patrickmurfin

A Tip o’ the Hat to Will Shetterly at It’s All One Thing for alerting me to this actual post debate photo.  For the record, it supposedly records John McCain’s reaction to accidently almost wandering off stage in the wrong direction.  But I’ll stand by the snark in the title to this entry.

Barack Obama was able to manage the suspense almost until the last moment.  The campaign’s famous self-discipline and tight control of message unraveled only a little as a relentless mainstream media, sniffing the wind for any clue, began to besiege the home of Joe Biden the senior senator from Delaware.  Helicopters circled the scene as if it were an L.A. freeway chase.  When the Secret Service showed up it was game over.  The word was out just hours before the candidate was prepared to make an official announcement.

All evening  Kathy Brady-Murfin kept checking her cell phone.  “I’m expecting a text from Barack!” The message did not come through before she had to turn in.  I’m sure the first thing she did this morning before heading off to work was checking that phone.

Kathy usually does not share my passionate involvement in politics.  In her jaundiced eye all politicians are suspect.  And she usually maintains that there’s not much difference between Democrats and Republicans.  When push comes to shove, she usually does vote Democratic, however.  Rumor has it she may have even voted for me upon occasion.  But Kathy is genuinely excited about Obama.  How excited?  She even signed up for a modest monthly automatic contribution to the campaign through the election, overcoming her usual anxiety over our precarious finances.

My wife is symbolic of all of the folks breathlessly awaiting word from Obama.  It is the passionate devotion of people like her the will give the Democratic ticket an edge that no horse race poll can take into account. 

Are those folks happy with the choice? Judging from the comments flooding into pro-Democratic sites like Huffington Post and the Daily Kos, a handful of curmudgeons and inevitable trolls aside, the pick is a grand slam home run.

The new team got its debut today in Springfield.  Returning to the picturesque and symbolic steps of the Old State Capital on a warm, sunny afternoon, Obama immediately invoked the memory of an equally sunny but much colder March afternoon 19 months ago where he launched his campaign of hope and change to an ecstatic, if frozen audience.  In rolled up shirtsleeves this time, Obama introduced his choice for running mate with genuine enthusiasm and affection.  He emphasized not only Biden’s extensive and widely admired foreign policy chops, but his working class Irish Catholic background, his struggles over tragedy, and his legendary devotion to the family to which he returned each night from Washington on an Amtrack train.  He made much of Biden sharing in an “improbable story,” but one which is intensely American.

Obama also contrasted Biden’s handling to the recent Russian invasion of Georgia to McCain’s bellicose attempt at policy making by press conference by pointing out that Biden “quietly” went to Georgia to meet that nation’s embattled president.  He pointedly said that Biden was “what many others pretend to be -- a statesman with sound judgment who doesn't have to hide behind bluster to keep America strong.’

Biden for his part sprinted confidently to the stage looking—silver hair plugs not withstanding--almost as youthful as Obama.  His speech made it clear why he will be not only an outstanding addition to the ticket, but a great vice president as well.  It is expected that a veep pick will laud the man who picked him.  But Biden was able to articulate how he had personally come to admire Obama as a leader, an agent of change, and as a statesman.  He immediately diffused the pitiful attempts of John McCain’s campaign to use his own presidential debate remarks to undercut Obama.

More importantly, in his characteristic blunt, plain spoken language, Biden immediately went to work on destroying the McCain campaign without personal rancor against a man he called his long time friend.  He invoked the kitchen table discussions “after the kids have gone to bed” repeated in millions of American families beset by soaring prices, stagnating or falling wages, and plummeting home values about how to make ends meet.  He included himself and his family—he is the least wealthy member of the U.S. Senate and reportedly had to take second mortgages on his home to finance his children’s college education—in those kitchen tables discussions.  He contrasted this to McCain who will "have to figure out which of the seven tables to sit at.” 

Then it was off to the races.  Biden lashed McCain to George W. Bush’s sinking and disastrous presidency with a ruthless precision that Obama has been loath to pursue.  He was not even shy about taking on McCain’s status as a war hero who increasingly invokes his P.O.W. experience every time he faces criticism-- "these times require more than a good soldier, they require a wise leader."  He could point out that his own son, the sitting Delaware Attorney General, will soon be deployed to Iraq as a member of the National Guard linking himself to the sacrifice of military families everywhere.  What a contrast to the neo-con war hawks, McCain aside, who avoided war service for themselves and their privileged children.

