks tomorrow night, and America can only wonder. What will Bill Clinton say, do, and how far will he use he Presidential muster to advance the 2012 Hillary Campaign, or will he advance Barack Obama whole heartedly and in unity?

An Indepent's Review of Michelle Obama, At DNC & Stump

Michelle Obama did not come out and give the Martin Luther King, Jr., "I Have A Dream" speech. Rather, she delivered a Mary Tyler Moore, Apple Pie, and a speech that will resonate with the majority of Democrats and some Independents. Coming out in a light blue, (looking like) an almost knit dress, with a large center piece on the front, hair styled in a soft, out of the face, look, and finally speaking with a plain and forthright nature, about how anything can be achieved in America ("The Ice Cream Dream Speech" refering to her first dates with Barack, but also how anything can be achieved with Barack as President and how Michelle and Barack are just the same as Middle to Low Income Class People, no different). Yet, she accomplished the goal of the night, letting the country know, she is "not" a bitter, elite, over the top, and heavy handed black woman (which she has looked like, several times, on the campaign trail).

Michelle, orchestrated with a magnificently choreographed speech and back drop, spoke of faith, the power of her family, her love of family, and mostly how Barack would treat the American people, like he treats her and his family. History was made, at the DNCC, in the black community, having the first possible black first lady, stand up and say, "One day your sons and daughters will tell their own children, about what we did together in this election. They will tell them who we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears, how this time we stopped doubting and started dreaming, how this time in this great country, where a girl (from the South side of Chicago) can go to college and law school and the son of a single mother, can go all the way to the White House."

Mrs. Obama did not deliver the "Gettysburg Address." However, she did achieve more than one goal. She delivered a speech Americans will look at, whether white, black, or brown, and see that she (Michelle) is just a woman who followed the American Dream. She is a woman who loves her children, thinking of them the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. Michelle Obama made herself one of the many simple Americans, at the DNCC. Along with Barack making a video appearance, from Kansas City (flubbing saying he was in both KC and St. Louis), praising his wife. The video performance was not needed, as Michelle was delivering Barack Obama, as the "Non-Elitist" as well. Michelle Obama softened her appearance, her deliverance, and gave the American people (at least the Democrats), the appearance the Obama's are just a lucky, hard working couple, who made sacrifices (to not working in "big law firms") working as "community advisors."

However, for some Americans who do follow politics, look at the whole message (not the drama, flowing video screens, and yick-yacking smiling loving Obama kids, all choreographed), there were flaws. Michelle only mentioned the troops one time, yet spoke of ice cream dates, big brother "vetting" Barack on the basketball court, and churning over her father to no end. She did not speak about the things the Obama family has achieved, with the houses, vacations, the majority of the "extras" they have (most Americans, will never touch, or smell), and the constant generic "American Dream Theme," was tedious. Especially, if you are giving hope to the whole of society (even "reaching down to people," as the video which announced her said, rather than reaching for people), then you should be proud of going to Harvard, Princeton, working at law firms, and what you gave up. However, this was all tamped down. Along with the facts, Barack Obama's family is not shored up, half brothers are making $1 a day in Kenya and other African countries, her mother was not mentioned (other than getting Barack to college), and finally she did not delve into any of Barack’s past, with the other figures he had helping him (Rev. Wright, William Ayers, Union Organizers, and the Chicago Daly System, of the south side, which is what drew them there to succeed in politics). Saying Hillary Clinton, was one of the people in the litany of others, who have hammered and worked their tail off, like the steel workers of America and middle to lower class people of America, was ridiculous. Of course, this is "reality," but they would not speak on this, with their base.

Michelle Obama hit a home run tonight, because the simple fact is, Michelle Obama only needed to sell herself and her family tonight. Talking about her father, who died from MS, never complaining thru any pain, and always having a smile on his face. Even, using two canes to walk across the kitchen to give her mother a kiss, was a bullet to the hearts of the bleeding heart democrat audience, and most of the political people, just passing by this election process (maybe tuning into the process for the first time tonight). She (Michelle) sold the American Dream, with a soft shell wrapping, in a completely new way, with the covering being from a black woman, with a solid family, from top to bottom. She did not come off as the woman who said, "I have never been proud of my country, until today, with Barack Obama running for President." The real test will be how many people paid attention, to the details, the mundane ice cream dates (compared to the college kid working a job, going to college, to pay for his sisters health care), the family she had (compared to the family that was AWOL, for Barack Obama), and finally the anyone can have the American Dream and Barack Obama is the man who will bring it (yet, she embellished Obama bringing the troops legislation to get them health care and to "end the war responsibly").

