Lord Cheney, your Shuttle Awaits

Ugghhh

Look, I'm not exactly what one would call a McCain supporter. Sure, I supported him against Dubya in the 2000 primary, but that was at a different time, with a different type of campaign. Then McCain decided to cozy up to crazy jackasses like Jerry Falwell and Bob Jones (the fundie, not the former mayor of Danville). His pandering to these sleazebags, combined with his dogged support of the mess in Iraq, ruined much of what lingering respect I had for him.

Of course as time has gone on, it appears that Senator McCain isn't much of a maverick. Sure, he played an excellent underdog in 2000, and he has taken some stances that are unpopular with the 3G (Guns, God, and teh Gayz) wing of the Republican party. But the vast majority of his votes right in step with the President's agenda, including issues where he previously had some integrity (torture).

Anybody who supports giving Dick Cheney any role in his administration should not be President. Cheney is nothing but a war profiteer with an overly powerful office, hell bent on bringing our nation back to the muck that was the Nixon administration. He has consistently abused his power as Vice President, and created an office that appears to be above the law. Granted, the absolutely disgusting lack of Congressional oversight by his GOP Senate buddies from 2001-2006, and a lack of mandate by the Democrats since then has helped him be so arrogant. However, he still has shown a serious contempt for the balance of powers, exerting to an extent that none of our other Administrations (Nixon excepted) dared to attempt.

If John McCain really was a maverick, a straight talker, he would say unconditionally that Dick Cheney should retire from public service. But he won't, because he is no maverick. Inexplicably, a large portion of the GOP base still considers this guy a hero, despite the fact that any Democrat who tried to exert his power would automatically be labeled a "Ruthless Traitor to Democracy" (and rightly so) by the right.

At least Cheney disagreed with McCain over his laughable "Gas Tax Holiday" idea. Even if Cheney is nothing but a close ally of the oil industry, he was right on that one. I guess it just goes to show even a broken watch is right twice a day.

NOTE: Yes I'm aware the article talks about the complicated issue that McCain has with Cheney. I'm also aware that the McCain quote is from 2006, although Cheney was just as foul in 2006 as 2008. My point is that McCain ain't the "liberal" the right wing claims him to be. Just another reminder for you confused Clinton supporters and indecisive Indepedent voters.

Hey, That's Just Richard Nixon's List

Before I read this article, I was more than willing to give Senator Clinton the benefit of the doubt. But now I can see that things never change, and she and Bill are just the same old vindictive Clintons. An honest-to-god shit list? That is something Richard Nixon would do.

Throughout her campaign, she showed some disconcerting signs that the secretive imperial presidency of Mister Nixon and Bush would be very similar to a Clinton White House. Her White House would value loyalty or competency, something that has worked horribly the past seven years. Transparency would not be a priority, and she would be most comfortable using some of the disgusting precedents set by President Bush and his pit bull Cheney.

Although it is possible that Senator Obama might be taking us for a ride, and is just as willing to be an imperial president as our current one, it doesn't seem likely. Senator Obama has clearly shown time and time again he is cool, rational, and not prone to decade long vendettas. I don't believe the Senators or Representatives who supported Clinton are a shit list somewhere in Chicago. He just seems smart enough to realize that creating vendettas and going after revenge is neither productive nor what he was elected to do.

I am pretty sure I remember hearing that one of Senator Clinton's favorite books was Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The book, which covers Abraham Lincoln and his contentious and compromised cabinet, shows Lincoln to be a fair-minded man who realized that grudges and vendettas just don't work. By her actions, Senator Clinton has shown herself to be less similar to Lincoln, and more like the scheming Salmon P. Chase.

History has shown that loyalty can at times be a bad thing, when that loyalty is given to incompetent people. It has also shown that vendettas and grudges can ultimately harm both those who hold the grudge and the cause they are supposedly devoted to championing. Obviously the Clintons are not very astute students of history.

You mean there are more states than OH and FL?