All in all it was a stellar performance all around.  The photo op with two tall, handsome men flanked by attractive wives, although noticeably shorter in duration than the turn taken by Barack and Michelle last February—probably at the insistence of a nervous Secret Service—made for a compelling pictures.

I didn’t check in with Fox News, where I expect that the usual sniping echoed the pitiful talking points from the McCain campaign, but commentators on both CNN and MSNBC effusive in their praise of Obama’s choice and the performance of both members of the ticket in Springfield.  The only misgivings I heard were that Biden, the fifth senior U.S. Senator, would not reinforce Obama’s message of change and that he does not bring strong economic policy credentials on the table in a year when the sagging economy is emerging as the big issue.

I have to disagree with both assessments.  Biden, although a senior senator, was always something of an outsider just by virtue of his daily commutes back to Delaware and his intense devotion to his family.  Secondly, Obama can argue that the personal esteem in which Biden is held by both sides of the aisle will make him the perfect choice to help steer a program of change through congress.

On the economy, Biden is a great choice because, as Barack repeated in his introduction, “he gets it.”  He understands what working and middle class Americans are going through.  He has been there himself.  And he has a legislative history of not only fighting for, but often spearheading economic initiatives critical to those kitchen table voters.  And he is the antidote to the class cluelessness of the likely ticket of McCain-Romney.

Now it’s on to Denver and sharpening the message of the Obama-Biden campaign even more.

MoveOn.Org has unveiled this new TV spot contrasting the desire of the American—and Iraqi people—for a clear timeline to withdraw U.S. Forces with John McCain’s open ended commitment. 

Left unsaid is the bright contrast between McCain’s stubborn commitment to the quagmire and Barack Obama steady and unwavering support of a carefully planned withdrawal which he reasserted  Monday in a celebrated New York Times op-ed piece.

Under Federal rules MoveOn can only ask viewers to raise the issue with McCain.  But an independent blog like this—your reliable, if quirky, source of information—can certainly report the news about the new ad and specifically tell you that Barack Obama has a different position.

Oops!  I already have.

Carolyn Quinn

Right now our Congress is once again discussing a bill that would provide President Bush

with additional funds to continue the War in Iraq.

 
I wring my hands knowing that the discussion most likely focuses how to supply the military

operations and operatives rather than how to bring our operations and operatives home- and

how we will fund their care for decades to come.  But the climate in the world this time is a

little bit different while our congress deliberates. 

Last year, Tony Blair, who had been the most popular Prime Minister in Great Britain’s

istory, also became the least popular - because of his close alliance with George W. Bush

and the Iraq War Fiasco. Tony Blair resigned and was succeeded by Gordon Brown.

Last November, John Howard in Australia was unseated by their new Prime Minister,

Kevin Rudd.  Rudd’s campaign promise was to end Australia’s participation in the Iraq

War and bring their 550 combat troops home by the middle of 2008.

Last Sunday, Australia ended combat operations in Iraq, and the first troops actually arrived

at their mainland.  In the course of the next few weeks the rest of the Australian combat troops

will go home.  No grand chaos erupted, just grand homecomings for those 550 military families. 

Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon declared the mission a success, saying it had allowed Iraq’s

own security forces to successfully take control.

Last Monday, Prime Minister  Rudd publicly told his Parliament that his predecessor, John

Howard, had abused intelligence to lead his country into a war that has only served to

increase global terrorism. Rudd has said the Iraq deployment made Australia more of a

target for terrorism.

Last Tuesday, the Canadian House of Commons passed a non-binding resolution in

response to widespread opposition to the war in Iraq throughout their country.  It calls on

their government to stop the deportation of Iraq war resisters who came to Canada seeking

refuge from participating in a war not sanctioned by the United Nations and recognized that

those resisters view the war as illegal and immoral.

Also last Tuesday, Barack Obama clinched the delegate count for a Democratic nomination

and became our presumptive nominee.  His campaign promise has been to end the war in Iraq

altogether and bring our troops home in an orderly manner.

This has been a big week.

