Culture Zohn: Dear Democrats, Please Wake Up!
Running through the Denver Airport last week, I was reminded of my elementary school bulletin board: as an important holiday approached, the board would slowly fill with art projects of various kinds: colored paper and doily collages, carefully lettered (between the three lines) announcements of holiday cheer, a list of special assignments or prizes that were duly demarcated with red and gold stars.
Denver, too, is gradually filling up with paper, cheer and stars of all kinds to distract Democrats from the business at hand.
Let's not take our eyes off the ball. The other side is poised, confident, wealthy and now united behind John McCain who is showing remarkable signs of strength (he has just pulled ahead in some polls) as he gets his act together on the road.
How do I know this? For two days last week, I sat amongst the Republicans as they listened to McCain and Boone Pickens in Aspen.
Everywhere I turned, it seemed, though Aspen is known to be a bastion of liberals, a well-heeled Republican was crawling out from under a very manicured river rock. At the McCain Q and A at the Aspen Institute, though I sat next to Anita Thompson (widow of Hunter ), there was little fear and loathing evident in the room. Mostly it was very happy well-dressed people (there was so much peach, lime green and pinstripe I thought the Preppy Handbook had been reissued that very day) who had come to vet their candidate and a few of us Dems who came to suss out the competition.
To a woman, we were all, both sides, impressed. The Rove machine is doing very well by its new candidate: he is on point (almost identical to the Op Ed he had authored in that day's Wall Street Journal ), nailing his factoids (how many of you can name the ex-Soviet republics that came calling in Georgia last week?) and easy with a self-deprecating quip.
My McCain-O-Meter registered well into the impressed zone, though McCain himself copped to a distinct lack of culture, hoping, he said, to take an art class when he had time. He even said nice things about the French, my second favorite thing.
Arts and France?! This doesn't sound like the old John McCain.
Right now, he is trying to present himself as someone who will listen to all sides (not just rich people) with equanimity and skill. McCain was droll, offensive without being nasty and very relaxed. He was handy at spewing mixed-up rhetoric about his position and Obama's on the war, oil drilling, NATO and tax cuts.
It was seductive.
More than one Hillary supporter was heard afterwards to have been considering voting for McCain.
Yet he is clearly someone who wants to throw our power around: to be "tough" and swaggering in Russia and the Middle East, eager to surge, it seems, from one war to the next. His mostly conservative positions have not changed and now he is in even greater debt to those who have finally thrown their weight behind him.
It's easy for us to rant and rail at McCain and the Republicans, but that is not giving them the credit they deserve: even when everyone predicted we would have a landslide for our side this time (Iraq, the Economy, stupid), the Republicans have stealthily been getting their ducks in a row (as usual) and figuring out how to slam us again.
Remember all the people who threatened to move out of the country when GW Bush was elected for a second term? Well, guess what? You're all still here, potentially watching it happen all over again.
Presume nothing! Anger at the obvious slurs and misrepresentation will get us NOWHERE. We must be smarter, more clever and united. All the nonsense about the Clintons taking over the convention and the perpetual infighting will once again obscure the common goal:
To sweep this current regime, and any and all offshoots out the door.
Pickens was clever and congenial at the Institute, reaching out, he insists, in a bi-partisan way to help us become energy independent; you would never guess he was the Swift Boat Captain and indeed met with Obama soon after. He doesn't claim to have all the answers, but thinks we should be trying absolutely everything on the energy front, though he himself could not spearhead each and every effort. Your intrepid cultural reporter was invited (with mostly Texans, Oklahomans and Arkansans) to a private reception at which Boone (now we are on a first name basis) told me he had read the Huffington Post! I hope he actually makes headway with the Plan (as long as he doesn't give any profits to the Republican machine!)