Rating for Michelle Obama, from an Independent, Disabled, White Man (in the political fray 24/7), time will tell if the American people bought the "Ice Cream Dream Speech," or if they expected more talk on Barack Obama, who will be leading our country and the mistakes (which were covered up, or not discussed, yet may go by the ordinary American). However, for a DNCC speech, I would give her a 75% positive rating (because I will sell, most independents and "regular Americans" short, to eat up, the "Ice Cream Date Dream Life" speech up).

What do you think?

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

During DNCC, McCain Needs This "Pre-October" Surprise

John McCain has to make a solid decision for his Vice Presidential candidate, obviously. There are several things, on the surface, McCain would like to have in a VP candidate: possibly a younger man/woman (Kay Bailey Hutchinson, TX, Bobby Jindel, LA.), a person with economic experience (Romney, Mass.), foreign and geopolitical experience (Tom Ridge), or he could go with a combination and overall "gel" candidate (Lieberman). However, McCain, who is not known for his dramatic demeanor, should actually go for the surprise candidate, during the DNCC (Democratic National Committee Convention), announcing on Tuesday, or Wednesday. The surprise and possibly the candidate to put McCain over the top is Mike Huckabee.

Barack Obama has Joe Biden for his candidate, for VP, and Biden serves as a mouth piece, bull dog type, who will go out and say the things Barack will not be comfortable with. Also, Biden is not in the same vein as the "new government," or the Hope & Change message, as he has been in Washington for twenty years. The only thing Biden adds to Obama is he is a complete wild card, who could say and do anything (based on his long track record) and he has judicial (he was head of the Judicial Senate Committee) and Foreign experience (he was also the head of the Armed Services Committee) in the Senate.

Therefore, McCain is not under a crushing force to pick the perfect candidate. He needs to pick a candidate that will counter Biden and also will limit the potential Obama attack adds, or keep them to a minimum. The most important thing John McCain needs in his VP candidate is someone who will be able to roll with the punches, speak and counter anything asked of him, a person with fresh ideas, and the most important thing is having someone that is a complete surprise and Americans will like (feel like they are close to the VP candidate). Mike Huckabee is this candidate, in all of the places, John McCain needs.

Mike Huckabee, first, has been making all of the rounds on Fox, CNN, and all the Sunday shows over the last two months, so the American people know who he is. Huckabee was the last Republican to be in the race, against McCain, building and getting to know a lot of people along the way. People respond to Huckabee and McCain is very friendly with him, even when "The Huck-A-Bus" kept on rolling, after he was completely out of the race mathematically (yet continued, because of the principal). Huckabee is a strong presence on social issues and he was excellent, as a two time governor (Arkansas), having a surplus in both of his terms. Therefore, he fills an economic void. However, the biggest thing Mike Huckabee would bring to a McCain/Huckabee Ticket, is the fact he can banter with anyone in the world. Joe Biden is a blow hard, who gets flustered (when pushed), and Huckabee is quite quippy, never seems to let anyone get under his skin, and would be a perfect fit against Biden in the debates.

John McCain does not get along with Mitt Romney and there is no guarantee, Romney can bring Michigan to McCain. Bobby Jindel is pretty young and it may seem like McCain is picking Jindel, simply for the age factor. Tom Ridge is pro-choice and Lieberman is a Democrat, so they would hurt McCain in a big way. Aside from Kay Bailey-Hutchinson, who is a dark horse, Mike Huckabee is the best thing that could ever happen to the McCain ticket. Regardless, if Sean Hannity, Limbaugh, and Anne Coulter like him, the American people and American Republicans like him. Plus, his speaking skills, like ability, and the other things above, far outweigh any of the other candidates. If John McCain does not pick Huckabee, as a "Pre-October Surprise," to take the wind out of the DNCC sails, he will be playing with fire and shooting into the wind.

