For seven years "The West Wing" ran on NBC. The show followed the ups and downs of a Democratic White House. We know it was fiction because the President (played Martin Sheen) was a pro-life (he got the Democratic nomination how?) northeastern liberal. NBC's talking car has a better chance of being real.
Somehow though, the producers came eerily close to reality. In the last two seasons they developed a storyline about the election to succeed Martin Sheen's character. Here is where it gets weird: the Democratic nominee was a young Latino (read "I don't look like the other Presidents", played by Jimmy Smits) with little legislative experience. He defeated more established party figures for the nomination (in the show it was a sitting Vice President, in 2008 it was the Clintons). To buttress his credentials he picked an experienced political type with tons of Washington experience as a running mate. Leo McGary (played by the late John Spencer) had an Irish Catholic, blue collar streak to him (sound like another running mate we all know?).
There is more. On the Republican side, a long time Senator, who often clashed with his party wins the nomination. Arnold Vinnick (played by Alan Alda) has to calm concerns within the right wing of the party so he selects a young conservative Governor for a running mate (he was male, the writers where not that prescient!). Sound like a Republican ticket we are all familiar with?
Both candidates want to keep the debate on a higher plan, but traditional methods of campaigning take over.
Those of you who are fans of Obama will like how it turned out: the Jimmy Smits character wins the election (although he promptly names Alan Alda Secretary of State).
Before you get too excited, remember the show was still based on the premise that a northeastern, pro-life liberal could serve eight years in the White House. Art does not always imitate life, but if I see a talking car in the parking lot today McCain is in trouble.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
A hero for a President
It wasn't stirring, it wasn't electrifying and there were not any lines that will be quoted in future acceptance speeches.
It was, however, effective. John McCain reminded us that he has served a cause larger than himself, larger than any of us. He reminded us of the importance of service, of seeing beyond ourselves.
He did not come across as the self appointed "chosen one", here to rescue us from all of our ills. Instead he told us that he would try to create opportunities so we could rescue ourselves.
He did not tell us he would make nice with other world leaders so as to restore our "standing". Instead he told us he would defend America and in doing so, earn the respect of our friends and foes.
He did not promise big things, he merely promised to fight for us.
He made no guarantees, but he did promise change.
Big speeches are not his strong suit. McCain works better in the "town hall" setting, so this speech was more of an obligation than an opportunity. In reality, after Sarah Palin's speech Wednesday night, one could have hardly blamed him if he came down with the flu, skipped the last night and hit the campaign trail.
But he got through it and in the process showed courage, dignity and honor. It may not be hope and change, but it may be what we are looking for in a President.
It was, however, effective. John McCain reminded us that he has served a cause larger than himself, larger than any of us. He reminded us of the importance of service, of seeing beyond ourselves.
He did not come across as the self appointed "chosen one", here to rescue us from all of our ills. Instead he told us that he would try to create opportunities so we could rescue ourselves.
He did not tell us he would make nice with other world leaders so as to restore our "standing". Instead he told us he would defend America and in doing so, earn the respect of our friends and foes.
He did not promise big things, he merely promised to fight for us.
He made no guarantees, but he did promise change.
Big speeches are not his strong suit. McCain works better in the "town hall" setting, so this speech was more of an obligation than an opportunity. In reality, after Sarah Palin's speech Wednesday night, one could have hardly blamed him if he came down with the flu, skipped the last night and hit the campaign trail.
But he got through it and in the process showed courage, dignity and honor. It may not be hope and change, but it may be what we are looking for in a President.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A Game and a Half?
I lament the status of the Dodgers and they go on a five game winning streak! Suddenly they are a game and half back of Arizona with a three game set against them over the weekend. By Sunday the Dodgers could be in first place.
So I take it all back...for now.
So I take it all back...for now.
Take that media! Take that Obama!
Take that media! Take that Obama! Governor Palin came out swinging last night and it was terrific.