Thursday, our own Senate Intelligence Committee declared that the Bush administration “led

the nation to war on false premises.”  The committee chairman is John Rockefeller of West

Virginia.  Rockefeller has now personally declared his support for Barack Obama.  Some

Republicans on the committee voted to support its conclusions, some Republicans immediately

published a dissent document calling it partisan gamesmanship.  Hello?  That, my friends, is

why we elected a Democratic majority.

The media tells us that the results of this fall’s election is likely to be the result of economic woes

and issues.  I don’t think so. 

I continue to wring my hands, but within their clasp is a glimmer of hope.  Here is my prediction

of what CHANGE is going to look like. THIS is the change I believe in:

Next November we elect Barack president and celebrate a historic record in terms of citizen

participation across the country.  Before New Years’ Day, President Obama announces an end

to U.S. combat operations in Iraq and our flag is calmly and respectably taken down from

combat camps there.  “The focus of our military operations is now finding bin Laden in

Afghanistan.”

The Democratic Secretary of Defense can officially claim that Iraqi Freedom was a success. 

Fine. Whatever. The March issue of Time Magazine has a cover picture of grand homecomings. 

Pride of service and valor is all the wave.  Patriotism surges beyond the levels of September 12,

2001.

Next June, President Obama publicly tells Congress that his predecessor had abused intelligence

to lead our country into a war that has resulted in less Iraqi freedom, not more.  Less security in

America, not more.  If anybody can deliver a speech that validates the servicemen and women,

and validates theirservice while at the same time denouncing the decisions to both begin and

maintain war in Iraq… (well, Kevin Rudd did it in Australia this week.) If anybody can deliver

that speech here in the U.S. and pull it off with style and grace, that would be Barack Obama. 

I am looking forward to the day. 

Back to current events in Australia:

Rudd's predecessor, former Prime Minister John Howard, said he was "baffled" by the decision

to withdraw the troops. The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Howard in an interview published

Monday,"If I had been returned at the last election we would not have been bringing (troops)

home, we would

have been looking at transitioning them from their soon-to-be terminated role to a training role."

Can’t you just picture McCain being interviewed in the wings next year saying he was “baffled”

by the decision to withdraw troops?

“The Arizona Daily Star will quote Senator McCain’s response to President Obama’s latest

speech,  ‘If I had been elected president last November, we would not be bringing troops home

or sending them to Afghanistan, we would have been looking at transitioning them from their

soon-to-be terminated roles in Iraq to training roles.  And what about Iran?’ – AP.”

Carolyn Quinn

June 6, 2008

Right

Wow!  It is semi-officially over. Sort of. Of course I mean the epic battle for the Democratic Presidential Nomination.  Barack Obama is, all of the talking heads on TV assure us, the “presumptive nominee.”

All day yesterday super delegates were falling all over themselves to declare for Obama.  Declarations were coming so fast and furious that neither the Obama campaign web site nor the delegate counters on the news blogs were able to keep up.  But by early evening it was apparent that regardless of the outcome of the South Dakota and Montana primaries the Illinois Senator would have secured enough delegates to clinch the nomination.  Mainstream media began “calling” the hard fought primary season for Obama.

And all day long signals from the Hillary Clinton camp were that she was ready to accept the inevitable and was likely to acknowledge Obama’s victory and at least suspend her campaign.  No ongoing campaign schedules were issued.  Top aids summoned back to New York were reported preparing to leave the campaign.  Some were reported already to be in discussions with Obama’s people about moving over to his campaign.  People at the very highest levels of the campaign were telling reporters off the record that it was over and Clinton recognized it.  Some were saying so publicly.  And Clinton herself acknowledged what Bill had been hinting about for sometime, that she would “consider” an offer of the Vice Presidential nomination.

Yet in the end, she couldn’t do it.  Her speech was not a concession.  She did not suspend her campaign.  She only perfunctorily praised Obama and his campaign before launching into the familiar laundry list of her issues and proclaiming to her supporters that “I heard you.”  She promised at the end to support a united Democratic Party ticket, but gave no hint as to when that end might be.  Then she told supporters “This is your campaign,” and asked supporters to log on to her web site with their advice on what to do.

She must know that her hard core, adoring supporters will flood the web site with messages to “take the fight to the convention” and “never give up.”  She can, if she wants to, point to that inevitable outpouring, as justification to keep on.

