Change

Last night - we were glued to our televisions right along side millions of people - waiting for what has felt to be inevitable, yet inconceivable.

As the 9pm hour chimed in ... NBC had called the race for Barack Obama.

They flashed it to Grant Park in Chicago where the crowd was absolutely electric.

And then ...

The music ...

Barack Obama's theme song "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" started playing -- and that's when the moment hit me. The place erupted. People hugging. People crying. People in celebration. In disbelief. In amazement. In excitement.

The nation had just spoken.

Change is coming.

The events of last night will take a very long time to realize. History was made. The sacrifice of hundreds of millions throughout this nation's history has finally the top of a seemingly unattainable mountain top.

Dr. King's dream has been fulfilled.

A dream that so many never thought could ever happen in their life time. A dream marred by an incredibly intolerable time in our nation's history. A history full of extreme hate, racism, violence and epic division that has stained our great nation and for what it stood for. What emerged last night from the dark blue panels in the expansive sea of people in Grant Park in Chicago was the culmination of the strides humanity has taken in the name of freedom and equal opportunity. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's dream is finally realized.

While the punditry continued to expound on what happened to the Republican Party, we have to look beyond what happened last night as we witnessed John McCain's gracious concession speech that was followed by him falling on his sword. Taking complete and personal responsibility for what happened. But that's not what happened. McCain is a piece of a larger process that has plagued the overriding failure of the Republicans long before the 2008 Presidential Election. When we examine the core reasons why people wanted change, it had very little to do with John McCain. It didn't even have anything to do with his bundle of energy running mate Sarah Palin. History could show us where the failings of the Republican party were and it does. Map the trend that started as early as two years ago when several Republicans were bested from their seats in the House and the Senate and therein we find the core problem with the Republican party:

The Republicans are seriously out of touch and Americans couldn't have been more plain: we want change.

Not just a change in the course direction of this country.
Not just a change in our policy in Iraq and abroad.
Not just a change in how the country handles its current economic crisis.

But Americans demand a change from our "red-meat" political process that perfected the way to slander your opponent without even offering a shred of platform or policy -- which comes straight from "The Architect's" consummate playbook. This "divide and conquer" mentality of the Republican party has given way to the "united we stand" mantra of Barack Obama and the Democratic party.

It's my hope that the way Barack Obama pledged his way to the White House will become a template of what the American Dream is about. It's not about flinging mud in the form of the Reverend Wrights of the world. It's not about trying to label your opponent as "palling around with terrorists." It has everything to do with substance. John McCain and Sarah Palin simply couldn't articulate a message of how they were different than their former leader: George W. Bush. John McCain and Sarah Palin played from Karl Rove's playbook -- which worked in 2000 and 2004, but failed miserably in 2008.

Americans caught on to that little ploy and could read through it.

No one cares about what an errant reverend said.
No one cares about what happenstance meeting may or may not have occurred with someone aptly labeled being a "terrorist."
No one cares about what labels you try to slap on like "redistributioner," "Socialist," "Marxist."

If you don't say anything of substance, nothing of policy and are reduced to merely flinging "red-meat" at your opponent ... then Americans demanded change from that disappointing Republican ideology.

Americans demanded change.

And they got it.

Rocks in your shoes...

You're walking or hiking -- a pebble lodges itself between your shoe and your foot. It can be outright annoying and irritating. Eventually, the more rocks you get in your shoes -- the more likely it'll cause you to stop and turn around.

And that's the strategy for the McCain campaign....

We'll all find out on November 4th whether the attack ads worked for McCain or not. But when you consider exactly how incredibly sad it is that the long-term senator couldn't debate the issues and try to give Americans the type of discussion that we need to change the course out of the mess created by the Republican party. While I could rant all day long about every botched administration mishap (and the McCain rank-and-file approach to supporting 90% of this administration's mishaps) -- I want to talk about pebbles today.

No - not Pebbles from the Flintstones -- I'm talking about those annoying little rocks in your shoes -- or in this context, the little pebbles that the McCain/Palin ticket hope you get in your $2,000.00 Manolo Blahnik's that we all know Joe the Plumber wears from his closet.....

