Mike Pouraryan
The Democratic Party Convention: Reflections on The Final Day
:
Can he win???
Link: www.democrats.org
The convention party moved on to Invesco Field in Denver. Over 70,000 people danced to the tune of Stevie Wonder and Cheryl Crow. They listened to a whole host of Democratic Party Luminaries, including former Vice President Al Gore who reminded the crowd and the world of the coming calamity that is the cause celebre of his life now. The march of a whole cadre of ex-generals and admirals was to underscore that Senator Obama was President. I was struck that General Clark did not speak. But, it was still an impressive show of ex-General officers. What I would have liked to have seen also was someone like Anthony Zini, the former Middle East Envoy and Central Command Commander who was one of the first one who came out against the misadventure in Iraq. What struck me was the ordinary folks who came on to talk about their plight. The ordinary folks who came on were typical of the plight of the middle class. What brought the crowd to their feet was when a guy by the name of Barney Smith said this: "..I want someone that puts Barney Smith ahead of Smith Barney....". The economic plight of Middle America continues unabatted. This was the message that all the ordinary folks told the country and the world.
The highlight, of course, was Senator Obama's Acceptance Speech. And he came out swinging:
He went after Senator McCain point by point on all the issues. I will let the pundits analyze the speech. But, Senator Obama made the case and it was quite a case. Of all his points, what I was left with was when he recounted his life story. He reminded the country of the fact that he grew up without his father. He lost his mother to cancer. His grandparents raised him. He reminded the country and the world that his story was a typical American story. He also reminded the country and the world that no one should question anyone's patriotism and love of country. The need to have a basic foundation to insure decent health care and a decent education is not a privilege, but a right. Government has to be there as a partner to help lift the spirits up. That was the promise that Senator Obama made. His speech was the opening act to prove the sceptics wrong. If he continues pressing this message, he will win it.
I see the defining issue of the campaign as healthcare. Senator McCain's idea to give a $5,000 refundable tax credit to buy health insurance is basically more of the same. The country has to come to grips with this issue. I believe it to be possible. Why it can't be done is beyond me.
The campaign has begun in earnest. Senator McCain did record this congratulatory message:
As Senator McCain takes the high road, the surrogates will be attacking and attacking. As books like ObamaNation and the case against Barack Obama came out, I did not see a condemenation from the McCain campaign. I just this new site that sprung up: Really Long Link SwiftBoat II 2008 edition is in high gear. The rightwing will be relentless. They should not get away with it. They will not get away with it.