The question is, does she want to?  I am not sure even Hillary knows for sure.  I believe she is genuinely torn at least three ways.  The cool political professional recognizes that the race is over and that any attempt to press on will damage the party—and her future career prospects.  The opportunist now sees that forcing Obama to put her on the ticket may provide the surest path that can take her—eventually—to the White House.  But the Amazon warrior with the Nixonian resentments says “to hell with all that” and wants to stick her thumb in the eye of the Party and aim a well placed kick to Obama’s knee cap that could make it impossible for him to win the general election.  Which inner voice she finally heeds is anyone’s guess.

Offering herself up for the vice-presidency yesterday was her boldest move.  Many observers—count me one of them—say it as outright blackmail.  “Take me,” she seemed to say “or my core supporters among mature women, traditional feminists, and ‘hard working white voters’ will sit on their hands in November.” 

And as much as he might resent it, there is a logic there that Obama might find it difficult to resist.  He might feel compelled to at least make a public offer.  Privately, I am sure, he would hope that he could negotiate a polite refusal of the offer in exchange for other promises like a high profile convention roll, help retiring her debt, input on key cabinet appointments and perhaps a promise not to offer the second spot to any other woman.  But then again she could say yes and Obama could find himself with a hostile political operation being run of the Vice President’s office. 

But, typical of the schizophrenia of the last few days, her non-withdrawal and threat to continue her campaign worked against persuading Obama to share the ticket.

In contrast Obama’s speech in St. Paul, while firm in claiming victory, was gracious to a fault to Clinton and her supporters.  He went on at length extolling Clinton’s patriotism, virtues, campaign and supporters.  He was as explicit as he could be in reaching out to them, including giving Hillary the credit—and probably a future central role—in making universal health care a reality. 

The speech itself was another masterful example of Obama’s exceptional skills as an orator.  It was almost universally praised by commentators of all political persuasions, except some of the usual suspects over at Fox News.  The lingering images of the candidate plunging into the sea of ecstatic supporters for almost twenty minutes awed several of them who recognized that this moment represented something new and transforming in American politics.

By contrast, almost everyone—including the Fox News yahoos—agreed that John McCain’s performance earlier in Louisiana bordered on the pathetic.  The selection of a lime green background literally revolted many observers most of whom thought that the speech sucked too.  Ataturk commenting on Eschaton   pretty much summed up the consensus opinion “ ‘It'll make you look like the cottage cheese in a lime jello salad’ Always a good look for an older gentlemen. The aesthetics of McCain's speech, just mercifully completed before a slightly energized crowd of literally dozens, was awesome in how dreadful it was.”

Given the stark contrasts between the two candidates and their campaigns, most senior Democrats are determined to cut away from the distractions of Clinton’s refusal to take no for an answer.  They want to spend the summer with Obama taking his charismatic campaign to the people while pummeling the inept McCain and his inability to disassociate himself with George W’s most disastrous policies.

Since Clinton would not take the hint, party big wigs publicly called on remaining uncommitted super delegates to fall in line behind Obama.  Sam Stein, in the Huffington Post reported that:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DNC Chairman Howard Dean, and an official with the Democratic Governors Association released a public statement on Wednesday morning requesting that the party close its ranks and prepare for the race against Sen. John McCain.

The move, which had been anticipated but seemed unnecessary following Obama's clinching of the nomination on Tuesday night, is an indication that few figures beyond Clinton's utmost loyalists are willing to stomach a prolonged vacation period for the New York Democrat to make up her mind.

Will the pressure work?  Or will it only encourage Clinton to defiantly dig in her heels and her supporters to feel “disrespected?”  Only time will tell.

But for now, I’m taking a moment to pump my fist gleefully in the air and celebrate.  Then I’m getting right to work helping to unite the Democratic Party for victory in November and a respite from—to quote a certain late Republican president—“our long national nightmare.”

Regular readers of this blog (if any) may have wondered at the absence of regular commentary on the Democratic Presidential Race of late.  As a matter of fact I have not posted a detailed article on the contest since “The Tonya Harding Option—Will Clinton Take it?” way back on March 26th and touched on it tangentially in only three or four other posts.

This is not because the campaign has not been heated—it has raged at blast furnace intensity—or because it is uninteresting—it has had all of the high drama, intricate plot twists, a cast of vivid characters of the most sizzling blockbuster.  Nor has it been because my candidate, Barack Obama has taken some lumps and ridden out some rough patches as the Hillary Clinton, channeling the Bozo Bop Bag has kept on popping back up.  I stand by Obama and I have a grudging admiration for Clinton’s amazing resilience.

