ONE WORD SUMS UP THE DNC AND MR. OBAMA'S SUPPORTERS

ONE WORD SUMS UP THE DNC AND MR. OBAMA'S SUPPORTERS
by Andy Weddington
Thursday, 06 September 2012


"Monica Lewinsky somewhere, sobbing, clutching stained dress and eating Haagen Das [sic] by the TV light...Four cats yawning." Ann Coulter (Tweet last night after Mr. Clinton's speech)


Yesterday was a fun day - uncharacteristically, I posted two commentaries. Both were well received, good reader feedback, and they continue to get heavy traffic. Thank you if you took a moment to pass them along. If you did not, most welcome to do so.

It was interesting to me that several readers who wrote commented on my watching the Democratic National Convention - because they could not stomach it. 

For me it's simple, our country is amidst a critical debate. It's not possible to counter the opposition if you don't know what they are saying and doing. Besides, though a retired Marine, I still feel obligated to my sworn Oath of Office - to protect and defend the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. Call it "duty."

Like Tuesday evening, last night I listened to some of the speakers.

Some quick observations...

Sandra Fluke...

I wrote commentary about her when she first came on the scene and so offer the link: http://acoloneloftruth.blogspot.com/2012/03/contraception-chess-and-fluke-pawn.html

Nothing has changed.

However, it did occur to me last night that she's her own best contraception - for I cannot think of a single male ever known to me who'd be amorously interested in her. If only the Chinese can come up with a reusable rubber mask of her likeness, with an embedded 15 second soundbite, that's cheap to mass produce and surely they can, women in America donning such will not have to fret about pregnancy.

Elizabeth Warren...

She's a candidate for the U. S. Senate representing Massachusetts. Remember, she's the one who claimed minority status (some distant female in the family tree a Cherokee Indian), but cannot proffer definitive proof. I believe it was Paul Revere and the Raiders that had a No. 1 hit in the early 70s titled "Indian Reservation" and there was a lyric that made reference to Cherokee Nation. As she spoke, her droning "blah, blah, blah" was overwhelmed with that Paul Revere tune reverberating in my head. I'd not thought of that song since the 70s. And hope not to think about it again. Ms Warren would not need a Fluke mask.

Bill Clinton...

Last night's remarks were typical Clinton - comfortable, simply explained (not necessarily factual), folksy, and engaging and entertaining as if in a casual conversation over a cup of coffee with a few pals at the local McDonald's and a busload of high school kids on a field trip happened in and gathered round. But that's where it and his relevance to the outcome of this election ends. And he's aging - he looked less of himself, in stature and determination.

An alert: I wrote recent commentary about Mr. Clinton, too. It was posted 05 August 2012 and this morning I learned some third party deleted it from my Commentary Archive and therefore public viewing. No question about it, it was deliberately tampered with (censored). Timing? Who knows. But with that, what are we to think about civil disagreement, freedom of speech, and control of the electron world? Troubling.

Anyway, here it is again...

BILL CLINTON IS IRRELEVANT
by Andy Weddington
Sunday, 05 August 2012

"I don't know a lot about politics, but I can recognize a good party man when I see one." Mae West

I read a piece titled 'The Life of the Party' by well-known speechwriter, columnist, and writer of books, Peggy Noonan, a couple of days ago and have been mulling it over since.

Her piece opened with the following...

"From a friend watching the Olympics: "How about that Michael Phelps? But let's remember he didn't win all all those medals, someone else did. After all, he and I swam in public pools, built by state employees using tax dollars. He got training from the USOC, and ate food grown by the Department of Agriculture. He should play fair and share his medals with people like me, who can barely keep my head above water, let alone swim."

Her theme, and duly subtitled, was how Bill Clinton could add to Mr. Obama's re-election effort. And Ms Noonan, once President Reagan's speechwriter, opined at length on the decision to have Mr. Clinton speak, during prime time, at the Democratic Convention. Was she joking? Penning clever satire? It seemed so since the opening paragraph was a dis of Mr. Obama's "You didn't build that" now regrettable, and guaranteed to plague and ever last, blurt. But, after laughing out loud at that opening and continuing to read, it was clear she was sincere.

Alas, I disagree with the revered Ms Noonan. Bill Clinton is irrelevant.

Mr. Clinton was proved a philanderer and lying rascal. In keeping with the civility established for this forum, let's just say an insatiable lust for women, over years and years, led to his downfall. But it was a young White House intern named Monica (Lewinsky) that did him in. In the end, cornered and trying to squirm out of a nasty self-made mess, he secured his presidential legacy as a scoundrel by speaking utter nonsense...

"It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is."

And,

"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms Lewinsky."

The House of Representatives was not amused and acted.