But whenever I've asked McCain supporters why they're supporting him -- it almost *never* has to do with his policies. In fact, most of the reasons why folks are voting for McCain have NOTHING to do with policy and has everything to do with why they think Obama shouldn't be President. Okay - as I play along with these misguided folks, I keep asking them for real reasons. It's in this exchange that you find the pebbles that stopped our faithful voter from seeing the light of day:

He lacks any governing experience. Well then so does McCain. So when we get the pageant veep candidate touting her governing experience as being relevant -- let's not forget this is the person who -- after four tries -- STILL can't figure out what the Vice President does. This is the same person who is currently under investigation for mis-conduct WHILE "governing" -- not to mention some of the other incredibly strange oddities like: a.) the whole wasteful $150k clothing spree, b.) denying having anything to do with the "bridge to nowhere" when she clearly did, c.) Trooper-gate which she actually called "Taser-gate" which may actually be problematic for her in the long-run, d.) claiming per-diem charges when she was living at home and e.) potentially being in a scandal about showing preferential treatment for a contractor who built an arena and just happened to give Sarah and her husband Todd a home for free..... Yeah - some governing experience.

He can't be trusted. This argument is clearly in the abstract because on what basis has Obama LIED about anything? Let's not forget the fact that McCain OVERTLY lied about his campaign manager not working with Freddie Mac for 2 years when he and his company were getting paid handsomely as recent as when the Macs went belly up. Let's not forget the fact that McCain still lies about Obama's tax plan because unless you make over $250,000 a year you will not see a tax increase. God -- what part of that statement doesn't McCain or his faithful understand? When McCain has made such outrageous accusations like how he claims Obama wants to teach kindergartners about sex education -- with such lies and distortions. When it comes down to being truthful, in the scheme of things -- McCain seems to have proven to be a bigger liar than even most Republicans are even comfortable with.

He's a terrorist -or- he "pals around" with terrorists. This ridiculous notion comes from the fact that Barack's middle name happens to be Hussein. Yeah, gosh - anyone who happens to have a same last name, same first name, same middle name -- yikes.... It's outright stupid to keep this pebble buried in your shoe because even McCain came out and said: "no, Obama is an American, we just disagree on things." Kudos to McCain for having the balls to do that -- even though he still doesn't repudiate the words of his running mate who spewed her unfounded statements ... merely trying to keep the pebble firmly lodged between your big toe your shoe because maybe this is all you need to be convinced that Obama simply can't be trusted. Despite the fact that Obama has been forthcoming with this stuff -- constantly refuting it -- constantly establishing the record to the contrary.

He's elitist, he's a celebrity Like this is a problem? Considering that McCain has 11 houses over a dozen cars -- the whole "elitist" argument just falls completely flat. When you have the "commoner" in Sarah Palin spending $150,000.00 on clothing in the last couple of months -- guess what? You've lost your elitist bragging rights.... (but nice try) As far as his celebrity "status" -- well -- he's been in the news quite a bit since fighting it out with Hillary for the last 20 months. In fact, McCain's rather easy time cutting through the Republican primary process made him a little less of a celebrity -- not really under the microscope as Obama and Hillary had gone under. But leave it to the McCain/Palin ticket to cry like a spoiled brat when the press doesn't enamor over every thing they utter. They merely pouted like insolent children and turned their back on the media..... *laughs* ("Note the McCain/Palin campaign: if you want to be a celebrity -- you need to do that thing with the press so that your mugs can get on the ol' 13 inch black and white telly.") How woefully pathetic....

He's a Socialist This is the most hysterical of all of the boneheaded reasons why folks keep their pebbles in their shoes. For one - those who claim that Obama is a socialist doesn't really know what a socialist is or what socialism is about. Two, McCain supported the exact same tax proposal or "redistribution of wealth" that got him in trouble in 2000 when he ran for President and was called out for it. Third, McCain pushed to "socialize" government ownership of our banking institutions. For someone who keeps chanting: "redistribution of wealth" in his speeches, he clearly suffers from some attention deficit disorder or else he'd see that his antics during the bailout are clearly "socialistic" in nature as well.

