Night One: The Difference
By Ben Domenech Posted in Special Events — Comments (6) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Compare and contrast if you will: the first night of the Democratic and Republican conventions.
They had The Bill in all his glory. They had the vestiges of 90s politics. They had the anger and frustration of the Gore regime, denied.
And here, in Madison Square Garden, the Republicans had Tara Stackpole, widow of a fireman who went into those burning towers and never came out.
"Timmy is my hero. I am honored to share him with you. Just as I am proud to lend America my oldest son, Kevin, who is headed to Iraq in December with his Navy unit."
There are doubtless many Americans who are proud of that first night in Boston. They were proud of Clinton's call to roll back the tax cuts. They were proud of Roberta Achtenberg and the ERA. They were proud of Al and Hillary and The Bill.
Are they proud of Timmy and Kevin Stackpole?
I wonder.
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Night One: The Difference 6 Comments (0 topical, 6 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
But am I proud of the exploitation of a national tragedy for partisan political gain? Just the opposite.
And Tara, bless her, might rethink the "share him with you" since the "you" in this case is just Republicans. It seems a low tribute to the memory of her brave husband.
If a politician's record and response to a major event in a nation's history -- for example, a Vietnam war record! -- isn't a legitimate issue to mention and even run on in the course of a campaign, what is? Please, spare us. And I speak as someone who had his own trepidation for a loved one on 9/11.
And noted that you arrogate the right to determine what is fitting for this wife in her remembrance of her husband.
Shame.
But am I proud of the exploitation of a national tragedy for partisan political gain? Just the opposite
You are truly right but I forgive the democrats for it.Just a forgiving kinda guy I guess
In his campaigns, his mid-term campaigning, his speeches on topics unrelated to the war...
Tac's right, neighbor. It's on the record. Lord knows the Donks haven't held back from attacking Bush on his response -- and they shouldn't: It's the largest issue on the table.
But the goose and the gander frequently eat at the same table.
And the Democrats had, on the first night, people who had lost family in 9/11. (One Jewish, one Muslim.)
I'm not sure I get the point you're making here, unless you just completely forgot that the DNC had a tribute.
I commend you your well-stretched neck. I suggest the answer is "Yes," just not the way you mean it, and not in private.