While I have not posted here, I have added comments here and there across the blog-o-sphere.  What those comments have consistently said is basically this:  “Look, like it or not Barack Obama is the likely nominee of the party.  Great form me.  Painful for Clinton’s staunch and adoring supporters.  But no matter what happens—even if deus ex machina Hillary is magically delivered the nomination—the stakes are far too high for the people of this nation and the peace and security of the world for Democrats to fail to rally enthusiasitycally around our candidate.  I personally pledge to do so if Hillary becomes the nominee.  Nothing is more worisome to me than polling data that indicates that very significant numbers of each candidates supporters will vote for John McCain or sit on their hands in Novemeber if their favorite looses the nomination.  We must recognize that beyond personal bitterness, far more unites us a Democrats and Americans than divides us.  Pick your favorite hobby horse issues—the war, the ecconomy, the envirornment, women’s rights, civil liberties, health care, education—and either Democrat outshines the tarnished and disgraced re-tread of the Bush maladministration offered by the Republicans.”

One of the big reasons I have not posted here is to keep from falling into the temptation of joining the tit-for-tat bashing, name calling, and whining that has for the last several weeks been the hallmark of the struggle, at least as it is played out with passion in pundit columns, cable trash talk, and endless blogs.  I choose not to help bitterness fester.  As for me, I may take issue with Clinton and her campaign about how and what they have done since realizing that the pre-ordained nomination was slipping from their her hands.  But I love and admire those who love her.  I would hope in the reverse circumstances they would love and admire me.  We need each other.  Honestly.  We have to go beyond mouthing vague platitudes to each other all the while muttering under our breaths.  We must not now make empty gestures of reconciliation based on convenience, but must reconcile out of principle and respect.

The folks at MoveOn.org asked blogers to share this video.  I’m more than happy to oblige.

The late, great Molly Ivins used to cite the Rule of Holes:  When you find yourself stuck in one, stop digging.  This simple bit of folk wisdom has escaped the Neo Con warlocks, the Dark Sith Lord Cheney, and the Resident.  Egged on by General Petraeus, he of the Douglas McArthur memorial hair cut and dazzling chest full of ribbons, GOP Presidential wannabe Senator John McCain continues to dig with gusto.  Not satisfied with the hole he’s in, he has announced an eagerness to dig a new one—talking up the administration dream of a preemptive war, presumably with Iran.

Some Americans are still under the delusion that McCain is some sort of maverick and a critic of the Bush war policy.  The only criticism the senator has consistently had of the war was that it wasn’t being pursued with adequate gusto and efficiency.  Pass on this MoveOn video clip to anyone you know who might be sharing that delusion.  Or to any one who tells you they will vote for McCain if their choice fails to win the Democratic Party nomination for President.

Wednesday the five year anniversary of the War in Iraq slipped by before I had an opportunity to comment.  Believe me, it was not because it does not weigh heavy on my mind and soul.  But I had work to do and I had a lot on my plate getting ready for the McHenry County Democratic Party meeting and preparing press materials (see the post below.)

About mid-afternoon I got a call from Tom Musick, a reporter for the Northwest Herald.   He was working on one of those “round-up” stories in which local folks with strong opinions share their views.  We had a nice conversation for about ten minutes or so.   This is how my portion of the story came out in the paper.  (click here for the full article.)

Patrick Murfin

McHenry County Peace Group members gather every Thursday evening near Route 14 and Main Street in Crystal Lake for a vigil.

The group’s size varies, but its mission stays the same: To call for an end to the U.S. war in Iraq and to prevent a future war with Iran from happening.

“Early on, we’d get mixed reviews,” said Patrick Murfin, a member of the group. “The longer this war has passed, the number of supportive honks and waves and peace signs has mounted. It’s really remarkable.”

Yet Murfin worries whether the Bush administration notices such changes.

“I’ve been giving this some considerable thought,” said Murfin, who watched the president’s speech Wednesday, a speech that urged patience and determination in Iraq. “It’s both astounding to me and totally wearisome that we find ourselves in this position after five years.

“To hear the Bush administration talk about no end in sight within a decade or longer ... the American public has long since made it clear that they regard the war as a mistake to begin with and want us to get out now.”

