Two statewide campaign updates from the Iron Range:
Obama’s campaign opened the first of two Iron Range headquarters. As many as 100 people were there for at least part of the ceremonies, according to the Mesabi Daily News. The accounts I’ve heard indicates that the event went well.
Norm Coleman made a campaign swing through the Range, including a stop at a Hibbing restaurant. He’s playing up the character issue as his main argument for re-election … not his character (the first rule about Norm’s character is don’t talk about Norm’s character) but Al Franken’s. Franken, a serial monogamist and non-party switcher, is not to Coleman’s liking in this category. Coleman would rather talk about a clearly explained tax error and a literal interpretation of satire than his allegiance to President Bush on Iraq, the economy and oil policy. Because Minnesotans care most about things that will in no way impact them or their families. (Joe Minnesota to wife: “I am so sick of irony! You never know if people are kidding or not! I love war and tax cuts for the rich!” Wife: “I have no name in this satirical comment because it could be misinterpreted in a future campaign!”)
And a final note to my friends all over the Internet. Chill the hell out about polls. You got used to whipping out those national poll numbers when our guy Obama was up by 12, but now you’re deeply troubled that the race shows a tie. Listen, we Democrats nominated a wholly unique candidate, the first African-American major party nominee, whose name is easy to distort by the opposition. There will be a period where all the non-political junkies who have tired of the nonstop campaigning will wait to embrace Obama (Half the nation believes what it is told on the TV, and the TV has decided it would rather this election be close). Keep in mind further that the public has yet to embrace McCain, too. The debates will be crucial. I do believe that, one way or another, the core direction of the U.S.A. as a nation and historical force is at stake. Let’s try to keep focused on the implications there, rather than the horse race that network TV would rather we talk about.
Chill the hell out about polls — amen. You are right on here, Aaron. I don’t understand how we can have a real democratic process when all anyone’s interested in is the horse race.
The polls are meaningless, anyway. Most electronic media is pro-Republican, and the only reason they’re saying the race is close is because that’s the way they want it. The reality is that this next election will be against the policies of W. Bush/Republican Gingrichism. McCain’s only chance to win is if he distances himself from W. Bush’s policies. He’s not. Normy (the puppy) Coleman’s only chance is to renounce his toadyship to W. Bush. He won’t, and Franken’s a shoe-in as a result. Same with any race for the senate or house. I see the non-Republicans taking the presidency, 5-10 seats in the senate, and at least 10-20 seats in the house.
Then, the investigations will begin; and the Iraq war will end.
But, then again, I could be wrong. 🙂 🙂 🙂