Boone's wife is as blonde and voluptuous as they come and I now know for sure his last act would not be with a lefty brunette (And by the way, Boone's crocodile shoes are much chicer than McCain's) The Hill recently published its annual listing of the hottest young workers in DC. Comments on the site restated the obvious: Doh! Didn't you know Republican girls are always cuter than Democrats?!!!
Remarkably, later that night when insomnia took hold as all the Red and Blue thoughts were swirling around in my brain, The China Syndrome was on television. The film, for those of you too young to remember, presciently appeared just before the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster in Pennsylvania, effectively cut off funding for nuclear initiatives ever since. McCain, a proponent of nuclear power (another initiative he credited to the oil-free French) actually has found common ground with some important environmentalists on this: there's no question we should try to put our crippling fear behind us so we can at least examine nuclear energy in a more level-headed, contemporary light.
Here's the bottom line: the Republicans like being in control and they don't want to give it up. They don't plan to go gentle into that good night, art classes, French frites and the Pickens plan notwithstanding.
Recent poll numbers, and columns by Frank Rich and Paul Krugman and Kat Seelye in the NY Times should be giving us a kick in the derrierre (I'm a veteran Francophile--not some parvenu like McCain!)
Wake up Democrats! The Republicans are poaching on our turf, making inroads into what could be defined as centrist goals and letting their more hard-line positions temporarily recede from view. Before the election got nasty (they always do, who are we kidding? Just look at any reality tv show!), Obama was the one reaching out across the aisle. Now McCain and Pickens are sounding like good neighbors who just threw down the fence.
Obama's new negative ads may end up boomeranging: people are seriously worried about the economy and may want to tune out yet more vitriol. During the Kerry campaign, I believed wholeheartedly in the power of the Democrats to make it happen. This time, I am not as sanguine; I saw, first hand on the ground in New Hampshire how much better the Republicans are than we are at toeing the party line (and partying too).
Boone says in his new book, The First Billion is the Hardest (Boonism #9) that his mother once told him: Son, you talk too much. You should listen more. You don't even know who the enemy is.
Don't moms always know best?
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We Dems, to our detriment, just don't have the stomach to go negative. We need to fight fire with fire. Republicans know that Americans are stupid pack animals who don't vote by issue; they vote for the PERSON. As a result, the Repigs are masters at character assasination. Think about it; this is the same group that successfully portrayed John Kerry ,a genuine war hero, as anti-American and managed to get a guy who basically went AWOL to appear to be a strong commander-in-chief. Amazing and sickening at the same time. Repigs are the masters at understanding American stupidity. We Dems think everyone thinks like "us". They don't. The majority thinks like "them". We have to learn from the past mistakes and stop being warm and fuzzy toward John McCain. Go negative in a big freakin' way.
You're wrong.
This is not a close election, it is just being made to look close by entities that profit off a close horse race. It's called the corporate media. The only media left in America. They want $$$ out of everything and that includes reporting polling that they skew in favor of a close election to add drama and excitement that draws viewers and readers. Unbiased polling shows Obama with a landslide Electoral College lead of 120 points. Where do you see that reported in the mainstream media? Nowhere.
The media is in business to make money, not report the facts. If facts are not in their favor they go with what is. Why else did they totally side with the terrible idea to invade Iraq, one of Americas greatest blunders ever. Do you think these greedy creeps are not above misleading the facts about Obamas
huge lead in the Electoral College?
That may be, but that doesn't mean Obama can afford to relax.
Thanks for the dose of common sense. Unfortunately, the comments sections in this web site show how far we have to go to, as you put it, "get our ducks in a row." If all the commenters predicting doom because Obama chose Biden rather than , or threatening to jump ship because Obama doesn't support/oppose loudly enough, or, worst of all, hurling vicious insults at other Democrats who disagree with them about would just put their pet issues aside and focus on putting Obama in the White House, I would rest somewhat easier. We have a ticket. Let's stop bickering and *focus*.
