David Brooks is happy with the Biden selection, and lord knows that is good news. I mean, hell, I'm sure hostesses all over Georgetown are breathing a big sigh of relief that they won't have to invite the Clintons over to dinner this fall. David Brooks is happy, so polish up the silver, kids, and let's have us a nice civilized village dinner like we used to in the good old days.
The PUMAs are happy as they head off to Denver, knowing they can protest to their heart's content without having to explain why they refuse to be satisfied with a ticket that might have put Hillary a heartbeat away from the presidency.
Tom Watson is satisfied for reasons that are similar to the ones we'd be offering if we could set conscience aside and just endorse Obama already -- i.e., Biden brings the gray hair, the foreign policy cred, and the experienced insider's knowledge of how stuff gets done in Washington that the hopey-changey crew desperately needs if it is actually going to realize any of its airy-fairy ideas, should the Lesser manage to secure a victory in November.
Mod Fab is feeling less enthusiastic than he wishes he felt, now that some of the scales have fallen from his eyes, but he's gearing up to blame those psychotically obsessed Clintonistas who might "throw a hissy fit" on national television next week and cost Dems the election.
Prediction #1: Even if Hillary Clinton stands up at the convention and gives the most gracious speech in the history of language, even if she spends every single moment of every single day between now and November 4 tirelessly stumping for Obama-Biden, if the ticket loses, she and her deranged, disloyal, bitter supporters will be blamed for it. It won't be the fault of a candidate who ignored the several constituencies who supported Clinton in the primaries, dismissing them as part of an old, outmoded Democratic coalition. It will be the fault of voters who just didn't know what was good for them. That's right, guys. Blame the voters. That's a strategy that always works for Democrats.
Prediction #2: If blaming Hillary isn't enough (and if Obama manages to lose in a year so perfect for a tidal wave of Dem victories, even the all-powerful, super-wicked Hillary may not be enough of a scapegoat), the "blame racism" argument will be brought in as a reinforcement. Oh, wait -- Here it is already, wrapped up in a bright, shiny package, just waiting to be opened up and pressed into service.
For those of you who've been hitting your refresh buttons all day long, wondering what on earth Roxie's World would do now that Moses has descended from the mountain and announced His veep choice, well, darlings, you know we appreciate your devotion and your faith in our political wisdom. (Or is it the jokes that bring you back and back? The charmingly crude turns of phrase -- "poop on toast," for example?) Sorry to keep you waiting, but we are slow thinkers here in Roxie's World and need some time to sort through our options and our feelings. For the time being, the flag of Switzerland still flies, while the moms devote themselves to the pressing late-summer tasks of syllabus-writing and back-to-school meetings. We can tell you this isn't a ticket that will get much, if anything, from our political team in the way of time and money. As Goose disclosed in a comment on the previous post, we've recently decided to do some work on a significant local political battle over a Montgomery County, MD law that prohibits transgender discrimination. We'll be calling on my legions of loyal fans to support Basic Rights Montgomery as it gears up to win a referendum likely to be on the ballot in November on whether to keep or throw out a law that provides protections for transgender individuals in housing, employment and public accommodations. (Wa Po brief is here.) Stay tuned.
Sometimes, it's good to remember the old lefty adage: Think globally, act locally. This old dog has plenty of fight left in her, but she may just decide it's time to pick her battles carefully. And you can't blame her for that. Peace out.
here here Roxie! Call out the truth behind the bogus blame Clinton and her supporters bit... so tired... so played out... so not true.
ReplyDeleteHillary has a speech to make at the convention, and I am going to listen to where she goes with that — especially remembering how unexpectantly exciting and healing the last one was! There is nothing more defiant than optimism, but it has to be for real!
ReplyDeleteShe will hit it out of the park in her speech. We still get Goose-bumps (and Moose-bumps and Roxie-bumps) 'round here every time we recall the speech she gave on June 7 when she suspended her campaign. We especially love these lines:
ReplyDelete"To those who are disappointed that we couldn’t go all the way – especially the young people who put so much into this campaign – it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours. Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you’re knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can’t or shouldn’t go on."
She will rise to the occasion, but it will be up to Obama to make the case to voters. She has urged her supporters to support him, but a sizable number still aren't convinced -- and that doesn't make them bad Democrats or closet Republicans or bitter feminazis refusing to let go of a sister's defeat. It makes them unconvinced, which means the burden is on the party's nominee to convince them he deserves their support. Fear-mongering won't do it. Finger-pointing won't do it. Name-calling won't do it.
What might do it? Acknowledgment. Humility. Empathy. Listening. The proof will be in the pudding.
Given how disappointing this whole political business seems, perhaps Roxie might go back to posting on Olympic divers? Most specifically, how about a piece on my new hero, Matthew Mitcham, the oh-so-beautiful, openly gay Australian GOLD MEDAL winner?! I happened to be at a gay sports bar when Mitcham's winning dive was broadcast, and watched a room-full of queers get all misty-eyed. It was a wonderful evening.
ReplyDeleteYour wish is our command, Candy Man. See next post.
ReplyDelete