People seem to also forget the "Patriot Act" and how it's supposed to make us "safer" -- while promises were made that "we won't spy on Americans" only to find out that we are spying on Americans. The "Big Brother" approach to governing was particularly big with the socialists of the former Soviet Union -- as it is today in China. Oh, but we won't hear Palin or McCain come out against these little ditties because they want to have the ability to spy on Americans for the sake of protecting us from the "evil-doers" of the world.....

The entire "socialist" threat chant is nothing more than a conjuring up an "oldie but a goody" ruse dating back to the 70's and 80's -- during the Cold War. Putin's actions into Georgia have helped born out this "socialist" fear again -- but folks who keep this pebble in their shoe clearly don't understand what socialism is or even how much socialism they already have in their lives right now.

He doesn't have foreign policy experience. This is the one I just love. Not only does his running mate have really good foreign policy credentials, most of the policies that Obama has gone on record are either: a.) now becoming the "new" Bush doctrine, b.) recommended by heads of state around the world, c.) heralded by generals, former secretaries of state and those in the know about foreign policy.

But not having foreign policy - or rather, not following the same flawed foreign policy that got us into much of this mess to begin with doesn't distinguish you apart of the failed policies of the last 8 years. So merely being a former prisoner of war, having served your country militarily, all of that doesn't pile on one ounce of credible gets thrown out the window. Just because you were an all-pro quarterback doesn't mean you're going to be a great coach.....

McCain has done nothing to separate his foreign policy path than that of George W. Bush's. In fact, it's Bush's policies of a timeline and a gradual pullout of Iraq that sounds a lot like what a certain Illinois Senator said awhile back -- doesn't it.... And what did McCain say about this ....? It would be surrender ... it would be quitting ... Dare I even say that "Bush gets it???"

*sighs* This is supposed to be John's strong suit -- and yet it flounders more than fish out of water.

.........................

So if you want to keep the pebble lodged in your shoe and keep buying into the theatrics of the McCain campaign -- then you're simply not being honest with the reason why you don't want Obama in the White House in the first place. What policy decision do you disagree with? Tell me, because so far -- every McCain supporter who even pretends to have a valid reason why they don't support Obama -- has fallen for the pebbles in the shoe problem.

You're ignoring the reality of fact and you're simply trying to find a reason, ANY reason why you don't want Barack Obama to become the 44th President of the United States. Having such an opaque reason that defies the physics of nature clearly shows the Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity divide and conquer governing approach is the staple you live by. There's nothing UNITED about the Republicans skewed view of America -- and the Republicans are so desperate to invoke every single anger, fear-filled mantra to win the election by completely ignoring the issues of the land -- then it speaks volumes about the ineptness that the right brings to the table.

If the lies stick....

I don't get it.

The lies and distortions from the Republicans -- trying to get their own brand of "jello" to be nailed against the wall. What is it this week?

Believing that the basic fundamentals of the economy is strong... You'd think that John could get a better grasp on the situation. After this gaffe, he thought it was serious enough for him to suspend his campaign (even though he really didn't since most of the staff was still working, ads were being run, etc.) so that he can stay in Washington until a recovery plan was in place. When that little gambit didn't work -- he left Washington before any deal was hammered out -- only to resume his campaign -- and then the guys and gals in Washington secured the deal without him.

Well his latest gaffe simply put: "the economy has hurt us a little bit in the last week or two," ... Really John? How can a candidate for the single highest position in the land merely thinks we must've hit a speed bump in the road. No John ... 18% of the value of the stock market is GONE -- get it? World markets are collaborating their efforts to help thwart their own economies from systematically breaking down. So no - John - the economy hasn't hurt us a little bit it has hit us and the rest of the world like you would be hit by a speeding locomotive.

McCain has a big new plan for the economy that he would be introducing on Monday ... except that the rest of the McCain camp said there is no such policy.

Okay - so maybe there was just a little bit of mis-communication, no big deal, right?

