A History In Great Speeches – Part III – Then Came Iowa

In the next installation leading up to the inauguration lets revisit Iowa. On January 3rd Barack Obama won out over John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, thus sending a signal that he was going to be a force during the primaries. Hillary came back in New Hampshire, and throughout the rest of the primary season showed the grit and determination that makes her who she is. That said, here’s Barack in Iowa. Paving the way for his ultimate victory in November.

Peace



To view the first part of this series, click here.
To view part II of this series, click here.

Ad Agency McCain Campaign 2008

I support Barack Obama, but I can admit when he and his campaign have stepped over the line. This week he brought race into the campaign. I have little problem with that as long as he keeps it on general terms and does his homework before making accusations. The McCain campaign has said nothing about race, and Obama gave them the red carpet treatment in talking about how Bush and McCain will try to scare U.S. American voters away from voting for him because his name sounds “funny” and he is black. While I agree that the overall Republican machine will do this, Bush and McCain have said nothing the like. Barack better watch himself.

That said, the ads by the McCain campaign are way overboard and absolutely ridiculous. You can see them at the John McCain for President website. The McCain campaign needs some serious help if that is what they are going to produce. How could anyone even put Barack Obama, former Chief Editor of the Harvard Law Review, in the same sentence as Britney Spears and Paris Hilton (the celebs have even said they wanted nothing to do with this election)? How about “The One” ad where Obama is supposed to be Moses…and that factually inaccurate ad about Obama not visiting troops while in Europe because he couldn’t take in news cameras…I can’t underscore enough the pathetic ridiculousness of these ads. I’m embarrassed to say I volunteered for McCain back in 2000. At least at that time he really stood for something.

Obama has his faults, but McCain is pathetic, and if the voters of the United States of America want crap executive leadership for another 4 years to (God forbid) 8 years then they should vote for McCain. If they are smart they will take that “risk” and vote for Obama. America was built on a risk. I’ll vote for Obama. I’ll take that risk.

A few parting notes – 1) OBAMA IS NOT MUSLIM, AND DOES NOT PRACTICE ISLAM!!!! For the 26% of Americans who actually believe that – WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!!!! Because his father practiced that religion doesn’t mean Barack has followed suit. Yes he has Muslim heritage, but most Americans are of mixed heritage. That is what America is all about – a mixture of cultures that creates a unique environment primed for prosperity. Obama encompasses all of that, and more. 2) Obama is not running for class president of his junior high class. He is running for the opportunity to be President of the United States – arguably the most powerful executive position in the World. If people know his name, and what he stands for then all the better I say. 3) When did we become a nation of lost hope? And those who speak of hope and change seem to be crucified. When did we become a nation of lost souls? – Oh that’s right, 8 years ago when George W. Bush took office.

Peace

2154 to 1919

A measure of 235 people separated the candidates. Let’s hope it stays that way. I won’t elaborate too much, but according to The New York Times Online it is all over except the crown of thorns. Now Barack has to figure out how to heal a divided party, lead a nation, and get things done across party lines. Oh, he still hasn’t announced his vice-presidential running mate, which could be Hillary, but I don’t think so….I hope not.

Peace

DEMOcrats Dominate This Week’s The Weekly Rant

Check it out people – The Weekly Rant is available and ready for viewing.

This week we pick on the Democrats, for lack of cohonez, the decision behind Michigan and Florida and lack of leadership recognition. Enjoy.

Peace

Weekly Rant – In Touch With Out Of Touch

I do remember me saying that I was going to post this by Midnight Sunday Japan Standard Time…After a gig and a day of being sick, followed by a hospital visit I’m submitting the Rant of the Week now…Sorry. That said, here we go…The Weekly Rant is ahead, click the link.

Peace

Kicking the Real

The New York Times op-ed columnist, Thomas L. Friedman kicks a little bit of the real our way. In his Sunday, May 4th, 2008 column, “Who Will Tell The People?”, he describes his recent travels across the United States (and to some foreign lands) as he writes his latest book. Throughout this travel he has come to realize that U.S. Americans really do want change. He sums it up like this:

My own totally unscientific polling has left me feeling that if there is one overwhelming hunger in our country today it’s this: People want to do nation-building. They really do. But they want to do nation-building in America.

