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[T]onight's speech was all about him. The policies are his qualities, the vision is his story, the vice president is his understudy. For all that he mocks Obama for being "the one," it is McCain who has rested the weight of a presidential candidacy atop his person. He is skilled at deflecting that perception, recasting one man's candidacy as an expression of every man's patriotism. But the common denominator in these humble asides remains McCain himself. [...]
When you stepped outside of McCain, however, there was very little to the speech. Over the course of nearly an hour, he managed to detail exactly three policies. [...] Where policies would ordinarily have gone, McCain instead substituted qualities. He's a fighter, he said. He's a patriot. He admitted to being humble and selfless and tested and independent and confident. Maybe that will be enough. Those are, undoubtedly, some good qualities. But no man is an agenda. No past is profound enough to stand in for the future. McCain didn't look self-assured on that stage. Not in comparison to Barack Obama or Joe Biden or even Sarah Palin. He looked fragile. And tired. And understandably so. John McCain's whole campaign rests atop his shoulders. And it is a heavy load.
Interview with Kos at Salon:
How do you see McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential nominee affecting the race going forward? There was so much discussion when the pick was first announced that McCain was deliberately going for the disenchanted Hillary Clinton voters, but do you think this pick is going to end up hurting McCain or giving him a boost?
Obviously, I'm not a woman, so it's tough for me to sort of understand the mind-set of many Clinton supporters. But I think it's telling that Gallup just released a poll today that showed Obama has done a fantastic job of solidifying his support among Hillary supporters. And my wife is a blogger, and at her site, she has definitely seen hardcore Hillary supporters so offended at the notion that McCain thought that putting a pair of breasts on the ticket was going to be enough to win their support, especially when Sarah Palin is so far removed ideologically from Hillary Clinton. Not just on choice, but she's a book burner. We just found out today, she was banning books at the Wasilla Public Library. She's virulently anti-choice. Go down the list, it's pretty crazy stuff. Clearly, if that was a ploy to lure Hillary supporters, it's not working. The data doesn't bear it out nor does the anecdotal evidence. [...]
You don't think that there's anything to the argument
Volunteers are what makes a campaign come alive. They knock on the doors, make the calls, stuff the envelopes and write letters to the editor. They are the backbone and public face of any campaign.
When it comes to mobilizing voters, there is nothing that is more effective than direct voter contact. A phone call or knock on the door from a smiling volunteer can make all the difference in an election.
Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club -- just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.
How Much: Free (just tell 'em you're with Drinking Liberally)
More info: drinkingliberallyslc.org
Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club -- just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.
How Much: Free (just tell 'em you're with Drinking Liberally)
More info: drinkingliberallyslc.org
Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club -- just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.
How Much: Free (just tell 'em you're with Drinking Liberally)
More info: drinkingliberallyslc.org
Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club -- just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.
How Much: Free (just tell 'em you're with Drinking Liberally)
More info: drinkingliberallyslc.org
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