Election Thursday: Character and Backfires
Note: Be forewarned, this one is pretty stream-of-consciousness.
Now, I understand. I understand what so many people seem to feel for Senator Obama. I understand the overwhelming surge of pride and hope that people experience when they see this guy talk. Why do I understand it? Because I'm feeling the same emotions for John McCain and Sarah Palin. The difference is that my emotions for these people are based on their qualifications, substance, and character. I'm overcome with pride and respect for these two leaders, not because they are great speakers (which they are), but because they are amazing people.
Senator McCain's character has been public knowledge for a long time, though I got choked up several times as I watched video of Senator Thompson discussing the story of John McCain's life. What's become more clear - and compelling - is the character and judgment of Governor Palin. The Democrats and the media are trying to scrape up anything that they think could tarnish her image, from her husband's ancient DUI from before they were married, to a stupid non-issue about some loose cannon state trooper. The most idiotic of these has been the completely asinine focus on Bristol Palin's pregnancy. This is already starting to backfire, and it's backfiring for two main reasons.
The first of these is the fact that attacking Bristol Palin's pregnancy, even though it's not under ideal circumstances, is attacking the average American family. If you're an American, and unless you're Amish, you've probably known someone, or been related to someone, who got pregnant out of wedlock. My cousin, for example, got his girlfriend pregnant just a few months after they'd graduated from high school; they're now happily married with a little munchkin. In an even closer parallel, two of my best friends here in Virginia got pregnant when he was nineteen and she was only seventeen - and, oh, by the way, she was and is the daughter of the rector at my church. Her parents were always there, and available, and it had nothing to do with whether or not they had demanding jobs, it had everything to do with young people making decisions that drastically alter their circumstances.
Unlike other countries in the world (like Iran or Pakistan), Americans don't stone unmarried teenage girls to death when they get pregnant; and unlike some countries, notably European ones, American families don't automatically choose to kill a baby when it's conceived under less than perfect circumstances. Contrary to the beliefs of the American left, Conservatives aren't the heartless Puritan bastards they've made us out to be. As a result, the attempted use of Bristol Palin's pregnancy by Obama supporters in the media constitutes an attack on the average American family. This is a bad move for members of a political movement that claims to represent the same average American family.
The second of these, and the most revealing, is that it's sexism from the side of the political fence that claims that it's fighting sexism. The same people who scream the loudest about breaking through glass ceilings are now criticizing Governor Palin for having both a family and an important job. These are criticisms they would never level against a male candidate - for example, where are the criticisms of Joe Biden for having taken his seat in the Senate when his two young sons were badly injured? This hypocrisy reveals two important things. First, and probably most importantly, it reveals the Palin family's values, class, and character. Secondly, the entire thing reveals something unintended: fear. It's taken a couple of days to become obvious, but the more the media (who have been giving Senator Obama a pass for months) press these stupid little issues, the more desperate they look.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is good for America. It's good for America that the Republican party is nominating for vice president a woman who made herself successful through hard work and personal toughness, and not through some hand out or government bureaucracy. This shows that the American dream is accessible for anyone, just so long as they're willing to work hard for it.
One of the things that I respect most in a person is toughness. I see it more and more from Senator McCain and Governor Palin - these are tough people. I don't see it from Senators Obama or Biden; although both came from modest beginnings, they haven't done the things that Senator McCain or Governor Palin have done. They haven't sacrificed the way Senator McCain has - not even close - and they haven't accomplished the things that Governor Palin has. As much as anything else, these things are informing my opinion on this election. The more I learn about these four individuals, the more obvious the choice becomes.
Anyway, I've sort of blathered on, so if you've read all of this, kudos to you. I'm going to continue watching the convention coverage; please, enjoy the following clip from The Onion.
McCain Vows To Replace Secret Service With His Own Bare Fists
Thanks, folks. Check back tomorrow. For now, have a great day, and God bless the Republic.
UPDATE: Wow, cool! They have podcasts of the RNC!
UPDATE: Governor Palin's speech to the Republican National Convention was excellent, and you can hear it here if you missed it. Mayor Giuliani, who spoke before Governor Palin, also gave a very effective speech, and you can listen to it here.