She did what know one has really been willing to do all year: seriously question Obama's qualifications and motives. Obama's friends in the media have not explored his "experience". While they have hammered away at Palin's, little attention is paid to the fact that Obama simply voted "present" in the Illinois legislature over a hundred times. The media doesn't talk about how this well educated man (Harvard, remember?) said that the question of when life begins was "above my pay grade".
Governor Palin was the first to come out and really state the case (although Bill Clinton gave it a pretty good shot in the primaries).
More importantly, I think Governor Palin showed herself to be a bold leader. Her speech may not have caused angels to sing and the animals to stop and listen, but it did serve notice that she will be a force in this campaign and in a McCain White House.
She talked about her experience: raising a family, running a business and eventually getting into public service. What I like is that her whole life has not been geared towards getting elected. She did not pick a place to live based on the retirement plans of local officeholders. She did not join a particular church to bolster her "street cred" with a certain voting bloc. She has lived a life like so many of us: trying to raise kids, pay the bills and help out in the community.
Her daughter? That happens in even the best of American families. They are up front about it and real. They are, as a family, taking responsibility.
What we saw last night was an American story. This was the way things were meant to be: people live their lives, take care of their families and, when called to serve, they do. What has happened all too often in recent years is people who emerge from political science departments at elite universities, go to work as a political staffer or "community organizer", wait for an office to open up and run for it. For the first time in a while, we have someone on a national ticket whose life has not entirely revolved around a political career and last night showed that that just might be right for the times.
She did what know one has really been willing to do all year: seriously question Obama's qualifications and motives. Obama's friends in the media have not explored his "experience". While they have hammered away at Palin's, little attention is paid to the fact that Obama simply voted "present" in the Illinois legislature over a hundred times. The media doesn't talk about how this well educated man (Harvard, remember?) said that the question of when life begins was "above my pay grade".
Governor Palin was the first to come out and really state the case (although Bill Clinton gave it a pretty good shot in the primaries).
More importantly, I think Governor Palin showed herself to be a bold leader. Her speech may not have caused angels to sing and the animals to stop and listen, but it did serve notice that she will be a force in this campaign and in a McCain White House.
She talked about her experience: raising a family, running a business and eventually getting into public service. What I like is that her whole life has not been geared towards getting elected. She did not pick a place to live based on the retirement plans of local officeholders. She did not join a particular church to bolster her "street cred" with a certain voting bloc. She has lived a life like so many of us: trying to raise kids, pay the bills and help out in the community.
Her daughter? That happens in even the best of American families. They are up front about it and real. They are, as a family, taking responsibility.
What we saw last night was an American story. This was the way things were meant to be: people live their lives, take care of their families and, when called to serve, they do. What has happened all too often in recent years is people who emerge from political science departments at elite universities, go to work as a political staffer or "community organizer", wait for an office to open up and run for it. For the first time in a while, we have someone on a national ticket whose life has not entirely revolved around a political career and last night showed that that just might be right for the times.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Opening Day
Today is my children's first day of school. The first day of school is a lot like Opening Day of the baseball season. The stadium is cleaned up and fresh, so is the school. We see old friends whom we have been missing for several months. Hope and optimism abounds for the year ahead (except in Kansas City...where the Royals have no hope, not their schools).
The kids are like the players. My oldest is starting his third year at the school. He is a veteran, although not yet a long time veteran. He knows his way around, knows how things work and sees many familiar faces.
My youngest is starting kindergarten. He is a rookie. It is all brand new. His eyes will be wide and there will certainly be a few butterflies. He will need guidance and will have to get used to the rigors of a longer season i.e. school five days a week.
The school year evolves much like a baseball season. It is long and there are unexpected developments along the way. The kids have "slumps" e.g. a bad test result or a behavior issue and they hit for the cycle (a big red "100%" across the top of the test). People come and go much as baseball players are traded or released. There are special events and the dog days. As the year winds down everyone looks forward to a break, but also starts to think about next year.
