Unsavory Politics

Way back when there were merely rumors of Hillary running for president, I assumed (and even told a few people) that she would definitely be the next president. The way I saw it for almost the last thirty years there has been a Bush or Clinton in the White House, so why should anything change now? I like the way Dave McGowan put it in his February 15, 2008 newsletter.

Allow me to briefly explain:

I acquired the right to vote exactly thirty years ago. Since then, there have been seven presidential elections. Every one of them, without exception, has been ‘won’ by a ticket containing either the name “Bush” or the name “Clinton” (for the memory-impaired, there was Reagan/Bush in 1980 and 1984, Bush/Quayle in 1988, Clinton/Gore in 1992 and 1996, and Bush/Cheney in 2000 and 2004). Therefore, logic dictates that since there is currently no Bush in the running, the victory will go to Clinton this year. Assuming, that is, that George Bush abdicates the throne, and further assuming that the Republican nominee doesn’t add, say, Jeb Bush as his running-mate.

Center for an Informed America | Archive

Well it would seem that prediction was erroneous. But I’m not so sure I, or Dave, was wrong.

You have to admit that Obama’s campaign has rejuvenated politics with an enthusiasm that hasn’t been seen since possibly the 1968 Democratic Convention. Obama’s campaign has promised change and hope for tomorrow, and the response to those promises has been overwhelming. People have clamored to his campaign stops while jumping and shouting at the tops of their lungs like lovestruck teenagers witnessing the introduction of a new rock band on the Ed Sullivan Show. Obama has been heralded as the next John F. Kennedy, or even the Messiah.

I think it’s pretty obvious that Obama isn’t the Messiah, so it’s that former comparison I’m mostly concerned with.

​Obama's Kennedy bond deepens:

MIDDLETOWN, Conn.–Barack Obama’s connection to the Kennedy mystique deepens today as he steps into the shoes of Sen. Edward Kennedy to deliver a commencement address at Wesleyan University.

The address, which will sound a call to public service in the spirit of Camelot, comes at a dramatic moment for the Kennedy family and for Obama’s presidential campaign.
Senator Kennedy, who anointed Obama a worthy heir to his brothers John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy early in the presidential campaign, now is diagnosed with possibly fatal brain tumor that inevitably raises the question of political succession.

With Kennedy unable to appear himself, he has chosen Obama to speak for him, just as Obama is on the verge of likely clinching Democratic presidential nomination. So at a turning point for Obama’s presidential campaign, he will again be enveloped in the Kennedy legacy.

The Swamp | Archive

Is Obama the Next Kennedy?

In all seriousness, the only way that I can see Obama taking this thing all the way is if the powers-that-be have decided, in their infinite wisdom, that they need someone who is, uhmm, shall we say, ‘expendable.’ Surely it hasn’t escaped anyone’s attention that the media and the Washington political establishment have been working overtime to create a Kennedyesque aura around Senator Obama – and not always in the most subtle of ways: Obama can rarely be seen these days, for example, without some random member of the Kennedy clan either at his side or singing his praises.

The Obama-as-second-coming-of-JFK campaign, not surprisingly, seems to be working. The youth of America, in particular, seem to have caught Obama fever. They see in him a new hope, a new future, a fresh start for America. For many in this country, Barack Obama has made it okay to hope and to dream once again. And that is all very Kennedyesque. As is, of course, Mr. Obama’s youth and charisma and physical attractiveness and oratorical skills. All very New Camelotish. But the problem with that, of course, is that I think we all remember what happened the last time a Kennedy occupied the Oval Office and the American people dared to dream (which was also, by the way, the last time that anyone moved directly from the U.S. Senate into the White House).

In my lifetime, there have been two political events that have had a profound impact on the American psyche: the assassination of John Kennedy and the events of September 11, 2001. Both events resulted in a fundamental shift in American society. And a repeat of either could do so again.

Center for an Informed America | Archive

To me there has been an inordinate amount of comparison with Obama and the assassination of Kennedy.

Police concerned over stand-down orders:

DALLAS — Security details at Barack Obama’s rally Wednesdaystopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.

The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers who said they believed it was a lapse in security.

Star-Telegram | Archive

In case anyone has forgotten, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, TX.

Here’s another comparison, from a supporter of Obama, with allusions of assassination.

Why Obama is Like a Desert Lover

Barack Obama is inspiring us like a desert lover, a Washington Valentino. We who have felt apathetic, angry at two (likely) stolen elections, K-Street hegemony, the “pornography of the trivial”* in journalism and culture; we who are heartbroken over a war we knew was wrong, we who thought (especially after Baby Bush got in a 2nd time) that America got what it asked for; we who stopped wanting to participate ’cause it doesn’t matter whether we do or don’t; we have a crush. We’re talking about it; we’re getting involved, we’re tuning in and turning out in numbers we haven’t seen in ages. My musician friends and I are writing songs to inspire people and couples all over America are making love again and shouting “yes we can” as they climax!

Huffington Post | Archive

Allusions of assassination? Well, when you consider that Rudolph Valentino was a pop icon who had a strong following from the younger generation of his day, much like we’ve seen with Obama lately. Oh, and that he met with an untimely death at a young age.

Obama aka: Valentino, the Desert Lover:

Rudolph Valentino (May 6, 1895 – August 23, 1926) was an Italian actor, sex symbol, and early pop icon. Known as the “Latin Lover”, he was one of the most popular stars of the 1920s, and one of the most recognized stars from the silent film era. He is best known for his work in The Sheik and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. His untimely death at age 31 caused mass hysteria among his female fans, propelling him into icon status.

Wikipedia | Archive

And who can forget this…

​Hillary's faux pas?

