Apparently, when McCain suspended his campaign and flew back to Warshington, Senator Obama was in the midst of debate prep in Tampa. Democratic villagers urged Senator Obama to follow McCain -- or McCain might appear more presidential.
Of course, this is the traditional Democratic instinct. To follow... To constantly play on Republican turf rather than defining a a separate path. And of course Senator Obama ignored the leadership and remained calm -- determined to debate on schedule with or without McCain.
[Obama] "You gotta be kidding. I'm going to debate. A President has to be able to do more than one thing at a time."
That's awesome. I hadn't realized that he had been under pressure from the pussies in Washington to pull a "Me Too!" on McCain's stupid stunt.
That's awesome because it shows fortitude the party needs, but more importantly, it was also the right decision for both the short- and long-term. That single moment, more than any other I can think of, altered the race—defining Obama as steady and level-headed, and McCain as an erratic, undisciplined drama queen.
I think any other Democratic candidate would have gotten that one wrong, and be looking up at McCain right now.
UPDATE: Do yourself a favor and go read the Klein piece—the decision about the Rev. Wright Race Speech and dealing with Petraeus are excellent as well.
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In fact, Cesca relates the best part of the piece better than Klein himself
I don't know about that. At least Klein didn't use that idiotic "villagers" shorthand.
and McCain as an erratic, undisciplined drama queen.
When I read that McCain recently claimed that he stuck to one position while Obama was "all over the place" on the bailout, I just wanted to punch him in his fucking face.
If there is ever a time when "villagers" is apt, it's in that context—a bunch of panicky, scared weaklings frightened of something in the woods...
Your frustration and disgust about the Democratic tendency toward weakness/meekness is understandable. I've wondered myself if there's some kind of especially bizarre masochism at work.
No guarantees, of course, but I think something appoaching an all-around landslide might work a welcome change in spinal strength.
I'm certainly hoping for both.
I'm with you. As much as I hate the Democratic leadership, I can't believe they advised Obama to let McCain grandstand his way to victory.
They've never met a shadow they're not scared of.
"That's awesome because it shows fortitude the party needs..."
This is probably the single biggest weakness and the biggest cause of Democratic loses over the last few decades.
They've never met a shadow they're not scared of.
So, so true. The Dems here in Michigan have barely worked on a single issue that they campaigned on to get into Lansing in the first place. Exasperating.
The Dems here in Michigan have barely worked on a single issue that they campaigned on to get into Lansing in the first place. Exasperating.
Didn't they pass Canadian Trash and Drug Immunity legislation out of the House?
I read the Klein piece. Very good (and encouraging). Thanks for sharing.
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