Some Like it Loud
So as promised, I saw Barack Obama speak. Then I lost my power for six days, had to study for a huge test, helped a friend through a crisis, and worked approximately 2.5 million hours. All of this led me to not update, and for this I am sorry. However, nothing very interesting happened at the Obama speech in Troy.
It's true, Obama is an amazing speaker. And I'm glad I got to see him in person... no TV camera could have captured the energy, excitement, or anticipation in that room. But nothing of import transpired, and the questions asked of him (mostly by over-zealous high school students) were repetitive, misdirected, or altogether stupid. I was a little dissapointed.
Nonetheless, I can now ascertain that I have seen the future president of the United States speak. Having seen both McCain and Obama deliver canned stump speeches, I can offer the following comparisons...
1) The age of the audience. Obviously Obama's event was hosted at a high school, and there was a section of students. But, and I'm not trying to be ageist here, the largest group represented at McCain's event in East Lansing was the AARP. Literally. I'm quite sure, because the first four or five rows of people were very feeble looking, and waved AARP signs, incessantly blocking my view.
2. Obama was more organized. McCain arrived about an hour late for his event, and there were no volunteers (save the girls from Cindy McCain's sorority, whose main role seemed to be showing up and screaming when McCain mentioned them.) At Obama's event, volunteers circulated the line and waiting area, passing out stickers and signing people up for Obama's e-mail list.
3. The students there. At McCain's event, the sorority girls and political science majors were scattered among the middle-aged masses. At Obama's event, I was excited to encounter students from Michigan State as well as Universtity of Michigan (admittedly sprinkled among union members and concerned citizens). I was also excited to run into Steve Ross, Michigan State Student and Midwest Coordinator for Students for Barack Obama. All things considered, I think there was an amazing student showing.
To me, this last difference in student representation represents a fundamental difference in the candidates. Obama drew interested, motivated young people. McCain drew typically establishment rich students (don't look at me like sororities are free) and octogenarians. But historically McCain's chosen demographic has shown up to the polls. The day in November when record numbers of students show up to vote for change they believe in... that's when I'll believe America is ready for the changes Obama speaks so certainly of.
So That's How the Cookie Crumbles...
The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee has decided to seat each of Florigan's delegates at 50% of their power, and award four of Clinton's Michigan delegates to Obama, since his name didn't appear on the ballot.
Nice cover-up operation, DNC. Maybe next time you could avoid making a mess in the first place. The root of the problem isn't just traceable to poor enforcement or petty rules... it's the result of a primary system that continuously gives some states more say than others. This election has initiated a lot of talk about "unity" and "change"... I think that no matter what happens in November you should apply those concepts to a bi-partisan effort to reform the primary process. As an Obama supporter, I'm fairly happy with the results. As a Michigander, I am still upset.
Speaking of that Obama fellow, guess who was in Royal Oak at the Oakland County Democratic Office at 9am this morning picking up tickets to see Barack Obama? If you guessed Emily Jane Lawler give yourself a pat on the back.
If you're unaware, 9am is a pretty big deal for a college student. I schedule my classes to start after 10, since I nearly killed myself trying to get to Bonnie's class at 9:30 every morning (being tired and in a hurry causes you to forget the basics, "look both ways before you cross the street" being one of them).
Anyway, the event is Monday at Troy High School, and I will let you know what goes on there (and hopefully snap you some quality pics). So far I can tell you that 1,000 tickets were gone in a little over an hour, and I had to wait 45 minutes for mine. They were giving out a maximum of two per person, which suprised me. I did take the extra one though, and give it to a family friend who works at Troy High. Apparently there isn't enough room for the staff to be in on this, but from what I understand they're letting the students in. As an Obama supporter, I think I'd rather they let in people who are eligible to vote...
Look for a firsthand account Monday night!
Honesty is the Best Policy
While the Clinton campaign makes its last desperate attempts at saving itself during this weekend's D.N.C. talks, I have one question.
Where were you on January 15, Mrs. Clinton? Where were your 'town hall' meetings and speeches? I was there, Mrs. Clinton. I, and hundred of other Michigan democrats, sat back and watched the Republicans duke it out.
Pretending to now suddenly care about the voters and demanding that their 'voice be heard' wins no brownie points in my book. It's nothing more than a stunningly transparent ploy to win the Democratic Presidential nomination.
