Hey, Rappers need Health Care too
[Update - 7/16@1245CDT: The announcement on the Green web site of Clemente as McKinney's Veep choice links to a site called "ThugLifeArmy.org." Wonderful.
The first paragraph there is a whole new bundle of wonderfulness:
Rosa Clemente accepting a bid to run as VP on Cynthia McKinney's Green Party ticket is big news. In fact its great news. First Rosa is no joke. This Bronx born-Puerto Rican-African sista is sharp on the issues and uncompromising on the principals she stands for. She stands tall and fights fiercely for the communities and people she has long represented. She is more than qualified.
Amazing.]
The pure awesomeness in the video below comes to us courtesy of http://www.runcynthiarun.org/ (where should she run to? who knows?), a Web site dedicating to making sure you know to "Elect Cynthia McKinney, President of the United States."
What you're watching is the rally at which McKinney and her running mate, Rosa Clemente, accepted their POTUS and VP nominations from "the most progressive, innovative political party in the country."
Watch (at least) the first five minutes, as Clemente, dressed in what I can only assume is her version of traditional African garb, offers such oratorical gems as:
"We are suffering from structural racism, instittutional racism, capitalism, and militarism -- we are fighting for survival!"
as well as:
"I'm a vessel. A representative of the work of an entire thirty-year movement -- a hip-hop movement that is radical...a hip-hop, radical, progressive, activst movement that uses the vote to bring what we need in public policy."
and
"My friend [Omar Wally? Can't understand the name here...] emailed me from the grassroots aretist's movement -- a hip-hop organization dedicated to unionizing rappers, so that they would have health care."
The best, though?
"Today my words will hopefully continue to express my honor, my humbleness, but also my intellect and readiness to take on this task -- and Dick Cheney, bring it on, I'm ready to debate you aga..."
That intellect sure is shining through. By the way, what office is Cheney running for this year, again?
It doesn't look like the GOP will be getting any electoral help from the left this year. We'd better hope that Bob Barr's campaign flames out as brightly, and as quickly, as this Green campaign is sure to do.
As I see potential running mates for BHO (Barrack Hussein Obama), I see names like Evan Bayh and Sam Nunn, I have begun to recognize a huge problem with John Mccain and his selection process. All of the pundits will tell you that people dont get elected based on their VP candidate. However, assuming that to be the case, I will suggest that this year may be different. In this election, John Mccain needs to hit a homerun with his choice.
Although I admire Liebermans decisions as of late and his independent decision making, this is not the choice for Mr Mccain. He is part of the old guard and too moderate for a guy like Mccain who is already considered by some conservatives to be not conservative enough. Then, there are the runners up so to speak in Huckabee and Romney; both of which would be huge mistakes in my opinion. Yes, Romney has Executive experience and yes Huckabee can pull in any of those suspicious Evangelists, who Mccain is after in a big way (righfully so if he wants to win).
In this election year, which is arguably the most important of my lifetime since Reagan came in and saved this country from the horrific reign of Jimmy Carter, John Mccain really only has 2 choices right now if he wants to hit both the demographic he is after, as well as avoid the things that are currently haunting his candidacy. The first choice and my runner up choice would be Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. Not only is Tim considered the most conservative governor of the last 80 years in Minnesota, not only is he the chairman of the national governors association, but he is young. He is popular. He could pull Minnesota for Mccain. These are all very important factors. Does a win in Minnesota buy anything, in terms of electoral votes. One could argue either one way or the other. But, if BHO takes the big swing states that were so pivotal for Bush 04, any state would help. (especially one considered an easy victory for the Dems)
The top candidate at this point in time, however, should be Bobby Jindal from LA. It has to be. He is a huge proponent of big time energy policy changes and supports drilling right away. He is a minority, being from India. He is young. He has executive experience. But, most importantly, he has the charisma to really revitalize a stagnating Mccain campaign. He changes the landscape of politics and could potentially diffuse the appeal of the first minority in the White House. He is the one to pump energy into this campaign, both emotionally and physically (with his comprehensive ideas about fixing the energy mess). He is the one for the job as the VP and would make an incredibly strong running mate. He would punish any candidate I have heard mentioned by the DEMS and he is simply the youngest, most charismatic, and youthful candidate for John Mccain, who some consider old and out of touch. Jindal would immediately change that landscape.
I am a registered republican. I strongly support the second ammendment, I want the supreme court filled with judges who enforce the law and leave the lawmaking up to congress. Most of all, I want an administration who is strong on defense and doesnt want to raise my taxes (I am very middle class, but the putting an end to Bushs tax cuts would hurt me). I need a guy who doesnt want to double capital gains taxes. However, as I sit here tonight, I cannot in good conscience, support a Mccain Romney ticket. Mccain Huckabee is the same. We must, as true Republicans, get this message out that Mccain has to use every tool in this cycle to get elected and perhaps the most important is changing the perception of the GOP.
All good Republicans should get behind this important decision and make sure the thought resonates in peoples mind before they make a rushed decision. The White House, national defense, and our immediate future are all thats at stake. That, my friends, is a bet I am not willing to lose.
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