Even though the two states mentioned above will still be important states this fall, Senator Obama and his Democratic Party are rolling out a strategy that is unprecedented in this day and age. According to emails I have received from the campaign, they will be putting staff in all 50 states, something that hasn't been done in a generation.

Although the campaign (nor I) expect them to win in all 50 states, or even come close in many, it still is comforting to know that they are attempting to grow the party. Yes, Virginia, there are Democrats in Kansas and Utah. For too long the Democratic party has yielded far too much ground to the Republicans, and the result has been terrible defeats at the ballot box.

When Howard Dean became chairman of the DNC, he implemented a 50 state strategy. During that time, the Democrats have made significant gains across the country. This, coupled with a candidate who believes in a nationwide Democratic party, and not just an urban Democratic party, may be a sign of great things to come.

Note: VP Watch Delayed until Next Week

Due to the absence of one of the contributors to August Prairie, we will be delaying the second Democratic and first Republican VP watch posts until next Tuesday and Wednesday. We apologize for the delay.

Thank You, Senator Clinton

Thank you, Senator Clinton. Your hard fought campaign has made Senator Obama a better campaigner. Rest assured your issues will not be ignored.

To those of you in her crowd who booed Barack Obama, we'll be waiting for you when you come to your senses. When that happens, I promise to hold no hard feelings. It's time to take it to John McCain, and we would really appreciate your help.

John McCain Steals from Obama

Looks like Senator McCain and his campaign can't help but steal from Senator Obama. First it was his slogan, replacing "Change you can believe in" with "A Leader we can believe in". Then he decided to change his website to be awfully similar to Senator Obama's. Finally, he decided that Senator Obama's logo would be a nice thing to copy.

Looks awfully similar (although admittedly different in other ways as well) to Senator Obama's:


They say copying is the sincerest form of flattery, but I would like it if McCain would go further. Maybe steal Obama's plan to restore America's foreign image, or his commitment to upholding Roe v. Wade. I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

And then there was one (Democrat)

After her attempt to muscle Senator Obama into quickly naming her his running mate failed, Senator Clinton has finally faced facts. During her inconclusive speech on Tuesday night, it appeared she might be in this for much longer than it appears now. However, her tune changed once her closest supporters started appealing to her to rethink her position. This, combined with another flood of superdelegates to Obama, and a brilliant decision by Obama to name Caroline Kennedy to his VP search committee yesterday, led to where we are now.

Everyone who has read this blog knows I have had issues with Senator Clinton's campaign. Some of the tactics used by her camp have been downright odious. However, she certainly knows what she is talking about, is a determined and fierce fighter for what she believes in, and truly believes she is doing what's best for this country. Her biggest mistake was underestimating the political genius of Senator Obama and his wonderful campaign team.

There is no doubt that Senator Clinton's tough fight has made Senator Obama a better candidate. Over the course of the long primary season, he became a better debater, showed his strength and resolve, and let himself become better known to the entire country. Clinton ending her campaign now allows the Democrats to benefit from the 50 state campaign of the primary season, while still reserving five months to hit Senator McCain and the Republican machine hard.

Now is the time for all Democrats (and dissatisfied Republicans and Independents) to get together and rally behind Senator Obama. This year may represent a major shift in how we view electoral politics in this country, and there are some opportunities for the Democrats to make gains not seen since the New Deal Coalition was formed in the early 1930s.

To all of the passionate Clinton supporters out there, I salute your dedication to your candidate, and hope you will give Senator Obama a chance. Ninety percent of their policy positions are the same, and their differences are minor compared to what John McCain stands for. If you care about fixing our health care mess, preserving a woman's right to choose, and restoring our standing abroad, Senator Obama is your candidate.

To all of you Obama supporters, celebrate this victory for about ten minutes, and get ready for the second half. The Republicans and their Rovian machine are revving up for this battle, and we would do well to meet them there. I have great faith in Obama's ability to overcome the opposition, but he can't do it without our help. We have shown what can be accomplished when people take an active role in shaping their government already, now it's time to finish the job. Help the supporters of Clinton up, be graceful in victory, and realize that now is the time to move on to the next set of challenges.

Game On!