Enough is right!

How incredible would it be to be in Denver, CO right now? There are so many thoughts going through my mind - this will most likely be one of those entries in which I ramble on and on in disorganized fashion.

As you will have noticed from my earlier posts in the week, I have been fairly disappointed with the DNC. I felt there was a lot of wasted time each night and I wanted a more focused message. With each night things got better, and after tonight I say: What a convention!

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the Clintons. I thought they both gave remarkable speeches at the convention that, if the Democrats win, will have played a very important role. There's a huge part of me that will always wish that Hillary would have been the nominee.

That being said, this convention was a major turning point for me and I can now say, without reservation, that I am prepared to fully support Barack Obama.

One thing that I have noticed, throughout this campaign, is how truly impressive the Obama campaign has been run. They don't screw up. Sure, there have been a few miss steps here and there, but I get the impression that everything is so well thought out and planned. Obama's speech this evening was certainly the most impressive political event that I've seen. I had fear that it was going to be a bit too much, perhaps crossing the line of being tasteful. I was wrong - class all the way.

Tonight was a great night for Democrats, but more, it was a great night for America. Barack Obama laid out his vision for this nation. A nation that just ten years ago was thriving and experiencing some of its best moments. Most of that now - destroyed. Tonight, Obama answered those who asked what change meant and he proved to me that he is ready to throw down with John McCain.

"Tonight, tonight, I say to the people of America, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land: Enough." This was one of my favorite lines in the speech. Enough is right! This is our country, not Bush and Cheney's. It is time we take it back and restore the dignity and integrity America once stood for.

Another favorite, " Now, I don't believe that Senator McCain doesn't care what's going on in the lives of Americans; I just think he doesn't know." So true.

I think that Republicans are going to have a difficult time answering the Democrats next week. We ended our convention on such a high note. I realize that the election is basically at a dead heat, but I have to think tonight changed that.

"So I've got news for you, John McCain: We all put our country first." This was another section in the speech that I really liked. Republicans have horrible policies for middle class Americans, so they ALWAYS attack their opponents patriotism; it gets really old. Why would someone run for the presidency of the United States if he or she didn't love this country?? It's a ridiculous accusation to make and I'm very glad Obama called them out on it.

Well, as I said, this was going to be one of those rambley posts. I'm very anxious to see what the next days bring. Will Obama get a bounce from tonight? How will the Republicans respond next week? Will we wake up to a different America tomorrow? It feels like it at the moment.

In the words of Tim Russert, "What a country."

Is this guy for real?

I didn't know whether to laugh or get mad when I read this! It certainly helps the Democrats though - more proof that McCain and his advisor really have no clue what's going on with "regular" people in America. Thank you, Mr. Goodman. We'll take all the help we can get!


McCain adviser: Everyone in U.S. has some health coverage
Posted: 01:09 PM ET
From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
(CNN) – A health care policy advisor for the McCain campaign told a newspaper reporter that nobody in the United States is technically uninsured, because everyone has access to hospital emergency rooms.
"So I have a solution [to the health care crisis]. And it will cost not one thin dime," John Goodman, president of the National Center for Policy Analysis, told the Dallas Morning News in an interview published Thursday.
"The next president of the United States should sign an executive order requiring the Census Bureau to cease and desist from describing any American – even illegal aliens – as uninsured. Instead, the bureau should categorize people according to the likely source of payment should they need care. So, there you have it. Voila! Problem solved."
Hospital emergency rooms cannot technically turn away anyone for financial reasons.
"So instead of producing worthless statistics that people fling around in vacuous editorials and pointless debates, the Census Bureau should produce meaningful numbers, identifying all of the sources of funds people will draw on if they need medical care," said Goodman, who helped write McCain’s health care plan.
That plan would use a combination of tax incentives and market competition to make health care more affordable. It is not a universal health care plan – it does not guarantee insurance coverage for every American.

Way to go, Hill!

Well, I've said it all along and I'll continue to say it, Hillary Clinton is amazing.  She did what she was asked to do and then some tonight.  I've been waiting for the Democratic National Convention to get focused with a message - Hillary delivered it.

Of course you have to credit some brilliant speech writers, but the skill with which that speech was delivered was at the top of the league.

I watched with pride for a person I strongly believe in.  I watched with sadness a person whom I wanted to be my president and may never be able to be.  I watched with hope as a democrat and more importantly as an American.  Better days are on the horizon.

I'm inspired.  

In the words of Hillary, "No way.  No how.  No McCain."

