Glenden BrownObama = Lincoln
Obama as the new Lincoln - it’s a powerful metaphor. Gore laid it out - wrong-headed war that was initially popular, naked aggression against another nation, then fading popularity and one man knowing it was wrong from the start. The shared Illinois experience - the strength of character, the unique perspective.
It’s a suggestive metaphor as well - comparing our era with the divisions of the ante-bellum America, suggesting that our divisions today are as deep as those divisions were.
August 28th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Of course, the Karl Rove attack ad would say, “Al Gore wants to give California back to Mexico.” Mainly, it was a great speech by the man who would be President today if this country were a democracy. Gore didn’t hit the Republicans hard enough, but did a better job than previous speakers, including Biden.
Unfortunately, Democrats are in no position to criticize Republicans on the subject of illegal domestic surveillance, because too many Dems supported it (including Obama, incredibly). Same goes for the USA PATRIOT Act and habeas corpus. They can’t hit the GOP on the anti-consumer bankruptcy bill, because Senator Biden actively lobbied for it.
Barack Obama is running against a candidate whose health care policy advisor just said you don’t need health insurance, just go to the emergency room! McCain’s economic advisor said the recession is all in our minds, and we’re a “nation of whiners.” McCain himself recently declared that Iraq is “a peaceful and stable country now.”
It ought to be an unloseable election for Democrats, but we all thought that in 2004.
I have to say that so far this last night of the convention is better than the three previous nights put together, with the possible exception of Tammy Duckworth last night (you had to switch to C-SPAN to watch her). She is as much of a war hero as John McCain, and unlike McCain she’s supporting our veterans in both word and deed.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
As a result of the Mexican War, we did end up with California…and Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and solidified the annexation of Texas. Had we not gone to war, those states — except probably Texas — would still be part of Mexico.
And yes, Mexico is still upset. After all, the U.S. took the states with the good infrastructure.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Senator, you’re no Abraham Lincoln.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Given the ultimate outcome, better hope not.