Speechifying
From the October 2nd speech by Barack Obama:
In the 21st century, we cannot stand up before the world and say that there’s one set of rules for America and another for everyone else. To lead the world, we must lead by example.
Also from the October 2nd speech by Barack Obama:
Here’s what I’ll say as President: America seeks a world in which there are no nuclear weapons.
Which is nice and all, but really, I’d like a world where there is no need for nuclear weapons.
I suppose I should be fair and go read/watch speeches by Hillary and Edwards and all the other candidates, but they don’t send them so conveniently to my inbox as Obama does. Plus, I still can’t get over Hillary’s cardboardness (remember why people voted for W. in 2004? because he was the guy they could see themselves having a beer with) or Edwards’s aura of sleaziness (must look up that CNN.com promo picture where he looks like he’d kiss your baby while picking your pocket).
Re: Edwards’s aura of sleaziness…
This saddens me. Not your perception specifically, but the fact that a number of people seem to feel this way about him.
I have very few skills, but one thing I think I’m sorta good at is detecting sliminess or phoniness or insincerity. Basically, I think I’m not half-bad at telling the difference between someone who is pretenging to be a good person and someone who actually is a good person. And I whole-heartedly believe that John Edwards is the real deal. Extravagant haircuts and corny “I came from humble roots” stories aside, I think he’s someone who cares about the little people, and wants to fight on their behalf.
Oh, and I really love his wife.
What is about him that makes you think he’s sleazy?
kate
8 Oct 07 at 2:16 pm
It doesn’t have anything to do with his haircuts or his stories. I just don’t feel like I can trust him not to bend on his principles when it’s politically expedient. I don’t think he’d ever do something like authorize illegal (and totally unconstitutional) wiretapping, but I do think he’d defend Bush’s doing so if he thought it would win him some political capital.
And of course it doesn’t help that he voted in favor of the (totally unconstitutional) Patriot Act, which is something I’m particularly sensitive about.
I’m not a huge fan of Michelle Obama, and I do like Elizabeth Edwards… but then, I kind of like Laura Bush, too.
If I’m perfectly honest, part of me does want Edwards to get the Democratic nomination because I think he’s the one with the strongest chance to beat the Republican candidate. He’s the front-running white male, and he’s pretty centrist, which will appeal to an increasingly purple country.
The other part of me really wants somebody I can believe in.
huda
9 Oct 07 at 11:45 pm