The article really struck a chord because I’ve been rethinking what Barack Obama said about small town America and how bitter people are. I’ve been rethinking, and I come to the same conclusion. Barack was right. Other candidates seem to want to skirt around things and tell you nonsense. How about tell me the real? People are bitter, and pissed off. And guess what, when people are angry about something they do “cling” to things that are very familiar to them. In times of joy, and definitely in times of anguish what is most familiar and comforting to us helps us. And guess what, people say and do racist things. People look at “difference” as “deficient.” That was what Barack was saying. He wasn’t talking down to anyone, or trying to be arrogant. He realizes that band-aide style fixes to major problems only prolongs problems. Relieving the gas tax for a Summer is going to fix things how? Why not take that money and put it into renewable energy research, or infrastructure repairs, or better mass transportation systems, or something that will solve our addiction to the black heroin pumping through our country – oil.

Anyway, check out the article, here’s another excerpt…

Much nonsense has been written about how Hillary Clinton is “toughening up” Barack Obama so he’ll be tough enough to withstand Republican attacks. Sorry, we don’t need a president who is tough enough to withstand the lies of his opponents. We need a president who is tough enough to tell the truth to the American people. Any one of the candidates can answer the Red Phone at 3 a.m. in the White House bedroom. I’m voting for the one who can talk straight to the American people on national TV — at 8 p.m. — from the White House East Room.

Who will tell the people? We are not who we think we are. We are living on borrowed time and borrowed dimes. We still have all the potential for greatness, but only if we get back to work on our country.

See the full article by clicking this title – “Who Will Tell The People?”

Peace

April Fool’s Week The Weekly Rant – The Dems Could Be the Fools

Check out this weeks The Weekly Rant. Dems are in some trouble, as far as I’m concerned. This is not some positively spirited debate. Barack and Hillary are spending ridiculous sums of money to get a message out that is killing the Democratic party…

…Someone asked me, “Which party do you think benefits from a prolonged battle on the Democrat side of the aisle?” I answered, “The Republicans benefit.” I continued, “If the Democrats could have an actual intelligent debate then this longer primary season would favor them. If the Democrats could be unified while trying to decide between Barack and Hillary then this longer primary season would favor them. If both candidates focused on John McCain instead of trying to destroy each other then this longer season would favor them…”

Check out the rest right here.

Peace

From Philly to Pitt to the Dutch Country – What Up PA!!!!

So this is what it comes down to – Pennsylvania. Could this decide the Democratic nominee for President of the United States? Or could this just cause more division within the Democratic party? Major questions for a party that at one time looked untouchable in the run to November and the outting of one George W. Bush. Now, we have to wonder a bit because it seems that the battle between candidates is allowing the Republican nominee John McCain to solidify a general election campaign. The biggest thing McCain has to worry about is not being seen or heard because the Titans are battling in thunderous clashes that would make Zeus afraid. He has to keep up appearances otherwise all the good work he did will be lost. Out of sight, out of mind.

So anyway, Pennsylvania is the next crucial battleground. On April 22nd the people of the Keystone State will give their voices to the political process. It is my opinion that the people of Ohio and Texas told Barack – “Don’t play Hillary’s game. If you want to talk about change then be that change. Don’t stoop to her levels, otherwise this will happen – you will lose.” What will the people of Pennsylvania say? Will all those dried up mining towns speak up and demand more talk about the economy? Will the candidates enter into that discussion?

The one thing I know is this – We are witnessing history. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have redefined U.S. American political history. Regardless of the outcome in Pennsylvania, and then Indiana and North Carolina, and even Florida and Michigan, this has been a change nomination process. In the end, nothing can go backwards from this – Or at least lets hope so.

Even I Say – “No Monster Here!!”

Another letter to the Hillary Clinton campaign. This one gets sent to Terry McAuliffe, Chairman of Hillary Clinton for President. In a campaign such as this words matter. How do you forget that? In calling someone a monster you’re opening yourself up for criticism and back lash. Anyway, here’s the letter.

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Dear Terry,

I know you won’t actually see this but I will write it anyway – exercising true free speech.

The Clintons started this attack stuff, and Barack is countering using your playbook. Although I don’t agree with such tactics, and wished Barack would totally stay away from this sort of thing, it is fair play taking into account what your campaign has done thus far.

