Toph Speaks

I didn’t want to talk politics again, but damn, what the hell is going on in this country? Really? Who are these people that think John McCain - Sarah Palin is a good idea?

I’ve made it clear that I’m an Barack Obama supporter from the time this thing started. Hell, I became a supporter when I saw him give the keynote back in ‘04, but I’m not a naive person. I realize he, too, has his shortcomings. Look, Obama was never in the military, but is that the reason we’re not going to support his candidacy? I realize that the president is the commander in chief, but this was a non issue with George W. Bush (who was in the Texas Air National Guard, after scoring the lowest possible grade for acceptance). It also didn’t stop people for voting for Bill Clinton. Can you tell me if or when he served? Right.

John McCain was a prisoner of war, and this makes him an American hero. OK, I get it, I do, but do you realize this happened from 1967 to 1973? We’re not talking about a couple of years ago here, are we? This is 35 - 40 years ago! It’s not inconceivable that John McCain is not the same man now that he was back then. Chances are, he’s a lot different. I know that my grandpa was a lot different when I knew him than he was when he was in the war. There are a lot of POWs, but this does not mean they’re ready to be president.

The other part I can’t seem to wrap my head around is the overwhelming support from the Republicans, who seem to have completely forgotten about McCain’s failed presidential bid in 2000. He lost to George W. Bush, but maybe they have all forgotten. It is possible. I’ll give them a quick reminder of what the Bush campaign arguably (because his camp denied spreading the rumors) said about John McCain. Keep in mind, this was 8 years ago: they claimed McCain fathered a child (an interracial one, Republicans), called Cindy McCain (McCain’s second wife… family values, Republicans) a drug addict, said that McCain was gay and that he was a Manchurian Candidate who was either a traitor or unstable due his POW days. After all of this, the Republicans are now on his side. Really? You can just decide that you like him now?

It’s not that I don’t like John McCain. I believe he is a good person, and a great American. It’s the Republicans I am frustrated with. Obviously, McCain was the best of the worst. The lineup of presidential hopefuls they trotted out this year was laughable at best. Even my friend, and super-Republican Jimmy, had to cling to hope for Fred Thompson. And, despite Giuliani being the obvious choice, he ruined his chance by building an idiotic campaign. Mitt Romney was a sleazy joke, and then we were left with McCain. With the Democrats, we saw an intense battle, and the country was going to win with whoever was elected. Thankfully, they chose Obama.

Suddenly, all of the momentum Obama had stopped when McCain announced Palin as his running mate. Who? They keep going back to her experience, and saying all Obama has is a speech in 2004. Fine, but you can’t deny that speech was one of the most moving speeches since “I have a dream.” (Not to mention, the guy is a Senator.) I may be over exaggerating a little, but at least in ‘04 we all said, “there’s our future president.” With Palin, we’ve received nothing but sarcasm, and an exaggeration of her resume. The Straight Talk Express? Not hardly. You’re in front of the entire nation, and all you can do is make fun of the opponent? Impressive.

Why is she acting like she’s this great leader? I realize Obama wants to stay away from attacking her, and her family (admirable), but the Republicans are all about family values. Her she comes with her pregnant, saucy daughter, ass kicking future son in law, drug addicted son and, of course, now we hear she cheated on her husband with his business partner. Not to mention the questions about that infant son of hers. It really doesn’t seem like that they thought too much about this pick. Kay Bailey Hutchinson must be laughing her ass off. How could you not pick her? It really does seem like that thought, “She’s super conservative, and no one knows her. What could possibly be bad about a chick from Alaska.” Smart.

I could keep going on, but you get the idea. I could talk about the now famous “bridge to nowhere” that she said she was against, or the plane she “sold” on ebay, or her banning books, but I won’t. I could keep harping on how McCain is wrong for this country, and how he’s really old. But, again, I won’t. I’m just going to say that Barack Obama is the obvious choice to lead our nation out of this funk. Please, restore this great country. If not for me, then for the ladies above.