Posts tagged with Election 2008
Election Day Freebies
Sure, I could have done advanced voting. I've only been decided on my candidate since early in the primaries, but, hey, there's a certain magic about going into that booth on election day. You have a direct connection to the day's events, you can correlate your voting with the kids voting events and then there's that little "I voted" sticker that entitles you to all sorts of free stuff! This year, Starbucks is offering free coffee for voters and Ben & Jerry's will give free scoops from 5-8pm. So, if you're like this procrastinator, go out and do your duty, then head for the goods. What some might call a bribe, I call a chance to feel part of our community and relish in the democratic process through the mass consumption of caffeine and sugar. Now if only we had a Krispy Kreme in town....
Raising my own Alex P. Keaton
When I took my four year-old to the democratic primary, he voiced his support, literally, for John McCain. At the time I chalked it up to his desire for attention (he sure did get a lot of head turns), but now I'm not so sure. He may in fact be the youngest true McCain loyalist. His support for McCain has never wavered, VP choice or economic crisis be damned, and when asked to back up this endorsement with some concrete reasoning, he is quick to answer. For instance, he has said John McCain should be president because he is in fact a character on the Candy Land board game (despite my reassurance that said candy cane-carrying character is actually the younger and more cheerful Mr. Mint). He has also stated that McCain must be cool because he is as old as the dinosaurs, and everyone knows dinosaurs were cool. To me, these were all harmless, and rather humorous, answers that I could take in stride and resist my urge to turn him into one of those brainwashed kids going around singing creepy Obama songs. I liked that he was taking an interest in the civic process. We've had fun reading The Class Election From the Black Lagoon and watching You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown together. It all seemed pretty educational and healthy, even if he was supporting a candidate just to be different from me... because that had to be the real reason for his passion for John McCain, right?Well, that's what I thought. But then I told him he could actually participate in some kids voting activities. Him: "You mean I can stop the war?"Me: "I don't know about that. But you can check a box for somebody."Him: "Yeah, John McCain- he's going to stop the war."Okay, I might have ran a stop sign at that point. Or just about, anyway. I'd never talked to him about Iraq. Heck, I didn't even know he knew what a war was. Sure, it was probably something he'd picked up from one of the myriad of pundits he's overheard during the last few months, but still, I was touched. There was such an earnestness to this young soul who truly believed that one person could make a difference in this world by simply checking a box. I think teaching kids about the election process is a good thing. It's never too soon to get those wheels turning, even if they're not aligned with our own.
O-B-A-M-A!
Well, he did it! Senator Obama stayed away from the rhetoric last night and got down to the issues. He started off with firm attacks against opponent John McCain and continued to detail the action he would take in Washington.Okay, so, maybe the greek temple thing was a bit much, (Jon Stewart's Circle of Life parody was pretty hilarious) but hey, it's not the worst idea to harken back to MLK's speech at the Lincoln Monument. But his speech had no smoke and mirrors last night. Getting down to the real issues helped bring down all that deification symbolism and made him seem like a real contender for the presidency of this country.Sorry for the title, Ginny, I couldn't resist!
Is Obama (Finally) the Nominee?
So, I'll be the first to admit it- I have been experiencing election fatigue. The beginning of this process felt very hopeful and inspiring and now I am at the point where I am just ready for the primaries to be over. I didn't even watch the last democratic debate, that's how "over it" I've been feeling. I have even been seriously considering going back to my usual, "vote for a third party candidate that will never win but at least I'll feel good about myself" mentality. Sure, my dwindling interest in the democratic process may have been due to the endless debates and the inconclusive primaries but there has been something about my candidate of choice that has been a bit underwhelming as of late. It was not the Reverand Wright scandal or the accusations of elitism that distanced me from Obama, but rather, his lukewarm responses to these matters that got me down. I fully respect Obama's speech on race but do feel a bit more of a personal perspective on his relationship with his former pastor would have more aggressively handled the matter. And the elitist situation seemed so easy to defend that I was surprised he did not stand by his comments and give them some perspective. I guess what I have been missing is the confidence he showed back at the Texas debates when it really looked like he had this whole thing sewed up.Perhaps the insecurities that surfaced as Hillary remained so strong and viable weakened his armor just enough for us to see through the cracks. But whatever the reason, I am glad this race is nearing its end. I still care just enough to be happy when Obama reaches the finish line. Here's looking forward to November!
Obama’s Speech on Race: Did it win you over?
Okay, I'll admit it: the Reverend Wright scandal may have raised some doubts in my mind about Obama. It wasn't his character that I began to question but his judgment. Why would a politician have so close an association with someone who made such strong remarks? And why would his campaign not be prepared with a prompt and strong response to this controversy?And then came his speech in Philadelphia. Rather than trying to bury the issue, Obama took race head on and delved into the roots of his pastor's remark. He broke down some truths on the history of minorities in this country and made it relevant to issues like immigration and health care. To me the most powerful part was when he said he could not disown the reverend any more than he could his white grandmother for some of her remarks. Being Italian and Mexican (sure, that one's by marriage, but it amounts to the same anyway), I certainly have my share of "grandmothers." I listened to this speech right before I saw the second episode of HBO's John Adams series and I was struck by the import role that oral and written statements play in history. Whether or not Obama gets the candidacy may still be up in the air, but I think this work stands on its own as a comment on race in America today. I only wish it came earlier.
