January 28th, 2008
My Dear America:
Although I am actually writing this post on February 2nd, I am using the date of January 28th because that was when I first wrote what I thought was a pretty good letter to you, tried to post it and watched the error message come up on my computer apparently sending my letter off into the electronic digital abyss never to be heard from again. Although I will probably not be able to write anything as good as my first try I have two choices. One; forget about it and the Blog or two; try again. I am making the second choice. So here goes.
The past two Saturdays in South Carolina have been monumental. First, a week ago last Saturday, John McCain left this state energized and thrilled that his plan for a "Surge" past Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee had worked in South Carolina. McCain flew into Florida like he was shot out of a cannon ready to work on wiping out his remaining opponents in the Republican Primaries. It is becoming clearer every day that McCain is the man to beat in the Republican Party. He is, what one pundit called "The Gentle Warmonger" which is certainly an accurate description of McCain. Clearly on the war in Iraq McCain is out of touch with the vast majority of Americans when he states that it would not bother him if U.S. Forces "stay in Iraq for a hundred years." It is too bad that McCain is such a disappointment to the Right Wing Fringe who are looking for a Thousand Year Commitment to the Iraq War on the part of the United States. McCain is also a disappointment to those who have admired his Maverick reputation over the years. For instance, gone is McCain's initial opposition to the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy that McCain refused to vote for when they were first passed in the Senate. Now he can't get the Wealthy Welfare Tax Bill passed fast enough. Goodbye Maverick. It was nice knowing you.
On the other side of the political street in South Carolina a very interesting development has occurred. Barack Obama throughout the last week was on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism from not only Hillary Clinton but also from her husband, Former President, Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton not only slammed Obama hard at every speaking engagement in the state he also called Obama a liar, who was not really against the War in Iraq at the outset and was also a Reagan Supporter, as well.
Bill Clinton clearly should have thought more clearly before he went on this weeklong verbal rampage across South Carolina. Although Bill Clinton does not always think with his brain he should have in this case. The end result in South Carolina was staggering. Barak Obama won the South Carolina Primary with a 2 to 1 vote margin of victory over Hillary Clinton. Another bad sign for the Cliintons was the fact that half of the primary voters had not voted in the 2006 Primary.
Today, on the day that George Bush gave his last State Of The Union Speech ( Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God Almighty we will soon be Free at Last, of him) One of the final nails was driven into Hillary Clinton's Presidential Bid Coffin.
As if the brutal defeat of Hillary (and Bill) in South Carolina wasn't enough bad news for Hillary's Campaign, Ted, Caroline and Patrick Kennedy joined Barack Obama on a college campus stage in Washington, D.C., where Ted gave one of his most passionate speeches ever linking the excitement about Obama's campaign to memories of his brothers campaigns for President. There was no doubt about who was receiving Ted Kennedy's endorsement.
At The State of The Union Speech Barack and Teddy hung out together like Frat Brothers smiling and talking before and after the President's Speech. Hillary kept her distance from Ted and Barack. At one awkward moment she did come over and shook hands with Kennedy but Obama walked away from her. It had to be a sad moment for Hillary and there will clearly be other sad moments to come but who knows what will happen next in this truly historic and unpredictable campaign. It certainly looks like Barack has the momentum right now but Super Tuesday is coming and I have the feeling that it is going to be a night of many shocks and surprises for Democrats and Republicans alike.
Sincerely Yours
Jerry Gallagher
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