The DNC

As I wade through primetime's endless coverage of the D.N.C, I can’t help but feel one thing- pessimistic. There are many reasons for my pessimism, but certain things definitely lend a hand. Problems with the candidates and problems within the political system. When frustration kicks in while I’m watching the D.N.C., it is ultimately the system which is to blame. I must remember the system is manufactured by you and me, the voting Joe. We always blame the system, yet never seem to muster enough moxie to challenge it, comforted by its familiarity.

I digress.

The first issue I have come across while watching the D.N.C. is the Democratic Party’s chosen representative-Barack Obama. Obama was the candidate of hope throughout the primaries. His face, character, speeches, and all the like were NEW. He was progressive, a leader, a new face in the stagnant pool of politics.

But, even before the D.N.C., his face began to wear. I noticed this in June. His strong, liberal stances began to sway. He avoided politically dangerous issues. During the awkwardly titled ‘Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion,’ Obama skirted the Reverend’s question on abortion. Obama’s staunch liberal card began to fade into the abyss of ‘middle politics’.

Then he picked Joe Biden as his running mate. Joe Biden is a great Democrat. He could help Obama win the election. Yet, he is not change-he is not hope. Biden is a Wasington man. He has been in the Senate as long as John McCain. He reeks of Washington. This is all well and good if you are trying to win an election, but not with a ticket entitled, “the ticket for change”.

After the Biden V.P. pick, my mind started churning. It was clear Obama is not for ‘change’, at least not on any drastic level. He is sacrificing his persona of ‘change’ in order to win the election. Like every politician should. I mean, a candidate running under the definite rubric of ‘change’ would never come from the Democratic Party. Why do they want change? They are major political players.

Not that I am surprised. Obama’s ‘change’ motif is nothing more than a winning political formula. This formula comes directly from an era that most democrats hold dear- the 60’s. Bobby Kennedy. He was change (kind of), we liked him. Things would have been different if we had Bobby. But alas…..

Obama is what we want. Change is what we want. We are in the midst of a Vietnam like war with a horrible president. We want change, just like the people of the 60’s wanted Bobby Kennedy. And Obama went with this. Obama seems genuine, but he is doing nothing more than effectively using an old political stratagem. Something he is pulling off quite well.

Change-kind of. A new idea- not really.

But Brett, what does all this mean?

Should you vote for Obama-he is the lesser of two evils.

Vote for him. The hope is that he will run D.C. with as fresh as an outlook as anyone in politics could hold. But, as you watch the shallowly worded promises and speeches the D.N.C. showers you with; always remember that Barack Obama is a politician, a damn good one.