While I have silently watched the last month or so as this race for the Democratic Party's nomination has spiraled through my state and across the blogosphere and Cable Television, I have been simultaneously fascinated, amused and repulsed. But last night finally pushed me into a almost sick despair. I had to turn off the TV and just sit in silence. In that time, I came up with some thoughts and questions, which I would love some help considering...
Ok. Again just the usual disclaimers. I am a Democrat from South Central PA. I voted for Clinton/Clinton/Gore/Kerry in the last four elections. I believe in choice, gun control, public education and I am an atheist. I want the government to build infrastructure and provide jobs and a safety net. I hate war, but understand there are times we must fight. I believe Iraq was/is not one of those times. I don't give a damn what color you are. My family is integrated by marriage. Two of my best friends are gay. They should be able to get married. I think I fit in on this website.
BUT - (wait for it). Last night I decided I may very well vote for McCain. As a matter of fact - I may very well make sure everyone I see does so too. Please spare yourself the trouble of telling my why that is insane. It will not be a rational act. I really, really think that voting for President is never a rational act. I don't think a lot of Democrats have figured that out. Ever.
Help me. Answer these questions if you can.
#1 - Why do I read Markos and this site everyday and then turn on Keith O.and hear verbatim the arguments Kos makes (or other FPers) repeated by Keith. Last night, it seemed like every time Keith had a chance to jump into a conversation he inserted a point from this Blog. Citing Oregon being just as White and Poor like Kentucky. Talking about Romney's margins in Utah as why Kentucky doesn't matter. (These are two of many examples from the last month).
I figure it has to be either
A - Keith is pandering to a particular segment of the population for ratings.
B - Keith is bored with work, and so he just wings it with stuff he reads on the internet.
C - Kos has inhabitied Keith's body
D - Both Kos and Keith are taking their marching orders from the same person (Axelrod?)
Anyway you slice it...I guess we have given up on journalism? I hate Fox Noise, but is doing the same thing for "our side" any better? Is that elevating journalism, or becoming what you loathe?
#2 - Tweety so smug in declaring every person who said race was a factor in Kentucky a racist. Ok - I know, there are racists in Kentucky (and in San Francisco - I know a few...) but - do African Americans who vote for Obama because they relate to him because he is black count then too? So like in South Carolina, if they would ask all the black voters if race played a role in who they chose, would they be racists if they said yes (in public yet!!)? Are women who vote for Hillary and consider one of the factors that she is woman sexist?
I called my sister in-law. She is black and voted for Obama today. I asked her in an informal poll, did Obama's race play a part in why you voted for him. She answered "Yes" (POLL RESULTS 100% of my sister-in-laws are racists). She then had a chance to explain. "I feel like he would understand better what I am going through because we share the same race..."
Does this mean my brother (a "cracker") married a racist? I need to tell him if he did.
I guess people feel more comfortable at times with someone they feel could relate to their needs. Shocker! Am i wrong? Can Tweety ever shut up? Can KeithKOS take his microphone?
#3 - Kos called people who think Hillary has an argument that she may have won the popular vote "stupid" today. Great move Mr. bring the whole party together big tent 50 state make a ton of money on my new found fame innovative web site guy. Calling members (a lot of them) of your own party stupid is so....smart.
Markos, are you so emotionally, financially or otherwise invested in this campaign that you can't recognize this party has created a game without rules. Or at least rules that change are are so F'ed up they can't be clearly understood without a PHD in something. It isn't anyones fault. Please don't argue there are rules. Seriously. All the major news organizations have had different delegate numbers since January. Because it is a cluster F@#$. If the party had a cleaner way to do this, there would be no argument. Kos himself said that this is broken, SO knowing it is a mess, don't call the people stuck in it Stupid. Call the people who came up with it Stupid.
#4. Ok - So now Obama will be the nominee. So convince me. Don't tell me McCain is 4 more years of Bush. Don't play silly word names with McSame, etc...I want Barack Obama to come to my suburban white neighborhood and tell me why I should vote for him. What will he do for my parents who worked their asses off for 40 years but can't retire due to health insurance. Tell me what he will do for my kids. What he will do for my neighbors' kids. What he will do for my country. Dont say "CHANGE", dont say "Hope"...Don't give me a poster of red white and blue. Tell me why he isn't in over his head. So he went to an Ivy League School. Congrats, so did millions of others...Show me that you have substance. I don't want to come to a rally of 70,000 to catch a glimpse. You are a man, just like I am. I don't need a rockstar, I need a worker. How will you work for us?