Ergo Mr. Clinton, granted an astute politician who understands economics and America (Mr. Obama gets neither), is forever an impeached president--a stain of shameful distinction held by only one other man, Andrew Johnson, the 17th president.

Talk about blowing it--his member(ship), in the best presidents club, that is.

The Clinton legacy

Whatever Mr. Clinton's endearing qualities they are moot as to the vital issue at hand--character--and why Ms Noonan is wrong.

So Mr. Clinton is the best the Democrats can come up with to help Mr. Obama? And to save the Democrat brand? Try not to snicker.

Not two weeks ago I read Ms Noonan's 'When Character was King--A Story of Ronald Reagan.'

And in my mulling these couple days past it struck odd, stunning actually, that in her article she made no mention of Mr. Clinton's character; rather lack thereof. An oversight? Certainly not. Gracious of her? Yes, though wrong; because character matters when speaking of presidents and it matters more still when a president opts to speak endorsing a sitting president.

Character matters. Character matters as much in the average Joe as it matters in a president. And character is one of those have/have not traits. If no character, no credibility. So, whether off-the-cuff or in a speech and regardless of forum or purpose, how is it whatever Mr. Clinton has to say matters? Nary a reason comes to mind.

Frankly, I look at Mr. Clinton and see an old impeached president, a dirty old man who at times doesn't seem to have all of his marbles, who's living on borrowed time and is desperate to salvage a respectable legacy--at least as a president, though it's too late. He alone painted that portrait. And I'm just an average Joe standing in the gallery sizing up the art--the gaudy and boorish self-portrait with tacky frame. And it's awful. In any gallery. In any lighting.

How awkward, and desperate, for Mr. Obama to acquiesce center floor on the big stage, the spotlight, to his bitter rival's spouse--a man who embarrassed America and shamed the office he is seeking to retain, whilst the Democrats flail to hold on to power. But so it's planned, their convention--the party's party--will be accented with a touch of yesteryear trashy pizazz. What a circus!

Whatever.

The interesting aspect of all this is the election is Mr. Obama's to lose. At some point talk must be measurable--in the direction vowed. But it never has been. It was never going to be. It was never intended to be. Had results mirrored promises, the election wouldn't be close. There wouldn't be need to raise money. There wouldn't be need to run a frontal assault and double envelopment on Mr. Romney. There wouldn't be need for a witching hour Convention rescue. There wouldn't be need for anything. Mr. Obama would simply waltz right back into office and carry on. But that is not going to happen.

Mr. Obama is done. Mr. Obama knows it. Mr. Clinton knows it. And surely Ms Noonan knows it. What is left for the analysts to debate and historians to ink is if Mr. Obama was simply the worst president ever or the colossal mess he made was by design.

Regardless, finally, the four years gaffe is coming to a 'it can't get here soon enough' end. But hurry, anyway.

Now, for Mr. Romney...

Make request to the Brits for loan of that bronze bust of Winston Churchill and return him to the Oval Office--his character will help to remind, to inspire. And, if not already read, pick up a copy of Ms Noonan's terrific book about Ronald Reagan--his character, too, will help to remind, to inspire.

Don't screw it up.

Post Script

Noonan's article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444320704577565393495544010.html?mod=googlenews_wsj


In conclusion...

This evening Mr. Obama takes center stage - and will do so before a crowd only 20% the size of what the planners had in mind. Those planners cited weather concerns as being the rationale for moving from the huge football stadium to the indoor arena (where the convention is being held). Right. They were not going to fill that football stadium. And there would have been no way to hide nor rationalize it.

Anyone keeping an eye on the polls well knows the numbers reflecting Mr. Obama's job performance continue to head south. And his likability follows as more and more clear the Obama fog from their heads. The contrast in his popularity to four years ago is stark. It's bipolar. 

So, to address the title tease...

Considering Ms Fluke's sex life is not anything I want to think about; Ms Warren, Cherokee Indian or not, is insignificant; Mr. Clinton, god bless him, is fading and irrelevant; the move from football stadium to arena; and factoring in Mr. Obama's steady decline and loss of adoring masses, there's but one word that comes to mind to best describe the 2012 Democratic National Convention and Mr. Obama...

Shrinkage.

And that is something George Costanza, Jerry Seinfeld's neurotic pal, knows a little bit about. And come to think about it, he'd probably be interested in Ms Fluke. 

Post Script

Liz, I hope today's comment makes you smile.

Thanks to all for tuning in, posting comment on the commentary(s), and your encouraging emails - believe it or not, I read every one though find it challenging, for lack of time, to respond to all. And, by all means, feel free to pass the commentaries along - how else will we enlighten the wayward. Keep the faith!