Pants On Fire
PANTS ON FIRE
Howard D., the supposed front-runner among the gaggle of nine campaigners for the Democratic Presidential nomination, needs to carry a fire extinguisher. This would be for the fire that keeps breaking out in his pants.
Flip-flopping on position is one thing. And not always such a bad thing, either. There are times to rethink where one stands, for any variety of reasons. Time, personal experience, perspective over the long run. Or, if you are Howard with the nice last name, political expediency.
There are some good things to point out with regard to Deanís campaign. His use of the net to get the word out has been a wake-up call to most of the other wannabes, and even to members of the other parties. His may have been the first of the campaign blogs, and that, too, signals the use of available and somewhat interactive or participatory communications tools as part of the process.
But it also exposes vulnerability. Like when the candidate says one thing, then contradicts it by saying another thing. And claiming whatever is the latest position to come out of his mouth as where he stands.
Even worse is when the candidate flip-flops when speaking to a net-savvy reporter on the campaign trail, and blunders when asked about it, point-blank. So no big deal that right this moment the pundits seem comfortable in proclaiming that the doctor from Vermont is the front-runner.
Being the front-runner in September of 2003 means diddley-squat. The campaign has barely even begun to pick up any steam. Bozo limelight grabbers the likes of Sharpton are still politely included in the field. Sharpton has less of a chance of getting the Democratic nod than does my cat. And her name is Destiny, which means she has more going for her than he does for him. After all, one always has some interest in Destiny. Who gives a hoot about Al Sharpton?
Actually, there is an answer to that question: the person who should give a hoot is Steven Pagones. Heís the Dutchess County, NY District Attorney that Sharpton falsely accused of being a rapist, in that Tawana Brawley hoax. Sharpton and two cohorts were found liable on 11 counts of defamation in a lawsuit. It is possible that Pagones and his colleagues who were accused by Sharpton (and two lawyer cronies, both now disbarred) might keep an eye on the Reverend-Al-for-Prez laugh riot, watching for any further defaming statements. Hey, it could mean supporters of Sharpton might fork over more money to end the affair, as happened last time around.
Sharpton is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party.
Carol Moseley-Braun seems to be playing the "Ferarro card", hoping for some future appointment or some further time in the public spotlight. It means she will have to forego an attempt to regain her Senate seat, as it is a general rule of thumb that one does not run for President while also running for some other elected office.
Some may view her campaign as a service to the party, enabling her to quell the racial issues that are likely to be played by Sharpton, should he be the sole non-white candidate. If that is the case, then kudos to Moseley-Braun.
Other than that, one would consider her candidacy (har har!) the most likely to be abandoned, perhaps in an even heat with Dennis Kucinich.
http://www.kucinich.us/ ">Kucinich, in direct and diametric opposition to that rule of thumb mentioned above, is, in fact, still waging a campaign to keep his Congressional seat. Apparently Kucinich realizes that as a dark horse candidate, with only a smattering of support or name recognition, it makes sense to try to keep his day job.
Kucinich will, with any good fortune, see his star rise within the ranks of the party. This is a forward thinking man, a smart fellow. He can seem a little awkward, and half the time, much like his Democratic colleague Fritz Hollings, it seems as though the guy is joking around, even when he is dead serious. But he does not lack for ideas or for well thought out positions. Nor does he appear to be in the pocket of any PACs or special interest groups. Although he will be a goner from the race soon enough, it could be that this brief period of some spotlight may bode well for his future.
Edwards seems to be treating this campaign as a dry-run training camp for his 2008 drive for the nomination. His name recognition is minimal. His campaign trail coverage is scant, seemingly happenstance. Makes one wonder if the Edwards campaign even attempts to work the working press. His main asset: Presidential Hair and Height. Good hair, and not too short to appear diminutive in campaign appearances or televised debates.
Edwards ran into some early trouble with campaign contribution no-noís, and is also expected to drop out of the big race run in time to go about a run to keep his Senate seat. He lags considerably in the crucial New England states opinion polls. Look for him to drop out of national contention, and have the others pander to him for support, gaining from him what is a small but loyal base.