And the Beat Goes On… Clinton & Obama Closer than Ever
I've only been a registered Democrat for a few weeks now and I already have a few complaints: First off, what exactly is the point of these superdelegates? I mean, really, why should unelected officials get a separate vote just due to their prominence in the party? Secondly, I have to believe there could have been some way to avoid the debacles in Florida and Michigan. And, finally, (perhaps most importantly), why couldn't they let Stephen Colbert on the ballot?With Senator Clinton's wins last night, one one thing is certain- this thing is going to get ugly. This kind of negative campaigning, particularly in big states like Pennsylvania, can only serve to help John McCain. But having said that, I don't blame Hillary for hanging in there. I probably would, too, with things so close. And who's to say the other states shouldn't get the opportunity to weigh in for the candidate of their choice? Still, I may have to get myself motivated to go volunteer in Pennsylvania for a few days for Obama if nothing changes:Either way, this election has been an exciting one and the first one I've cared about in a long time. And, hey, I still have my old stand-by, Ralph Nader, to vote for if I end up jumping of the Democratic ship.
Is it Over for Hillary?
Sure, we won't really know the fate of the former First Lady's presidential race until March 4th, but as of now it is not looking good. Supporters are swinging support to Barack Obama every day and Tuesday's debate in Ohio reeked of desperation. Prefacing the answer to the first question of the night with a complaint about preferential treatment (and a reference to Saturday Night Live, nonetheless) is just not the sign of someone in control. Combine this with a "shame on you" and an emphatic speech on the futility of hope and her chances of inspiring voters is just about over.For a moment there it looked like Hillary just might be paving the way for a graceful exit. Last week's debate in Texas showed a softer side of the candidate (um, New Hampshire, anyone?) that makes her much more likeable than she is when delivering corny one-liners like "change you can Xerox" or nitpicking over the words "reject" or "renounce." But for some reason, her campaign failed to capitalize on her softer side and instead focused on a lot of negativity. Perhaps the woman who will become the first female commander in chief is out there taking notes right now and won't be afraid of showing a little humanity.
My First Caucus
I will always associate my interest in this year's election with bitterly cold weather. The Obama rally in Kansas City came along with biting wind and last night's caucus ended in freezing rain. But still, something inside me said I should brave the cold and trade in the precious independent status I've held for so many years. So last night, I became a registered Democrat. Ralph Nader would be very disappointed in me. Quite honestly, it wasn't the party that drew me in but the candidate. There is something about Barack Obama's message that makes me want to give the guy a chance to stir up the pot out there in Washington. Apparently, a lot of people in the state of Kansas felt the same way. (Except my three year old, of course, who made sure everyone around him know that he "is for John McCain").The turn out was overwhelming. I don't think I've ever supported a popular candidate before, so it was fun to be with the majority. Although, I do think we had the best seats in the house.We sat on the edge of the Obamicans and adjacent to some friendly Edwards supporters. A few rows up were the enthusiastic Kucinich fans and a pair of even more boisterous college kids with a handwritten Mike Gravel sign. And let me tell you, young children do not see much difference in these divisions. So, while we were waiting for the rest of the voters to assemble, my restless toddler took me on a tour of all of the factions in our vicinity.The Kucinich group pimped their message of "Kucinich today, Obama in November" with great style. A Washburn student spoke eloquently about wanting one delegate to send a message to the country about needing a progressive voice in the Democratic party. And it worked. This small group tripled in size when it came time for the second vote. But, alas, even this wasn't enough for a delegate and they dispersed mostly to the Obama camp. Maybe 30 minutes later, we all dispersed back into the cold. A few cups of hot chocolate later, I saw the Kansas caucus results tallied on CNN. It is hard to put into words just how rewarding it felt to be one of the numbers reported. I would tell you I might have teared up, but I am afraid of a Hillary Clinton backlash so I'll leave that to your imagination. All in all, the caucus was a cool expierience, but next year, I am hoping for a primary. Either that or find some Republican friends to babysit.That was my caucus experience. How was yours?
