I am going on record, for now, as an advocate for the nomination for President on the Democratic Party, in 2008, Illinois Junior Senator Barak Obama.
Why? Is it because he is such a charismatic speaker?
Is it because he is black? Is it perhaps because he is, more accurately, of mixed race, his mother white and his father a black man of African origins?
Is it because he is left-of-center to liberal? Is it because he is a relatively fresh face in politics, his experience- prior to his election in 2004 to his current and first US Senatorial term- being limited to three terms as a mere Illinois state Senator?
Is it because he might be an attractive alternative to all the other career politicians, and especially over the presumed front-runner Hillary Clinton?
Is it due to the fact that I imagine somehow that he will manage to heal all the nations wounds, bridge the racial and ideological divides, and inspire a new generation to faith in the American Dream by way of his example?
Nope, it's none of these reasons, valid though most of them are. My reason is far more compelling. My reason has far more gravitas.
My reason is musical. Yes, I have decided the Democratic party needs a new theme song. "Happy Days Are Here Again" is old and tired, and "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" is really kind of sappy.
So, in addition to Mr. Obama as standard bearer for the dear old Jackass Party, I hereby recommend and heartily encourage a song to which the sound and lilt of Mr. Obamas name is especially suited. I am speaking here, of course, about the old nineteen sixties novelty song "The Name Game".
Once Barak rises to accept the party's nomination, what could be more appropriate? The whole country would be singing along throughout the ordinarily tedious campaign process of the following months.
Try it out, if you don't believe me. Hit up Napster, they should have it, if not, surely you can find this old nugget somewhere, even if you have to request it by way of your local oldies station. Once you listen to it for the first time, or re-familiarize yourself with it, give it a try yourself. Then lead your friends and family in a rousing version. You just shout out each name, then lead the crowd along, just like a-huh, what do you know, like a politician.
"BARAK"!
"Barak-Rak-Oh-Bak-Banana Bana Bo Bok, Be-Bi Bo Bok Cok-BaaaaRak"
"HUSSEIN"
"Hussein-Sane-No-Sane, Banana Bana Bo-Sane, Be-Bi Bo So-Ho-HuuuuuSein
(Okay let me hear you now)
"OBAMA"
"Obama-Boma-Bo-Bom, Banana Bana Bo Ba-Ma, Be-Bi Bo Ho-Ra, OBaaaaaaaama
Such a catchy tune I bet even the pundits and news anchors covering the next Democratic convention in Denver would feel compelled to sing along. And the fun and excitement can even continue when the VP is finally announced. For example, what if it happens to actually turn out to be-
"HILLARY"
"Hill'ry- Bill'ryl- Po-Pill'ry, Banana Bana No Dill'ry, Be-Bi-Ho-No-Bill, Hiiiiiiillary
Well, it seems to me to be a logical progression for the political party that seems to such a great extent to still be mired in sixties faux liberalism, flower power, protest, and appeasement-er, excuse me, I mean "peace".
This just puts a more fun face on it, and you can add your own funny dance steps to it. "The Limbo" might be appropriate. Or maybe even "The Funky Chicken"
8 comments:
"The Name Game" is a good argument in his favor.
Is he really another Lieberman with charisma?
Renegade-Nobody really knows that much about him, including his own constituents. Just that he has a lot of charisma, as you say. Maybe another Bush that people are willing to vote for because they think he'd make a good a good bar buddy. You see how that turned out.
Maybe a point in his favor is that most smug Europeans would shit themselves if he got elected here.
Rufus-most Europeans would probably like him. Now, if we elected a black Republican, like Michael Gregory Steele, from Maryland, for example, they would probably shit themselves for sure. But then again, so would a lot of people here, regardless of the party of the candidate.
I admit he is an attractive candidate, by the way, in the sense that he has loads of charisma, and a compelling history, and I have no doubts as to his patriotism and desire to serve. Well, no more doubt that is than I have for your average politician.
But it seems to me like people get all wrapped up in the charisma of candidates, and seldom bother to look at what is under the wrapping.
Well, that's what I mean. He's intelligent and black- most sumg Europeans wouldn't expect Americans to vote for him, and wouldn't know what the hell to do if we did.
He does have a few books out, right? That might be one way to get some handle on him
Yeah, he's got one out now, that I know of. And he might well be just as qualified as anyone else, so far as I know. But it's still the charisma that is doing it for him now. It always amazes me that Americans seem to be so shallow, so many of them by so large a percentage will jump on the bandwagon of a person just because he has a pleasant personality, and can make a rousing speech.
Look at all the Presidents that have been elected due mainly to that. Kennedy. Reagan. Clinton. Dubya, to an extent, was the typical "guy you would most like to have a beer with"
Now they are doing it again with OBama. Well, sometimes it works out, sometimes it don't. I would just think that Americans by now would have gotten to the point they would like to see what's inside the package before they take it home.
Face it, if OBama were to win the election, the percentage of the people that vote for him that will have read his book, or really know that much about him, will be a very small one.
Obama is definitely an interesting fellow. I don't think he expect to land a nomination this time around. But by running for president, he gains valuable experience and makes himself a potential VP pick. A Clinton-Obama ticket would be formidable, even more formidable if matched by a McCain-Rice ticket.
Hillary might be the only Democrat McCain can beat, a whole lot of Republican conservatives really hate him for a variety of reasons, some good, some not so good. But they might hate Hilary more.
Any other serious Democratic candidate would probably beat McCain, except maybe Dennis Kucinich. Well, and maybe John Kerry.
If McCain and Hillary both win their respective nominations, a whole lot of voters might end up staying home, in which case Hillary would probably win. But if conservatives decide to hold their noses and hope for the best, it would be a rout, as McCain would get a large percentage of independents and a respectable number of Dmeocrats.
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