Photo: cnn.com

p.p.s.

Gloria Borger needs to go away.  Far away.

p.s.

I love James Carville.

The Clock is Ticking...

We're a few hours into Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention.  This morning I reflected on the events of Day 1 of the convention, saying that the Democrats need to offer more of a message and perhaps launch an attack. 

I'm still waiting for this.

The theme of today is supposed to be economics - I haven't heard an economic message yet.  My fear is that this convention will be done and Democrats will come away with nothing more than "Yes we can."  Where's the platform narrative?  Where's the message to undecided voters?  

I hope Hillary saves this thing tonight.

DNC - Day 1

The Democrats have gathered in Denver and the 2008 convention has officially been called to order by Chairman Dean. I flipped between CNN, MSNBC, Fox (only to see what ridiculous things they were saying) NBC, and CSPAN. I honestly can't get enough of the talking heads (I can only dream of joining their ranks one day) spewing forth endless commentary on the smallest of details; all of them claiming to have the key to each candidates success or predicting the next move - when in fact no one really ever knows what's going to happen. This is exactly what makes it so exciting: the experts can guess, but only the voters decide.

I was indeed glued to the television last night, but it wasn't because of brilliant programming on behalf of the DNC. I must say that I agree with two of my favorite political analysts, David Gergen and James Carville, in their assessment of the first night of the convention. It seems that a lot of time was wasted and little to no substance was offered.

Of course, Senator Kennedy's appearance was one that most won't forget and Michelle Obama gave a beautiful, eloquent speech that perhaps allowed more Americans some insight into the Obama family. But did the Democrats plead their case to the voters of America or for that matter, did they even deliver an opening statement? Let me just say that I don't think people woke up this morning energized by the Democratic platform - because it wasn't discussed.

I look forward to Day 2 of the convention (Hillary is speaking!). I hope that this evening the Democrats offer a little more "red meat" as Carville would say. We all know that next week in St. Paul the Republicans will come out swinging and swing harder with each passing day. If you recall in 2004 Senator Kerry's convention didn't attack President Bush at all, while at their convention the Republicans went after Kerry and the Democrats, and well, we all know how that story ended.

My point is that perhaps the Democrats need to toughen up a bit. We have tried to "take the high road" while the Republicans attack us at every level they can. The result has been them having the White House for the past 8 years and driving the country into the ground. I'm not suggesting that we make personal attacks, but can we get down and dirty about the issues, please? Can we plead our case with some strength and conviction that not only inspires but also educates voters about what Democrats will do to get the country back on track.

Well, I'm starting to ramble a bit, and while I could go on forever about this - I will stop for now.

Be sure to tune in tonight to see Senator Hillary Clinton show the Democrats how to do it!

We're stuck

In a few weeks the city of St. Paul will be taken over by the GOP.  As a mild political junkie and one who loves huge events, I'm excited to see the spectacle that is a political party convention (although it would be MUCH more exciting were it the Democrats coming to town).  It will certainly be a great thing for the Twin Cities of Minnesota to take the national stage for a few days (albeit for Republicans).  

My hope is that, in this fairly blue state, we are respectful and rational hosts to the less-than-perfect party.  In a time when this country's government seems to be dead locked and unable to get anything accomplished, even though overwhelming majorities are begging for a different course, it is time that all parties have civil conversations with one another.

I watch, daily, the back and forth between political adversaries.  Both pointing fingers, none better than the other.  Each proclaiming the faults of the dissenting party, while not proposing ideas to cure or offering an invitation to dialogue.  I say this with utmost seriousness:  it's like watching 9 year olds go back and forth on the playground.  Nothing gets accomplished and no one is willing to admit they are wrong.

We were told that this presidential election was going to be different (by both presumptive party nominees).  So far, I haven't seen how anything has been different.  Both candidates are continuing the pathetic tradition of 'point finger and triangulate.'  I can admit that I am not as excited about the democratic candidate as the rest of the party.  I will vote for him, because his platform certainly aligns more with my values than the alternative - but passion does not accompany my vote.

So, in the thick of this election season, let us hope that when the Republicans come to town, Minnesotans will show them that we are serious about getting this country back on track and are ready to have civil, rational conversations about how to do so.  There is no point in continuing this fruitless 'he said-she said' back and forth.

I guess this is my charge, to all Americans, rather than widening the gap that divides us - let us come together as one.  Not as a nation with unified beliefs (that is not America's intent), but as a nation with a unified goal to prosper and and not leave its own behind.