And all of that is fine, as far as it goes.  But understandably this snippet left a lot out.  Also—and I don’t mean to bite the hand the fed me—I was the only person of  those interviewed who was an outright opponent of the war.  The others were a recently returned solder; Rep. Don Manzullo whose own account shows that he gladly drank the Bush Kool-Aid about the war; the father of a soldier who was killed who now regards the war as a “mistake” but doesn’t take a position on getting out; and an Army recruiter.  That left the burden of speaking for the majority of Americans who oppose the war and want a way out sooner than later on my own inadequate shoulders.

This is what I wish I had the time and space to say.

It’s hard, very hard to match the unrelenting drum beat of war and more war propounded by a maladministration that will not allow itself to be fettered by Congress, Courts, or the People and which feels it has a divine right to do what ever it damn well pleases.  In five long years ever mounting casualties are compounded by daily atrocities (committed freely by all sides);  the very soul of the nation is stricken by a cynical embrace of torture;  our civil liberties are silently stripped from us;  our national reputation is sullied beyond repair;  unimaginable debt is saddled on our children, grandchildren, and their progeny;  we are plunged into a “war of civilization” without end;  our very democracy is threatened by an uncrowned king who brooks no limits on his power.  And we in the anti-war movement get tired, bone tired.

We have marched, vigiled, petitioned, organized, written and ranted.  Our ranks have swelled.  But year after year nothing we have done has saved one 19 year old Marine or one Iraqi child.  Small wonder that the spirit sometimes flags, that we get tired, that we are tempted to slip into simple resignation.

Worse, evidence mounts daily the Resident and the Dark Sith Lord Cheney will not rest until the launch another war, this time against Iran.  The recent resignation and retirement of Admiral William Fallon, top commander of American forces in the Mid East and the only high level commander to dare publicly warn about the danger of launching another war, may have been the clearest signal yet that the Neo-Con junta is determined to have another war.  Add the domestic political calculation that launching a war before the election will rally the public “be hind the troops” and put John McCain in the White House.

Peace activists a worn out trying to get us out of one war and now have to keep us out of another.

Regular readers of this blog may have noticed that there has been a fall-off of coverage and commentary about the War and the movement to stop it in recent months.  Instead, it has been increasingly concerned with electoral politics, support for Barack Obama for President, and for Democrats in general.  Some might take this as evidence that I have given in to war weariness and like a bored two year old turned my attention to some other toy.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In point of fact my immersion in politics and my support of the Obama campaign in general now represents the most effective way I can work to end one bloodbath and prevent another.

I know there are folks in the Peace Movement who believe that this abandons the demand for immediate withdrawal, and trims sail in against the gale of adversity.  The taunts of “sell out” to others like MoveOn.org, who have advocated the same approach have been loud and raucous on the part of many in the purer-than-thou left.

But like it or not we cannot “Bring Them Home Now!” or throw our bodies in front of Naval launched cruise missiles or snatch possibly nuclear armed B-1 Bombers from the sky to stop an attack on Iran.  There are no prospects, despite our most ardent fantasies, that we can mobilize a Peoples Revolution to surround the White House with pots and pans clanking and bring down this regime as others fell in Moscow, Manila, Kiev, or Beirut.  There will be no General Strike to stop the war cold like the hands of a clock.  Richly deserved impeachment will not happen.

Our only real chance to bring the war to an end is—like it or not—to elect a Democrat President of the United State and large enough Democratic margins in the House and the Senate to prevent disciplined Republicans from ruling in the minority.  And I obviously believe that Senator Obama, a consistent opponent of the war, is our best chance to achieve such a victory.  But make no mistake about it, I will, even if it pains me, support Hillary Clinton if that is the hand we are dealt and then hold her to her promises to end the war.

The inevitable result, even with victory, will be for a phased withdrawal that insures the safety of American troops.  It’s not fast enough for many, but the war will finally end.

Even more critically, there will not be, if one has not already been launched, a war with Iran and the inevitable region-wide conflict that would ensue.

Is there any guarantee that this strategy will work?  Of course not.  Right now we see how cynically race is being used to divide the American people from their own best interests.  McCain, for the first time, is now polling better nationally than either Clinton or Obama—a direct result of the political strategy of the Clinton campaign, in my opinion.  But there is plenty of time to reverse those numbers and Obama has the persuasive skills to come back strong.

