MIXED MESSAGES AT THE RNC CONVENTION
Former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani said something interesting tonight in his speech at the Republican National Convention. In mentioning John McCain's time as a Prisoner of War, and subsequent refusal of early release, he applauded his decision with these words:
Then, as if to drive this point home, Sarah Palin decided to hit the sarcastic "community organizer" note TWICE in her speech? It clearly seemed to be a talking point the McCain Campaign decided to (in their minds) exploit, but I still can't figure out why?
For a little perspective, let's a closer look at what the RNC finds so funny, shall we?
In 1985, at age 24, Barack Obama had just graduated from Columbia University and was working for a New York business consultant. Possibly seeking "something greater than his own self-interest", he decided to pack up his bags and move to Chicago to become an organizer for a South Side community group. His $13,000 annual salary was no doubt a pay cut from his New York job, and yet he stayed there three long years.
The experience of connecting with everyday people, helping with their struggles, and trying to improve the community left it's mark on him. As he puts it:
I guess my question to Guiliani, Palin, and the rest of the RNC faithful is, "What's so funny about community organizing for someone trying to find themselves in their mid-twenties?" Does this not live up to the standard that McCain speaks of?
The RNC loves to show images of hard-working, God-loving familes and talk about their struggles to succeed in achieving the American dream. Yet Obama's service in helping these very same people use their organized churches to transform their broken communities is somehow a punch line?
The man had a degree from one of the most prestigious Universities in the world, and could have no doubt accepted any number of lucrative jobs. Yet he decided to work for peanuts and drive around a dangerous area of Chicago to help his fellow man.
Just for clarification, in Guiliani's mid-20's, instead of serving in Vietnam, he put his law degree to work clerking for a United States District Judge. It was the first step in a long and fruitful legal career for him.
In Palin's mid-20's, she put her communications degree to work as a sports reporter at a local news station and dreamed of being on ESPN.
So why was this "community organizer" dig considered such a successful attack for these two? Do Republicans somehow not agree with John McCain's own slogan? Should other young people avoid such community service for fear of being laughed at? The message seems murky. And confusing. And insulting.
"Because this is a man who believes in serving a cause greater than self-interest."This sentiment has, in fact, become an unofficial slogan of the McCain campaign - and it's one that I think most of America would applaud. Which is maybe why I was left scratching my head when Guiliani decided to mock Barack Obama as a "community organizer" to the guffaws of the convention hall.
Then, as if to drive this point home, Sarah Palin decided to hit the sarcastic "community organizer" note TWICE in her speech? It clearly seemed to be a talking point the McCain Campaign decided to (in their minds) exploit, but I still can't figure out why?
For a little perspective, let's a closer look at what the RNC finds so funny, shall we?
In 1985, at age 24, Barack Obama had just graduated from Columbia University and was working for a New York business consultant. Possibly seeking "something greater than his own self-interest", he decided to pack up his bags and move to Chicago to become an organizer for a South Side community group. His $13,000 annual salary was no doubt a pay cut from his New York job, and yet he stayed there three long years.
The experience of connecting with everyday people, helping with their struggles, and trying to improve the community left it's mark on him. As he puts it:
"I grew up to be a man, right here, in this area. It's as a consequence of working with this organization and this community that I found my calling. There was something more than making money and getting a fancy degree. The measure of my life would be public service."At age 27, Obama left Chicago with an eye toward helping people on a larger scale. He returned to Chicago after graduating from Harvard Law School, and continued his life of public service to the people of Illinois.
I guess my question to Guiliani, Palin, and the rest of the RNC faithful is, "What's so funny about community organizing for someone trying to find themselves in their mid-twenties?" Does this not live up to the standard that McCain speaks of?
The RNC loves to show images of hard-working, God-loving familes and talk about their struggles to succeed in achieving the American dream. Yet Obama's service in helping these very same people use their organized churches to transform their broken communities is somehow a punch line?
The man had a degree from one of the most prestigious Universities in the world, and could have no doubt accepted any number of lucrative jobs. Yet he decided to work for peanuts and drive around a dangerous area of Chicago to help his fellow man.
Just for clarification, in Guiliani's mid-20's, instead of serving in Vietnam, he put his law degree to work clerking for a United States District Judge. It was the first step in a long and fruitful legal career for him.
In Palin's mid-20's, she put her communications degree to work as a sports reporter at a local news station and dreamed of being on ESPN.
