I think I've always been mildly interested in American politics, if only because it affects the rest of the world so much, but this year (and I can almost totally say this is M's fault) I've switched from "mildly" to "very" interested. Like, possibly "ridiculously" interested considering this is not my country...
I've watched all the key speeches at the Democratic National Convention so far: saw Michelle, saw the Clintons, saw Jo Biden. I plan on watching Obama's speech tonight of course. I'm not just watching because it's important though, I'm watching because I'm honestly, actually moved. Because (and I'm sorry, this is cheesy, but it must be said because it's true) this version of the Democrats gives me hope. This isn't Kerry-Edwards '04, where I wanted the Democrats to win simply because they weren't Bush-Cheney. No, this time around, I actually think Obama-Biden have good ideas and a more sympathetic, merciful, cooperative outlook towards their own country and towards the rest of the world. This time around, I actually like the politicians.
I never like the politicians. Never.
I came home from the book signing and panel discussion for Dark Days, and the politics seemed infinitely more important, because I had just finished to some very knowledgeable people talking about what happens when politics get out of hand, when the wrong policies turn into law unchecked, and the truth is it's frightening. It's easy for us to forget that because we're comfortable, but last night I was reminded that some of my fellow-Canadian citizens found that out first hand. And they'll spend the rest of their lives trying to recover from that knowledge.
Politics matter.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
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6 comments:
How timely, I'm watching the convention right now. Gore is speaking. I am excited about the possibility of Obama but not convinced we can do it. I just worry that he balance of power has tilted so dramatically we can't recover. But, by God, I'll be casting my vote cme Novemeber.
I've been watching the convention closely too, including all the speeches that you mentioned. If you haven't seen the speeches by Bill Clinton and John Kerry, though, I seriously recommend looking them up.
Clinton was at his best (and, whatever my misgivings about the man, that's saying something), and the crowd loved him. He spent his first three minutes on stage trying to get them to stop applauding just so he could start speaking.
Kerry seems to have been liberated in a way he never was when he was running for the presidency. I'm almost mad at him for not having been more like that in '04.
Oh, and I just noticed you said "the Clintons", so you did see Bill. My bad.
COTW, I keep thinking "how can they NOT win? How can anyone vote for more Republicans, now?" But I also worry like you do....
K, I heard Kerry as well and I felt exactly like you, thinking "where was this Kerry when he was running last election cycle?"
Clinton was fantastic. He's one of the best speakers there is. Period.
I hope you're right about Obama. i don't get a good feeling from the guy at all. Still, I guess I'd rather have him win than the other guy. It's going to be a tense and 4 years either way
Really XUP? You don't like. I think he's fantastic. I think he might be the first "different" politician - and I don't just mean because he's black, I mean the way he thinks and talks and his policies - in a long long long time. For me, he could afford to be more left wing, but he's definitely the best we've got, and not just because he's not McCain, but actually really good.
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