Saint Obama Wants To Be Your Daddy
I think Matt Welch, at reason, has it right:
President Barack Obama didn't give a particularly good acceptance speech Thursday night, but for the thousands in the arena it didn't matter one bit. They were here to see him more than listen to him, to communicate their love to him (often by bursting forth with "I LOVE YOU!!"s) more than hear about his plans for the next four years. The last five minutes of the speech was a festival of hollering back, of responding not to Obama's frequently inaudible remarks but to the rising timbre of his voice. I think it's impossible to understand the ongoing appeal of this odd and embattled president without grappling with the notion that he is an essentially religious figure....The Democrats are selling themselves in 2012 as the party that simply cares more. They feel your pain, only this time it's not a snicker-worthy campaign ploy from a slick southern politician; it's a governing creed. Simply by virtue of being more empathetic, they will produce better policies and outcomes, particularly those that affect the identity groups within the Democratic coalition: women, Hispanics, blacks, the gay and lesbian community.
...Because Democrats care more about education, education outcomes will be better; there was precious little discussion of policy toward those ends. "Government has a role in this," Obama said last night, "But teachers must inspire; principals must lead; parents must instill a thirst for learning, and students-you gotta do the work." Well okay then!
Democrats might yet win by exploiting the Caring Gap. Certainly having the Republican Party to compete against helps. But for those of us voters who want government to be neither mom nor dad, and who like to keep our religious experiences separate from the exertion of public policy, a depressing reality has been reinforced thise week: The two major parties are incapable of treating you like an adult. Meanwhile, they are demanding-and sometimes receiving-a devotion that borders on the unhealthy.
Yes, Both parties may be depressing on the issue of big government, however, the voter apathy created by that belief does not apply equally to both parties. That apathy is a distinct benefit to Obama/The Left. Seriously, Team Obama must see these type articles and feel great. The lion's share of the MSM is already in the tank for them. But hey! what remains of the MSM, some of them can still indirectly and/or unwittingly pitch in! Just make the ever dwindling ranks of those not on the government dole/those who don't want Big Brother Government feel there is no difference, feel apathetic about their choice at election time. Super!
There most certainly IS a significant difference in this November's choice for POTUS. Spare me the friggin 'they all do it' whiny article. After November there will be months on end to speak of that (among other things). Right now with the election just a handful of weeks away, voters need to hear the differences in these two candidates. And one of those differences most certainly is in regards to the size/scope of government.
Team Romney may not be the first choice of big government opponents. His response to the increasing realm of big government probably won't be anywhere near what is truly needed. But there is no question Team Romney will turn away to some degree from the big government policies Team Obama lovingly embrace. There is no question Team Romney will emphasize market forces. There is no question Team Romney will not embrace getting more and more voters on the government dole. And there is no question that big government opponents have some level of victory (potentially) awaiting them in November.
I'm sorry you won't get everything you want on limiting government. Welcome to the real friggin world where often you have to take smaller victories and hold your nose on some of the stuff that accompanies that victory. Of course the alternative is to strengthen the most enthusiastic of big government supporters. Yep, that's a well though out option!
TW at September 7, 2012 1:50 AM
Political speeches are always bland and boring. But what do I know I have ADD and can't focus on a speech for that long. I'm bored after the first five minutes. I think he's saying something in the other window about innocent Americans losing their jobs or something.
NicoleK at September 7, 2012 3:00 AM
I really don't understand. Every time I hear this issue raised in the media I fail to hear the mention of the party most responsible for restraining the civil rights of blacks and minorities in the South. They fail to mention that the KKK was started by the Democrats or that Bull Connor, George Wallace, Lester Maddox et al were all Democrats and there is a good reason for that. The Democrat Party now espouses the socialist leftwing agenda of the majority of mainstream journalists.
Stinky the Clown at September 7, 2012 7:17 AM
the I love you thing is kinda funny... I know a number of friends who will forgive this guy anything because he somehow makes them feel a certain way, even though their brains say something else. When you ask them about it they can't really articulate directly... they often say 'brilliant orator' which is a crock... but that isn't it.
OTOH, these are the people who project the most onto this guy, but are willing to overlook stuff that never happens, and defend all of it as a lack of understanding of him.
It's mystifying... and amusingly, I was waiting for a pair of knickers to be tossed up on stage the way people were talking.
SwissArmyD at September 7, 2012 9:38 AM
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