McCain needs to check the "context" to see if there's any link between Obama and Bin Laden? Although John repudiates the the connection -- his spokeswoman came out and condemned the remarks as "not appropriate." But he still claims that Obama isn't being truthful with the Ayers situation. Yo John: "if you got something - say it -- enough drama...."

McCain thinks there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11?? This was a softball pitch -- merely asking to clarify:

"Asked by the host whether he agreed with Barack Obama that "the Iraq war had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks of 9/11," McCain replied:

"No. We invaded a country that every intelligence agency said was developing weapons of mass destruction. Think of Saddam Hussein in power with oil at 100 dollars a barrel, and all that entails with his commitment which when after he was captured, he stated categorically that he would acquire weapons of mass destruction, and he would use them wherever he could. Now, Iraq--"

"But he had nothing to do with 9/11," the hosted interjected.

"He had a lot to do with invading his neighbor Kuwait, and we had to go to war and fight there," McCain replied. "He had a lot to do with using weapons of mass destruction, he used them previously, so there's no doubt about his commitment to get them."

YOU'RE KIDDING ME!!

As if it's not bad enough that the desperate few WANT to believe the lies that Obama is a Muslim, Obama is a terrorist, Obama isn't patriotic -- but now we're going to dig in Bush's greatest hits and try to re-write history that Iraq was responsible for 9/11?!?

Even Bush *HIMSELF* said there was no connection YEARS AGO....

*sighs*

But when you look at the lies, distortions and mud -- I felt sorry for the lady who has been pulled into every sound-byte since last Friday -- believing that Obama is a Muslim -- because she represents the incredibly small minority of people who are still victim of the truth. She and the rest of the crowd doesn't know any better and they keep faithfully listening to Limbaugh, Faux News and the punditry that continually churns this meritless crap. But ultimately it speaks volumes for those who WANT to believe that it's true just so that they can somehow justify their support behind McCain.

Because at this point -- what else is there?!?

- There's no viable economic policy from John McCain.
- There's no McCain foreign policy that's any different than Bush's.
- There's no social agenda that is that un-different than the last 8 years of "moral superiority" which has done nothing for society except to make us more embolden against each other.

Look at the McCain stump speeches.

Even when he TRIES to say that he's going to fight for a new direction -- his RECORD proves otherwise. What new direction, John? What does it look like? Even when he gets TOP BILLING in a news story there's no "direction" except empty rhetoric. Oh he vows to fight for a new direction -- but it's Obama who is laying out specifics, calling for a 90 day moratorium on home foreclosures, two-year tax break on businesses, a $3k tax cut for businesses that hire full-time employees, and a $10k allowance for families to withdraw their from their retirement plans for the next two years.

It's called "specifics" John. But his campaign hasn't been about policy lately. It's either hearing for the 2 millionth time that he was a POW, followed by hallowed rhetoric that only serves as a placeholder - without specifics or his campaign has been about shelling out crap on your opponent.

And if the latter is what Republicans stand for -- then it's a sign of illness comparable to the likes of a vintage Karl Rove campaign. It's poison to the core -- and as has been reported in many senate races right now, it's affecting all Republicans across the board. It's the stain that doesn't wipe clean.

- Republicans have no direction.
- Republicans have lost complete touch with the 89% of America.
- Republicans think they have a moral compass, but really -- what kind of moral compass comes from a party that apparently celebrates "killing" and "bombing" the other guy just because you think he's a terrorist while re-writing history in a feeble effort to try to bolster your inept standing in the world?
- Republicans spend incredibly too much time blaming everyone else for the mistakes THEIR party has made.
- Republicans drink the poison they've created by the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity and O'Reily. Yet if the Republican smear machine is nothing more than a from for "moral superiority" then when the overwhelming number of Americans believe that this country is heading in the wrong direction -- then it's the touted few that continue to eat, breathe and sleep this mantra until it totally consumes them to the point of obscurity.

