More of the Same, More of the New
It’s so much fun to contrast Dems with Repubs right now, because Obama is making the differences so strikingly clear.
While Obama — clearly confident with his choice — kept his selection for Vice President a secret until he wanted to reveal it directly, McCain’s choice is somehow being “leaked” to us now by “sources.” I guess the old guy wants to make sure all the chatter has subsided before he actually announces it. Old guys don’t like a lot of chatter, y’know.
Another striking thing as I read the current issue of Newsweek, all about Obama, his childhood, his attitude toward his father. Obama is not sugar-coating anything. I have never heard a politician be so frank and forthright, so willing and committed to speaking honestly and authentically. I know the more cynical among us might suggest that this “honesty” could be a careful construct, and I might have been one to suggest that myself. However, the factoids about which Obama is forthright are not the kind that would benefit his image or career, and I’m sure some P.R. types had a few heart attacks when they read them. I get the sense of a man who insists of remaining committed to the truth about himself.
Let’s now contrast that with McBush McCain. I don’t know whether he’s really a “maverick” as he presented himself eight years ago or a Cheney puppet as he presents himself now. Either way, his Straight Talk Express seems to be constructed of Velveeta cheese. And it’s melting. (Does Velveeta melt, or is it too artificial for that?)
In case you hadn’t heard, the chatter about McCain’s veep nom is that it’s a woman. From Alaska. A “feminist” who’s anti-choice. With a record of supporting gay rights and banning gay marriage. Who said Alaska is too cold for flip-flops?
It will be interesting to see if the outlandishly bitter HIllary supporters were jolted back to reality by Obama’s stirring convention speech, or if dangling a little estrogen in their paths will lead them all the way to the dark side.