On the Iowa Caucuses...
Thursday, January 3, 2008
I don't generally use this medium for political rants, but as Iowans are flocking to the polls (well, meandering is more likely), I figured I'd spit a bit of what's on my mind as the primary season begins:
First, for the evildoers....er...uh...elephants, that is.
I'm not sure if I blacked out for a bit, but when the hell did Mike Huckabee gain traction? Up until a couple of weeks ago, he'd barely earned an honorable mention in the media, and here he is neck and neck with Mitt Romney. I'm both marginally confused and at least as much petrified by this phenomenon. Should it truly come down to Huckabee and Romney for the red ticket, the religious right will strive to elect either a bishop of the Mormon who is a continual supporter of the "clearer every day" Iraq failure or an ordained Baptist minister Arkansas redneck who thinks everyone with HIV/AIDS should be quarantined to "cure" the epidemic. Oy veh. I'd like to say there's no way America would elect a fundamentalist right-wing nut job to the top spot, but then again, we RE-ELECTED one in '04.
And I suppose I'm okay with Rudy Giuliani falling out of grace...After all, if his response to 9/11 proves that he's such a great leader and protector of American turf, was 9/10 just a vacation day? Aside from being America's Mayor, what other qualifications does he have to run the most powerful nation (for now anyway) in the world?
Okay, enough for the elephant side of the game and onto the jackasses.
It's intriguing that the top Democratic contenders in Iowa are a black man and a woman. In previous elections, the current standings would have been more likely to give a "nice thought, thanks for playing" nod to Barack and Hillary and usher in the good-looking white man, John Edwards, into the nomination. But then again, there are those rumors that his dear ailing wife is nothing more than a beard (I won't be tacky enough to blog about that possibility....today, anyway).
I think I could actually support any of the three in the general election, but I'm torn for the primary. There are, of course, arguments to be made for both Hillary's experience on the hill and Barack's fresh new viewpoint. Likewise, there are arguments AGAINST Hillary's Washington-drone affect and Barack's lack of world exposure. If you haven't read Barack's second book, The Audacity of Hope, I highly recommend it. Whether or not his brand of change politics is as cavalier as it sounds in the book, at least he has clear ideas of how we can move forward. And Hillary did play an important role in her hubby's presidency, which although briefly tainted by a few blowjobs and a joint, will likely be remembered as a great one (at LEAST for the economy and global relations).
I do have one philosophical issue with Hillary, in that her election to the presidency would mean that America's number one has been either a Bush or a Clinton since 1989. I'm not sure how big of a deal to me that is, but something about dynastic presidencies feels at least a little undemocratic. Especially if she serves two terms followed by a *gasp* Jeb Bush bid....Eek.
Then, of course, there is Mr. Edwards himself. The only thing I've heard about him lately is how concerned people are over his ability to lead the nation while caring for a terminal wife. Hell, Betty Ford abused alcohol right through Gerald's presidency, and W himself has looked rosey-cheeked more than once or twice in the last few years. A sick first lady hardly means he can't do the job. Although I'd like to be able to support someone for what they CAN do, as opposed to settling for someone who "is at least better than the other guy".
Certainly these thoughts don't necessarily represent my entire outlook on the process or the individuals currently involved. Just the thoughts I'm having at this moment. I will be interested to see what comes out of Iowa today, though.
Currently listening to Rufus Wainwright - Going to a Town
posted by Dustin @ 6:30 PM,
