Don't get me wrong. I'm enormously happy that Americans elected a black president but the cynic in me can't help but noticing how many white bread operations are now looking whole wheat.
The Repuglicans seem pretty adept at this. When Hillary lost the Democratic presidential nomination, John McCain dropped his list of running-mate favourites and chose someone he'd met just once in his life - surprise, it's Sarah Palin! Given the governor's astonishing ignorance of all things national and international - staggering even for the anti-intellectual, "know nothing" party of the Deep South - it was obviously a ploy to snag disaffected female Democrats.
Now, with a black Democrat less than two weeks in the White House, the Repugs have done it again. Enter the new chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, the first African American to chair the RNC. From The New York Times:
The election of Mr. Steele, a former lieutenant governor of Maryland, means that both major political parties are being led by African-Americans. Mr. Steele is the first black chairman of his party, and his selection was particularly striking for Republicans, who have been criticized over the years as stirring racial animosities in an effort to build political coalitions, particularly in the South.
“It’s time for something completely different, and we’re going to bring it to them,” Mr. Steele said. “We’re going to bring this party to every corner, to every boardroom, to every neighborhood, to every community. And we’re going to say to friend and foe alike: ‘We want you to be a part of us. We want you to be with us, and for those of you who are going to obstruct, get ready to be knocked over.’ ”
Wait a minute, did you hear what he said, "time for something completely different?" Maybe someone should tell Mike that America just got something completely different eleven days ago. And that street brawling lingo, you're either with us or we're gonna knock you over? Two can play that game Mr. Steele and right now the weak bench is your team's.
5 comments:
Yes whole wheat bread is the norm.
MoS, I have added your blog link on my blog sidebar. I thought you would like to know.
Has anyone told Sarah Palin about this?
I love the "Repug" epithet.
Marnie Tunay
Fakirs Canada
http://fakirscanada.spaces.live.com/
Hey Mound, great post as usual. Once again, I find myself playing devil's advocate.
I can't help but notice that the Republicans have been trying to shake the "rich white man" label for some time now (Whether or not they've been doing a good job is a separate question).
Bush appointed the first black Secretary of State, the fist black female cabinet member, the first latino Attorney General. Critics might call these token gestures, but there's no escaping the fact that they were milestone events for the minorities concerned.
Back in 2004, when Obama announced he was running for the senate, the Republicans nominated a fellow African-American to oppose him (my memory is not too clear, but I believe his name was Stan Keyes).
If you ask me, the Republican party has at least taken a few baby steps in the right direction. Now if only we could get them to adopt some more progressive policy! (Hey a guy can dream).
The U.S. needs the Democrats to govern right now, but every good government needs a good opposition, and until the Republicans fully embrace the 21st century that is not going to happen.
Good points, Fish. But then again they weren't too keen on Powell when he came out and endorsed Obama instead of McCain. I had briefly thought, way back when, that Powell might have had a shot at the Republican nomination. Imagine how the world would have unfolded these past eight years with a moderate Republican like Powell instead of a maleable twit like Bush. Powell certainly would have sent the neo-cons packing and he would have finished the job in Tora Bora to boot.
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