OPINION/POLITICS/TELEVISION

McCAIN FALLS SHORT

by Darryl M. Bell on Sep 4, 2008

John McCain’s acceptance speech was terrible and he is clearly lost.

If you watched tonight (I had to) the only thing that’s clear is, the factions within the Republican Party are at war with each other. On one side, they have the foaming at the mouth, acrimonious, fundamentalists, like Sarah Palin. On the other side, there are the let’s all get along, it’s not personal, I respect you, end the “partisan rancor” and expand our appeal McCain loyalist.

McCain’s problem is he’s out numbered and almost out of time.

Once again, I’m voting for Barack Obama.

But I’m not impervious to persuasive arguments and truth. The truth is, if you are a grass roots Republican conservative, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin’s speech was right on your sweet spot. The evidence was on television last night. Every battle cry witticism was met with thunderous applause. Nothing else mattered. It’s sad to say, but the bass of their party is moved more by themes that reflect their lives more than visions that will guide us in the future.

That’s why I think John McCain can’t win. He was himself tonight and most of the people in that room don’t like him. That’s why we continue to hear his Vietnam experience over and over and over. That’s an AMAZINGLY compelling story. I had never heard some of the details he shared tonight. However, as soon as he stopped talking about his time as a POW, he was as boring as…well…John McCain. The reaction in the room was as tepid and polite as you could imagine from what was supposed to be “his” crowd. Just contrast the reaction Palin received when Cindy McCain called her a “gun toting hockey mom.” They went nuts! And that has got nothing to do with policy, the war, the economy, energy or anything that SHOULD matter. But it did.

Those folks don’t want John McCain. John McCain wanted Joe Lieberman and if he had picked him, those same folks that were polite to him tonight all would have been like that crazy protester screaming in the middle of his speech.

I was really put off by the constant theme of I’m more American than you. I love my country more than you. I’m good and I know evil and you don’t. Similarly, will someone please tell John McCain you can’t be nominated for President and not be elite. Your wife can’t show up in a $300,000 outfit and not be elite. When did being elite become pejorative? Michael Phelps is an elite athlete. How can Republican spin doctors be allowed to advance the notion that if you work hard and achieve lofty goals, you’re not a success but an elitist?

I heard more spin from talking heads after the speech trying their best to convince us that the bass of their party was fired up. My eyes told me something different. I saw a room full of people trying to put on a happy face. They saw the 80,000 in Denver. They know what they’re up against. They know they mocked the “community organizers” who helped Obama win Iowa and 8 straight primaries. They know they have a guy they don’t want and he knows it too.

I can’t wait for the overnight ratings. We’ll see if America was as bored as I was.

Darryl Bell is an actor and Chicago native, best known for his role in classic TV series “A Different World” and Spike Lee’s “School Daze.” His unique television commentary is exclusive to Urban Thought Collective.


Leave a Comment

Comments

September 4th, 2008 at 10:36 pm thelma says:

It was a definitely sad day for the GOP. I actually felt kinda sad for him. A few years ago Bush and the party were treating him like a stinky wet dog. Now, its his show and it was real lackluster. I agree with you 100%
September 4th, 2008 at 10:43 pm Beverly Chastang says:

the mans time has past
and I don’t think the young voters give a hoot that he was a POW they have seen too much and hate war! at least I hope so. But I don’t think they care for real
September 4th, 2008 at 10:50 pm SweetSis says:

I christen thee… John McYawn
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 pm Philip Giddings says:

Couldn’t have said it better
Get ready for the spin!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:08 pm kamalp says:

You a good fast ass writer dawg, this ish JUST HAPPENED n u already got fully formed thoughts n stuff! LOLOL! I’m wit it.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:18 pm Conrad Sharpe says:

They are out of step and in trouble. It was like watching a big ole white reunion instead of a party that gave a hoot about the issues. You said it Darryl!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:31 am Regina Holloway says:

I heard him trying hard to disown Bush (without saying the name of course) then try convince us to give the same old dogs another chance to do the same tricks. All the while the audience sounded like crickets chirping in the lonely black hole that is their political agenda.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:50 am nicq says:

I said McCain was lost months ago! lol
September 5th, 2008 at 5:16 am Destah Owens says:

i hope you are right about the ratings, Darryl. Somehow the spin doctors will sing a different tune about how incredible the whole thing was as if they watched something totally different than the rest of us.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:31 am Mr.Fantastic says:

I am just happy Obama is going to win..and that there will ba an African AMerican President for the first time ever!
September 5th, 2008 at 9:13 am lilmamma86 says:

Im with you on this one boo…McCain is jus so old, dry, and dead…well almost dead OKAY LOL!!!!!!!!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:00 am speedy says:

i’m a skeptic i think these fools will pull it off. i mean they did elect bush TWICE I would not put it past them this is not a lock for obama
September 5th, 2008 at 10:14 am Travis Utley says:

You said it right!
They would support a damn moose if he was a Republican they are cowards and no one will step aside and say its wrong!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:29 am heatmizer says:

I’m glad you mentioned this because I was waiting for him to discuss actual issues and not all this grandstanding
September 5th, 2008 at 10:52 am Jane Kennedy says:

I and many others take strong offense to the way they mimimize the service of those that work in the community. They are the ones really down with thepeople and bringing all the issues to the front and making the mayors and governors pay attention and take all the credit for fixing it. I tell you I just don’t like the way they talk down to people
September 5th, 2008 at 11:39 am chica22 says:

Strong points all around and I agree. But what angered me most was that maniulative 9/11 video. The gall to show that much video in a political context! Buildings bursting in flame from the planes impact were shown. The announcer saying phrases like “bodies falling,” “and died we did.” I was so angry I about threw something through the TV screen. The fact that 9/11 happened on Bush’s watch while he read to toddlers was conveniently left out. The fact that the ensuing war against the wrong country has cost thousands of lives both American and Iraqi led by the very regime that is showing the video was also missing. And all of this pain evoked to elect McCain? They should be ashamed. SHAME ON THEM! If the Democrats had done such a thing they would have been eviscverated! And yet no one is even talking about this manipulation and fear mongering. It is despicable. And if someone had not already been ardently against McCain before, I sure as hell hope they are now. It was despicable.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:46 am Nicole Malave says:

@Chica you are so right I mean how can they keep going back to that war as a ’symbol’ when it is a horrible failure and they make it seem like we are safer when in fact we are less safe than ever esp what about that we just went in their country and destroyed it and they didn’t even do anything to us it is a damn shame they conveniently leave out the things that are important for us to understand and the media should call them on it every step of the way. getting out of a war that has done nothing but put us in steep unbelieveable debt and bring the troops home that is what is honorable not going on and on!! Whew. I get so upset!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:26 pm MR TIBBS says:

THE DUMBING DOWN OF AMERICA
September 5th, 2008 at 1:19 pm Kettle Blk says:

TRAVESTY
September 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm Sooth sayer says:

Speak on the elite issue! That one sticks in my craw the most! I mean come on your candidate is rich and married more rich and barack is the one that’s uppity? that just makes no sense but people still believe it
September 5th, 2008 at 2:08 pm Darryl M. Bell says:

Thanks all for your feedback!
Brother Kamalp, UTC has got to keep pace with the news! Thx
Sister Lilmamma, I’ve been saying, if you look at past Presidents pictures, before and after they left The White House, it’s clear what a toll the stress of the job takes out of them. John McCain looks like his after picture…NOW! lol (they made jokes, so will I)
Brother Speedy, Bush 43 was elected twice but in a divided America and by the narrowest of margins. We don’t need to go into all of the drama of 2000 but the HBO docudrama “Recount” was a great dramatization of the events. But without the Supreme Court, G W Bush doesn’t win in 2000. In 04, the Democratic Party wasn’t “in love” with John Kerry, the country was at war and the one thing you can’t underestimate about President Bush is he’s intensely loyal. He’s taken care of everyone around him. So even if the Republicans didn’t believe he was the greatest President, he was the incumbent and if you were in his inner circle, you were living high on the hog! Add that to the sad but effective “swift boating” of a mild John Kerry and they win twice.
This election isn’t a lock for Obama. That’s why I’m so encouraged that after seeing Palin’s speech, the Obama camp raised 10 million. That tells me that all that smug condescension has backfired and only poured gasoline on the Obama fire among his supporters!
But, it tickles me when pundits ask why is the race so close? There are two reasons. One, the polls are dead wrong and not accounting for the youth and new voters. Two, just because most of the Republican Party has come to dislike the President, doesn’t mean they’re not Republicans any longer and suddenly going to vote for Obama. Our Nation is still very divided. There are radicals on the far left and right. We’ve all heard it before, it’s the middle that you have to win. That’s why Obama is leading. Rational folks in the middle have to look at both conventions and answer one question. Where would you rather be? In the stadium that looked like America or the auditorium that looked like…well…Minneapolis?
Here’s another bad sign. The convention is over and they STILL haven’t let Palin talk to the press.
Sister Chica, that’s what’s so unbelievable. Thay act as if only Republicans die for America. Only Republiacans were affected by 911, only Republicans fight for their country, only Republicans want to keep America safe. Then talk out of the other side of their mouth and say but we want to be more inclusive.
I encourage everyone to be the “community organizer” they mocked. Let’s make it happen!

I put this in the comments on Brother Cameron’s blog but it’s worth repeating. My friend Cleo Fields said, “WEB DuBois taught so that Rosa Parks could take a seat. Rosa took a seat so that we could all take a stand. We all took a stand so Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr could march. Dr. King marched so Jessie could run. Jessie ran so Obama could WIN!

