I'm trying not to be an Obamamaniac...
... but I just heard the speech Obama gave today (addressing the growing furor over the remarks made by his former pastor), and, well, maybe I should just accept that I am what I am.
As Senator Clinton, on the one hand, seems to get worse the more we hear from her, this guy just keeps getting better the more they throw at him. I can't overemphasize how desperately we need more politicians who think so high above the fray like this.
As awful as it sounds to say this, I can't help but think that Clinton and McCain enjoy gorging themselves on the sort of zero-sum mentality that dominates in politics most of the time -- the "I get ahead by knocking you down" type of M.O. -- it plays such a central role in their campaigns that I really wonder sometimes if that's the main thing their supporters like about them. Is Clinton's sharp-edged cynicism what her supporters are referring to when they say she's "more experienced" than Obama? If you look at the record of their legislative achievements, that whole talking point is actually nonsense so what else could it be referring to? (*sigh*) But I'm revealing my bias again ...
Regardless of who you're for, you have to admit it's ironic when it's the youngest, most "idealistic" candidate who also sounds the most grown-up. Listen to the way he lifts the argument up out of the mud and ask yourself who makes a better statesperson:
Like a lot of people, I've been pretty jaded about this country for a few years now, but after hearing this speech, I'm excited again to be an American.
... and after this, I promise I'll try to keep this blog from becoming "all Obama, all the time".