I understand that's what you're here for. Just don't attempt to place yourself on some moral pedestal. Honesty is the best policy, remember.
I understand that Obama would do the same thing if the tables were turned. And I would have been just as upset. Let's just cut to the chase, people. November 4th.
Enough Already!
Dear Hillary,
I understand. You've put a lot into this campaign. Months of being on the road, tirelessly trying to prepare Chelsea for the Q&A sessions while keeping Bill away from the attractive female voters. Millions of your own dollars sunk into your campaign. Endless media coverage and stressfull debates. Lucky for you Hill, it's time to call it quits.
We get it, you won a few primaries recently. But those were delusional voters. Slate has had you on deathwatch for almost two months, and my favorite professor is mocking you. Statistically you're just not going to make it. We all know you're "not running a campaign of numbers", but at some point you have to realize that the whole point of campaigning is increasing the number of people that vote for you. You're kind of losing that battle.
At this point, you're kind of old news. Google recognizes 47,600,000 search results for you. Impressive, there's only about ten relevant ones on my name. But Obama's topped us both at 50,000,000. The media darling, perhaps. The students love him. *Disclaimer: That link is to one of my articles. Where were these eager reporters when you were dodging sniper fire in the name of democracy?!?! Oh wait...
I understand, Hill. It's not over until the fat lady sings. But honestly, you're wasting time and money at this point. Get one of the large white women that constitute your biggest voter base to sing you a patriotic diddy and boogie out of this race to the tune.
Love, Emily
Misc.
With the Democratic Primary ceasing to simmer, Clinton and Obama supporters are getting vicious. So I'm just here to remind all of you die-hard Clinton or Obama fans out there: it doesn't matter who wins. It may seem like it. But we all must remember that the Democratic Presidential Candidate is just that - a Democratic Candidate. He (or she) is elected to represent and uphold the values, morals, and ethics that all Democrats support. So no more of this, "if Obama/Clinton doesn't get the ticket, I'm going to vote Republican." It's about the Democratic policies, not the person.
Speaking of policies...can we start focusing on them again? Please? No more of this "Obama's an elitist because he said etc." or "Clinton lied about being under gun fire in Bosnia." No more. It's petty and unimportant. It doesn't matter if Clinton cried during a New Hampshire meeting. What does matter is what her policy is on health care, the economy, the Iraq War. The same goes for Obama. I don't care how long he attended Muslim school for, or what he might say behind closed-doors at a Pennsylvania fund-raiser. I care about the issues.
News media needs to make a profit. It's a business, I get that. But infotainment has got to stop. Journalists - our gatekeepers of information - need to redirect the public's eye. We need to start focusing back on the issues at hand. How are the candidates (Democratic or Republican) going to handle the current home mortgage crisis? What about the impending credit crisis? Any thoughts on global warming? Darfur? China? I want to turn on the television or open a newspaper and see those questions answered.
'A More Perfect Union'
I've been a Barack Obama supporter from day one. But as campaign politics reared its ugly head, I became cynical and disillusioned. I lost faith in Obama, in the Democratic party, and the electoral process itself.
But then the speech came. Yes, the speech.
Obama's speech, entitled "A More Perfect Union" came in response to the brash and racially dividing comments made his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, one who could be considered the antithesis of Martin Luther King Jr.
His speech, so eloquently written and spoken, dealt with one of the many hot-button issues within 21st century America: race.
When dealing with race, whites react in two distinct ways.
The first is ignorance. "Racial discrimination doesn't exist. That ended with the Civil Rights Movement."
The second is indignation. "Why should they receive more money and better jobs? My (grand)parents immigrated to this country and were met with just as much discrimination. And they worked hard to fight this discrimination. I never owned slaves, I'm not racist. My kids and I shouldn't suffer for things we never did.
He addressed the race issue in the way than any smart politician should. He addressed race in terms of socioeconomic status. When trying to pass any bill or law dealing with past racial discrimination, the most successful way is to put a Robin Hood spin on the bill.
Obama isn't advocating giving African Americans special treatment, he's advocating taking from the rich and giving to the poor. It just so happens that the majority of the poor are African Americans - who are poor not because they're 'lazy,' but because of racial discrimination.
Race is a difficult pill to swallow, for everyone. It makes people uncomfortable in mixed race company. But our country must become comfortable being uncomfortable. We must create a nation-wide racial dialogue.