I also think it would be wise to remember that many Repubs are not just fighting to stay in power
... a great many are fighting to stay out of criminal court.
that's kind of a game changer
this is not going to be just a rousing game between frenemies
this is For Real
NONE of the rethugs are fighting to stay out of jail. Gezuzz, have you seen any action against them, by anyone?
Tht is what I thought.
You mean like by Gonzales' or Mukasseys justice dept.?
Great post, YES! We Dems definitely need to wake up, YES!
BUT, then I'm confused when you go on to say, "Obama's new negative ads may end up boomeranging: people are seriously worried about the economy and may want to tune out yet more vitriol."
SO -- What do you want us to do when we wake up? Go right back to sleep?
No, you're smarter than that. What do you advise we do when we wake up? What am I missing?
I agree. I didn't see the conclusion either. If it is not fight back, then what is it dems are supposed to do?
Negative adds have been studied in depth by political scientists. Negative adds work. I for one am glad that Obama is taking off the gloves and counter punching. Politics is a blood sport, and as Obama says "I'm from Chicago." He knows the score and will fight back. We at least have a chance!
Who needs negative ads, the truth is appalling.
Excellent post Patricia. Your concerns are worthy of our consideration. I don't think we can take anything for granted. I agree we must work harder and smarter. Nevertheless, I'm not pessimistic and I believe, based on the facts, that Obama will win handily in November, if we play our cards right.
My allegiance is to America and humanity, and not the Dem party. I do not want to see a permanent Dem majority any more than I want to see a permanent Repub majority. The Dems are fully capable of being just as corrupt and disgusting as the repubs. After the last 8 years of abject treason by the current regime, I demand that any candidate that I vote for fully and completely repudiate every single insane policy of the bush regime. Obama has tried desperately to make himself McCain Light. I find that repellant. There are hundreds of thousands of human beings dead because of the willingness of Americans to throw out their own principles. I've had it with that. If the Dems have to wander in the desert for 100 years to expiate the sin of abandoning their principles, then so be it. I am prepared for that. I will work for a third party that actually shares my values.
The great big problem with McSame is that he is desperately trying to become some sort of more palatable version of Bush. I also have no doubt (and this is VERY important) the same group of criminals that are running things now in the WH will essentially remain if McSame is elected.
I share your allegiance for America and want what is best for our country. In times past, I always thought that the government was better for having both parties involved equitably. This last 8 years has changed my mind when I've seen the traitorous goings on in DC. I have been a Republican in the past but now I am a Democrat and Obama supporter. A 3rd party is great to dream about and maybe try and make happen probaby after an election, but it is really essential that we change the direction of our country NOW. Shoot, I used to be an Anderson supporter in 1980, (there's a piece of triva), a Perot supporter, and a McCain supporter in 2000.
This time it's urgent. Don't throw away your vote in 2008.
Obama '08
And I'm sure you will feel real good about that, johnqeniac, when President McCain continues to lead the march to Armageddon. But please: don't delude yourself that your solipsism is "allegiance to America and humanity."
Solipsism - A nice word but inapplicable here. How is it, for example, that obama right along with the dem congress pushed through the FISA gutting amendment, demanded by bush, written by cheney, and giving immunity to the telecons, how is that explainable except by corruption? You accuse me of being delusional for disagreeing with you, just as the repubs accuse you of being delusional. I am certainly at least as well and broadly read as the average dem, judging by the comments I read. Four years ago I campaigned for a gutless Kerry, because I accepted the 'wisdom' put forth by the dems, that it was treason to build a legitimate second party. I'm not so easily put in my place by fatuous remarks and ridicule such as yours any more. I have no sense of moral superiority, but I won't be cowed into mindless obedience either.
A few more years of this party and civilization won't exist a hundred more years.
Excellent information.
Should remind every Liberal or Progressive to never assume anything.
The opposition leadership is in it for their personal enrichment and will say
ANYTHING to win.