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

Biden Minus For Obama, Being Only An Attack Dog

Bobby Jindel, Mitt Romney, or maybe Tom Ridge for John McCain's Vice Presidential pick? Only John McCain knows, or is close to knowing, but Barack Obama has his VP pick, in Joe Biden. Biden is more than an "experience pick," he is a hit man/bull dog, who will say anything, at any time. In his first speech, as the Vice Presidential pick of Obama, Biden used these two quotes (smacking McCain, before he is even on the campaign trail):

1. "Ladies and gentleman, your kitchen table is like mine. You sit there before, after, you put the kids to bed and you talk, and you talk about what you need. You talk about how much you need to pay the bills. Well, ladies and gentleman, that is not a worry that John McCain needs to worry. It is a pretty hard experience, wondering which of his seven kitchen tables to sit at."

2. "Ladies and Gentleman, the reckoning is now. The reality is we must answer the call, or we will risk the harshest verdict and version in history. These times call for a total change in Washington's 'world view,' These times call for more than just a 'good soldier," They require a wise leader."

Wow! Senator Biden, where to begin? Are you really sitting at your table at night, wondering where you will be short, paying your bills and putting food on your table, with your kids in bed, with your wife? The answer is plainly no, this is politics as usual, and it is not "new government/Washington" with the utmost speed, because of the risk of "failure and the harshest verdict in history." You are a rich senator, of 20 years. How about taking a shot at McCain's service to our country, did your serve? Sure it takes more than a soldier, to be a good President, look at Clinton, Bush (to be fair), Nixon, Carter, even yourself, you didn't serve in Vietnam. Although, it does take character, which I do believe you have, Mr. Biden, but Barack Obama does not, so he needs you for these baseless attacks. Which you have now shown, 20 minutes into being the VP nominee (officially), that you are more than willing to throw, get in the mud, and hit John McCain with everything you have and what the Obama Machine wants you to do? However, Mr. Biden, you did say yourself:

1. "I would never be a vice president."
2. "I would never serve under Senator Obama, as a cabinet member."
3. "In the debates, you said Barack Obama had no experience to be President of the United States."

Mr. Biden, it sounds like you are filling the role, Barack and Michelle Obama need, right now and down the stretch. You will be the attack dog, the mouth piece, and the one who will say things Obama (either can't say or) won't say. I hope you are happy with both, doing the dirty work and also going back on three major statements you have made, in just the last three months. It show a lot of sound and great judgment, something Barack Obama lacks, as well. Good luck with that, Mr. Biden, though. You will need it.

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

Obama's VP (Biden) Irrelevant, He Must Make Two Choices

Vice President, Veep, or VP for Obama, coming into the weekend, is not a real traction issue (unless he picks Hillary Clinton). Obama has gaffed and blundered his way around the world, over the last three to six weeks (depending how you look at it). When first starting out, the man of "Hope & Change" was above the "traditional down in the mud politics, would bring the American System of getting a new President to respect and decency, and he would also be a transparent and "for the people" candidate. He has been the front runner, "Democratic Nominee" for over five weeks now. What has happened, with Mr. Obama?

I have the privilege, if you call it that, of being in a "battle ground state/swing state," Missouri. Therefore, I have seen a lot of different things from Barack Obama. Every time John McCain says anything close to negative, calls him out, or even says something true, but can be construed as negative, Obama hits back (within hours), with an ad of his own. So much for being positive and a beacon of light, now everyone can see the negative ads, poured over the Olympics and all the other channels, every night (as well as, negative McCain Ads). Then Obama promised (after securing the nomination), he would have a complete and candid look at his policies. Not so much, either, changing his stance on, just the Capital Gains Tax four times (in words in interviews, on his web site, and on the stump, depending where he is at in the country). Therefore, a tit-for-tat attitude, vacillating on issues like taxes, abortion issues with the "Saddleback Church Interview," Rezco, completely forgetting about Dr. Jeremiah Wright ("His spiritual mentor and someone who he could not denounce, or it would be like denouncing the whole black community") are all by the way side, along with several other barnacles of inconvenience."