A plausible causa bellum can always be dug up like Hitler’s Polish raid on a border radio instillation post or LBJ’s phantom attack in the Gulf of Tonkin to justify an attack on Iran just before the election.

And there are the twin dangers that if faced with loss the election the Oligarchy will simply and boldly be steal it again or—more drastically—that a “national emergency” might occur that would “force the government to suspend the election.”  Feel free to conjure in you mind your most paranoid fantasies of what that emergency might be and it has probably already been gamed in some dark recess of the Pentagon or the Vice-President’s old secret bunker.

So, no, the electoral strategy is not perfect.  It’s just the last, bet hope we have.

Is it too early for Democrats to start running against the leading Republican contender?  I don’t think so.

John McCain retains a certain appeal to independents and even some Democrats attracted to his image as a “straight talking” independent.  Certainly he would be the most formidable GOP candidate even if the Taliban faction of the party stays home and sulks.

McCain’s alleged independence is pretty thin.  He has been reliably conservative in his Senate votes on almost all issues.  He has strayed off the reservation on campaign finance reform, immigration, and lately he talks about global warming.  But that’s enough to drive the wing nuts foaming at the mouth crazy.  But their enmity is no excuse for embracing the Arizona Senator.

And on the big issue of the war McCain’s independence lies in being even more hawkish than the craziest Neo Con in Bushland.

Thanks to Robert Greenwald at Brave New Films, we have this reminder of the real McCain.  Share it with loved ones in danger of being taken in.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY e-mailed  me and asked if I could write a letter to the editor about the Resident’s plan for a 50 year or more deployment in IRAQ and the support it has been getting from across the field of imperial wann-a-bes known collectively as the REPUBLICAN presidential candidates.  I was glad to oblige.  Since I just had a missive printed in the NORTHWEST HERALD, my usual outlet for such letters, I sent this one to the DAILY HERALD.  I urge any of you to use the handy tool on the Party web site and send your own letters.

To the Editor--

Gee, it’s been so swell hanging around the Korean Peninsula for 50 plus years and waiting for a war to break out, that the President and his brain trust think it would be just peachy if we could do the same thing in Iraq. 

Never mind that there will be no “truce line” to separate us from our potential enemies.  They’ll be mixed up higgly-piggly with the local population just out side the gates of the massive bases this scheme envisions. 

Never mind that  there will be no government on the other side, not even one run by a crack-pot family dynasty a la North Korea, with which to negotiate if problems arise and things get dicey.

Never mind that that there likely will not even be an allied government that wants them to stay. Right now a majority of the Iraqi parliament wants to revoke the UN mandate under which the U.S. occupation is conducted and set an absolute deadline for our withdrawal from the country.

Never mind the overwhelming majority of the American people want this insanity over and done with NOW.

Senator John McCain says the President’s idea is just fine with him.  The other contenders for the Republican nomination, even those who stare at their shoes when the unpopular president is mentioned, agree.

Want to stop this?  Make sure a Democrat is elected our next president.  Senator Obama is my first choice, but any of the leading contenders would put the breaks on this bit of hubris in short order.

Patrick Murfin,

Crystal Lake, Illinois

(NOTE:  The following is a letter to the editor sent to the NORTHWEST HERALD in response to a column by George F. Will.)

To the Editor: 

The other day columnist George Will lambasted Senator John McCain. He claims that McCain’s support of campaign finance reform represents an attack on free speech. 

Now, I am not going to defend McCain. He doesn’t need it. And I have my own misgivings about the McCain-Feingold Act and other proposed campaign finance reforms. Some of them seemed aimed directly at the burgeoning community of on-line activists of all parties and persuasions. 

But that is not Will’s beef. He is concerned because limits on campaign contributions will damage the free speech rights of the very wealthy, who can afford to buy all of the speech they want. He is quite content to have the deepest pockets drown out other voices. Like many conservatives, Will is a highly selective enthusiast for free speech. He supports campus campaigns to monitor and muzzle professors with whom he disagrees, for instance. 

But Will knows who butters his toast. Slavish devotion to the rich and powerful have made him rich and powerful. McCain or no McCain, with the likes of Will defending free speech, the rest of us will have to scramble to find a spot for our soap box. 

Patrick Murfin, 
Crystal Lake

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