Well, Barack Obama was swinging this week. Coming in with right hand leads, almost disrespecting his opponent. Foreman's eyes were wide and white hot when Ali disrepected him that way. Dan Quayle is no John Kennedy and Hillary Clinton is no Mohammad Ali.
But the stance on Al Queada in Pakistan is the most hawkish statement to do from any candidate, Republican or Democrat.
[Aside: When I write Republican or Democrat, what always sticks in my side is the word 'or.' It bothers me to not end. However, at this time, Independents are a quasi party in fact. But alas, Joe Liberman screwed it up for everyone.... again.]
Then as noted on this week's MTP, the tense exchange by the top three candidates (who again are the only ones ever mentioned - everyone else is vying for second place, in other words, the VP spot) with regard to Washington lobbyists. This is a great achievement for people and the internet. The candidates no longer dictate the questions and subsequently people's agendas. And CNN should get no credit, by the way.
So...
Not that anyone reads this blog or that they took my advice, but they got a politician on there this week and discussed Iraq. Today's pair of terse lips belonged to Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense. My impression of Sec. Gates is one of a man who knows what he wants to say and actually say it, but there always this sense that in the back of his mind he's going through all the briefings of what to say and how to say it in accordance with the administration. His posture at the table gives it away. I believe he's a straight shooter, but everytime he's got the target and about to take the shot, someone (Cheney, Rove, et. al) come along and pop the barrell up from underneath so he misses everytime. Basically, Sec. Gates is in Pergatory.
For example, he said he is not pleased with the political stasis in the country and there needs to be a a political solution to succeed (something we all know) - but I think he also wants to say that it is not going well enough on the ground militarily for his liking. He gave a definitive yes with regard to the report and subsequent change in strategy.
I could go on and on with these examples throughout the interview, but suffice to say that here you have one of the few individuals in the administration with some authenticity and credibility, yet the muzzle looks as uncomfortable as it feels on the Secretary's face.
Then in the round table today, there were two voices of importance that deserve to be listened to if out of nothing more than respect. Carl Berstein and Doris Kearns Goodwin are those voices. Ms. Goodwin's presidential expertises lends vital perspective to these candidates, and boy do we need it.
I have long thought that all of the democratic candidates were only VP material, but someone's got to get the nomination. And with the regard to the Republicans, the candidates are ridiculous. There doesn't seem to be a true conservative among the front runners and it's like Laurel and Hardy to watch them try to be. Also, frightening and disturbing at the same time, but that's for another post. The key to the discussion was Ms. Kearns five point presidential litmus test: They have withstood adversity, they have diverse perspectives around them, they have a sense of loyalty, they’re not afraid to admit mistakes, they know how to manage their emotions, they can define the goals for the country, and they know how to relax.
Maybe one or two of the candidates have 3 of the 5, maybe 4 of the 5 (and that's being very kind), but none have all... NONE! As Ms. Goodwin states, Lincoln was able to admit a mistake, FDR was humbled, but those were different times, different kinds of leaders and not everyone was watching of course, but it does put perspective on it all.
As for Mr. Berstein, he never really said anything too terribly enlightning, but he's wrote the book... and the latest book about Hillary Clinton. Of course Bill is an asset and she is quite a lady, but he was smitten with Ms. Kearns' answers and that's significant. And as a cordial foil, there was David Mendall who has written a new book about Barak Obama. However, he called Obama condescending and intellectually elist. And just for completion's sake, there was another journalist from Christian Broadcast Network, which doesn't impress me.
So is there authenticity in any of these candidates? Well, they all just want to be right all the time, like our current POTUS so you decide. However, if they really want to produce something authentic, they would do something to benefit us all, or they could just eat more ruffage and then see what happens.
Again, NO MTP Minute. This sucks. Yes, we should have our immortalize leaders telling us what lessons they've learned. But no, we wouldn't want that.
No comments:
Post a Comment