Obama and America's Promise

John McCain and Sarah Palin's virulent attacks on Barack Obama's patriotism may be, as the New York Times editorial page is complaining, "appalling," but they should neither come as a surprise nor be cause for much concern. Quite the contrary. They aren't a sign of strength, but weakness. The more the McCain campaign flounders--and it is heading for the biggest GOP defeat since Barry Goldwater lost a landslide election to Barry Goldwater in 1964--the more grotesque and extreme its charges about Obama are likely to become.

It was Obama's appearance in Indianapolis, Indiana today--which has not been won by a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964--that offered the most telling portent of where the election is headed. With the economy tanking and Wall Street continuing to experience massive sell-offs, Obama has now found his voice. His speech in Indianapolis wasn't simply stirring, but magnificent. Obama made the crucial link between his personal odyssey and America's. At a moment when America is facing financial woes that can only be compared to those it faced after the October 1929 crash, Obama, like Franklin D. Roosevelt, offers the promise of a young, vigorous leader who will dispense with the shibboleths and fantasies of a decade that led America into ruinous wars and debt.

In retrospect, the Bush era will be regarded as a bizarre interlude between the Clinton and Obama presidencies. Indeed, Bush, who is earning the dubious distinction of the most ignominious president in American history, out-Hoovering Hoover, will provide fodder for the Democrats to run on for several decades. Mere invocations of his name are likely to produce shudders among Americans, who will castigate him for ruining America's reputation.

Obama is making it clear that he isn't going to issue false promissory notes, as Bush did, but eager to restore the promise of American life. As Palin snipes away, she is only revealing her and McCain's hollowness. They, and their footsoldiers, are the hollow men and women of American political life, a grotesque parody of a conservative movement that has exceeded its sell-by date. If Obama continues on his current path, he will not simply defeat McCain, but crush him.

Comments

[LetMeUnderstandThis]

Hey George W. Bush is the Ray Handlley of Presidents!

[Hydro]

1. Roosevelt- young and vigorous ???? Roosevelt was a great man, but being largely wheel-chair bound and in his 50's might not be the best characterization.

2. You stated "dispense with the shibboleths and fantasies of a decade that led America into ruinous wars and debt." - What war are you talking about for Roosevelt? Woodrow Wilson was the president during that war...not Hoover.

Maybe you mean the conflict in Nicaragua during that period? That would have been a great example to use. No...probably not, not after that Goldwater v. Goldwater garbage.

At least the American public knows who will replace Campbell Brown on CNN should something ever happen to her.

[LeftRight]

umm......He's talking about the decade of 2001-2010 (which we are currently in the eighth year of...) where we've been in a ruinous war and suffering from economic policies which are ruining the economy....

[MadOzbo]

I truly believe that although Obama has now more than convincingly proven that he IS the right man for the job, the mere fact that the ignorant and prejudiced STILL support and stand by McCain is a dangerous portent.

While waiting to get a haircut yesterday, I was listening to the gentleman before me telling the stylist how "Sarah Palin looks like she'd be fun to have in the White House," and both he and the stylist agreed that there was NO WAY they'd vote for "that Obama..." I bit my tongue, but was slightly relieved to have him follow up with, "But I always vote for the Independent. They never win, and that way I can honestly say I voted." The stylist replied, "I always write in my own name, and vote for me..."

November 04, the US Natl. IQ Test. Don't fail this one!
Obama-Biden '08

[blackhat1]

What did you expect people are voting for Obama because he"s black. you will be judge how you judge

[LeftRight]

Thank god that there are people like that to offset some of the others. I met a man in the Navy mad at bush in 2002 because of the budget surplus to deficit. I asked him if he'd voted in 2000, and he said that he had, and he voted for bush. I asked him WHY he voted for bush, and he replied, "Because I'm registered Republican."

Then there was the guy I knew on election day 2004. He was the only other person where I worked that had voted. I asked him who he voted for, and he said bush. When asked why, he replied, "Because I read on the internet that Kerry is going to remove the phrase 'Under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance."

Both of these people scare me to death, and I'm thankful that there are those out there who wouldn't vote for Obama (because he's black.....ooooh! Scary!) but ALSO won't vote for McCain!

[zapkickball]

Obama does not provide solutions for rising energy and transportation costs of goods for seniors on fixed income and have who have lost their earning power.

[LeftRight]

Please explain how Barry Goldwater lost in 1964 to Barry Goldwater?

[MadOzbo]

He in essence, defeated himself, with his campaigning...lol!