My Experience at the Obama Rally
I'd never been to a political rally before, but something about this election year made me think it just might be time for me to take an interest. So, when I heard Senator Obama was going to be in Kansas City, I rounded up the necessary babysitting and registered online for a ticket. Easy, huh? Well, not exactly. The rally was supposed to start at 5:45 and doors opened at 3:45. I got there at 4 o'clock and entered a packed foyer for the Municipal Auditorium. It was a sizeable crowd, but I figured once we could spread out in the auditorium it wouldn't be too bad. I should have known better. About 20 minutes later, a distant voice informed the crowd that we would be filing in from one side of the room, so now was the time to form a line. Now was the time? How can you form a line in a room that was packed with people?By some stroke of luck, I just happened to be on the side of the room that was entering. And this Obama crowd was a pretty tame and civil bunch. No one pushed or shoved their way toward the opening we were filtering out of. Hey, I was almost crushed at a Bauhaus concert once, so this was a piece of cake, right?Again, not exactly. Unbeknownst to anyone in the crowded room above, the small opening we were filtering out of did not signify the end. It was the only the beginning. What awaited us was a labyrinth of horrors designed to torture Obama supporters and undecideds alike for the next hour and a half of our lives. We were ushered through a long line in a parking lot only to discover that this line did not lead to a destination but was a loop that would come full circle. The looks of horror on people's faces and the "oh my god's" were only amusing when you were on the returning side of this circle.After 45 minutes of this rat experiment maze, we were thrilled to be back inside the building. Then we discovered there was yet another loop to go through! At this point, I began to wonder what had happened to me in the last eight years of my life. Waiting for Peter Murphy was one thing, but doing all this to see a senator of Illinois- what was wrong with me?http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e..., we I made it to the auditorium just before Governor Sebelius and Senator Claire McCaskill from Missouri took the stage, looking like the Obamettes. Sebelius was much more animated than she was the night before. Jon Stewart would have been proud. And Obama? He was a great speaker, and I soon forgot about the waiting. (I wonder if you could say the same thing after waiting for Mitt Romney). But I may have been paying too much attention to election coverage because a lot of Obama's talking points were familiar to me. I was not swept away in quite the same way I was when listening to his Jefferson Jackson speech on the radio. http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e... really responded to his idea of getting rid of income tax on seniors making under $50,000 a year. And his comments about including pre-existing conditions in health care coverage got the crowd riled up after his personal story about his mother.The part that I found most memorable was when he spoke about the Kennedy endorsement. He said it was not so much a passing the torch from the Kennedys to him, but from their generation to the next generation. This sentiment really resonated with me as I was amazed to see how much of the crowd here tonight was made up of young people. My generation has grown up in the shadow of the 60's. We contrast that time of conviction and passion with the malaise that we feel about our current state of affairs. We are rather cynical about our government, but have yet to have our spirit awakened to do anything about it. Tonight, Obama called for us to end this cynicism and look for a new hope (he's talking Star Wars here: he must speak to us, right?)I have a new respect for the people you see on CNN at these political gatherings. So, sure my feet hurt and yes, I witnessed an an asthma attack and a near fainting in which Obama himself had to intervene to get the woman a chair. But, ultimately, I think it was worth it to make the headlines personal and take an active part in something rather than just watching it on television. A Bauhaus concert it wasn't. But a piece of history? Maybe. http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e...
The Ever Elusive Honest Answer
Dear Honest Answer,Where have you been lately? Don't you know it's election year and I'd like to see more of you? Okay, I understand why you've been a bit reclusive. When you come out of hiding, you tend to get criticized. But really, aren't you being a bit thin skinned?Sure, I saw the presidential debate in Las Vegas when the democratic candidates were asked what their greatest weaknesses were. And, yes, it was because of you that Senator Obama was criticized when he said he wasn't good with paperwork, as if that somehow made him an ineffective leader. But that doesn't mean you're not wanted. I would have liked you to stick around for the other two candidates' replies, no matter how amusing the responses were without you. I have to wonder what the point of asking questions is if we don't want you to be there. In college, I went on a job interview at a bookstore and was asked if I saw myself having a career as a bookseller. Of course I knew it was in my best interest to say yes, but then you came around, Honest Answer. Needless to say, I didn't get the job. (Okay, so the moment didn't have the same poignancy as when Martin Donovan turned down the television repair job in the Hal Hartley film "Truth," but at least I walked out of there with some self respect). Certainly, there are ways to spin answers to questions without having to lie. Obama could have said that he cared too much or I could have waxed poetic about my love of literature being an integral part of my longterm ambitions. But ultimately, what's the point?If we are going to send you an invitation, Honest Answer, we should welcome you to the party. Sure, you can be a little hard to deal with at times, but without you we wouldn't know what to believe.
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- God, marriage May 25, 2012 · 200 comments
- On the street: How did you spend your Memorial Day? May 28, 2012 · 37 comments
- Brownback tells federal judicial panel to toss legislative redistricting maps May 29, 2012 · 7 comments
- Blog: Iranian Nuclear Energy: Will It Destroy Lives Or Save Them? May 29, 2012 · 6 comments
- Kansas tax act most regressive in nation May 27, 2012
- Thread of pain ran through Jackson’s career June 28, 2009
- Friends mourn Lynn Bretz, former voice of KU May 28, 2012
- Hilltop executive director Pat Pisani stepping down May 28, 2012
- Town Talk: UPDATE: Frank Male files for county commission; keep an ear open for local sales tax talk; city hires new city engineer; wholesale water district buys land near Kaw; weekly land transfers May 29, 2012
- KU ace Duncan proves value May 23, 2012
- How to help: Guides needed for Lamplight Tour of Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park May 27, 2012
- Disciplinary action taken against Haskell employees after investigation of student-athlete test scores May 15, 2012
- City, county mull upgrade to emergency radio system May 28, 2012
- Experts: Remedial college classes need fixing May 28, 2012
