A Stout-Hearted Man

It’s Hard

Life as a Democrat is never easy. Even during this time of ‘should be’ plenty, it is hard to feel good. Like a battered spouse, the ugliness never goes away. Will a progressive political party ever develop the common sense and killer instincts needed to win elections?

Isn’t it so sad that it’s not enough to be correct on important issues any more? To win control of the national government these days, lying and manipulation seem to be the most rewarded characteristics: Bush and “Stay the course”, Rush and Michael J. Fox’s meds, Cheney and everything out of his mouth, and the list goes on and on.

Of course it can be no great pleasure listening to many of the prominent liberals who are chosen (by whom?) to speak out in the media.

Obama to the Rescue?

I have been an admirer of Senator Barak Obama for several years and I have been hoping that he would make a committed effort to run for president for the last year. My gut tells me he has the tools to be a very good political leader for this country.

While you all will not remember this, back in 1997 I distinctly remember emailing ya’ll that GW Bush would be the Republican nominee for Prez; and stood a good chance of winning. I am good at this.

I am disheartened by the chorus of the Democratic punditry who are sure that Obama should not run. Why are they so stupid?

They say:

• He is too young
• He is a Senator
• He has not crafted important bills
• He has not done enough
• He is too green
• He is a pretty boy
• He has not led on an important issue
• Some Republicans like him

My thoughts:

• In most gatherings, Obama is the smartest person in the room
• He has a high powered academic record
• He has a trunk full of significant and unique life experiences
• He seems to be analytical yet practical in his decision making
• He is extremely articulate
• He is extremely charismatic
• He is progressive
• I have yet to catch him pandering
• Republican writer David Brooks says: “He has a deliberative mind….He lights up a room when he enters it.”

God forbid the Democrats nominate some one like this. What would they be thinking?

In politics, timing is so important. I felt in 2004 that if Hillary really wanted to give the Presidency her best shot, that was the time to do it. Now she is stale. I feel that this is Obama’s time. If he waits, he runs the risk of becoming stale as well.

Oh, I like and respect Hillary, but I’d rather that she not be president at this point. I think that dividing the US Presidency for at least 24 years (and maybe 28) between two families is just plain wrong. It makes us look like Egypt or Indonesia. And as the Bush family has shown us, the second helping is usually less satisfying than the first.