Roughly, two months away from the nomination and the Democratic Convention in the bag, a vice presidential candidate is not going to make Barack Obama into a president, worth voting for (anymore, than one is for McCain). Obama needs two things to win, and swing things into his corner for the remainder of the election. Senator Barack Obama's "handlers" (like Susan Davis, his foreign policy advisor), who let him hide (vacationing in Hawaii), while Russia was attacking a sovereign nation, in Georgia. Davis coming out with the answer/comments first. Then Obama comes out for a two minute soft cell message "let the Euro's handle it, and let cooler heads prevail" is not going to cut it. Of course there is only one President, but the two men who want to be President need not hide and go silent (Obama), because foreign policy is not your cup of tea. Barack has to come out to the American people like a real person, as he did against Hillary, making McCain look like a "same old, same old politician." Every single time he gets a chance to have a position, he should take it. His speaking abilities are great, he is 100% believable in front of a TelePrompTer, and if he will come back out and spew all of the words he was "back in the day" (to beat the "Clinton Machine"), and it will sound better than anything coming out of McCain's mouth. He has to stop playing politics, knowing the democratic base will stick with him (regardless of what he says, for the most part) and the independents want someone to believe in. By the time independent voters know Obama may not be able to capitalize on all he has promised, it will be to late and he will have won. (Let's be honest, even though the President of the United States is the most powerful man in the world, he/she still has only limited power, in today's geopolitical world)

The second thing he must do is stop going negative and keep hitting McCain every time (McCain) opens his hole. The American people are not wanting the same old Kerry vs. Bush, Gore vs. Bush, Bush vs. McCain, and all the other politicians looking to bash each other's skulls in, with negative ads, words, commercials, and blogs. It is just tedious. If Obama's handlers will let him go and start talking on all venues (Fox News, CNN Lou Dobbs, and shows besides SNL, Jon Stewart and the "elitist viewed shows"), speak out on specific issues (even if he does not give a specific answer and/or statement) on the issue, and finally come back to the positive candidate (the "Savior Candidate, if you will). Obama has a gift for speaking, sounding and looking Presidential, and he is more convincing then any other politician, in the last fifty to sixty years. He has to speak out on drilling, jobs, go back to health care (which has completely gone away, Obama has not spoken on health care, and gotten any news/media coverage on it in over a month), and finally he "must" speak out on the issues Republicans (who are socially independent) and Independents want to hear. Obama has to tell that group, he will never abandon them, health care will save the middle class, he is pro gun, stay away from abortion, and make sure he is the candidate they once saw and believed in.

Barack Obama's VP candidate is irrelevant. It he doesn't follow the above, he is going to be sweating every night and next day's newspapers, from now until the day after the election. Seeing Obama responding to ads from McCain every other commercial, while I and Claire McCaskill are watching Michael Phelps win gold after gold is nothing more than tedious. Release the hounds and ditch the handlers, come out with the wild and free flowing speeches you had against Hillary (not to mention bury Hillary and Bill after the convention, once and for all), and quit responding to McCain's negative ads and things he is saying. Be your own man, stand up for the issues people want to hear again, and finally "BE THE BIGGER PERSON/CANDIDATE AND FOLLOW THRU ON THE PROMISE YOU ONCE MADE." "I am not the politician of days of old, and I will make our country great and strong again thru my policies, my beliefs, and thru what you want." If you don't, then good luck getting sleep tonight, every other night, and continue to watch your hair turn more shades of gray, than the paint shop at HQ.

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

McCain & Obama, Are They The Best America Has To Offer?

Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, Ghandi, and George Washington all started, in life, as "just children". There surroundings, overall thought and practices, and choices formed them into the some of the greatest leaders of all time. Barack Obama and John McCain (for America) are the only two leaders left, to lead our country, by vote in 2008.

These two possible American Presidents are what the parties have offered, and what the people have to vote for. There are only two questions to be asked and possibly fixed (in the future). Out of the Democratic, Republican, Independent, all other US parties and the population of our country, are these two men are the most qualified, will lead the country thru whatever comes, and can the find remedies to the most important and hardest questions in the country (much less the world)? The other questions, assuming these are not the two best men to lead, where are the great leaders of tomorrow and how does America cultivate them?


From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"