Hillary Clinton today brought up the assassination of Sen. Robert Kennedy while defending her decision to stay in the race against Barack Obama.

“My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don’t understand it,” she said, dismissing calls to drop out.

New York Post | Archive

Oh, and this…

FOX Pundit Wishes for Obama Assassination, Laughs

During a live interview, FOX Contributor Liz Trotta jokingly wished for the assassination of Sen. Barack Obama.

This latest incident from FOX News continues the trend in violent rhetoric about Sen. Obama from pundits, politicians, and entertainers.

Grinning While Joking About Killing A Candidate

The incident happen in an exchange with the FOX News anchor. When asked her opinion of the recent scandal surrounding some comments made by Sen. Hillary Clinton, which Trotta described by saying that, “some are reading [it] as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama.” Hemmer quickly corrected Trotta, having noticed that she had said “Osama” when she meant “Obama.” At this point, Trotta said, “Obama. Well…both if we could!” Trotta then laughed gleefully.

Huffington Post | Archive

Lest we forget:

We haven’t experienced a presidential assassination in this country in 45 years, which means that the majority of Americans alive today have no memory of such an event. Perhaps the powers-that-be have decided that we are due for one now. Perhaps Barack Obama is being lionized now so that he may be cut down in the near future, taking with him the misplaced hopes and dreams of millions of Americans. Perhaps while the Internet community busies itself with guessing which American city will fall victim to the next staged terrorist attack, the script actually calls for an entirely different type of ‘terrorist’ attack: a political assassination.

Center for an Informed America | Archive

But what about Hillary?

Such a scenario would kill two birds with one stone, so to speak: it would not only crush the nation’s spirit, particularly that of the country’s politically awakened youth, but it would also justify increased police-state measures here at home and an even more militaristic stance abroad.

Perhaps that is indeed the scenario that has been scripted, but I still believe that, one way or another, this will be Hillary’s year, due to the undeniable fact that the ruse has worked so damn well now for so long that there doesn’t appear to be any compelling reason to change course. By maintaining the illusion of a political rivalry between the Bush and Clinton clans – two families supposedly from opposite ends of the political spectrum, with wildly divergent political ideologies – the vast majority of Americans have been left in the dark as the Bush/Clinton cabal has maintained a continuous hold on the White House for some 28 years now. So why rock the boat?

Center for an Informed America | Archive

​It's a possibility...

A third possibility, and the one that I am now leaning towards, is an Obama presidency that is preempted to become a Clinton presidency. This would also not be a good thing. In fact, this is probably the worst option of all, which is yet another reason to suspect that it will indeed be the ultimate outcome. I have found that the best strategy is to expect the worst; that way, you will never be disappointed, and rarely will you be pleasantly surprised. If what comes out of the Democratic Convention in August is an Obama/Clinton ticket, my advice would be to not get too attached to that Obama fellow.

Center for an Informed America | Archive

So where does this leave Hillary?

​Clinton's Vice Presidential Campaign

Hillary Clinton is “absolutely ready” to discuss the vice presidency with Barack Obama and has authorized supporters toencourage Obama to pick her if he feels that will help unify the party and help Democrats win the White House, according to Robert Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television and a prominent Clinton supporter.

Johnson said he began discussing the vice presidency with Clinton last month and that they talked about it at a dinner in Puerto Rico last Saturday and again by phone and e-mail on Tuesday. “Let me be clear,” Johnson said in a telephone interview Wednesday morning. “She said if asked to do this, she must accept because she believes that it is in the best interest of the party that the party come together and win in November.”

Washington Post | ​Archive

Second petition drive launched to make Clinton VP

Avid Hillary Clinton supporter Lanny Davis isn’t ready to see Hillary Clinton exit the presidential stage.

The longtime and often fierce loyalist of the New York senator launched a petition Wednesday night in hopes of landing Clinton on Barack Obama’s presidential ticket. The petition, located at womenforfairpolitics.com, directly tells Obama that “Your selection of a vice presidential candidate may make the difference between victory and defeat.”

“We write to urge you to select Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to be your choice for vice president because we believe that she would be, by far, the most qualified and strongest candidate to be your running mate.

CNN | Archive

I think America’s psyche has been massaged the last few years for the inevitable occupation of a black man and/or female in the White House. From David Palmer of 24, and Mackenzie Allen of Commander in Chief, we have been slowly digesting a diet of change in American politics.

In the 232 year history of this country, we have only had white males in the Oval Office. Considering Hillary’s struggle with securing the presidential nomination from Obama, I don’t think we’re as ready to elect a female as we are a half-black male.

Now I don’t say that to be sexist or racist, I say that because I still believe Hillary will be the next president, but she won’t be elected into office. If she is picked as Obama’s running-mate, then I won’t be surprised if Obama meets with an untimely demise, and she assumes the office of President of the United States.

So now that I’ve gone on record, we’ll see what happens. I can only hope I’m wrong.

UPDATE: (January 19, 2009) Well it seems time would tell this theory was all wrong, and that Hilary was never seriously considered for the Vice President position, or was she?

Biden could have had State job, wife says

Vice President-elect Joe Biden could have been secretary of State instead in the incoming Obama administration, his wife let slip today.

During a taping today of The Oprah Show, Jill Biden said her husband was given that choice by President-elect Barack Obama — presumably before Obama chose Biden to be his running mate in late August.

The Associated Press reports that “the vice president-elect tried to hush his wife as soon as the words came out of her mouth, with a loud ‘shhh!’ ” Jill Biden, AP writes, went on to say that the job of vice president was better for the family, because as secretary of State he would travel too often.

USA Today | Archive

Now, it really doesn’t bother me whether or not Biden had the choice of Vice President or Secretary of State, but why did he try to hush his wife up, like it was an important secret, or something?