Inspired

At the very last minute yesterday my brother called me and asked me if I wanted to go to the game with him and see the Astros play the Reds. I always like going to the game with my brother. He pays for the tickets and parking and I pay to feed and water us. It's always fun.

When we got to the game, I realized that I had wanted to see Hillary's speech at the National Convention and that I had forgotten to record it. I was really bummed out about it.

So, the first thing I did when I got home was turn on my tv so I could at least hear what the pundits had to say. And just as I turned on the tele, Hillary Clinton was approaching the podium in her orang pant suit to begin her speech. How serendipitous was that? I caught her speech. I cheered and clapped when she said "No way, No how, No McCain".

I was so inspired by her speech. I have grown so fond of her over this year and I can truly understand why her supporters have had so much difficulty letting go.

I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

More campaign observations

I was shocked when McCain criticized Obama for not visiting the troops while doing his global tour. The reason I was shocked was the method he opted for. McCain said:

"The most solemn duty of a commander in chief is to fulfill his responsibility to the men and women who serve this country in uniform."

I had to re-read that statement twice because I thought I missed something. My first question was, 'did the election happen, is Obama President?' Then, I thought 'wait, Obama isn't President YET, why such a strong reprimand?'

I understand what McCain was doing but he made a grave error in doing it. He NEVER should have referred to the title "Commander in Chief" as an implication of what his opponent should be doing. His criticism raised Obama to a whole new level. His criticisms indicated that even he could see Obama as President of the United States. And he's basically saying, "Obama is doing the President thing all wrong."

I agree with Ben Stein's point of view that McCain is running a lack-luster campaign. I think his criticisms of Obama's globe trotting only validated Obama as a real contender for the White House.

Of course, McCain does have a disadvantage. Obama is making history. That makes great news coverage so everyone wants to photo these events. America is very interested in this process; and I think even those who don't support Obama can't help being curious about what he's doing. I'm sure they seek out news about him even if their approach is cynical. And no one can deny that Obama looks really good out there.

Obama was very smart not to have visited the troops. If he had done so, I think McCain's camp could successfully have painted Obama as doing so just for the opportunity to advance his Political motives; I think the fallout would have been more damaging. I am actually enjoying the elegance and class that Obama is demonstrating in his campaign.

And a word to the wise for McCain. If indeed he is distancing himself from Bush in order to generate more support, he will lose that support if he comes across as equally arrogant and self-righteous as Bush. He needs to cool his jets and apply some creativity to his campaign.

Has anyone noticed that Obama has a way of campaigning that really has nothing to do with his opponent. It's almost as though he doesn't acknowledge his opponent exists.

Campaign Science

The "candidate matchmaker" I have posted just prior to this post has really been making me think. For some time now, I've been posting about my thoughts and opinions regarding the Republican Party and how I'm ready to abandon ship and go Democrat. Even going so far as to declaring my desire to vote for Hillary Clinton.

If someone told me 8 years ago that I would be voting for Hillary, I would have laughed in their face. Fast forward to today and that's where I am. I am about to vote for "the enemy".

So, I take the quiz and I discover that based on my answers and Hillary's existing position on the issues she is the least compatible with my views on politics and Huckabee is the strongest. And yet, I still want to vote for Hillary.

That's where the science of campaigning has to be an extremely fascinating phenomenon. I'm curious about the different markets that candidates have to woo. I guess I don't fall into the "I want to see where they stand on the issues before deciding" market. Because, obviously, I'm voting for the one I'm least aligned with. How do candidates decide to market themselves? What do they throw away and what do they keep as benefits for their constituents.

I guess it goes back to the seduction of G.W. I fell for him.....hard. And then I regretted it. So what difference does it make if they line up or not.

James Carville is the only political consultant I know of and I really know so little about him. But for some reason, I feel like I know of him well enough to think he's probably the best. But I'm sure timing is everything. Bill Clinton's campaign was the right time for Carville. Still, I would have to think that listening to his strategies and the reasoning behind them would be absolutely fascinating!