The scariest dark-horse among the Democrats is Floridian Senator Bob Graham. This wily character managed to wheedle the Campaign Manager away from the Edwards camp and bring him aboard, mid-run, back in March of this year. Heís surprised Floridians time and again with catchy campaign tricks (like taking over constituentsí jobs for a day, a practice he continues to this day), keeping his neurotic-obsessive personal journals (ìwoke up/got out of bed/kissed wife/went to bathroom/urinated/brushed teeth/thought about vacation/had breakfast ñ 2 eggs, rasher of bacon, OJ and coffee/got dressed ñbrown suit, white shirt, purple tieÖî and so forth) which he has designated as bound for a library, and other oddities. When it comes to issues, he is almost as profound an executor as Dubya, having signed over 400 Florida death warrants when he was Governor.
Graham is not telegenic, has a noted lack of charisma, charm, or personality. But he is a centrist, strong on education and pretty good on environmental issues. He comes from oodles and oodles of money, and might just outlast some of the more known and notable candidates. Gee, what Cabinet position or ambassadorship would he want?
His financial wherewithal and his gumption might just maintain his campaign. His background in intelligence and having held key committee positions are additional assets. Graham, despite lacking the somewhat necessary "movie star" quotient, might just be there for the long run.
The race will probably boil down to Howard from Vermont, Joe the Connecticut Republican in Democratís clothing, Kerry the weeping Veteran, Gephart the guy with experience but no widespread support, and dark-horse Graham.
For an entertaining look at some other candidates, check out this link.
Again, isnít it time for Al Gore and Wesley Clark to join forces, and bring brains and brawn to the Democratic candidacy?
Come on, AL ,come on Wes! Save the day. Hell, save the party!
Links and Blogs and Other Notables
Charles Bronson Dead
Reading Natalie Davisí ALL FACTS & OPINIONS weblog, I came upon a news note that had passed by while I was on the road and mostly in a news blackout: Charles Bronson died. Pneumonia, age 81.
Natalie notes her appreciation of a side of Bronson not necessarily too well known to the public: his adoring loyalty and devotion to his second wife, Jill Ireland, which was unwavering during her extended bout with Cancer.
Adam Bernsteinís remembrance of Bronson in The Washington Post may be the best piece that appeared about him following his death.
Bronsonís 1972 film, The Mechanic has always been one of those captivating ìmust-watchî sort of films for me. It would show up on TV now then and again, and if Iíd tune it in, Iíd be unable to tune away. Another one of his better works was The Valachi Papers, also featuring his wife, Jill Ireland.
UK Blogger Apparently on Strike!
Recently I pointed to Keith Povallís blog, The Sturdy Soapbox. You should go check it out. Then write to him and tell him it is time to update it with another entry. Keith occasionally sends over some of the wickedest humor one can imagine. Letís urge him to keep that blog a little more current. At this point if he updates it once a year, it is of note.
Ruminations on Hold?
Lisa English sure can write! Her blog, Ruminate This, is very special. Sheís an ardent Lefty, and yet her writing is neither borderline hysterical nor is it the whining bleeding heart ìpoor misunderstood usî claptrap garbage one often stumbles across in the prose of many a lefty. Bottom line: Ruminate This is among the best sources of lefty opinion, writing and expression there is to be found.
The most recent entry in the blog was Monday, August 25th. Mention is made of the coming school year, things to do, books to read, and much ado in various facets of her life. Let us hope things settle down and more Ruminations are posted, and soon!
Side note: Iíve linked, send notes referring, and spoken about Ruminate This to a number of people over the past ten days. Wouldnít you know it!? No sooner do I talk about it, refer to it, recomend it, and the blog goes on temporary hiatus. Come back, Lisa!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Where is Saddam Hussein? Shouldnít our crack, well-informed administration intelligence insiders know his whereabouts?
Where is Osama Bin Laden? September 11th is less than a week away. Soon it will be over two years since the attack. Didnít Dubya say he was gonna get that bad guy?
Where are the Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction? Werenít they going to be uncovered, and werenít they the reason to invade Iraq in the first place?
Where is the rejuvenated, democratic Afghanistani government? Wasnít that guy in the cool hat and the long coat going to make that place a paragon of leadership virtue and democratic government?
Where is the bidding process, the request for proposals, on the many multi-billion dollar ìrebuild Iraqî projects?
Whereís our effective leadership? Where are honesty and compassion?
Where are Al Gore and Wesley Clark, and when will they rethink their current non-running positions, respond to the lack of proper governance, and get in the thick of things?
