The Conventions Are Over. Let the Madness Begin

by Gordon Cooper

From Broader View Weekly, September 12, 2008

To butcher an oft-quoted Dickensian phrase, these past two weeks illustrated “the best of politics and the worst of politics” in these United States of America. Yes, my friends, these two conventions prove why many nations revile and hate us and why many nations respect and honor us. We can see so much that is wrong with our system and we can also see so much that is right.

The pomp and ceremony that we witness now was, once upon a time, a necessary step in the election process. More than a few have wondered why we continue to put the host cities and the public airwaves through such brutal abuse now. It seems as though little is accomplished in these conventions and even less is remembered once the campaign proper has begun. But still we watch and still the pundits perform their punditry and still the beat goes on.

First of all, let me say that the best of our system is illustrated to the world when they look at our candidates and see a combination that would exist in most nations. We have come so far so quickly in our social acceptance of those who only a few generations ago were disenfranchised. Now we can safely say that 2008 will go down in history as the year that changed politics forever. Regardless of which ticket makes it to the most electoral votes, it will be a premier event.

That being said, it was also a disturbing testament of our differences and an even more distressing illustration of the degradation of modern journalism. We saw the same old tactics of spin and obfuscation of facts from both sides and we witnessed the failure of solid investigative reporting. The utter lack of substance and the dumbing down of the speeches usually left me hungry.

In spite of this, however, we did learn a few things. For example, we have heard from both sides that “change is coming”. Apparently, both camps sense a mood of discontent with the status quo. This is not a bad thing in itself. We should never be content with things as they are. It is the American way to always look for the next frontier, to stretch the horizon and to be the riders on the next big wave.

Another lesson learned from this round of conventions is that sometimes the better person for the job is on the second line of the button. I think that both leading candidates suffer from bitterness within their own parties. Obama has not exactly endeared himself to the Hillary faithful and McCain’s policies and sponsored legislation have angered some of his base. While I disagree with Biden on most issues, I agree with his assessment that the presidency of these United States does not lend itself well to those with no executive experience. The oval office is not the place for rookies.

That is why it was humorous to me to see the reaction of the Obama camp to McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin. The mantra was repeated by the sycophant news anchors as Obama spokesmen said she represented a risky choice because she was, after all, a heartbeat away from the presidency. Risky choice, huh?

I recently heard a very eloquent speaker say these words:

“The greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics from the same old players and expect a different result. Change doesn’t come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it – they insist on new ideas and new leadership.”

Obviously, the above speaker would welcome the introduction of a new leader who has shown the ability to change a small city and then to move up the ladder and change a state. I’m sure this speaker would not disparage someone who did not carry years of Washington service on her/his resume.

Here is another quote from this same speaker:

“I don’t fit the typical pedigree, and I haven’t spent my career in the halls of Washington” - as if the distance from Washington was an actual asset rather than a liability. The above speaker should readily and happily applaud the selection of Sarah Palin. But that is not the case. The above speaker is Barack Obama and the occasion of the quotes was his acceptance speech.

My, how things change!

The news media has spent the past few days in a fevered frenzy attacking Palin for everything from her hair to her daughter’s poor choices. They have attacked her for her choice to run for office while also being a mother – as if one would preclude the other. The hue and cry from Obama and his lap dog media elite has all but drowned out another quote from his famous speech:

“If you don’t have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from.”

Yes, it is the best of times and it is the worst of times.