Politics in 2004: Observations From the Cheap Seats
By Vincent Fiore (12/20/04)
One of my editors asked if I would write a piece that essentially scores and scorns through a series of questions, various political figures and the arena in which they perform. This, thinks I, will be fun, and a good chance to test my political instincts.
A few of the questions are in relation to the past year’s events, and some are in regard to the not-too-distant future. Though I will never be confused with the Amazing Kreskin, or even a poor man’s Nostradamus, nevertheless, I am game to try.
Democrat to Watch: There are fewer and fewer after every election, but my money is on Indiana Senator Evan Bayh. Elected in 1998, Bayh is only coming out of his first term, but has already amassed solid credentials as a centrist Democrat with common-sense proposals.
The Senator from the very “red” state of Indiana is chairmen of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), serves on six Senate committees, and will be very appealing to party movers and shakers when the search for a candidate for 2008 revels that if the answer is Hillary, than their fate is one of continued minority status in Washington.
Democrat to Forget: House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi. Though Pelosi has been around in Congress since 1987, she remains invisible as a political force on the Hill. Her best moments are when she is berating the Bush administration on whatever the media feeds her that day, but she displays nary a legislative thought of national significance. Of course, she did sponsor a bill that requires the secretary of the treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the Old Mint at San Francisco, otherwise known as the "Granite Lady.” In a world beset with terrorism, these are “weighty” issues, indeed.
Republican to Watch: It is early yet, but Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman is taking the Senate by storm. Coleman’s relentless work as chairmen of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has made U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan wish that he had listened to his wife, when she allegedly said: “Kofi, I think that missing 20 billion dollars is going to be noticed. Now take out the garbage.” Coleman, a former Democrat, has shown remarkable resiliency in keeping the oil-for-food scandal relevant, though the beltway media choose to virtually ignore it. If Annan steps down, it will be because Senator Norm Coleman applied the pressure mightily.
Republican to Forget: Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee. The next “jumpin Jim Jeffords,” if the rumors are to be believed, the “moderate” Chafee is rated by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League at 90%, meaning he has a pro-choice voting record. But on Tax reform, Chafee gets a “C-minus” grade by the National Taxpayers Union, meaning he does not reach the level of “satisfactory.” Chafee is a minority within the majority, alongside such “principled” members as Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, and occasionally, John McCain. But even the records of these three pseudo-Republicans are near-stellar compared to this guy.
Most Over-Reported Story: The 2004 presidential election was, by far, the most multi-dimensional story that I have ever lived through. Between the 18 months of lead-up of the Democratic primaries, the Howard Dean scare, Bush’s dental records from his days in the National Guard, to Kerry’s windsurfing exploits, it was enough to make a committed voter just plain old committed. So help me, if four years from now I hear one more liberal pundit ever say “this is the most important election of our lives,” I’m liable to beat’em over the head with the Sunday edition of the New York Times, and then make him, or her, live in a “red” state for four years.
Most Underreported Story: Easily, it was John Kerry’s Senate record. I cannot recall a single question asked by any reporter or journalist regarding Kerry’s legislative record. During his acceptance speech in Boston this year, Kerry alluded to his twenty year record in the Senate with a scant and un-illuminating 97 words out of 5,226. The Old Guard media, happily and willingly docile, rolled over for Kerry like some overpriced pedigreed pooches roll over for their master.
Rest in Peace: There are many choices for this one, like Tom Daschle, Joe Lieberman, or even Jesse Jackson-- who is finished as a mover and shaker in politics. But the one that stands out is everybody’s favorite Texas anchor, Dan Rather. Humiliated and unquestionably “outed” as anti-Republican after “memo-gate,” Rather will forever be remembered like his one-time nemesis Richard Nixon: a disgrace to his title. “Courage” Dan, someone worse might easily come along.
Flash in the Pan: Far and away, General Wesley Clark. The good general may have been a hell of a soldier, but as a politician, not a hell of a lot was good. Regarded as the Clinton choice for the White House, Clark had a perpetual four-star “deer in the headlights” look about him when discussing nearly anything of political substance. Once Clark started embracing the likes of Michael Moore as a major supporter, even Kerry wouldn’t let the general overtly campaign for him.
Real Deal: The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. When 264 Vietnam War heroes square off against one anti-war activist from Massachusetts who happens to be running for president, you can bet the country was watching. In August, the SBVT group blasted a hole in the Kerry campaign, which was big enough to drive a swift boat through. Kerry never recovered, and John O’Neill and company left the field of battle, honor intact.
The Defining Moment: For me, it was Bush’s entrance into Madison Square garden on the final night of the GOP convention in New York. Dubbed as “politics in the round,” in reference to the podium, Bush wowed the GOP faithful as he entered the arena. It was a transformational moment, and Bush seemed more determined and genuine than at any other time during the campaign. From that night on, Bush led the presidential race till he claimed victory on November 3.
Man/Woman of the Year: Ken Mehlman, the Campaign Manager of Bush-Cheney 2004, was the force behind the Bush victory. Mehlman saw early on that having volunteers for the “get out the vote” effort and new registration drive would net better results than the paid help that Democrats relied on. In Ohio, Mehlman had over 86,000 campaign volunteers and 75,000 in Florida.
Missed Opportunity: The first presidential debate qualifies for this. Bush managed to have the debate subject on his specialty, foreign policy, and still blew it. Kerry looked commanding and sure of himself, while Bush looked tired and distracted. Losing this debate allowed Kerry to climb back into the race.
“Those big sillies” Award: The entire editorial staff of the New York Times. Try as they might, the writers could not change the thinking of Americans by Election Day. Throw in opinion writers Maureen Dowd, Paul Krugman, and Nicholas Kristof as well. The election result seemed only just when one thinks about the numerous and unsavory attempts the paper went through to unseat Bush.
The year 2004 made for an interesting and exhilarating year in the political arena. For my money, the view from the cheap seats has never been better. And just when you think you’ve seen it all…
See you in 2006.
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