411 Politics Fact or Fiction: Week 101

Posted by Brandon Crow on 09.02.2008

Did Barack Obama's speech deliver? Was Mark Warner the worst possible "keynote speaker" possible, given the role of that position? Did the Clintons unite the party behind Obama? Did the Democratic National Convention come off poorly?

Well, the super-sized Week 100 has come and gone. It was so much work putting that show on that nowadays I feel qualified to run a Democratic or Republican National Convention. I'm just looking for someone in either party who is desperate enough to play some gimmicky, identity politics and appoint an Asian American to such a post…qualified or not.

Alright, politicking aside, welcome one and all to the first three-digit Politics Fact or Fiction (and no, we're not counting 100…). This is Week 101!

This week, we have two readers who often post comments in response to columns in the zone. I'll be using their real names so you probably won't recognize them. If they wish to reveal themselves, I'll let them do it on their own. Please welcome Dent Kelly and Patrick Taylor.

Le's get to it.

Ding! Ding

1. Barack Obama's nomination acceptance speech on Thursday night was exactly what he needed to deliver to cement his image as presidential.

Dent Kelly: FACT. Call me spiteful, but I have to say, if you don't look or act presidential, you're not going to get elected. Obama did what he had to do to and that was to stop the downturn in his numbers. McCain is slowly but steadily gaining ground. Still, I wouldnt say McCain is awake, but he's definitely stirring. Obama had his time to organize and get his message out; now it's time to get serious, as his speech showed. Now that the convention is over, the ball is in McCain's court until the debates in Mississippi begin, so we'll see if Obama can take a good punch and not just throw them.

Patrick Taylor: FACT. I never realized Tiger Woods was such a gifted orator. Is there anything that guy can't do? He is amazing. When he turns 35, I hope someone makes him their running mate.

Ok, all kidding aside, I voted for Bill twice, Gore once, and didn't report for duty last time around. Wasn't enthused with Democratic gaggle of candidates. Never for a moment considered Hillary. Monarchy is really distasteful to my mid-western sensibilities.

If a voter was for Obama or supported any of the Democratic primary candidates, the address reinforced the image of Obama as President, the party's relevance beyond the individual candidates and, more than likely, brought home many among a somewhat wayward flock.

The stage production was way over the top, and was frankly also distasteful. I was struck by the irony in Obama making the "America heading for skid row" argument while simultaneously spending money like a drunken sailor in attempt to replicate the set from Ben Hur. I'm starting to feel the American dream slipping away.

But I have never thought of him as not being Presidential. I don't know of any reasonable person that is experiencing discomfort with Obama's Presidential image. He looks Presidential and is as deft at defining politics through symbolic action. Then again, for me and most Americans, Morgan Freeman seems awfully presidential.

1 for 1. Obama = Presidential.

2. Given that the traditional role of the Keynote Speaker at national conventions is to "peel the skin off the opponent," former VA governor Mark Warner was the wrong person for the job.

Dent Kelly: FACT. This may seem awkward but when I heard who was the keynote speaker I was like WHO? Personally, I would get a well-known Democrat to perform this task, like Ted Kennedy (If in good health) or maybe Al Gore. Putting a little-known politician in this spot was probably done because Kennedy's health got the better of him and they wanted to showcase a strong red-state Obama supporter. I see it as a last-minute substitute, so I'm not too angry about it.

Patrick Taylor: FACT. Mark Warner was given a thankless job. I mean, how do you differentiate your rhetorical hatred of Bush/McCain from the well earned bludgeoning he (they?) have already endured. For f's sake, Hugo Chavez stepped to the mic at UN General Assembly and opened his set with, "Yesterday the Devil came here. I smell sulfer still." How do you top that?

2 or 2. Hear that Democrats? PEEL THE SKIN OFF OF OPPONTENTS, not talk about a race for the future.

3. Bill and Hillary Clinton certainly said all the right things and gave proper praise and support for Barack Obama in their respective speeches, but you don't believe true healing has taken place.

Dent Kelly: FACT. Granted the Clintons had to play nice because their backs were against the wall, but if they were indignant, they would become exiles from the Democratic party (ask Joe Lieberman about that). Politically, they had little room to maneuver, so they did the right thing and put Obama over (to borrow a wrestling term). The party has been slightly splintered but not split. However, they are certainly not unified. Women( as we all know) are very unforgiving if they feel wronged in any way, so I definitely agree that there are still hard feelings.

Patrick Taylor: FACT. Bill, Hillary, true healing and Obama. One of these things doesn't belong, one of these things just isn't the same...

Are you kidding? Honestly, are you trying to trick me into writing something stupid? True healing? The idea is so at odds with my sense of the Clintons that my thoughts keep breaking down. The only issue for the House of Clinton is their risk assessment of their chances in
2012. It seems they feel more comfortable going for the "I told you so" campaign against President Obama over candidate Obama in 2012.

The Clintons are the type of folks that, when you beat them in the bowling league, they will fight you in the lobby. You beat them down in the lobby, they will apologize, but you head to your
car and guess who is waiting? Bill and Hillary coming-up on you Big Lebowski style. You beat them down, they apologize again. You drive home and pull into driveway. Open your door and BAM! there is Hillary doing her best Glen Close with Bill looking over her shoulder screaming, "FINISH HIM, FINISH HIM!"

I will say that Hillary supporters are rabid Democrats. Come on, folks. They are not going to cross the fence because they lost in the primary. They may complain, be a bit pissy, but come November they will be behind Obama.

3 for 3. These two agree that the Clintons SAID all the right things, but still have a few bowling balls left in their closet…

4. Overall, you feel that the Democratic National Convention was not handled well and did not really inspire too many voters.

Dent Kelly: FICTION. Since some Obama supporters I have read on this site say that if McCain is elected, he will likely die two years into his first term, I will say that no punches are pulled when it comes to election year politics. As much as I dislike this way of thinking, nothing is going to change this time-honored tradition. Now if just one side was going negative, then I would agree that it was unwise, but when the Democrats say that the RNC was poorly executed in a week, it will prove my point that in negative campaigning, there are no winners just a load of losers.

Patrick Taylor: FICTION. The Democratic National Convention was handled impeccably and no more shallow than any convention since ‘68. Consequently, it did not really inspire too many voters beyond reinforcing their pre-existing opinions. I do believe the result says something about the American electorate, which did cost Obama his "Neo-New-Bipartisan Democrat guy-or whatever" image. No longer can he argue he is something all that different than any of the post war Democratic candidates in that he is cleaving the electorate along the traditional dimensions of "liberal/conservative". I am not saying the outcome will be same or different, but this election is more similar in its ideological dynamics to McGovern/Nixon than it is different. Therefore, as we march towards November, I don't see either candidate greatly inspiring undecided "fence sitters."

4 for 4.

These two go 4 for 4! I've been having a few too many of these total agreements lately. Perhaps it's time to shake up the questions a bit. Thanks for checking out Week 101. I know you have your choice of internet entertainment, and I appreciate you choosing my little column. Now please de-plane to the front or the back.

Week 102 is next week. Come back and see us soon.

Until then, remember, Crow is change you can believe in!