The Democratic Convention, and Public Speaking Classes

I'm watching the Democratic National Convention. Admittedly, this takes a lot of commitment for me -- I believe in small government, in free markets, in states' rights, in the 2nd Amendment. In other words, I'm having to swallow my tongue a lot in my living room just to sit thru this, all in support of my candidate, Barack Obama -- a candidate, I should add, that I'm wishing would sound more "accountable" and less "electable" right now (more on that in a minute).

This post, though, is inspired by what I've seen on cable the first two nights of the Democratic Convention so far. First, let me give some props to Ted Kennedy. I disagree with Ted Kennedy on many, many, MANY political issues. Let's face it, he's a "liberal" lion, and I'm a "conservative" (not Republican) bear. But the man loves America, and I can embrace, respect, and honor any man or woman that loves America, even if I disagree with their politics.

Second, let me say on the record that James Carville is an idiot. You win one election (let's ignore 1996 -- really, the country was gonna elect Bob Dole?) and you're a wise man in your party? Northwestern got to a Rose Bowl in 1995, but no one is saying they are a year-in powerhouse....yet. Carville -- you're an idiot. The campaign did the right thing Monday night, getting people to understand Obama the family man, and the Obamas (Michelle and Barack) as being the embodiment of the American dream. The American people won't buy contrasts that Obama makes regarding himself and McCain unless they TRUST Obama, and that's what Michelle Obama's speech did last night. So let's raise a toast to Michelle Obama -- she emotionally and powerfully made the case that her life, and Barack's life, was the American dream that speaks to all of us. Parents loving each other, parents working hard, parents sacrificing for their childrens' future, education along with family support being the key to an improved future....these are UNIVERSAL themes that appeal to ALL of us, conservative, Republican (note the difference), independent, or Democratic. So good for you.

Third, I'd like to note that Mike Barnicle is the one pundit who noticed in last night's coverage what the most important moment was -- Barack's daughter Sasha (I think) saying "Hi Daddy!" to his face on the screen. Look -- elections in the end are about voting who you are comfortable with. And in that one moment, America thought "Wow, here is a family man, with loving daughters." And don't for a second underestimate the idea that Americans would LOVE to see young children in the White House again. America is, and always has been, a young nation, a nation of futures rather than presents or pasts. It's why Camelot is so beloved, in part. And Sasha (or Malia) made that point powerfully, in one little exchange.

Okay, on to the "accountability" issue. My mom (a lifelong Republican, who strangely enough is considering, though probably won't vote for, Obama -- I hope to sway her) said this earlier this week, and I agree. In the early 1980s (late 1970s) we had gas rationing, and the country lived thru it. And in WWII we had scrap metal drives and victory gardens. Yet ask people today, and the country is in the worst shape it has ever been.

So where is the call for sacrifice? For national sacrifice (born in equal or proportional measure) to address these problems?

The problem with McCain AND Obama (let's be clear, both campaigns have not done this, but I'd say McCain's is a little worse off than Obama), is that they never asked the American people to sacrifice to save this country.

As I write, of course, Mark Warner of Virginia is giving a POWERFUL speech on this very issue, calling Bush on the carpet for failing to ask for sacrifice. We are a SMART nation -- tell us the sacrifice, and we'll meet it. We have serious problems. We ALL know this. But cutting taxes and increasing spending, giving away more and asking less -- we ALL know that this cannot work. Republican, Democratic, liberal, conservative -- we GET reality. (By the way, Mark Warner? He'll be the next Democratic Presidential nominee....this speech is unbelievable.)

So here is how to win the campaign, for either party -- level with us. Identify the problem, tell us how to solve it, what we need to sacrifice to get there, and how you'll ensure our sacrifice will not be in vain. GIVE us this truth that we all recognize. And then? Well, you'll win in a land-slide, and our country will be the better for it.