That said, I don’t believe Hillary is a “monster”, and that Barack aide has resigned herself from relations with the Barack campaign. I still hold Barack accountable for associating with such people and allowing this to happen on his watch – poor character judgment. Hillary Clinton is a tough and meticulous woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. I think if this were a man, no one would be saying, “he’s a monster.” I think we reserve that term for your Hitlers, Stalins, and Jack the Rippers. Hillary surely is no where near that crowd. Not even in the same universe.

So, while I won’t give you my money, I will give you my conscious. What you shouldn’t do is continue the negativity by slashing back at Barack. If he goes this route he will see the error of his ways because he will lose. You are right – one cannot talk about ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’ then go through the same old playbook. I think voters saw what he was doing in Ohio and Texas and sent him a message – “Barack, you started the Hope and Change rhetoric, now live up to it.” His newly acquired $55 million will buy him air time, but what it will not buy him is votes, and he needs that more.

Peace,
Wayne Malcolm

Letter to the Hillary Rodham Clinton Campaign

I sent this letter to the Clinton campaign. One for Barack and one for her. I entitled this one “Re: Stunning – But Real Change Is Still Needed.”

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Dear Hillary,

I do not give money to campaigns. The problem with these campaigns is that they use too much money. In a time when the financial burden is so great on the average working person, to ask for money to put an ad on television is wrong. I’ve echoed these same sentiments to the Obama campaign. The both of you have raised and spent over $200 million US dollars. You supported your own campaign by giving it $5 million US dollars. How many Americans have $5 million dollars to give to a political campaign? Not many I gather. You talk about standing for 35 years of change, how about getting the money out of Washington, out of politics, and out of this country? That is real change. I am the change I want to happen so I will not give to your campaign. I believe Gandhi said something like that. Just so as not to plagiarize.

In reference to your latest successes, congratulations! Now, sit down with Barack and the Democratic leadership to really position the party for something special. McCain is gaining strength, and come November his election campaign will be unstoppable, if you and Barack continue to battle each other to the death. Stop with the negativity. You are giving McCain all the ammunition he wants to kill you, Barack and the Democrats. Don’t waste your supporters’ money by doing the same old “red telephone” fear ad. The American people aren’t stupid. Present your credentials as someone who understands national security. Show the people the truth and stop with the rhetoric, “Don’t you want someone who is ready on day 1.” Why not just say list your national security achievements? Why not list the decisions you’ve made on the Armed Services Committee? Why not just list your record? Don’t reference Barack in any way, shape or fashion. Like in Dragnet – “Just the facts mam…Just the facts.” No innuendos, hyperbole, or spin. This is what divides Democrats and loses supporters. Call out Barack if he crosses the line, like the Ohio mailer, but make sure that what’s on that paper cannot be spun. You waivered a bit and Barack used that, although I disagree with that tactic. Use due diligence and make sure all basis are covered before you go up there and refute the allegations because right now I’m not sure what to think. That said, I loved that show of emotion although I wouldn’t have gotten so hot under the collar.

I remember in New Hampshire seeing you get choked up and starting to cry a bit when someone asked you about the campaign. I believed, and still do, that that moment was real. That’s what won you New Hampshire. I saw you get on buses with donuts and coffee. I watched you interviews saying how you like to bake and clean. I saw how you were joking and laughing with common folk while sitting in their living rooms. That’s what won you New Hampshire. I saw your Saturday Night Live skit, and it was funny. I saw your David Letterman interview, and that was great. I know you did the Daily Show, and that was a good move. Stop being that technical, calculating, ‘experienced’ person, and show the American people your emotions. Try this, just once, improvise your speech. Don’t look at the teleprompter. Don’t use a teleprompter. Give the speech writers a night off and go in cold turkey. Be 100% Hillary Rodham Clinton. I like that Hillary Clinton. And so do the American people. Believe it or not this not the time to be tough as nails.

I think you and Barack are both fully qualified to be President of the United States and that should be your message. Always take the high road. Regardless of who “wins” or “loses” you are on the same team, and have the same ideals. Your plans and methods might be a little different but the core is the same. Don’t lose focus on the ultimate prize – The White House.

Sincerely,

Wayne Malcolm