The school year, like a great baseball season, also produces many memories that stay with us forever. We all remember that special teacher or our friends from those days much as we remember the great moments of seasons past.
Sometimes there is adversity: a difficult teacher or a bully on the playground, but we learn to overcome it and move forward. Some seasons your team or star player just doesn't have it, but you play the games anyway. Remember, next year will be better.
So today is Opening Day. The players/kids are nervous but ready. The fans/parents are optimistic and hopeful. The grass is freshly cut and the paint touched up. Play ball!
The kids are like the players. My oldest is starting his third year at the school. He is a veteran, although not yet a long time veteran. He knows his way around, knows how things work and sees many familiar faces.
My youngest is starting kindergarten. He is a rookie. It is all brand new. His eyes will be wide and there will certainly be a few butterflies. He will need guidance and will have to get used to the rigors of a longer season i.e. school five days a week.
The school year evolves much like a baseball season. It is long and there are unexpected developments along the way. The kids have "slumps" e.g. a bad test result or a behavior issue and they hit for the cycle (a big red "100%" across the top of the test). People come and go much as baseball players are traded or released. There are special events and the dog days. As the year winds down everyone looks forward to a break, but also starts to think about next year.
The school year, like a great baseball season, also produces many memories that stay with us forever. We all remember that special teacher or our friends from those days much as we remember the great moments of seasons past.
Sometimes there is adversity: a difficult teacher or a bully on the playground, but we learn to overcome it and move forward. Some seasons your team or star player just doesn't have it, but you play the games anyway. Remember, next year will be better.
So today is Opening Day. The players/kids are nervous but ready. The fans/parents are optimistic and hopeful. The grass is freshly cut and the paint touched up. Play ball!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Down on the Farm
We love the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Today is their last game of the year (barring a playoff appearance and I really do not understand how that would occur).
The Quakes are the Class A minor league affiliate of the Angels. Most of the players are in their second or third year of pro ball. It is a long way from the bright lights of the big leagues.
Yet, it is not too far from our home. The tickets are more than reasonably priced. Every seat is close to the action. The mascot keeps the kids laughing and most nights that we go, there is a fireworks show after the game. Three hours of great family entertainment.
The quality of baseball is good too. What I love is that the game moves along. The batters stay in the box and the pitchers stay on the mound. None of the interminable walk arounds between every pitch of a major league game. They run out ground balls and popups and the fielders dive for the ball (even though there is about no chance that they play will end up on ESPN's web gems).
If it is major league ballplayers you need, they occasionally come to visit. Angel players recovering from injuries will come down and play three or four games to test their health and get their timing back.
We have been going for enough years that we are starting to see some former Quakes cracking the Show in Anaheim. The kids are thrilled seeing guys who they saw up close now playing in the big leagues. They feel like they helped them get there.
So if you find yourself on the 15 Freeway some night between April and August, just follow the lights to the Epicenter and, for a fraction of the big league price, watch the future and enjoy the fun.
The Quakes are the Class A minor league affiliate of the Angels. Most of the players are in their second or third year of pro ball. It is a long way from the bright lights of the big leagues.
Yet, it is not too far from our home. The tickets are more than reasonably priced. Every seat is close to the action. The mascot keeps the kids laughing and most nights that we go, there is a fireworks show after the game. Three hours of great family entertainment.
The quality of baseball is good too. What I love is that the game moves along. The batters stay in the box and the pitchers stay on the mound. None of the interminable walk arounds between every pitch of a major league game. They run out ground balls and popups and the fielders dive for the ball (even though there is about no chance that they play will end up on ESPN's web gems).
If it is major league ballplayers you need, they occasionally come to visit. Angel players recovering from injuries will come down and play three or four games to test their health and get their timing back.
We have been going for enough years that we are starting to see some former Quakes cracking the Show in Anaheim. The kids are thrilled seeing guys who they saw up close now playing in the big leagues. They feel like they helped them get there.
