The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Dem Notes
“And make no mistake, united we can and will overcome this season of darkness in America.”—Joe Biden, in accepting the DNC presidential nomination—and underscoring that America, now saddled with an unhinged authoritarian, needs a unifier, not an idealistic revolutionary. Biden played his “Ally of the light,not the darkness” part well in juxtaposition to Trump’s alarmist law-and-order messaging that would have impressed George Wallace and Bull Connor.
Fortunately for America, Biden has tested positive for empathy and competence.
The original speaking order for the next-to-last night of the virtual Democratic National Convention was Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris and then wrapping up with the orator-in-chief, former President Barack Obama. That order was transposed at the suggestion of Obama who wanted Harris to have the culminating spotlight. Unsurprising, appropriate, classy move.
That same Wednesday night featured Hillary Clinton, Obama and Harris. The overlapping, overwhelming theme: These are dire times and this is an urgent WARNING of what awaits if an energized, patriotic American electorate doesn’t pull this country back from nativist, authoritarian chaos that is undermining democracy.
“Vote like our lives and livelihoods are on the line, because they are.”—Hillary Clinton.
“This administration has shown that it will tear our democracy down if that’s what it takes to win.”—Barack Obama.
“Donald Trump’s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods.”—Kamala Harris.
The telethon-convention strategically featured a VOTE theme, as well as young Americans, women and Dems of color—critical demographics for November that harken to the Obama-Biden coalition. And, BTW, the final night’s host, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, was spot-on.
It speaks non-partisan, parlous volumes when a 74-signee letter from former national security officials in the Ronald Reagan and both Bush administrations endorses Biden. “We have concluded that Donald Trump has failed our country and that Vice President Joe Biden should be elected the next president of the United States,” said the heat-seeking missive. The signatories ranged from former Defense Secretary ChuckHagel and former CIA Director Michael Hayden to former Director of National IntelligenceJohn Negroponte and former U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills.
Talk of Sen.Elizabeth Warren joining a Biden Administration (Treasury Secretary) should please progressives. Especially if Massachusetts can do an effective (replacement) workaround with its Republican governor. There’s precedent.
Populism, including the perverted version of a narcissistic, “anti-establishment” billionaire, is very much in play. It’s worth noting that Biden, a graduate of the University of Delaware, would be—if he wins—the first elected president to graduate from an American state university since Lyndon Johnson (Southwest Texas State College).
A recent Marquette Law School poll showed Biden leading by 67 points among those planning to vote absentee by mail.
Local input: Tampa’s own Congresswoman, Rep. Kathy Castor—now in her seventh term and a legislative player—was a member of the influential DNC platform committee. She chairs the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and is an advisor on climate change for the Biden campaign.
When the Dems take back the White House, it will be nigh on to historic. Just oneincumbent president (George H.W. Bush) has been defeated in the last four decades.
Word is that influential Democrats would like to see Florida Congresswoman Val Demings, the former Orlando police chief who was vetted for vice president, take a shot at Marco Rubio’s Senate seat.