2008 August » Doc’s Political Parlor

I remember watching Barack Obama give his speech during the Democrat National Convention in 2004 and I was truly impressed with his style. Anyone who doubts his ability to inspire a crowd just has not heard one of his speeches. The guy is good. Period.

Inspirational speeches however do not necessarily make for a good president. I respect the historical moment of the nomination and it is hard to disregard the flowing style of the address and the promises he made. The main question I have is this- after the wonderful rhetoric is gone and the historic moment of his nomination is behind us, what does he really stand for? Sure, he said he wants to “help the poor, bring health care to all, and make sure everyone has a living wage.” Those are great ideas but how do you pay for them? How do you make these things happen?

While I think it is admirable to point out the differences between the two candidates I have to question the attempt to say that John McCain is just an extension of George Bush. Does anyone remember the fact that John McCain was battered and beaten by George Bush in 2000? Do these same pundits recall that McCain was the loudest critic of how George Bush initially handled the war in Iraq? No, McCain and Bush are very different and to try to tie them together is a way of avoiding any debate on the real issues our country is facing.

Barack Obama said, “I look forward to the debate with John McCain on the issues.” So do I, because at least then we can talk about the real issues this country faces as opposed to abstracts that flow well with the guidance of a good wordsmith.

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More Convention Pictures

Filed under: Convention — Danny @ 1:09 pm

More pictures from Denver are up today.

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I’d Vote Republican if…

Filed under: Convention — Danny @ 12:59 pm

I have enjoyed the opportunity to be at the convention. It’s hard to take advantage of all the opportunities available and write about it as we go. I have particularly enjoyed meeting people and asking fun questions of some of the country’s most committed Democrats here for the convention. Like this one…

How would you complete the sentence, “I would vote Republican if…”?

Person dressed as GOP elephant If it was 1864, I’d vote for Lincoln.
- Gregory Shimkaveg, Florida

Never. I’m a yellow dog Democrat. Never. I never have in 50 years. My mom was a Republican. I’ve always been a Democrat. Might change later, but I can’t imagine that.
- Kat Gordon, Florida

If the world came to an end, and I didn’t have to live with it. No, I wouldn’t even do it then.
- Lenore Patton, New Hampshire

Never. When hell freezes over.
- Leroy Brooks and Shirlet Brooks, Mississippi

I’d vote Republican if the candidate was a woman and it was the last person on earth and she was pro-choice and a liberal Republican.
- Norleen Kopomen, Washington

Never.
- Bill Rudis, Connecticut

If they would transform themselves and adopt economic and social justice issues in their platform.
- Lee Kinch, Kansas

I’d never do that.
- Marylin Stapleton, U.S. Virgin Islands

I wouldn’t.
- Helen Whiteford, PA

Good question! If they supported veterans’ issues. They support the mission not the troops. I am a veteran, and that’s important to me. If they supported the troops as much as they said they did.
- Sam Scott, Minnesota

If hell freezes over.
- Russ Stanton, Minnesota

If there… I can’t… I don’t know how to do it. If they had a candidate like Obama.
- Pat Ackley, Oregon

If Barack Obama was running [as a Republican].
- Kassie Cerami, Idaho (State Director of Obama Campaign)

I don’t know how to finish that sentence. If hell froze over.
- David Broockman, Texas

If Colin Powell was the nominee.
- Mary Tyler Brown, Washington, DC

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Alabama Delegation

Filed under: Convention Pictures — Danny @ 12:39 pm

Alabama delegation Wednesday night

Alabama delegation

Members of the Alabama delegation Wednesday night

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Dean on Alabama

Filed under: Convention — Danny @ 12:38 pm

Howard Dean at Democratic National Convention Tuesday at a BBQ the Democratic Party had for credentialed bloggers at the convention, Howard Dean spoke and afterward visited with bloggers. As it happened, he sat down in an empty chair next to me and asked everyone at the table where we lived. He spoke a bit with some North Dakota bloggers about that state being in play for the Dems, and then turned to me and said, “So, Alabama, tell me what is going on there. We have some good things going on there, right? Patricia Todd? James Fields!”

While I told him that the best the Democrats could hope for in Alabama this election was that Obama would help them on downticket races, I have to admit here that I was impressed with his recall to come up with these two state legislators’ names.

He went on to add that in Alabama’s primary election this year, 60% of voters under 30 asked for a Democratic ballot instead of a Republican ballot.

In Dean’s remarks to the whole group, he mentioned that Democrats hoped to make inroads among young evangelicals, saying that polling showed their top three issues were poverty, the environment, and Darfur. He added that the message here is to “stop fighting about things you disagree on and start getting things done on issues you do agree on.”

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On the Afterparty

Filed under: Convention — Danny @ 12:18 pm

Many connected to the state Democratic Party note for the Parlor that throwing a bash is not in keeping with state Sen. Roger Bedford’s history, and that the afterparty he threw Tuesday night may be building bridges or good will toward some end - though there is little agreement on what that end might be.

Band at 'Sweet Home AlObama' Tuesday night

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Party at Sweet Home AlObama

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Roll Call Vote

Filed under: Convention Pictures — Danny @ 12:17 pm

Joe Reed during roll call vote at Democratic Natl Convention

Joe Turnham and Joe Reed shared the announcement of Alabama’s delegate vote yesterday. Here is a picture of the big screen behind the podium during the announcement.

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