I must say, the first three days of the Democratic National Convention have been a blast. As Charles Barkley phrased it, I feel like a kid in a candy shop. From Ted Kennedy delivering his booming speech and looking healthier than ever to Joe Biden's fiery remarks, it's been a lot of fun to watch. It was at some point during Michelle Obama's speech that I felt, for the first time in my life, that our government has the power to do some good in the world. I'm only nineteen so the Bush Administration is really all I know (I don't remember much about Clinton, since in the 90's my only concerns involved Power Rangers and long division), and needless to say, it hasn't been very positive. The prospect of an Obama-led White House is incredibly refreshing and invigorating.
But I must say, I simply cannot stand the media coverage of this event. I won't mention Fox News, since the "wet blanket" analogy is more appropriate when comparing Hannity and Co. to the rag used for waterboarding, but all of the stations dabble in this sort of negativity. I personally prefer MSNBC simply for the fact that Olbermann, Matthews and Maddow understand the concept of inspiration, and have rightly acknowledged it after the major speeches. I just hate it when they bring someone on the play the "devil's advocate", or the McCain supporter, to state their quabbles. I honestly don't mind Pat Buchanan, because his laugh reminds me of Dr. Evil and it cracks me up every time, but I'm telling you, nothing sucks the hope and positivity out of me like watching some clownishly grinning McCain spokesperson trying to argue that there is no substance to these speeches.
First of all, if you are dumb enough to rely on speeches given at the political conventions for all your information, than nothing will help you (I suppose this is why McCain's attack ads seem to be working). And second, I happen to be relieved that the Obama campaign has (for the most part) avoided implementing negativity as a primary strategy. As much as I liked Biden's speech last night, I didn't walk away from it with the same "light as a feather" feeling in my chest that I did after the previous two nights. Perhaps I'm being over-sensitive, and I know that it's simply the reality of politics, but that's how I feel.
I just don't understand why liberals are deemed "negative" all the time. Yeah, I have a lot to say about the not-so-happy aspects of our country, but that's only because I believe in our potential to fix them. I am an idealist not because I'm naive, but because I believe that the only thing holding us back from improving is the refusal to use some imagination and get it done. Rush Limbaugh calls it "reality". The bottom line: McCain was the one who repeatedly assured us that he would run a clean campaign (my friends), and he has done just the opposite. I'm sick of refuting his bogus commercials (Paris Hilton... Really, John?) but I suppose it's necessary if we want to win this thing in November.