"Real Republicans" should be ashamed of their party -- and I'm glad to read that so many are openly responding to the Republican party, their candidate of choice and saying: "I don't know who invited this guy, but I don't agree with what he's selling." Americans are finally coming back around that it's the issues that matter, not the mud-slinging or the hypocritical "guilt-by-association" game that the Republicans have been running with. I'm glad to see that the majority of Americans are finally fed up with the likes of the Republican base that it's okay to rally behind the idea of "terrorist" and "bomb Obama" or "kill him."

There's a lot of poison on the right side of the aisle -- and I'm very glad to see and hear that Americans are sick of it. Americans are better without this incarnation of the Republican Party and it's my hope that we can restore our standing in the world and come together -- than continually find ourselves supporting those that only seek to divide us as a nation.

Low-balling Sarah Palin; the new Republican game

Does playing the "low-expectations" game SO LOW for Sarah Palin become a detriment for McCain?

Think about it.

I had seriously considered that Palin has been playing possum so that she could come out and sting Joe Biden and help propel their campaign to the lofty sights of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But if she's been "playing dumb" this entire time - being protected from the press - the whole gambit ... then why all of the reports of her inability to grasp the fundamentals of what we hope every American politican actually KNOWS.

If she is playing possum and actually is a smart cookie - who was "playing dumb" just to milk it before sticking it to Joe -- then it's a production, a ruse, a fabled lie about someone's capability. It would be the trademark of someone like "Rocky," an unknown, plain-spoken type who can "come in and rescue the day!"

It makes for good Hollywood drama -- but what would the electorate think?

If in fact this is the McCain/Palin ruse then it's all been an orchestrated LIE on the American people. The press would certainly NOT hold anything back considering she's already given several gaffes already -- so it would only paint her as being manipulating and unapologetic for duping Americans into thinking she was someone she wasn't just so that she could ramp up the debate on Joe.

Of course we have to presume that she's smart enough to develop this kind of ruse or have it bestowed upon her by the inordinate amount of staff that has been prepping the Alaskan governor.

All of this shouldn't be surprising given the party that brought us all: "Shock and Awe" and a conspiracy theory about Iraq's involvement in 9/11 that has precipitated in the Middle East rapid destabilization of the region and juvenile secrecy that this administration (and the pretenders who have protected the administration time and time again...)

Maybe the Republicans are set on playing games with the American people -- which is probably why their latest antics about being utter cry-babies about the Wall St. bail out is really not setting well with me. With their "games" at play, maybe we shouldn't be at all surprised if Palin comes out and connects a few times -- showing the nation that she's more than just the ditzy beauty pageant queen she's presented herself as. Blaming the press for your miscues, misstatements and utter incompetence resonates the fact that she doesn't have a point really....

I've Ranted, I've Raved, but....

Anyone who knows anything about me, knows that I have a love and thirst for politics. I minored in it when I was in college and I've paid careful attention to the world around us ever since. I guess that's why I get so passionate about the direction of the country and who I think is best to lead.

Regardless if you agree or disagree with my particular political viewpoints -- you play an integral part in the future of this country. Even though it would disappoint me if you subscribe to the R-point-of-view, your participation in the process is far more important and crucial to the success of the freedoms we have been granted over the last 200 years. Your participation is reflective of the sacrifice of the men and women who have paid dearly to defend this country to preserve that freedom. To turn your back on the process negates that fight of everyone who dedicated their lives and who invested every ounce of their being towards protecting our freedom of choice, our freedom of speech and our freedom to elect who we believe is the best candidate to lead us into the future.

If you sit idle - and do nothing, not only do you lose your right to complain about how bad things are, but you scorn the memory of those who fought to give you that right in the first place. Don't take it for granted.

That's why I call upon YOU - to get involved in the process and to register to vote. Registration deadlines are quickly approaching and there's a place online you can go to see if you are registered. Click here. Yes, I realize it takes you to an Obama site, but they don't collect your information and you don't have to worry about getting littered with Obama stuff. It checks the national registry to see if you're registered or not.

Go register and then on November 4th go vote. If you're Republican - your day to vote is November 5th .... (okay okay, just kidding....)

new look - getting ready for the last surge!

Many thanks to Darby for updating my blog look here.

