Legacy Down

In 2004 Howard Dean was the closest to understanding what has happened to the American Legacy and what it would take to restore it in a political world of Repubs and Repub-lites. John Edwards, with his “Two Americas” theme, was closest behind him. Of course we know what was done to Dean by his own party, and John Kerry stupefied and emasculated any effort by Edwards to talk about underlying principles of our legacy and place in the world and for each other. In 2007, Edwards has turned up the dial and is hitting even more of the right notes . . . and dropping in the polls. Maybe it’s that drop that that’s convinced him just to go out with guns blazing and truth hammering. But I think his fate will demonstrate that the bulk of the American people just don’t care about what this country was supposed to stand for. Howard Dean’s problem wasn’t himself or the media. It was the American people. Edwards looks to be facing the same enemy. We’ve ceased to deserve what we’ve been given, and none of the well-planned bromides from the Clintons or Obama, even if victorious somehow in 2008, will reverse that. There’s always been a thread in our country that promised opportunity for every person here, but it’s been swept away in contribution corruption, media perversion, and politician mediocrity and mendacity. Edwards increasingly understands it, but in a democracy you get what you deserve. And that bill is only now arriving.

Read More...

Summary only...

Only 559 days to go...

Gotta love Obama slamming (and mocking) Rudy with this remark:

Rudy Giuliani today has taken the politics of fear to a new low and I believe Americans are ready to reject those kind of politics. America’s mayor should know that when it comes to 9/11 and fighting terrorists, America is united.

The poll numbers favor Dems on so many issues right now...we better see this attitude and bite continue. Via the same link, Edwards piles on Rudy as well...

As far as the facts are concerned, the current Republican administration led us into a war in Iraq that has made us less safe and undermined the fight against al Qaeda. If that's the 'Republican' way to fight terror, Giuliani should know that the American people are looking for a better plan.

Oh, and John McCain is officially running for president. Feel the excitement!! Wait, you didn't feel it? You should. Just thinking about how much his soul he's already sold...there's no telling what he's capable of now that his name is actually in the hat!

Read More...

Summary only...

Only 575 days to go...

Over at HuffPo, Bruno Giussani has an interesting take on the role of the Internet in the 2008 election.

[T]he campaign up to 2008 will be wild. The tools are still too new, the possibilities too exciting, and a politically mature usage of them will take time to settle in.

Which means that 2008 -- boosted by California moving their primary to February, which changes the whole dynamics -- will probably be a campaign hitched to personality and authenticity, not to policies. That's the only signal that may emerge from the growing noise: leadership. How will this person respond in a crisis? Can I trust him or her to take the right decisions? Empathy and warmth will trump any carefully drafted social-security reform plan. Because with the message blurred by its own multiplicity, the messenger will become the (only) message.

And I have the impression that that's the way Barack Obama and John Edwards are shaping their campaign.

You know my take on it. I do think personality is going to play a huge role, and not only because of the Internet (which was somewhat his point). I have the feeling people are growing desperate for authenticity, which is why Obama and Edwards combined to raise about $40 million in the first quarter...and why Guiliani is leading Republicans.

Of course, Guiliani isn’t actually even 1% genuine and authentic, but it seems he still has the aura...for now, at least...

Read More...

Summary only...