From Sherman Edwards’ musical 1776, the cleverly lyrical romp entitled “But Mr. Adams.” Both the stage version and the movie featured William Daniels as John Adams, Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson, and Howard Da Silva as Benjamin Franklin. Da Silva’s Franklin remains etched in my mind as how I would imagine Franklin in real life. As I complete the first week of this blog, I cannot but agree with Franklin, “politics on paper, it’s a mania.” Enjoy the show.
The Huffington Post’s headline this morning based on a story on the Democratic Party’s growing divide in the Washington Post is “Backlash.” Here’s what the Huffington Post writes quoting the Washington Post:
The protracted and increasingly acrimonious fight for the Democratic presidential nomination is unnerving core constituencies — African Americans and wealthy liberals — who are becoming convinced that the party could suffer irreversible harm if Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton maintains her sharp line of attack against Sen. Barack Obama.
Clinton’s solid win in the Pennsylvania primary exposed a quandary for the party. Her backers may be convinced that only she can win the white, working-class voters that the Democratic nominee will need in the general election, but many African American leaders say a Clinton nomination — handed to her by superdelegates — would result in a disastrous breach with black voters.
Unnerving core constituencies — African Americans and wealthy liberals? Well those are two groups that Obama did win in Pennsylvania, in fact those are two of only three demographics that Obama did win in Pennsylvania. He lost all the others. Obama won African Americans 92% of African-American votes including an astounding 97% of African-American men. You would think that this is Cuba or something.
I am Honored to Say I am With Hillary for the Long Run
by Dr. Maya Angelou
4/24/2008 2:39:10 PM
Dear Friend:
I am writing to tell you about my friend, Hillary Clinton, and why I am standing with her in her campaign for the presidency. I know the kind of president Hillary Clinton will be because I know the person she is.
I am inspired by her courage and her honesty. She is a reliable and trustworthy person. She is someone I not only admire but one for whom I have profound affection.
Hillary does not waver in standing up for those who need a champion. She has always been a passionate protector of families. As a child, she was taught that all God’s children are equal, and as a mother, she understood that her child wasn’t safe unless all children were safe. As I wrote about Hillary recently in a praise song: “She is the prayer of every woman, and every man who longs for fair play, healthy families, good schools and a balanced economy.”
It may be easy to view Hillary Clinton through the narrow lens of those who would write her off or grind her down. Hillary sees us as we are, black and brown and white and yellow and pink and relishes our differences knowing that fundamentally we are all more alike than we are unalike. She is able to look through complexion and see community.
She has endured great scrutiny, and still she dares greatly. Hillary Clinton will not give up on you, and all she asks is that you do not give up on her. She is a long-distance runner. I am honored to say I am with her for the long run.
I am supporting Hillary Clinton because I know that she will make the most positive difference in people’s lives and she will help our country become what it can be. Whether you are her supporter, leaning towards her, undecided, or supporting someone else, I believe Hillary Clinton will represent you – she will be a president for all Americans. It is no small thing that along the way we will make history together.
Vote for Hillary Clinton and show your support at www.hillaryclinton.com. I know she will make us proud.
The New York Times reports today the Republican Party once hestitant of their chances against the presumptive Democratic nominee, Senator Obama, are now more sanguine in their views. And not just against Obama, the GOP is using Obama as a lightening rod in a slew of political ads in upcoming races across the country.
Republicans say the new focus on Mr. Obama reflects their view that he remains the more likely Democratic presidential nominee since he continues to lead Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in convention delegates. It also shows that Republicans, who have for months characterized Mrs. Clinton as the contender who would most energize Republican voters, now see vulnerabilities in Mr. Obama that could be liabilities for other Democrats on the ballot.
When in Pennsylvania Senator Obama won but one socio-economic group, those who earn over $150,000, it is hard to like his chances in November. So many Democrats are willing to desert him, myself included but I am not his major worry. That remains his inability to connect with blue-collar, rank & file Democrats, the so-called Reagan Democrats. The DNC establishment seems mired in a time warp thinking that nominating effete liberals in the vein of John Kerry or Michael Dukakis will bring victory given the dire situation the country faces. How could we lose they ask?
By not connecting with the working class, that’s how.
Here is Saturday’s edition of interesting reads from around the world.
Illegal Timber Trade in Asia Rife
Indonesia’s Jakarta Post reports that officials across the Asia Pacific region say they are shocked by reports that illegal timber trade remains widespread in the region despite policies in place against it. The World Timber Organization is based in Japan, the industrialized world’s most forested nation. Unfortunately in my view while Japan does an admirable job in managing its forests, it is conducting a Sabine rape of the world’s forests. Japanese officials can do more.
Geo-Politics of Peak Oil
Global Economic Analysis has a short take on world geo-politics from a peak oil perspective.
How to Get a Girlfriend
Apparently one needs to be a philosopher. The story in today’s European Tribune.
Two Guys Kissing. Quick Call 911
Well at least they weren’t lynched. A woman called 911 (emergency services in the US) in Birmingham, Alabama when she spotted two guys kissing in public. Apparently it was part of an ABC News report on social situations. The story from Towleroad. In 2006, three gay men were lynched in Alabama.
Nadine Gordimer Being Pressured to Cancel Israeli Visit
Free speech. Those that urge this are simply wrong. The story from Haaretz.
The Bill Moyers interview was informative. Here is the transcript. Overall I’d say a net positive to neutral for the Rev Wright and neutral to a bit disconcerting for Obama. Still, as a historian I have to say that I came away with the feeling that the Rev. Wright is in dire need of a few history lessons. Two sermons were hightlighted Sep 16 2001 and Apr 13 2003 which are the ones that have caused the greatest controversary so far. He veers into serious historical inaccuracies on several occasions most especially on Truman’s decision to use the atomic weapon on Japan. On this the Rev Wright is simply wrong with his facts.
Those who watched this programme are likely not the ones who Obama and the Rev Wright need to reach in any regard anyway but there isn’t any fodder for the news cycle apart perhaps from the already out there comment that Obama is “a politician.” I am sure that if there is any grave danger for Obama this weekend it is likely from those previous clips being replayed as news programmes cover the developing story. Hence my slightly disconcerting take for Obama.