Just something that’s been frustrating me…
Thursday night’s democratic debate on ABC was an unfortunate representation of the swift-boat style smearing of candidates. Over 45 minutes was spent asking the candidates irrelevant questions, and focused on Obama’s failure to wear a flag pin, his calling the people of Pennsylvania “bitter,” and his relationship to Rev. Jeremiah Right and former Weather Underground leader Bill Ayers.
Bill, and his wife (another high-profile leader of the Weather Underground) Bernadine Dorhn are wonderful people, with deep sympathy and concern for the injustices our national has committed. Their actions during the Vietnam War reflect this, however unstrategic or destructive they were. BUT, I can completely understand why Obama would not want to be associated with them — being friendly with a so-called “terrorist” would spell political suicide.
It is important to remember, though, that Obama is NOT best friends with Ayers. They are acquaintances because of being in similar political circles in their shared hometown, Chicago. This relationship says nothing about Obama’s politics. Obama has his own ideas and own politics, as does Ayers. As do Obama’s other acquaintances, such as those in the U.S. senate.
This swift-boating is hurting the Obama campaign, but will it have the same effect as the swift-boating during the Kerry campaign? My theory is that Kerry lost the campaign largely as a result of the actions of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Only time will tell if Obama wins the nomination, and eventually the presidency. But everyone on the left should agree that it is extremely important that he does. The alternatives are, well… I won’t go there.
On a final note in regards to the election, I recommend reading Keith Joseph’s post on Pirate Caucus, entitled “Obama 2008: By Any Means Necessary” for a very good analysis of why this election is important even for revolutionaries.
