Sunday, September 07, 2008

The Old Swordsman

McCain and Palin scare the fool out of the pro-Obama supporters and the chattering classes all along the political spectrum because they are authentic and human in their presentation to the public.

Public servants. That is what our leaders are supposed to be. Servanthood, not grandiosity, is the quality that most of us respect and desire in political leaders. That isn’t glamorous, but it is refreshing. Bill Whittle’s eloquent recognition of the authenticity displayed in John McCain’s speech should be preserved in a political science textbook and read by everyone thinking of running for public office. But it probably won’t be. It makes too much sense.

McCain’s speech reminds me of the old story of an middle-aged famous sword fighter who was challenged by a wreckless young man. The older man discouraged his challenger, telling him that there would be nothing to be gained by a fight. When the youth insisted, they began the duel. It didn’t last long, and quickly, the older man had a small nick on his arm. The young man crowed that he had won. The older man said no. The youth pointed out that he had drawn blood and was unscathed. The old swordsman replied, “just wait until you shake your head”.

In several deft, scalpel-like cuts, McCain picked the best running mate for the theme he wanted to run on — the old sheriff cleaning up the town, cut himself off from an administration (of which 70% of the country disapproves), stated his goal of cleaning out the Congressional den of thieves (of which 90% of the country disapproves), and co-opted his opponents theme.

It’s taken a few days for the Dems and chattering classes to shake their heads.

Cross posted as comment on PJM

Update: Added Bill Whittle link.

7 comments:

chuck said...

The Democratic hopes now rest on Biden. Surely, there is the champion to put the upstart in her place. Sooper genius vs roadrunner, what could go wrong?

MeaninglessHotAir said...

McCain has definitely put a spanner in Obama's works. It was brilliant and impressive.

But the hatred of Republicans right now is huge. Many Democrats feel cheated from the last two elections while many independents feel it's time for some new blood. Finally, I suspect there's a tectonic shift in the making away from the Reagan smaller government approach to a "why can't the government solve all the problems" approach. Consequently I think the election will hang very much in the balance.

chuck said...

But the hatred of Republicans right now is huge.

You should visit some of the PUMA sites. Those gals hate Barack with a passion, they want him humiliated. Then they want to take Dean, Brazile, and Pelosi to the top of a tall building and let them take the next big step in their careers. You have no idea of anger they feel. Not just because Hillary lost, not just because of the rampant sexism directed at her by the usual suspects, but because some caucuses were rigged, there was no role call vote, and they were mistreated at the convention. They feel abused and disenfranchised and some are now out organizing for McCain. Tectonic shift, baby, tectonic.

Barry Dauphin said...

From what I read about the Democratic Texas caucus, it sounded like...well...Chicago. Maybe the Clintons are mad because they didn't think of it first or were saving that sort of stuff for the general election.

chuck said...

it sounded like...well...Chicago

Historically, Texas isn't much different from Chicago. Read about some of Johnson's elections and the 1960 presidential vote. I suspect what these gals ran into was standard Texas politics, but something they hadn't seen before. With two viable candidates running for the same spot the old methods returned and these gals lost their innocence. But they do blame Obama.

The sh*t that went down at the convention was different and I do blame Obama for that, much as I blame him for the crap directed at Palin. It's not that he orders it up, it's just that his cultists are trying to help. Because the guy is a passive, isolated soul with zero capacity to lead they get out of hand.

Doug said...

"Because the guy is a passive, isolated soul with zero capacity to lead..."
---
Yes, and no, I think.
But we all know we don't want to go there.

Doug said...

These attitudes, and more, define the tenor of the party leadership, and sent a message to the grassroots and media that it was
"Bros Before Hoes,"
to quote a popular Obama-supporter T-shirt.

On the day McCain announced her selection as his running mate, Palin thanked Clinton and Ferraro for blazing her trail.

A day later, Ferraro noted her shock at Palin's comment.
You see, none of her peers, no one, had ever publicly thanked her in the 24 years since her historic run for the White House.
Ferraro has since refused to divulge for whom she's voting.
Many more now are realizing that it does indeed take a woman - who happens to be a Republican named Sarah Palin.
ht - al-Bob