If any undecided voters in the United States ever needed a moment to clarify their choices for President, that moment arrived last Friday.
Very early in the day Friday, September 19, American voters got a good look at John McCain standing in front of a partisan peanut gallery tossing out the same tired stump speech blaming Barack Obama for the economic crisis that has befallen the United States. As has been the case during the entire general election, McCain gave a speech long on fiction and short on substance. His entire purpose for speaking that day was to point the finger - while at the same time trying to absolve himself from any responsibility for what has happened to the U.S economy under Republican watch this decade.
Fast forward to the Democratic Party Candidate for President, Barack Obama (D-IL). Obama, flanked by his economic advisors, not only addressed the present economic crisis and pending government intervention to rescue a collapsing economy, but he stood in front of the press corps and answered questions regarding his assessment of the economy and the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve's proposed plan to bring our economy back. He was calm, poised, and articulate. His confidence and willingness to address many of the salient concerns that accompany this crisis were almost soothing to a room full of mixed political supporters where I was watching the speech. Seven McCain supporters, upon hearing Barack Obama's news conference followed by McCain's stump speech, left the room - with one remarking about Obama and the other six nodding in agreement:
"That is the man ready to lead this country forward. I am voting for Barack Obama in November."
There you have it, straight from Republican sources. These registered voters trust their Democratic Party opponent to lead America more than their own party's candidate.
Taken together with the latest state and national polls, this evidence seems to be overwhelming any criticisms that the Right have leveled against Barack Obama. Most intelligent voters can see through such propaganda - but to be fair, let's debunk some of my favorite Obama criticisms right now:
- Opponents have criticized his ability to make speeches
Somehow, critics of Obama's believe that the ability to articulate a point, policy, or message to those listening is a bad thing. In fact, one fairly popular Right-wing talk-show host loves to play a sound bite that mocks Obama for using 'words and speeches' to speak to the American people. Funny, but these same critics of Obama's ability to reach an audience had no problem with Ronald Reagan using 'just words, just speeches' to take his case to the American people. The truth is, Obama is an exceptional communicator. That skill can only be disliked if the communicator isn't telling you what you want to hear. Sorry, Sean Hannity. I guess you will just have to live with Barack Obama's inspiring speeches for the next eight years.
- Opponents have criticized Barack Obama's Educational Achievement
This is my all-time favorite criticism of Obama on the part of conservatives. The crux of their argument is that supreme academic accomplishment somehow makes you an 'elitist' - or on the part of Obama, using a racial slur like calling him 'uppity'.
So in other words, conservatives believe the path to political and economic wisdom lies in a candidate's ability to demonstrate...ignorance?
But then again, consider the source of such assertions i.e. the radical reactionary Right. The leaders of this controlling Republican faction - Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mike Gallagher, and Glen Beck - are lifelong miserable failures educationally. I take that back: Sean Hannity did receive an honorary degree from Jerry Faldwell in 2005 (I thought conservatives were against social promotion?).
- Opponents have criticized his policies as 'radical'
I seem to remember a pretty radical man proposing some downright unbelievable things quite some time ago. He abhorred the way wealthy citizens worked to hoard their wealth instead of sharing more of it with the less affluent. In fact, he once remarked that is would be easier to fit a camel through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. He taught his followers to love their enemies, not hate everyone who disagrees with them. He spoke of his fondness of children as the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
This 'radical' man was named Jesus - and he happens to be at the forefront of the New Testament of the Bible that conservatives love to preach from when they're nestled upon their high horses passing judgment on the rest of the country (which reminds me, 'Judge not lest you be judged'...wasn't that another phrase uttered by The Son of God?).
Now, by no means am I insinuating that Barack Obama is in any way congruent with the Almighty. I simply point out the congruence of Obama's policies with the teachings of Christ for the purpose of debunking his moniker of being a 'radical'. If believing that equitable tax and wage policies, actually speaking with our enemies, and making sure our children have access to the best education and health care possible make Barack Obama a 'radical', then be prepared to explain precisely why you believe Jesus was a social and political radical. In the end, it will become appallingly clear to conservatives that their policies constitute what is radical - and that their policies are being rejected by the American people, not Obama's.
We still have a long, long way to go before the election is won. None of the aforementioned article content in any way guarantees a win in November. There are still numerous voters to register, more Republicans and Independents to bring to our cause, and more resolve needed to ensure that we stay on message and keep the train headed for the station. That being said, I think it is a terrific indicator of where this election is headed that so many signs are pointed in our direction. The American people are seeing through the McCain-Palin facade and instead looking for the leadership that this country so desperately needs in the form of Barack Obama. Let's keep our ground game working to ensure that we stay on message and mobilize as many supporters as possible come November. The future of our great nation is depending on us. Let's not let her down.
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