So why was this "community organizer" dig considered such a successful attack for these two? Do Republicans somehow not agree with John McCain's own slogan? Should other young people avoid such community service for fear of being laughed at? The message seems murky. And confusing. And insulting.
posted by Russell Arch at
9/03/2008
4 Comments:
Forgive me, wasn't it BO that started it with his dismissive and somewhat demeaning remarks about Palin's service as a mayor and govenorship of Wasilla and Alaska?
Community organizers, volunteers, PTA, hockey, family, city council service, mayors and certainly, govenorships should be respected, not demeaned, for it is the stuff of which greatness can come, (and has), with or without a prestigious degree from a ivy league institution. Redundant.
I consider it a well deserved, lashing with a "wet noodle", the OB camp had it coming.
At least, it was delivered with modicum of humor, and not as a distainful, dismissive rebuke for being "normal" and having grown up in small town America. She resonated with everyone who is tired of being told that they must be "degreed" to be relevant or successful. Middle America?
I like Obama, I just think he may be surrounded by, and taking advice from, possibly...snobs?
Obama and Palin, both, in the coming months, have some lessons in life education ahead.
In the trenches, in rural Oregon. Love, AL
McCain-Palin '08
Is there an exact quote for Obama's "dismissive and demeaning remarks"? If anything, I thought he took the high road when she was nominated, and furthermore when the press came down on her daughter's situation.
I remember him responding to RNC attacks about her having MORE experience due to her Mayorship by simply comparing the size of her town (money, employees)... to the size of his campaign.
But did she criticize him for this comparison? No. She chose to belittle the job itself. Furthermore, it's something he did at age 24... while she was in her 30's when she became Mayor.
And who has ever made a 'dismissive rebuke for being "normal" and having grown up in small town America'?
Again, the "snobs" thing is odd to me and without facts to back it up?
Was it not snobbish to have a McCain adviser call Americans "whiners" for feeling an economic pinch?
Carly Fiorina, McCain's economic adviser, is a CEO most known for cutting over 25,000 worker while getting a pay raise. Then, when asked about jobs going overseas, she stated:
"There is no job that is America's God-given right anymore."
Does Obama have anyone on his staff that has shown this level of "snobbery"? Would you consider McCain's own "Arabian Horses" comment a "snobby" comment?
It seems like McCain/Palin are getting a huge pass from you, while Obama has to overcome your perceptions of what he may "possibly" be doing behind the scenes.
I think Palin's got a lot further to go in the "life education" area too. After all, a month ago she didn't even know what the Vice President's duties were.
I think we'll get a true sense of what we're dealing with once she steps away from the teleprompter and starts answering questions on her own.
The comments by Obama were made on the same day of the announcement. I'm sorry I don't recall the news program.
I watched tonight's O'Reilly just to see Part 1 of THE interview. I thought it was pretty reasonable for as far as the questions went.
Huge pass? I think we are both saying much of the same things about this campaign. My observations are just that, but the impressions of elitism are a problem, for many. Is it a fair perception, time will tell. I do think it is a fair comment and is a view expressed by others, based on the commentaries in print and broadcasts.
I didn't care for Cindy McCain's speech tonight. But, she isn't running for office.
My point, albeit, not illustrated point by point, is...I say again, I like Obama, I like what he has to say, so far as that goes. I want to HEAR him talk more about what his intentions are, as president. At this point in time, he has not demonstrated enough experience to be running for President, in my opinion.
As for Sarah Palin....the clock is ticking. I wish her, and her family well in the coming days.
The debates will surely give some more insight to all candidates.
Chores to do. I guess I have one more animal to feed. Who knew that dang monkey was even there?
Love, AL
On Day 1 of Sarah Palin, Obama's Spokesperson issued this:
"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same."
Obama then said this:
"I think that, uh, you know, campaigns start getting these, uh, hair triggers and, uh, the statement that Joe and I put out reflects our sentiments," he said.
Obama's actual statement:
"I haven't met her before. She seems like a compelling person ... with a terrific personal story.
"I'm sure that she will help make the case for Republicans, unfortunately the case is more of the same, and so ultimately John McCain is at the top of the ticket."
"He wants to take the country in the wrong direction, I'm assuming Gov. Palin agrees with him and his policies," he said.
"But the fact that she ... will soon be nominated ... is one more indicator of this country moving forward ... one more hit against that glass ceiling. I congratulate her and look forward to a vigorous debate."
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