My twitter feed is on the left hand side so that you can easily find out what I'm reading during the day. A lot of news out there and instead of dedicating a full blog entry to it -- I'm twittering it instead.

We're almost 40 days away from the November 4th election. Buckle up, don your hard hat -- you're going for a ride.

The Pandering Selection...

What a whirlwind 36 hours it's been in the political arena.. After Hillary's outstanding speech, we had the Presidential moment when Barack Obama took his message to the people.. More people tuned in for his acceptance speech than watched the Olympic opening ceremonies.. He delivered on his promise of installing a message of hope and change..

Needless to say when we went to bed that night - we were feeling pumped!!

And then yesterday happened..

In what is clearly a pandering choice, McCain selected Sarah Palin as his nominee for vice president.. And the moment he did that, the tires came deflated for every argument that he attempts to cast about the "inexperience of Barack Obama.."

The selection is riddled by the fact that Susan Palin comes out against women's rights issues.. She's pro-business, she's pro-life, and she's pro-home school -- which isn't really going to play well when she expects you to be "barefoot and pregnant" with the Democrats..

It's a pandering choice because how can you seriously know "she's the one" when you've seen her a maximum of two times??

It's a pandering choice because aside from a stint as a mayor for a hamlet .... what real governing experience does she have??

It's a pandering choice because what real experience does she have about the international playing field?? Oh, she's been to Kuwait?? And that makes her more qualified than a man who has chaired the Foreign Relations committee??

It's a pandering choice because the selection is nothing more than an errant attempt to solidify the base with a selection that will be serving in name only.. A puppet to the republican nominee.. How do we know this?? She's said as such:

"I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day?"

Excuse me ... you just accepted the role of vice president, but you have no idea what the office of the VP does??

...and this is the *best* John McCain could do??

No wonder many are considering Palin to be worse than that "other vice president" Dan "Tomatoe or Tomato" Quayle..

Her issues are heavily rooted in the red column: she wants to drill, she wants to kill polar bears, she loves fur, she believes in creationism for our schools, she doesn't believe in global warming and she's heavily vested in big oil (her husband had a nice cushy job with BP) and lastly she wants to take away a woman's right to choose.. She thinks she's more qualified to tell a woman what to do with her body than you do..

But it gets even more interesting when you hear Alaskans talk about Palin.. She wasn't exactly the angel being portrayed thus far -- and she has a little problem with the law apparently as she's under investigation for her own "Trooper-gate" issue.. Alaskans are thrilled that they've been cast into the limelight, but even they are scratching their heads on this one.. They have at least two other more capable, more experienced Alaskan women McCain could've chosen for the Veep slot -- so why go with her??

Was it her looks?? Her smarts?? The fact she instills youth to an old decrepit campaign?? Probably a little bit of all of this.. But I've seen the announcement played over ten fold ... and I noticed something.. Right after McCain announces her as Veep, they exchange a couple of glances and the looks that come from that are very foreboding.. He looks like a giddy-like old fart who just scored a date with Cindy Crawford ... and her expression is that same look when a pretty girl rolls her face (not just her eyes) in condemnation of some pervert checking her out....

She might be experiencing some buyer's remorse here in a bit.. Especially since they haven't quite figured out the physical: "well do I hug you, or do we just shake hands" kind of thing.. At least when you see Obama and Biden embrace one another -- you know it's real.. They smile genuinely ... they laugh genuinely ... they are very solid in their relationship and what they are going to do together..

Now - re-watch that introduction and observe then try to tell me this isn't the "pandering selection" at all..

Hillary again....

I remarked back in March that Hillary has lost my respect, now she's starting to lose what little credibility she has left.. She recently invoked the "RFK" assassination quip as though she's hanging around in case something happens to Obama..

Excuse me??

Hanging around for someone to be assassinated so that you can become the Democrat contender in November??

This was really the last gaffe she has left her in bag of tricks.. Even the non-apology she gave wasn't much of one -- especially in light of the incredibly difficult prognosis for Ted Kennedy and his brain tumor..

