As someone who is NOT voting for Barack Obama, I am continually amazed at how we build people up and then tear them down. It is no wonder why many do not run.
The problem with Obama is that he has no record of accomplishment. The democrats are so desperate for anybody that can wake people up after the catatonic performances of Al Gore and John Kerry, that they will settle for a nobody like Obama. Yes, his speech at the 2004 convention was incredible. That is not a record of actually doing anything.
Democrats fall into 3 groups:
1) The Bill Clinton group–People who stand for nothing, have no discernible core beliefs, and simply crave power for power’s sake. Bill Clinton was popular because he would wake up, read the polls, and whatever 60% of the people favored, he was for that. It is easy to be liked when you do not try to say or do anything controversial. After the 1994 elections, his remaining 6 years should be known as the “Seinfeld Presidency.” He was peripheral, and thankfully, the country ran itself, with help from Wall St.
2) The Hillary Clinton group—-People who have deep core beliefs, but are scared to death of expressing them for fear the American people will not agree. These people are characterized by Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and others that simply will not have the guts to say what they are…soulmates of Ted Kennedy. What is the point of winning an election if you have to lie about who you are? Express who you are proudly, and let the chips fall.
An irony to this group is that while so many liberals pretend to be moderates, Howard Dean, who actually governed Vermont like a moderate, ran as a raging lefty because noone else who actually held liberal beliefs was willing to do so.
3) The truthful group–These people stick to their principles, whether they be liberal like Russ Feingold, or moderate like Joe Lieberman. Feingold and Lieberman could not be more different, but at least they take strong positions and stick to them.
Republicans, especially conservative republicans, have it figured out. Even Bush’s fiercest critics know where he stands. He looks you in the eye and says “This is who I am, this is what I believe, this is what I am going to do.”
2008 is already beginning, and the Republicans offer giants like Rudy Giuliani and John McCain. While Mitt Romney did not rescue NY City or spend years as a POW, his saving of the Olympics at Salt Lake City was impressive.
The democrats offer a bunch of liliputians. Hillary is female. Obama is black and speaks well. Edwards is a handsome southern boy. What have they actually done?
Rather than build up nobodies like Obama, the democrats might want to consider somebody like Bill Richardson. He has executive experience, and is not a member of the lunatic wing of the democratic party. The Latino aspect is gravy. He has actual real accomplishments.
Then again, democrats would rather create a myth as they repeat the same desperate game they play every 4 years. John Kerry was a war hero, not an anti-war protester. Al Gore was…well, he was Al Gore…’nuff said. Hillary Clinton is the champion of women everywhere, not the vicious woman who will destroy Obama as she has anyone else who has stood in her way.
If Democrats want to win the White House, they have to get beyond hatred of George W. Bush. If Bush were against killing innocent puppies and kittens, liberals would be in favor of it. This is not a plan for governing. They need to nominate someone who is proud of who they are, be it liberal or moderate. They need to clearly state what they believe, and how they plan to make their beliefs policy achievements, and then they need to fiercely defend their achievements even if there is criticism.
Or they can be empty shells pining for the next Obama while President McCain and/or Giuliani run America until 2016.
Here are some core principles…1) Free Trade works, isolationism does not.
2) Al Queda, Iran and Syria should be b*tchslapped, and there is no political solution to dealing with lunatics. The question is when to militarily break them in half, not if.
3) Big business is not evil, it employs people and drives the American economic engine.
4) Low taxes benefit society, high taxes and regulation do not.
Whether you agree or not, until democrats can take 3 or 4 beliefs and express them, despite this last election, they will remain drugged and irrelevant, chasing the Obama dragon.
eric
What amount of accomplishments could possibly qualify you for the position of POTUS? I won’t say anything else because the entire post is flame bait.