WOW!
We are living history tonight, boys and girls. As I said on Monday, no matter the outcome today, Wednesday will be very interesting.
It’s worth taking another look at John McCain’s concession speech and Barack Obama’s victory speech which I’ll embed here once the respective campaigns post them on their YouTube channels.
Making it Official
APELCers, although we’d know the “presumptive” candidates would be their respective parties’ nominees for many months, Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s nomination acceptance speeches at the conventions in Denver and St. Paul made their candidacies official.
I’ve posted an extra-credit opportunity for you on your class page in which I’ve asked you to analyze, and compare and contrast each candidate’s presentation. Here’s video of both for you to consider as you work out the optional assignment:
Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention Nomination Acceptance Speech, Denver, Colorado, August 28, 2008.
John McCain, Republican National Convention Nomination Acceptance Speech, St. Paul, Minnesota, September 5, 2008.
Tonight in Minnesota
John McCain’s running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will officially present herself to the American people shortly according to CNN’s countdown clock. Although, she’s not the first woman to run on a presidential ticket (Geraldine Ferraro ran as Democratic candidate Walter Mondale’s vice-presidential pick in 1984; they were demolished in an uprecedented 49 state win by Ronald Reagan and his vice-president Geroge HW Bush), Palin is part of a historic race that will either result in the first black American winning the White House or the election of America’s oldest president and the first female vice-executive under the oldest. I hope you’re watching.
Some interesting news has followed Palin’s candidacy, notably the Governor’s admission that her seventeen year old daughter is five months pregnant. The media storm that surrounded this admission’s been intense and has engendered much discussion particularly about the boundaries between the public and private lives of elected officials. Yesterday I heard this piece on NPR: “Social Conservatives’ Support For Palin Unwavering”. (Pay attention to Summer Vanderbilt’s comments about the “exciting party” full of “different turns” at the end of the piece.)
Is it possible to separate the public and private lives of our leaders? Of ourselves? If our private morals and belief govern our behavior and decisions, how can we leave these at home, so to speak, when we walk out our doors? What think you? Click “Leave a Comment” to share your thoughts.
Wondering about the history of the modern Republican-conservativism? Have a listen to this NPR piece which details the national rise of one of my heroes, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater (whose autographed photo sits on the northwest bookshelf in T-12): “1964 Convention Established GOP As Conservative”.
Posturing and Rhetoric
I mentioned to third period APELCers today an analysis of the current diplomatic situation between the United States and its NATO allies and Russia over Poland’s agreement to host interceptor missiles batteries (ostensibly designed to deter attacks from Iran). (Here’s a link to Moscow News’ take on the situation. Interesting to note the difference in its presentation and its resulting ethical and pathetic affects.)
The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer (one of the best news and analysis programs in media) invited two experts to explicate and analyze unfolding drama between West and East: “U.S. Defense Deal With Poland Stirs Angry Russian Rhetoric”. I encourage you to listen to it attentively when you have some time; it is a fascinating and heated discussion in which you can easily distinguish levels of critical thinking and learn about the rhetorical interaction between NATO and Russia.