Speak to My Heart

The Fall Classic has taken shape. Not the college football bowl season-that wonderful vestige of frontier wars and backyard brawls that have defined much of the character of our states. Instead, I refer to the 2008 presidential election, which is finally down to two candidates.



Yes, this has been the most exciting primary season in a long time, with passions running high on the Democratic side. The internecine war between Clinton and Obama, even had conservatives mesmerized and taking sides. Dinner tables were split, barbershops were fractioned, and even individual minds experienced cognitive dissonance over this protracted primary. What a show, a really big show. We also can't forget the other candidates, who represented the long term policy establishment, the growing Latin American communities of the U.S., the downscale Democrats of rural America, the anti-war activists and the blue collar voter in Blue states.



The Republican primary (remember that?) also started with a fire, with an upset in Iowa. The GOP flirted with different leading men- the polished Northern governor in Mitt Romney, the charming Southern preacher in Mike Huckabee, the Hollywood star turned politician in Fred Thompson, and the pre-coronation of America's Mayor in Rudy Guliani. Campaigning almost through the Christmas Holiday season, the people from the party of Lincoln found themselves succeeding in pulling only small clusters of voters. The resurrection of John McCain, who had been labeled as a ship dead in the water, or at best limping to port while listing to starboard, became the comeback story of the hour.



But the McCain victory, while a feel good story for a war hero and proven maverick from the George Bush (I & II) policies, seemed more of a lesser of evils victory verses a consensus choice. In fact, after being declared the presumptive nominee, John McCain lost several primaries and competitors on the supposed fringe (read Ron Paul) still pulled percentages in the 20's. The selection of John McCain became a watershed event in the strictest sense, where the run off allowed for the collection of rain that fell on loose soil. McCain is found holding the earth vessels filled collected precipitation, hoping to quench the thirst of a parched nation.



The challenge for John McCain is not his stance on the war, as a combat veteran his stance against the Bush administration was admirable in the face of friendly fire. Nor it is his tepid grasp on the economic landscape; his advisers could steer him there; and its not his age- he has a vitality that comes across the screen- if you didn't know his age, you are not drawn to it by his mannerisms.



McCain's problem is that he is not touching the sentiments of the American people. For all the talk of Iraq and Afghanistan, the people of these United States are not so moved by the sacrifice of the soldiers as they are by the instability of their families. The foreclosure of homes; the lack of good paying jobs; the erosion of educational institutions- our nation is concerned about matters of the heart-food, family, and the fuel to provide for them. He speaks to America's pride in country.



Conversely, Obama and the Democrats have honed a message that is speaking to people at the emotional level, one that is inspiring all areas of the Democrat Party. No matter what subgroup, the party of Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Clinton is fully engaged in a message of change and hope. This compelling message is taking root and has become saturated in the skins of many Americans.



America is not crying for the Straight Talk Express to speak to its heart, Obama is currently doing that quite well.



In the fall, our nation will be once again gripped with its passions- football, family, food- and this year- politics. The states of the union are imbued with time honored passions that make for wonderful football rivalries; will McCain find an issue to reach the heart of America?