Six days to Iowa, and while the jury remains deadlocked after a year-long trial, the Democratic candidates are unveiling their closing arguments. Each has its merits.
Somewhere inside every blogger is a political speech writer struggling to get out. In that spirit, I offer what I wish would be the text of John Edwards’ closing argument – the one I think would really seal the deal.
Ahem.
For years, you’ve heard Elizabeth and I talk about "Two Americas" – the one where the wealthy and privileged enjoy every benefit our country has to offer, and the one that really drives our economy.
The one where corporate greed results in multi-billion dollar Christmas bonuses, even in failing companies, and the one where working America fights tooth-and-nail for a fair, decent living wage.
Two Americas might be the current reality, but it’s not the soul of this country. It’s not how we were built. It’s not how we’ll thrive.
You know, as I travel this state, I’m not always speaking. Often, I’m listening. And not just to the wonderful people who are working so hard on this campaign, but to people who are supporting other campaigns as well.
Here in Iowa, and certainly in the media, there’s plenty of talk about Hillary Clinton. I’m genuinely interested in hearing the reasons why some of your fellow Iowans are supporting her. They tell me it’s time to elect a woman...that they want to be part of history...or that they’d really like to have her husband back in the White House. All personal, legitimate reasons – but do you know what? I almost never hear anyone talk about Hillary Clinton’s policies or her proposals or her voting record.
That’s somewhat understandable. After all, if it was Hillary’s health care plan people liked, they would just as soon go for the original.
You know – ours.
If it was Hillary’s energy independence plan they liked, they’d go for the better one. The one that came first. Ours.
And so it dawned on me. Supporters of Hillary Clinton are also interested in One America – the One America invented by George Bush.
In George Bush’s America, we would put the lives of our most loyal patriots at risk in an unjust war through all of 2009. Hillary Clinton’s America is no different. She has told you that.
In George Bush’s America, special interests and corporate influence are the law of the land – the way our country and our political system work. Hillary Clinton’s America is no different. She has said so in her actions and her words.
In George Bush’s America, the best reason to reach across the aisle is to smack your opponent. Hillary Clinton’s America is no different. She has said as much.
In George Bush’s America, the White House is to be ruled for decades on end by dynasty families with no real grasp on the issues that face the working families of our country. Hillary Clinton’s America is no different. Her last name tells you that.
In George Bush’s America, we would provide immunity to the telecom companies who facilitated government law-breaking. Hillary Clinton’s America is no different. Her absence from a key Senate vote tells you that.
That might be the same America we know now...but it’s not the One America we’re after. It’s not the future; it’s the past. It’s the same package, with a different delivery person.
Hillary Clinton is speaking in Iowa at this very moment, telling your neighbors that it’s "time to pick a president." It’s not. Not yet. Today, it’s time to pick a country – the country we want for ourselves, and for our children.
You see, long before Hillary Clinton ever announced her candidacy for the President of the United States, she started moving her words and her actions farther and farther to the right – because "conventional wisdom" says that’s how she’ll win the general election. That’s a pretty curious strategy – considering we’re not in a general election...and considering that there’s very important business to take care of first, right here in Iowa.
So on Thursday night, as a nation’s eyes turn to you – because no one better represents the One America we dream of, and because no state knows us better than you do – don’t just send the kind of message that will occupy the headlines for a couple of days. Send the kind of message that will resonate throughout history – the kind that will make reality of this One America that’s in our collective soul.
I’m asking not just for your vote, but for your faith.