Why have the democrats turned into a bunch of nervous nellies? We have EVERY reason to believe that we will be victorious in November and yet the hand wringing, second guessing, fear of failure set is still dominating the dialogue.
Time and again the press pushes a button and we are spun out by the spin .The latest of these ridiculous suggestions is that McCain might have the last laugh with his ludicrous choice of running mate. Could Sara Palin possibly be a good idea? Maybe Democrats should worry about her appeal? Will this move demonstrate some mystifying tactical genius?
No. She is exactly as she appears to be, she is a terrible choice. There is not a Hillary voter alive who would cast her lot with this creature. They were pissed off and they said so but I know a lot of these folks and they are smart, scary smart and they are not to be trifled with. Mr. Obama was wise to give them credit and to give Mrs. Clinton her due at the convention in Denver. Another thing the press attempted to create drama around. Will Hillary do the right thing? Will the Democrats remain divided? Should Obama give the Clintons so much time? Will the heavens open up and rain toga wearing frogs upon our heads?
No. Hillary not only did the right thing, she was spectacular and she proved that Obama was right to give her a starring role. The Hillary voters have great hearts as well as keen minds and as they demonstrate in Denver they are dedicated Democrats who understand what is at stake in this election. . They are not about to sit down for a bowl of moose stew with some creationist anti-choice, anti-environment Republican nutter, just because she is a woman. The mere thought of it is laughable.
Why are we are unable to trust our own instincts? We chose a great candidate and he has made great choices. It is time to breathe deep and believe in this campaign and the folks who are leading it. They are doing a terrific job. They are playing to win and so far it appears they are doing just that. At the very least they have managed to unnerve the Republicans and positively derail John McCain. The man appears to have booked full passage on the snowmobile to Cukooville.
Since the beginning of this process the media have been convinced and have tried to convince us that America is a land of bigots who could not possibly elect a person of color to the highest office in the land. They have waxed on about "fear of the other". They have peered at every statistic trying to find evidence that. White males will never vote for a oh hold on ... it's Latino women who will never vote for a ...oops no wait Asian twins will never vote for a ahem ... well surely some group is out there who will never vote for a .... BLACK man and by God the press is going to find them out. Should we fear that America will turn out to be an unthinking secretly racist land of limitation?
No. Americans will elect Barack Obama to the presidency. They will do this because he is the best candidate for the job. They will do this because they want America to be the best country it can be. They will do it because this is America and in spite of or maybe because of the last eight years we will rise to the occasion. We have made our share of mistakes, but, we have always struggled to right our wrongs. I trust us ..you ...him .. me.
In Denver I had the privilege of standing, (and standing and standing) with a remarkable array of citizens. The group assembled in the mile high city could not have been more diverse, but it was also staunchly united. There were seminars and speeches and rallies and outreach about a variety of causes and interests. The Democratic Party is a big tent to be certain, but gathered beneath it, we stood as one.
Bill Clinton was terrific. John Kerry inspired. Hillary's appearance with her delegation to nominate Barack was one of the most breathtaking political moments in memory. Beau Biden brought us to tears and Michelle Obama redefined the word radiant. The week built to a perfect crescendo which prompted the handwringers to wonder if Obama would be up to the challenge. Would he be dwarfed by the stadium? Would he fail to live up to expectations? Would he appear to be a mere rock star unequipped to lead us in these tenuous times?
No. He delivered a speech that was as brilliant as it was impassioned at once clear eyed and heart-wrenching. He proved once again that knows how to lead and has assembled an expert political team. They are as good as I have ever seen. It doesn't get better. He proved once again that we can trust his instincts and his talent.
I am not saying that this will be easy, but we can and we will prevail. We have seen more than our share of disappointment in the last decade and as a party we have had our failures, but we cannot allow ourselves to be defined by doubt. The Rovians are ruthless but they are not all powerful and they seem unable to grasp the issues of the day. We have tactics of our own and do not need to adopt a single page from their playbook. We are on the right side of history and we will take our place in it.
I end with this story: Leaving the Mile High Stadium I got separated from my friends and ended up exiting out the back of the field. I walked for miles searching initially for transportation and eventually for signs of life. I found myself alone along a stretch of houses that appeared abandoned; their windows dark behind plywood and far too quiet, the only ambient sound that of my own footsteps. I was beginning to do a little hand wringing of my own, when a young Latino man stepped out of the shadows and lit a cigarette. He studied me for a moment this weird white lady sporting a plethora of Obama pins and paraphernalia " Dude", he said," you can't be here" . I took a deep breath, a wisp of his smoke curling into my lungs. "Well, I am here and have no idea how I got here or where here is" "You better stay with me until we can get you outta here". He said, eyes rolling but, resigned to this fate. He escorted me in silence, texting for help, trying to find a cab or car or whatever. Clearly he wished to unburden himself of my dubious company. Finally a ride was arranged with a West African fellow named Issa who agreed to take me back to the City.
As I turned to get in the car the young man was expressionless as he lit another cigarette. "Thank you," I said and smiled. He shrugged goodbye and turned away blowing a long plume of Marlboro then pivoted toward me, suddenly calling out "Hey dude ... this Obama guy, you know they say, you know that he's black and you know, that he can't they will never and we won't and so what do you think? Can he you know, could he? Any chance he will he win? "
I looked into his eyes and they were young and pleading behind a glaze of indifferent manhood.
Hope was alive in this jaded kid on this on this darkest of streets. I did not hesitate and fixed his gaze.
"Yes. Trust me."