Can’t say that I’ve watched the whole of the Democratic National Convention, but I’ve probably seen more of it than I have in most years. Missed the old Clinton-Gore ticket, but caught most of the other major speeches, including Barack Obama’s acceptance speech that just ended a few minutes ago.
Now, I’ve never been accused of being liberal; amazingly enough, I haven’t ever voted Democrat in a national election (I’m a registered Independent, and I’m finding it hard to believe that I haven’t done that even once since turning 18, considering I’m from DC). This just might be the first time, though.
I wasn’t completely sold on Obama, though I’ve been leaning that way for a bit. And certainly, this is a ready-made election year for Democrats, considering the incredible debacle that has been the Bush administration. But there hasn’t been a lot of detail about this “change” business — until tonight. Did I like everything I heard? Not all of it, but I heard enough. Obama did pretty well tonight. Finally some policy detail and finally hitting back a little bit.
These last few years, economically, have been an odd mix of coddling business while a lot of those businesses (I’m looking at you, manufacturing) are still struggling despite finding creative ways of lowering costs (i.e. buying a lot more “Made in China” stickers for their products). Maybe it’s time to swing the other way a little bit. Supply-side economics have never worked, anyway. As long as the Dems don’t go too crazy with the corporate taxes, a little disincentive to overseas outsourcing is in order.
The whole war issue has been hashed and rehashed in a bunch of places, so I’ll spare you yet another discussion on that. Let’s just say that I’m not blanketly anti-war in general, but it was pretty clear that Iraq wasn’t the way to go, even way back when. (Obama didn’t corner the market on that pronouncement. Ideologies didn’t match between the principals and would have made an alliance uneasy at best. But that’s another discussion for another time.) Afghanistan needs some more attention and the soldiers who have been serving so selflessly for so long could use a little rest. This part’s the easiest call of the political season.
I can generally do without a lot of the most liberal social stuff, but that is what it is, I guess. A president’s the president of everyone in the country, after all.
I’m generally predisposed to voting for a McCain-type from an ideology standpoint, but I’m just not feeling it this time. Who knows; maybe after the Republican convention I’ll feel differently. Not betting on it, though.
Doubt they’d have as good music, though.
More later.