So if you find yourself on the 15 Freeway some night between April and August, just follow the lights to the Epicenter and, for a fraction of the big league price, watch the future and enjoy the fun.
So You Want to be Vice President?
The job comes with a nice title, a house, a ride to work (with a police escort), and use of a plane. The downside is that your fate is in someone else's hands and if it does not go well you end up as a trivia question answer or potential contestant on "Dancing with the Stars".
There is much talk about the Vice Presidency these days. Barack Obama picked a long time Washington veteran, John McCain picked a relative unknown, but made history with the first female Republican nominee. The late night comics still speculate that Dick Cheney lives in a cave and secretly rules the world. Al Gore travels the country telling us to turn out our lights and get out of our cars (usually speaking in well lit auditoriums after arriving in a three car motorcade before returning to his home that uses as much electricity as a football stadium). And yes, the producers of Dancing with the Stars apparently tried to get Dan Quayle as a contestant.
The interesting thing about the Quayle story is that a former Vice President would be defined as a "star". John Nance Garner, a former Vice President, once described the job as not being worth a bucket of warm spit. John Adams, our first Vice President probably described it best: "I am nothing, but I may be everything".
Vice Presidents have become President with varying results. Teddy Roosevelt became a beloved President after succeeding to the presidency. Likewise, history reflects well on Harry Truman. Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford faced tougher circumstances.
The vice presidency is often the product of the political equivalent of an arranged marriage. Do not believe any candidate who says they are looking for the "best person to assume the presidency". These guys think they are immortal. They are looking for the "best person to help me win the election". Johnson helped Kennedy win Texas. George Bush helped Reagan pull the party together. Al Gore reinforced Bill Clinton's message of change and youth. Dan Quayle, Spiro Agnew...well, I'm still working on those, but their bosses did win.
After January 20th, the Vice President Palin or Biden will move into the big house. We will see them on TV sitting behind the President at the State of the Union (where he or she will have to try and make small talk with Nancy Pelosi...maybe the job is tough!) and otherwise we will not hear much from them. In reality, we do not want to hear much, we do not want them to become "everything".
Still, a house, a car and a plane? It seems like a good gig.
There is much talk about the Vice Presidency these days. Barack Obama picked a long time Washington veteran, John McCain picked a relative unknown, but made history with the first female Republican nominee. The late night comics still speculate that Dick Cheney lives in a cave and secretly rules the world. Al Gore travels the country telling us to turn out our lights and get out of our cars (usually speaking in well lit auditoriums after arriving in a three car motorcade before returning to his home that uses as much electricity as a football stadium). And yes, the producers of Dancing with the Stars apparently tried to get Dan Quayle as a contestant.
The interesting thing about the Quayle story is that a former Vice President would be defined as a "star". John Nance Garner, a former Vice President, once described the job as not being worth a bucket of warm spit. John Adams, our first Vice President probably described it best: "I am nothing, but I may be everything".
Vice Presidents have become President with varying results. Teddy Roosevelt became a beloved President after succeeding to the presidency. Likewise, history reflects well on Harry Truman. Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford faced tougher circumstances.
The vice presidency is often the product of the political equivalent of an arranged marriage. Do not believe any candidate who says they are looking for the "best person to assume the presidency". These guys think they are immortal. They are looking for the "best person to help me win the election". Johnson helped Kennedy win Texas. George Bush helped Reagan pull the party together. Al Gore reinforced Bill Clinton's message of change and youth. Dan Quayle, Spiro Agnew...well, I'm still working on those, but their bosses did win.
After January 20th, the Vice President Palin or Biden will move into the big house. We will see them on TV sitting behind the President at the State of the Union (where he or she will have to try and make small talk with Nancy Pelosi...maybe the job is tough!) and otherwise we will not hear much from them. In reality, we do not want to hear much, we do not want them to become "everything".
Still, a house, a car and a plane? It seems like a good gig.
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