YES WE CAN!!
September 5th, 2008 at 4:11 pm Krista Wills says:

Darryl you said a mouthful!But you know, that’s the thing that history will really judge I believe. That the so called ‘united states’ is actually more divided than a lot of nations are. We may not be blowing up other religions and stuff like the rest but we have our ways of dividing and it is dangerous
September 5th, 2008 at 8:10 pm Stephanie says:

I knew he was a joke!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:13 pm heatmizer says:

I do hope that all the money he raises really helps put him over the top and they use it wisely they need every single dime to be working for them
September 5th, 2008 at 10:15 pm Philip Giddings says:

The white boys think she is such a ‘hottie’ they can’t see past it. what idiots man
September 5th, 2008 at 11:47 pm Very Veronica says:

Ok Darryl you know I got to steal this right?
“WEB DuBois taught so that Rosa Parks could take a seat. Rosa took a seat so that we could all take a stand. We all took a stand so Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr could march. Dr. King marched so Jessie could run. Jessie ran so Obama could WIN!”
September 6th, 2008 at 6:16 am Elsa Harkins says:

Xcellent commentaries on both speeches Mr Bell.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:50 pm Vic Vargas says:

I was astonished that McCain speech outrated Obamas. It actually depressed me for a couple hours. To be honest I was in a funk all day yesterday.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm Chatty Cathy says:

The whole elite charge is preposterous. It pisses me off so bad. It’s ignorant.
September 6th, 2008 at 5:21 pm Stoploss Sweetie says:

I have to admit that Palin woman has me a lil nervous. Anybody else?
September 6th, 2008 at 7:43 pm Byron Black says:

palin will appear on no sunday political talk shows tomorrow. both campaigns have the burden of proof to establish that the VP nominees are capable of assuming the Presidency. the Obama campaign has already clearly satisfied its burden as to Biden. no reasonable question exists as to his capacity. come on McCain – put her out there. you said did your vetting. what are you afraid of?
September 6th, 2008 at 8:52 pm Darryl M. Bell says:

LOL
It’s no secret. They have her cramming as much foreign affairs information as she can handle 15 hours a day. Problem is This isn’t The Matrix and they can’t just download it! Then they’re crafting responses to why she wanted some books banned from the local library and “Trooper Gate” as well as any and everything else we don’t know about her.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:40 am Furious Styles says:

Biden was great on Meet the Press. Obama shined on George stephanolpolous (asshole). Palin well, she was making Eggos in the trailer park for her 19 kids and studying foreign policy Cliff Notes.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:06 am ratty says:

i was really disappointed at obama saying that “succeeded beyond our wildest dreams”
what the hell?
might as well make the commercial for them why don’t you?
September 7th, 2008 at 12:40 pm Darryl M. Bell says:

Ratty, he has to be honest. The escalation of military violence, and sacrifice of more American lives…I mean “the surge”, has worked beyond anyone’s expectation.
But you have to put it in context.
When the surge was proposed, it was if McCain wanted we walk into a raging forest fire, with a bucket of water and a shovel. Then, a Nor’easter formed bringing rain and wind that put out the fire and McCain wants to say, “see, I was right”.
The surge had no accounting for the Awakening in the Anbar providence. That has been HUGE in the elimination of Al-Qaeda from their country, and the reduction of violence.
Obama could make the point more forcefully that McCain is trying to take credit for success he didn’t envision, but he can’t ignore the facts.
That’s why he’s different. That’s why he’s going to WIN!
September 7th, 2008 at 1:32 pm Jalisa Lareaux says:

Amen Darryl on your original blog & your comments but I disagree that Obama should EVER say the words that the surge succeeded as Republicans will only use it against him. He should say the surge was a part of an overall effort (both initial and otherwise) that has produced a favorable situation BUT we shouldnt have had to even deal with it in the first place since the war was a mistake & in the wrong country. That is what he should say. Not that it us a success by itself. The whole truth does not give them leeway to claim success over some bull sh*t.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:31 pm Sasha Fuller says:

All I know is our people have until October 5 to register to vote if you aren’t already.
All people have to do is go to http://www.rockthevote.com.
Fill in the 9 boxes.
They prepare the form for you based on that information my people!
Drop it off at the post office and your good.
People really need to do this.
You would be surprised how many of us are not registered which makes all the policy talk a null point if people do not even have the ability to vote.
Please if you are not registered you have less than a month to do so.
Please do it.
http://www.rockthevote.com
One click, one stamp.
September 7th, 2008 at 5:29 pm Phillip Giddings says:

I’m still stumped by this move she only reps the myth of america
September 8th, 2008 at 7:15 am Lena says:

The Palin woman has me nervous as well. It’s frightening how folks overlook everything about this barracuda. I would hate if they won, but won’t be surprised if there’s an upset and this piece of trash bumps McCain off and takes office.

Related Material

Related Posts

Tag Cloud

Archival

Blog Archives by Month

Other UTC Blogs