The interesting U.S. politics

It's only now, since 1960, or 48 years ago that I took interest again in U.S. politics. In 1960, John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, was running for President. The question was, could a Catholic win the U.S. Presidency?

Today in 2008, two Democracts, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, are battling it out in the primaries for the Democratic Convention. The questions also are, can a woman win as U.S. President? And another question, can a black, whose father was a Kenyan, born in Hawaii , and once lived in Indonesia , become a U.S. President?

I remember Kennedy battling it out with Lyndon B. Johnson for the nomination and after beating Johnson asked the latter to be his running mate. Both became President.

Then he faced Vice-President Richard Nixon, Republican in the election, whom he beat by the power of his rhetorics. And with his charm he beat Nixon in the first televised debate in history.

Kennedy turned out the winner in the debate with his ever smiling features against Nixon's so-called six o'clock look. Nixon looked too serious.

I recall one point that clinched the victory for Kennedy was a question about Quemoy island, offshore of China 's mainland being shelled by Red China while the Seventh Fleet was standing by.

The question was asked, if elected President, would either of them send troops? Kennedy's answer was fast. No! He said, he would not endanger an American life to defend a piece of rock. The voters liked him for that.

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But Kennedy also had a good press organization handled by Pierre Salinger. In every state, Kennedy's media friends published their praise for Kennedy's stand. Poor Nixon. He was no match to the media blitz of Kennedy.

Now the 2008 Presidential election is also a battle of rhetorics, especially by black candidate Barack Obama with his “Yes, We Can” speeches.

It reminds me of another black icon Martin Luther King with his speeches “I Have a Dream” that stirred the nation. And the world.

I believe Obama will be beaten by Clinton , though. The most he can get is the Vice-Presidential slot. The Clintons have the best political organization and I don't think America is now ready to have a black president.

We pointed it out yesterday. All elected U.S. presidents after World War II got re-elected except the elder George Bush despite the glory he was basking in for his invasion of Iraq . But he was no match to the Clinton organization personally handled by Hillary.

And Bill Clinton is the only Democrat President after World War II who won re-election despite the scandals that hounded him while in the White House, like the Monica Lewinsky affair.

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But what is impressive with Barack Obama are his rhetorics, a poesy prose that can match the flawless prose of Kennedy crafted by his speech writer Ted Sorensen and historian Theodore White.

Obama promised change in his “Yes, We can” speeches that mesmerized audiences.

Here are samples: “It was a creed written into the founding document that declared the destiny of a nation. Yes, we can.”

Or here's another: “It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed the trail toward freedom through the darkest of nights. Yes, we can.”

Or still another, “It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed through westward against an unforgiving wilderness. Yes, we can.”

“It was the call of workers who organized women, who searched for the ballot, a President who chose the moon as our new frontier and a king who took us to the mountain top and pointed the way to the promised land. Yes, we can.”

Obama was praised for his rhetorics but they said, these are just rhetorics, doubting Obama cannot do what he promised.

It seems Obama's rhetorics worked against him in the New Hampshire primary.

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Rhetorics are good. But at times, they can work otherwise, especially when the ideas are not realistic.

The late President Carlos P. Garcia, a well known poet, was also fond of rhetorics, He always would recite those Cebuano poems called “Balak”. So, considering his dark complexion, naughty columnists called him the “Balak Beauty.”

Because he was also fond of talking about the moon's penumbra, he was also called “Da Penumbra.”

I can imagine if Barack Obama were a Philippine politician and with his rhetorics, he could have been given so many names by many naughty columnists.

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I want to acknowledge a letter addressed to me by one who signed himself as a “Concerned Citizen” dated Dec. 21 and posted in Dumaguete.

I like your letter and, if you will only sign the letter I will be happy to publish it in full.

I fully agree with you and, if you understand the sarcasm and the satire you would have just laughed at it like many of my friends who did.

Anyway, try calling DAILY STAR and give me your phone and I will call you and we will laugh together.

Cheers to you, my friend. I like people who, even at 69 still enjoy and participate in the affairs of the community. Salute!*

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