Ed FirmageDon’t Rely on the Huge Crowds
Three of our four candidates and their spouses are drawing huge unprecedented crowds. Don’t rely on that fact. In order, I think, Barack Obama is drawing unprecedented (almost…see below) scores of thousands. His wife Michelle Obama is almost matching him. And with thousands upon thousands of Republicans, uncommitted, and first time young voters as well. A great feat. Sarah Palin has a rock star appeal to the Republican base, and might just well have a future, fifteen minutes or so, as a host on FOX. McCain isn’t drawing flies. BUT:
William Jennings Bryan, several times the Democratic nominee, drew, for the time, hugely more numbers. His “Cross of Gold” speech at the Democratic Convention stampeded the entire Convention and, very nearly, the country. He never obtained the presidency. He outlived his magnificent body and brain. His classic and fatal clash with his own presidential supporter, Clarence Darrow, in the Scopes case, the “monkey trial” that put the defendant, a high school science teacher in the dock for believing in and teaching Darwinian evolution, cost Bryan his life. He died directly after Darrow sliced and diced his senile friend. ( Senator Chris Buttars, take note. Would you like to debate, now? On Fox or any other channel?) A bit of painful and dark humor: the press said the many-hundreds of pounds Bryan died of a broken heart. Darrow said: “A broken heart, hell! He died of a broken belly!”
Moral. It ain’t over until it’s over or, in the case of Bryan, until the fat man sings. Vote. Early and Often.
Ed Firmage
November 1st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Remember how powerful was the anti-elitist meme about Bush being a guy you would wanna have a beer with?
The appeal to this voter was really an appeal to rednecks who liked the idea of a president that wasn’t no better than they were (and they got one).
These same rednecks and unapologetic racists will vote for Obama for the exact same reason. They ‘know’ they are better than any dark skinned person, president, boss, and yes, even friends.
These people are highly protective of whatever social status they have, and quite accommodating to people who do not challenge or reinforce their ‘manhood’.
I believe the Bush Beer Effect will have the reverse of the Bradly Effect.
I believe, mostly in the south, that white racists WILL vote for Obama but WILL NOT admit it. Just watch.
November 1st, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Keep The White House white.
You can vote however you like!
But if you vote for Obama, you will get this in the White House.
Your choice.
November 1st, 2008 at 8:51 pm
We think alike, Ed! Gosh, it was just moments ago that I posted a quickie comment re “Inherit the Wind.” The GOP has, indeed, just inherited a foul spelling wind - the wind coming from the leeward side of the Bush administration!
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:10 am
It’s not over till it’s over, especially in PA where they don’t have early voting. However, the anti-Obama arguments advanced — first by Hillary/Bill and then McCain/Palin — have just been silly. His speeches are too eloquent, his audiences are too big, his policies are too popular– who wants a guy like that for President? Well, we all do.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
LastDays:
Bling Bling rap music is a corporate creation designed to kill the original purpose of rap, which had nothing to do with money. That’s how I see it.