It proves to me once and for all that she lacks the fortitude and respect to earn the position of being President of the United States.. Right, wrong, accidental or not -- how can you invoke the assassination quip as the BASIS for staying in the race?? That's inconceivable and utterly reprehensible..

At a time when we should be focusing on enacting real change for the direction of the country, we're left with this incredibly horrific insight that Obama will be assassinated before he wins the nomination on behalf of the Democratic party..

I don't see how she can sleep at night -- having this much negativity in her soul to actually have the audacity to invoke the "RFK" history as a basis for her to stay in the race.. It goes beyond poor sportsmanship, it transcends into the depths of being forever the stain in our humanity..

Shame on you Hillary..

Hillary has lost my respect...

To paraphrase something Susan Sarandon said awhile back: "The country is ready for a woman president, just not this woman.."

I completely agree with her..

I think this country is absolutely ready for a female president, but it's not ready for someone Hillary Clinton.. I would love to see someone like Nancy Pelosi run because if anything, she has the leadership gait in her step.. Hillary can't decide if she's Democrat or Republican -- and she has so many corporate interests, it's not sure she can keep an unfettered bias as she attacks Bush with..

But those "minor" points aside....

Many of her antics over the last several weeks have made me even more jaded of her character and capability.. First, there are the tears.. I know it's a very very tedious campaign for both candidates, but her tears on the doorstep of her victories in a couple of the primaries really made me question as to whether or not she was sincere or not.. I would HATE to think that she would be manipulating the process by invoking the emotional element into a campaign because of how that is measured with female voters.. So I really don't want to think that's a part of her "bag of tricks" but I can't dismiss it as a possibility since it's happened more than once..

Then there's her lampoon efforts of mimicking Obama's message of hope.. In a campaign stop not that long ago - she went over the top with a spoiled brat display that would probably work if this was middle school, but lots of us could see right through it.. Mocking hope?? Why on earth would someone mock hope when clearly we as a nation could USE a little hope in light of the incredible mismanagement this administration has made for us..

So what's her major problem with hope?? She didn't make that the heart of her message and subsequently her strategy to focus on "experience" hasn't flown as far as she would hope.. So, instead of looking like an idiot for coming out against hope, she instead tries to make Obama look foolish for talking about hope rather than keying in on the issues..

But there's a problem with that: inherently - both Obama and Hillary are the same.. Very little differentiates them from one another according to their stances.. Yet when Hillary challenges Obama to discuss the issues -- he resists, because he doesn't want to put all the cards out on the table for the Republicans to scrutinize and use against him later on..

That makes sense really..

But then the clincher for me happened when she said that she and McCain would make better Presidents than Obama would.. She didn't say this as an off-colored comment as she repeated it FOUR TIMES in different venues.. Nevermind the fact that she just endorsed a REPUBLICAN ahead of her own party, but she exposed clearly obvious beliefs that it's either her or McCain to run the country..

Okay - that's pretty tacky..

Then she has the gall to declare that she wants Obama to be on the ticket with her -- to serve as her vice-President.. So while she basically slapped Obama in the face for not being "qualified" to run the country, she wants him as her #2 because they would stand the best chance in the November elections..

Excuse me??

You disrespect your competitor by saying he doesn't have the experience to be President, but you embrace him in the second most powerful seat in your cabinet??

That is really messed up..

Hillary knows that she has been losing momentum and the only way to win against Obama is with the sleaze flinging that really demonstrates her character.. So when the Obama camp chose to part ways with campaign adviser Samantha Power for calling Hillary a "monster" -- it shows a test of his conviction to uphold a level of character for the campaign that doesn't belittle your opponent..

In my opinion - that speaks volumes above and beyond Hillary's call that Obama isn't capable of being President.... and it speaks volumes that I don't want someone who is incapable of running campaign worthy of the vote of the Democratic party's representative for President of the United States..

Thankfully she doesn't speak for all women and I'll be very grateful when another woman decides to run for President.. Now if we can get a non-establishment representative BY the people and FOR the people to lead us, then we'll be in excellent shape.. Obama is a significant step in the right direction, but Susan Sarandon is absolutely correct -- the nation is ready for a female President ... just not this woman..