the Centrist

For weeks I have been chatting with folks about the Clinton’s Hail Mary effort in the upcoming Democratic Convention. I have changed that Hail Mary to Hail Hilary. After all, I reasoned, if she calls for a floor vote the party may split. Some of her most avid supporters still claim she won, especially when they throw in the Edwards factor. Moreover, Obama has been slipping in the poles, and many now think he ‘cannot close the deal’. If the experts feel he cannot win, it would be a no brainer to pick somebody, who in most minds, cannot lose … Hilary Clinton. If the Clintons can get the independents to agree, they can stage a floor fight the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades (Ford/Reagan). So to say Hilary’s stock has been soaring is an understatement. Enter Joe Biden, the new and loquacious Obama running mate. One must ask, what does Biden bring that Clinton does not? Senator Biden has obvious foreign policy credentials, and once one extracts the perpetual foot from his mouth, he is one of the most powerful brokers in the Democratic Party. Never mind, that he has been implicated in plagiarism, has uttered more racial slurs than Sen. Robert Byrd or has been Obama’s lead critic during the primary. The Democrats know they can count on the media to wash all of that. What Biden brings is unmitigated power, and the attack dog attitude necessary for a Vic President. He is capable of that role as long as he doesn’t ‘gaff, such as he did when he was running against Obama. In his own words when his running mate was an opponent (according to the Los Angeles Times Jonathan Chait 2/4/07: “I mean, you got the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”, articulate and clean … are you kidding me? Then according to the same source: “And, of course, last summer Biden attempted to endear himself to an Indian American supporter by telling him that in Delaware, “you cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.” Not only was this an offensive line, it didn’t even make any sense: The observation, familiar to anybody who watched a comedian on cable television 15 years ago, is that Indian Americans are the only ones who work in convenience stores, not that they’re the only ones who shop there. The man can’t even keep his condescending clichés straight. Biden looks as if he’s the product of a laboratory experiment designed to create the world’s worst presidential candidate.”

Then there are his statements when comparing Obama to McCain’(U-tube); ‘the presidency does not lend itself to on the job training”, “I would be honored to run with or against John McCain”.
What is more, the foundation of Obama’s campaign has been change. The rants, the signs, the cries of thousands are that he will bring change to America. Then he chooses one of the most ensconced power brokers in Washington for his running mate. How much change does a running mate like Joe Biden represent? If ever there was a same ole, same ole, it is Joe Biden.
Moreover, the accusation that the last three Democratic nominations have been arrogant has been echoed around the country. I mean one simply does not use the word humble when one mentions Gore, Kerry, or Obama. But you have to give credit where credit is due, Obama managed to find a man more arrogant than himself. Next to Biden, Obama finally looks humble.
But as for Hail Hilary, I think that has at least been marginalized, at most buried. Unless John McCain chooses a woman, and if a Democrat why not Hilary? Talk about an unbeatable ticket. Yes he would insult his base, yes this columnist would be first in line with the rhetoric, but since when is McCain afraid of his base? My advice, as if he is listening, would be to pick a conservative female, i.e. Sec. of State Condelessa Rice, Meg Whitman (E-bay), or Sen. Kay Bailey Hutcheson. That would likely bring many of the disenfranchised female voters into the McCain camp and insure him a victory.

Prayer Update:
Dr Z, Cousin Bob, brother Pat (liver transplant), and brother Les (Parkinson’s and recent fall), all improving as of this writing … please keep praying.

From Pragmatic Pam
Subject: New Preamble To The Constitution
The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Aye from Ga.
“We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other bed-wetters.

We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights, perhaps they require a Bill of NON-Rights.”
ARTICLE I:
You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but No one is guaranteeing anything.
ARTICLE II:
You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is Based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone — not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; But the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.
ARTICLE III:
You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool Manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.
ARTICLE IV:
You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the Creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.
ARTICLE V:
You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we’re just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI:
You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don’t be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.
ARTICLE VII:
You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don’t be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won’t have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.
ARTICLE VIII:
You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.
ARTICLE IX:
You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.
ARTICLE X:
This is an English speaking country. We don’t care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from! (lastly….)
ARTICLE XI:
You do not have the right to change our country’s history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in God. And yet, you are give n the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, Get a life!