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This is the first thread I’ve started here at DU. I’m not going to be pointing out the various qualms I have about our two candidates, there has been and will be time for that. This might be long. Is it too long?
The contentious nature of this Primary cycle finally got me motivated to get up and attend a couple of events at the Democratic Party of Oregon’s platform convention. Although I have never attended a Party event in the past, this is my first Primary outside my native California, away from my typical circle of Democratic pals. I’ve been leaning too heavily on DU and other web sites, and frankly the level of invective has made it nearly impossible to learn or hear other people’s thought processes. So I made a donation and registered to attend two ‘Presidential Campaign Events’, a speech by Rep. Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii on behalf of Senator Obama, and another by Chelsea Clinton on behalf of Senator Clinton.
Upon entering the lobby, I witnessed something I had feared extinct. A room of Democrats being convivial and supportive. Tables for Obama and Clinton, one across from the other, and the volunteers at each table actually smiled across that aisle. Issues were being discussed. Candidates for State offices were present, or had representatives present, and I learned more about them in an hour than I had in the weeks before. I saw no fisticuffs or open brawling, heard no insults hurled. I bought some nice Democratic gear, gathered up some buttons and stickers, and met many local and regional fellow Democrats. No Hilbots, no Cultists, fellow Democrats. It was refreshing. And not one of them would even think of not voting or voting McCain, not one of them.
After some opening comments from Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, noting the need to support our State and local Democrats, came the evening’s speech from Abercrombie for Obama. Rep Abercrombie is a member of the Progressive Caucus which is great, but I did not know much about him prior to Friday. Rep Abercrombie knew Obama’s parents and the Senator from childhood onward. Senator Obama should be very proud to have this man speaking on his behalf. Abercrombie is a wonderful speaker, very energetic, with a great sense of humor and a hugely engaging manner
He made many points with which I agree. One was that this long primary season is actually healthy for our Party, as it engages the entire country and keeps the excitement high. He also said, as I do, that the vicious tone of this campaign is coming not from our candidates, but from the media, who want to tell a story and want it to be juicy. I also agree with Abercrombie, that these two choices present perhaps the best pair of candidates to vie for the nom in either Party in many long years . I wish they were more Progressive, I’d rather vote for Abercrombie!
The main argument he made for going Obama over Clinton revolved around the level of voter excitement he feels Obama can generate. He made a strong and balanced case that Hillary suffers from unfair but actual negatives due to the years of persecution she and Bill faced from the GOP. The voter turn out and crossover vote potential, the chance to expand the Party and grab the Independent voters we need to win the election was Abercrombie’s central and most compelling argument for going with Obama over Hillary. He said not one negative word about Hillary or Bill and said may good things about them. He presented positives about Obama, and the reasons he felt Obama would be the better choice for the Party.
The people of Hawaii’s 1st district and the Obama campaign should be very proud of Neil Abercrombie, and the Senator would be wise to take council from him at every opportunity, especially when it comes to framing difficult ideas in welcoming ways. In fact, any of us promoting a candidate or an issue could learn from Abercrombie’s style. A Democrat to be proud of for sure.
Saturday afternoon was Chelsea on behalf of Senator Clinton. A much bigger crowd and lots of media. Chelsea did a fantastic job, her demeanor is extremely relaxed and at ease. She has a decided knack for speaking about complex issues with clarity. She did not give a formal speech, but took questions on a free form basis, and answered all, with most questions getting very detailed answers indeed.
The strengths of her Mother’s that she emphasized were in fact all about the details, plans ready to go, and Senator Clinton’s ability to work with the Congress, which she said her Mother was far better prepared for and skilled at than her father when he was President.
Chelsea’s own command of facts and figures, and understanding of the process and difficulty of taking good ideas and making them reality speak well for her Mother. Of the many issues discussed, Senator Clinton’s early childhood education emphasis stood out for me. She also reminded us that the current administration is trying to tie the hands of the next President in terms of keeping us in Iraq, and that her Mother is fighting that ploy in the Senate, and that is an issue I think is very important. I was also very glad to hear her talk about the need to stand up for the thousands of Iraqis who assisted us, as translators and in other positions.
So both surrogates did a fine job for their candidates, no blood was drawn, I learned quite a bit about the local and national Democratic political scene, met a bunch of State candidates, got a slew of free buttons and I feel much better about the health and fitness of our Party than I have of late. It was as if an election were going on, not a reality show about an election.
I think I can hear both of the candidates better now. Just wanted to throw that on the campfire, and share it with y'all.
Peace
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