Election 08′: Conventions and Nominations

A post by "J. Mal" To see more posts click here

After a long and boring summer we are finally starting to get back into the meat and potatoes of news and entertainment.

The Olympics gave every American a chance to cheer *(and boo other countries too).  It was a great two weeks with many record breaking events.  I think it was the best Olympics I’ve ever watched from the opening ceremony to Usain Bolt’s unbelievable talent on the track, and Michael Phelps dolphin like domination in the pool.

But even at the peak of that great sporting event, almost like clock work, “The News” could not be outdone.  Russia Invaded Georgia (not the state) and it reminded me, and a lot of other people that despite how well the world of sports was getting along, real problems still loom for many people across this world.  Even more than that it brought politics back from it’s lifeless summer vacation.  It was a wake up call that Iraq isn’t the only country that needs attention payed to it, and that the next president is going to have his hands full.

The past two weeks have been a demonstration of what’s to come in the world of politics.  It’s seems as though Democrats and Republicans know they have a lot to do in order for every American not to tune them out once NCAA Football and the NFL get underway.

The Democratic Convention

The Stage was set for history to take place.  70,000+ people in a stadium all waiting to see a great leader speak.  On the anniversary of MLK Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech Barak Obama stood on the grandest stage and basked in the glory of the moment.  I don’t think many people were surprised at how moving this moment was.  This was truly a historic day, and I will say it’s about time bigotry started to lose it’s fight in this country.   The Democrats spoke both substance and hot air in typical fashion of all conventions, and left us feeling like the battle between these two bitterly divided parties is only just getting started.  Obama may lack experience, but the past 20 months he’s be given a crash course in everything politics. I think he will be ready on day one even if he’s not ready right now.  He very educated and knows what it takes to succeed in life.  He’s driven to be the best, and it’s hard to imagine anyone who gets to where he is lacking what it takes to be great.

The Republican Convention

John McCain is no Barak Obama.  That is obvious.  But when it comes down to who he is, there is a lot to be admired.  While I’m not the type of person who believes that war experience makes a person qualified to be president, McCain’s, and the other POW’s in the crowd, experience in Korea make me realize why everyone in America should be thankful as hell we have people brave enough to help protect our freedoms.  (Whether or not they are fighting in the right place is another issue)  McCain also has a long record of accomplishments in public service that prove he knows how to get things done in a very messy system of politics. (That can be good or bad ).  The Republican’s audience has many more gray hairs and unlike the Democrats who got Will.I.Am of “Black Eyed Peas” to perform, they chose a Christian songwriter.   That really shows you a lot about how different these parties are in their appeal.  The biggest part of the convention was when McCains VP pick Sarah Palin took the stage on Wednesday night.  Expectations were high and criticism all around.  This was going to be a boom or bust moment, and everyone held their breath.  To me it was a success.  This strong woman took the stage and showed America if nothing else, that she can handle pressure and deliver when called upon.  She spoke well and even took some shots at the Democrats for good measure.  The fact that she lacks some experience does not mean that she can not think about issues give a relevant opinion.  She’s a smart woman.

ANALYSIS:

The news media called Palin a superstar after her speech, but I’m not willing to go that far just yet.  I think she’s a good speaker and delivered a relevant speech that energized a room full or right wing conservatives itching to have their heart rates goes above 100.  She is a breath of fresh air in that party.  I still don’t know how ready she is to handle the expose and pressure that comes with being #2.  For everything that she did do well in that speech there were still things missing.  She didn’t talk about her policies, she just repeated John McCain’s, and spit out the talking points that Republicans have been saying for years.  I really like her as a political figure.  I think she has what it takes to continue a great career and I even see her being the first woman president someday.  I only hope that she doesn’t get sucked into the system of garbage in Washington and is able to learn what is necessary while keeping the true moral character that so many politicians lack.

So far, to me, this race is still up in the air.  This is going to be a great one and a lot closer than many people predicted.  The true winner in all of this is the American people.  For the first time in my life, it seems that the tide in Washington is starting to change and that the government is starting to work for the people again.  For too long it has been the other way around.

P.S.  Props to B.J. for picking Palin about two months ago on the Q of the Day:who would he really want to see be the next President.

Maybe he knows something we don’t.

……..udothedishes