Now, I understand. I understand what so many people seem to feel for Senator Obama. I understand the overwhelming surge of pride and hope that people experience when they see this guy talk. Why do I understand it? Because I'm feeling the same emotions for John McCain and Sarah Palin. The difference is that my emotions for these people are based on their qualifications, substance, and character. I'm overcome with pride and respect for these two leaders, not because they are great speakers (which they are), but because they are amazing people.
Senator McCain's character has been public knowledge for a long time, though I got choked up several times as I watched video of Senator Thompson discussing the story of John McCain's life. What's become more clear - and compelling - is the character and judgment of Governor Palin. The Democrats and the media are trying to scrape up anything that they think could tarnish her image, from her husband's ancient DUI from before they were married, to a stupid non-issue about some loose cannon state trooper. The most idiotic of these has been the completely asinine focus on Bristol Palin's pregnancy. This is already starting to backfire, and it's backfiring for two main reasons.
The first of these is the fact that attacking Bristol Palin's pregnancy, even though it's not under ideal circumstances, is attacking the average American family. If you're an American, and unless you're Amish, you've probably known someone, or been related to someone, who got pregnant out of wedlock. My cousin, for example, got his girlfriend pregnant just a few months after they'd graduated from high school; they're now happily married with a little munchkin. In an even closer parallel, two of my best friends here in Virginia got pregnant when he was nineteen and she was only seventeen - and, oh, by the way, she was and is the daughter of the rector at my church. Her parents were always there, and available, and it had nothing to do with whether or not they had demanding jobs, it had everything to do with young people making decisions that drastically alter their circumstances.
Unlike other countries in the world (like Iran or Pakistan), Americans don't stone unmarried teenage girls to death when they get pregnant; and unlike some countries, notably European ones, American families don't automatically choose to kill a baby when it's conceived under less than perfect circumstances. Contrary to the beliefs of the American left, Conservatives aren't the heartless Puritan bastards they've made us out to be. As a result, the attempted use of Bristol Palin's pregnancy by Obama supporters in the media constitutes an attack on the average American family. This is a bad move for members of a political movement that claims to represent the same average American family.
The second of these, and the most revealing, is that it's sexism from the side of the political fence that claims that it's fighting sexism. The same people who scream the loudest about breaking through glass ceilings are now criticizing Governor Palin for having both a family and an important job. These are criticisms they would never level against a male candidate - for example, where are the criticisms of Joe Biden for having taken his seat in the Senate when his two young sons were badly injured? This hypocrisy reveals two important things. First, and probably most importantly, it reveals the Palin family's values, class, and character. Secondly, the entire thing reveals something unintended: fear. It's taken a couple of days to become obvious, but the more the media (who have been giving Senator Obama a pass for months) press these stupid little issues, the more desperate they look.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is good for America. It's good for America that the Republican party is nominating for vice president a woman who made herself successful through hard work and personal toughness, and not through some hand out or government bureaucracy. This shows that the American dream is accessible for anyone, just so long as they're willing to work hard for it.
One of the things that I respect most in a person is toughness. I see it more and more from Senator McCain and Governor Palin - these are tough people. I don't see it from Senators Obama or Biden; although both came from modest beginnings, they haven't done the things that Senator McCain or Governor Palin have done. They haven't sacrificed the way Senator McCain has - not even close - and they haven't accomplished the things that Governor Palin has. As much as anything else, these things are informing my opinion on this election. The more I learn about these four individuals, the more obvious the choice becomes.
Anyway, I've sort of blathered on, so if you've read all of this, kudos to you. I'm going to continue watching the convention coverage; please, enjoy the following clip from The Onion.
McCain Vows To Replace Secret Service With His Own Bare Fists
Thanks, folks. Check back tomorrow. For now, have a great day, and God bless the Republic.
UPDATE: Wow, cool! They have podcasts of the RNC!
UPDATE: Governor Palin's speech to the Republican National Convention was excellent, and you can hear it here if you missed it. Mayor Giuliani, who spoke before Governor Palin, also gave a very effective speech, and you can listen to it here.
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