Historic conventions reflect diversity
Daniel Sims, Columnist
Published On: 09/ 8/2008
Nominations of Palin, Obama give country choices to be proud of on both sides of party lines
If the Democratic National Convention of two weeks ago was an impressive well choreographed media event, the Republican National Convention of this past week was just as impressive, but for different reasons.
Just as the Democratic Convention was winding down on Aug. 29, with Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama speaking before 70,000 fans at the Denver stadium, Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain announced his choice for vice president — Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin. Palin’s name had been discussed for months, but no sooner had the nomination of a woman for the vice presidency been announced than Hurricane Gustav came blustering into the Gulf of Mexico.
It’s hard, very hard, to see anything politicians do in a non-cynical light. However, when New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast were threatened by the hurricane, Sen. McCain had the convention atmosphere toned down and asked that focus be placed on those who might be victims of the hurricane. He urged everyone to act as Americans and not as Republicans or members of any political party and to help those who might be in need. Political stunt or altruistic behavior?
No one can really tell what is inside a person’s heart, but the week of the Democratic National Convention, after Sen. Obama’s nomination had been confirmed, his opponent ran a one night only television advertisement. The ad run by Sen. McCain congratulated Sen. Obama and his historical nomination as the first African American nominated by a major political party, saying “Job well done.”
It only ran for one night, but it was time and money spent on an ad that did little if anything to help Sen. McCain and could certainly have been spent elsewhere. If we can see this as purely altruistic, perhaps the effort to focus on Hurricane Gustav and not the Republican National Convention is altruistic as well.
Luckily for residents of the Gulf Coast, the hurricane was not as bad as Hurricane Katrina, and luckily for the Republican administration it was handled smoothly.
Back at the Republican convention, now without the hurricane hanging over its head, things proceeded in full swing. To emphasize Sen. McCain’s willingness to put country first and party second, one of the keynote speakers was his longtime friend Sen. Joe Lieberman. Although now an Independent, Sen. Lieberman was formerly a Democrat and still is active in Democratic legislation in the senate. He voiced his support for McCain and even praised Obama, saying Sen. Obama was gifted and would do great things for our country in the future, but he also said that in the times we live in McCain’s experience was what the country needed.
It is an interesting coincidence that, arguably, the most impressive speeches given at both conventions were given by women. Sen. Hillary Clinton and vice presidential nominee Gov. Palin both gave speeches which were highly regarded. Although the basis behind Sen. Clinton’s speech was supporters should not feel disenfranchised at her being denied the vice presidential nomination and Gov. Palin’s speech was to accept the nomination, both speeches spoke highly of our country and the work each political party had to do to address the needs of the citizens. In so doing, the viewers were able to see how each woman had great vision and leadership that can only help our country in the years to come, and open the doors for millions of women who want to pursue political office.
Both parties presidential conventions were, in my view, a great success this year. We were able to see in each a plurality of the American people in Sen. Obama’s and Gov. Palin’s nominations. The election is in only a few months away, and whichever party is the victor, we as Americans can be proud of our nominees.
Email: drake7@uab.edu
