Dems Refuted Will Rogers This Time!
what an organized show of values, talent, and passion!
First off, apologies for going silent for so long. I’ll try to stay more current. I hope you missed my emails in your inbox, and I will try to keep them coming. As always, please forward and post on social media so we reach more people,
Boy what a DNC!
As a pretty much lifelong Democrat, I’ve often been frustrated with their seemingly endless inability to think and act strategically and in concert. I was convinced that Will Rogers nailed it a century ago, “I’m not a member of any organized political party — I’m a Democrat.”
But in their convention last week, Dems sure put the lie to that.
The Democrats on their speakers list included both a raft of energetic, thoughtful, and grounded young leaders from AOC to Jason Crowe to Mayor (and Transportation Sec) Pete to Governors Shapiro, Whitmer, and Healey to complement the wizened old guard of Biden, Pelosi, Shumer, and the Clintons and Obamas. They spoke of the values that guide Democrats when they make policy in the interest of the middle class and common folk.
Their inclusion of disaffected Republicans, who each in his or her own way warned of the existential danger to the republic that Trump and MAGA pose. These folks risked being outcasts in their party to do the right thing and try to bring some of their kind on board. (Some of their Congressional peers in fact have said off the record that they would have voted to convict Trump in his January 6 impeachment trial except for fear of violence from the MAGA right.) Here’s the list, with links to their speeches underlining their names:
Former Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger. Summarized his remarks with: “I know Kamala Harris shares my allegiance to the rule of law, the Constitution, and democracy, and she is dedicated to upholding all three in service to our country. Whatever policies we disagree on pale in comparison with those fundamental matters of principle, of decency, and of fidelity to this nation.” (Emphasis mine.)
Former national security advisor to Mike Pence Olivia Troye, who urged her fellow Republicans to put country over party, saying: “To my fellow Republican's you aren't voting for a Democrat, you're voting for democracy. You aren't betraying your party, you're standing up for our country.”
Mesa, AZ Mayor John Giles described himself as a lifelong Republican who called today’s Republican party a cult of Donald Trump that has left the party of his hero John McCain behind, and to which Republicans “don’t owe a damned thing to what they’ve left behind.” He also spoke about the many ribbon-cuttings he’s been going to thanks to the infrastructure bill.
Ana Navarro, a “self-proclaimed Republican” who fled communist Nicaragua as a child, extolled Harris’s values and abilities and compared Trump to dictators, for, among other things, attacking the free press and putting family and cronies in cushy jobs.
And Geoff Duncan, the former Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, said he would vote for Kamala Harris because the Republican party is now a “cult worshiping a felonious thug,” and praised Harris’s “prosecutorial mindset that recognizes right from wrong.” He recognized how it might be difficult for a lifelong Republican to break ranks, despite their aversion to Trump, saying: “…voting for Kamala Harris does not make you a Democrat, it makes you a patriot.”
Remember January 6
Another important element of the agenda included a reminder that “democracy is on the ballot” in a segment that focused on the outrageous lawlessness of January 6.
While to some of us, that episode itself would mean Never-Trump, that message seems not to have taken broadly across the electorate. Yet the brilliant choreography of this convention managed to work in this dark episode without detracting from its forward-looking, hopeful, upbeat — and yes — JOYFUL message.
The Candidates
That leaves us with the candidates themselves. Kamala did a great job describing her modest roots and upbringing among solidly middle and working class Americans, how the sexual abuse suffered by a classmate inspired her prosecutorial career, and her pro-consumer agenda.
Tim Walz was feisty and folksy and presented as an everyman who is committed to his American neighbors. The appearance of his students and players vouching for him was unforgettable.
“Do Something”
Contributions and volunteerism skyrocketed with Kamala’s injection into the race. It’s time for all of us to heed Michele Obama’s call. Writing postcards, canvassing, phone banking, talking up our candidates.
It’s go-time.