Some of us have the privilege to ignore racial discrimination. We don't have to worry about a banking loan getting denied. We don't have to worry about our children's health because we live next to a nuclear power plant. We don't have to worry about representing our race. We can turn on the television or go to the movies and see our race portrayed in a positive light. We can buy 'nude' colored bandages.
Others cannot. Others are falsely and unfairly labeled because of their skin color. Others are denied jobs and adequate housing and loans because of their skin color. Others are ignored because of their skin color.
But it's time for this to change. It's time for the United States to walk the walk and not just talk the 'freedom, equality, and justice for all' talk.
Thank you, Mr. Obama.
McCain Gaining Democrats?
With the deomcratic field narrowing down, I'm on the edge of my seat. I'm an Obama supporter, but if he gets kicked to the curb at the end of primary season, I'll be facing a really tough choice between Clinton and McCain. It will, of course, be the lesser of two evils that I choose. But I'm not necessarily sticking democratic just because the person I support is a democrat. And I'm not alone .
A recent poll shows that 20% of Obama supporters will switch to McCain if Obama doesn't get the nomination. I have to wonder... are those the so-called "Obamicans" (republicans supporting Obama) running back to their party, or are those 20% of Obama's voters that can't stomach Clinton?
Another poll shows that voters consider McCain more trustworthy than either Clinton or Obama. He's riding straight from the Grand Old Party on the Straight Talk Express, and apparently voters like that.
Prediction-wise, I'm going to say that if Hillary wins the democratic nomination, McCain will win the White House. But if Obama wins the nod from the dems, he has a great chance at winning the entire election.
Oh, Irony
Does anyone else find it slightly ironic that, suddenly, both the Michigan and Florida primaries are put in the hot seat?
A mere two months ago, I and other students lamented over the anti-climactic feel of the primary, because the Democratic National Party took away the Michigan delegate seats. Essentially, the Democratic National Party told Michigan that any and all Democratic votes will not affect the Democratic Presidential nomination. This, along with the snowy weather, created more voter apathy than usual for the Democrats.
But now, with the Democratic nomination still up in arms, both the Clinton and Obama campaigns re-focus their attention on these primaries.
While I cannot speak for Florida, I know that in Michigan the Democratic primaries were a far cry from an accurate representation of the Michigan Democrats.
Many Democrats - especially younger ones, new to the voting scene - simply chose to vote Republican. The open primary in Michigan allows voters to vote without declaring party affiliation beforehand. So those voters, wishing for their vote to count for something, voted for McCain, the most moderate out of the top four Republican contenders - McCain, Romney, Huckabee, and Ron Paul.
But should Michigan and Florida hold a 're-do' primary? Personally, I feel they should not.
For one, the atmosphere has changed significantly since January. Edwards has dropped out of the race, Ralph Nader has decided to run (possibly taking away votes from the Democratic party in the national election), and the rivalry between Clinton and Obama has heated up - allegations about race, religion, and gender flying from both sides.
For another, initially, all candidates agreed that the votes in Michigan and Florida would not count in the national nomination. The Democratic National Party should not and should not be expected to take back their initial statements.
Either way, this debate over the Michigan and Florida primaries should be put on the back burner. The Democratic party - already known for its fragmentation - needs to create stronger cohesion within the party itself. Adding another controversial issue - these primaries - would not help the Democratic party. Already violently fragmented due to the unresolved Democratic nominee, the Republican party is gaining headway with their unofficial nomination of McCain. While Democrats continue battling, McCain can focus on creating a strong Republican coalition.
Who knows?
27
Clinton only leads Obama by 27 delegates. In other words, not much.
After Obama took Louisiana, Nebraska, Maine, and Washington last weekend, the race is tighter than ever. Last weekend's sweep is a great boost for Obama after falling short to Clinton on Super Tuesday. He will certainly have momentum going into this week's primaries in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C.
Clinton seems to be be shook up after failing to win any of last weekend's states. The firing of her campaign manager shows that she is concerned. But she has proven her strength before and has shown that she is a fighter.
As the days roll by, we are still unable to see a winner. Will the excitement never end? As the anticipation builds, America must wait in suspense a little longer to find out who the Democratic candidate will be.
And they will wait. The competition between Obama and Clinton has peaked American interest in politics. I think the competition has been great for America by causing more citizens to become more aware and involved in our government, something our nation needs.