ASSUMING anything? That we OBAMATONS have got it made? Hardly. This one anyway is watching the onslaught of opponent SMEARS and OBAMA making controversy in his shifts, adjusting to perceived voting blocks he believes he need cater to. But Is OBAMA jabbing more now, slugging? I am suspect however ZOHN's presumed renowned objectivity, as a liberal democrat as am I to be taken in, even to make her thesis point here, WATCH OUT OBAMA! Even to make example of what MCCAIN policy position hard-to-swallow rhetoric he is currently capable of twisting every whichaway. That for anyone knows JOHN MCCAIN record would allow credence room for much of anything he has to say. Regardless at his feet during his momentary charming and seductive presence or not. Knowing that underneath he is who he is and always has been, a hardline conservative promoting a REPUBLICAN agenda, Corporate first, people next, military is our foreign policy, VETS? Screw 'em! Lobbied up to his eyeballs with former registered-- CORPORATE INTEREST before people--lobby advisors. Some suspect, nefarious, allegedly lobby anti-american people interests. MCCAIN saying whatever, campaigning for his REPUBLICAN BANNER life he is antithesis most everything a real democrat stands for. MAVERICK? He serves the people on rare occasion when it serves his politic career calculations. Making cross the aisle for-the-people legislation stick though, his follow thru is rotten. All things considered he seems shallow.
They will still need to steal votes to win. Rove did it, can they do it again and succeed. The Rove voting machine is broken and he is close to jail.
He is not anywhere NEAR a jail. Get real.
Excellent post!
Although, part of the problem in this particular case might just pertain to Aspen itslef, for a few acquaintences have assured me that the city is full of contradictary individuals who think liberally but consistently vote republican because, despite harboring progressive principles, they also tend to carry a huge stock of firearms, and ultimately the concerns for abortion rights, the economy, and our international standing always take a backseat to worries over which candidate is more likely to take their guns away.
Talk to the rest of your Dem friends who continue to show their weak support for Obama. Your own party will shoot themselves in the foot if they don't get with the program and throw their FULL support for the candidate.
It's sad to watch Dems allow the Republicans to dictate yet another major election cycle.
Here, here!!! Now go over to the PUMA web pages and post your sentiments there... that bunch seems to have peanut butter stuck in their ears!
Dems and Obama shot themselves in the foot. Hope and change is a big fat lie and PUMA knows it. The Dems are trying to strong arm their way into power, they care zero about the common good, their consistent lies are obvious to anyone who has not successfully been brainwashed by their far left agenda. We will watch what goes down in Denver and if need be we will rework out our positions and strategy. We have no interest in Obama winning in November, he in no way represents our democratic interests.
Greetings, troll!
Never trust a smiling glad-hander who starts talking to you in first-pers
http://www
Culture Zohn. Is that a play on words?
Damn, You make it sound like we are in some deep doo-doo.So much for this being a fight won by Obama with one hand tied behind his back. Mccain does come off as folksy I have to say .
I don't need to move to another country- the country's done got up and left.
yeah and we know where "folksy" B ush got us! I'm more than ready for a down-to-earth, savvy and intellectual POTUS this time around.
Obama '08-'16
whether Mccain uses words or actions to lie he is lying and too many people are desperate for help and answers and that is what he is selling. In the tme when Obama first hit the scene he was selling up hope and the belief we together can make a difference in the country. Then the attacks came harder and harder and MSM is buying the attacks and selling them over and over to the people who listen. I would love to see the Obama with the hope message and the believng in the faith in our future but Mccain has stomped it and lied about it and made it turn around to be "his" message when he care littel other than to win. The lies grow bigger and taller by the day and MSM is just as bad as Mccain for prompting the people to belive them by repetition. If you keep saying something people will believe it over time. Mccain should scare every single one of the Americans I know because his ambition is like Bush to be a war president and to bring the bad guys to justice and kill them. In our world today words can start wars and the red button is on nukes. Mccain isn't balanced and he will cause wars and we have not much of a military to fight back with.
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