As of Thursday, Barack Obama is the first black candidate nominated for president by a major political party in American history. And those who saw him accept the nomination during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) may have also seen his rival, Republican John McCain, in a television ad.
His message, however, didn't announce his choice for vice president, nor did it contain Paris Hilton, as many hoped. What it did contain was a positive message, where McCain referred to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., noting that it was "perfect" that Obama's nomination fell on the 45th anniversary of the historic "I Have a Dream" speech.
McCain congratulated Sen. Obama, noting that it is "too often the achievements of our opponents go unnoticed." And in the case of Bill Clinton, it is too often those achievements go unnoticed until the day of the nomination. During this election year, voters heard him call Obama a "kid" living "the biggest fairy tale (he's) ever seen."
Bill and Hillary Clinton fully endorsed Obama at the DNC as expected, with the former president adding that the young senator was "ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world." It is a sentiment that rings hollow compared to Hillary's war cry, that she was "ready to lead from day one," itself a jab at Obama's perceived lack of experience.
Granted, double-talk like this is to be expected from both sides of the fence, but it is ironic that Obama's direct competitor sounded more sincere than Slick Willy or his even slicker spouse.
Voters need to see through party politics and make decisions based on their own informed opinions, not formal ass-kissing. It is a long and rocky road to November, and both candidates have a lot left to do and say.
While the Clintons' shallow endorsements won't fully undo the damage they've done, we as Americans should be able to take a page out of McCain's playbook and a moment to grasp the huge significance of Thursday's events.
So in the words of Obama's opposing, yet observant foe: "Tomorrow, we'll be back at it. But tonight, Senator - job well done."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
