POTUS shindigs: wives on top............

Well, our quadrennial political convention season is over after having sacrificed a considerable amount of the brotherhood that once prevailed in the US. That these two weeks of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions (RNC and DNC) are preceded by almost two years of campaigning and are followed by another two months of more campaigning tends to render the actual Conventions anti-climactic. Indeed, the true test of political mettle is yet to come in the much anticipated debates between M and O.

 

O's acceptance speech was nowhere near as vivacious and engaging as his earlier major addresses. He was sufficiently wound up and articulate to pass muster, but totally void of new ideas and content. But then again we predicted no content so as to not give anything away for the opposition to chew on and spit back. O's major issues are carbon copies of what he said and promised 4 years ago. He offers big promises that won him the last election but may well result in a lower number of followers this time around.

 

The Conventions offered some good speeches, but none better than those delivered by M and O's spouses.

 

Both of these extraordinary women engaged participants of the convention, the media and most important, the TV audience. They were hopeful, kind, sincere and replete with loving support for their husbands. In each instance, the wives provided personality and character to men who came across as totally engaged in the business of being or becoming president. Romney needed this type of assistance much more than Obama.

 

Yet, Michelle gracefully praised O's attributes as a husband and father and in the process gave him a new look. Indeed, some of the scenes looked like a sitcom of the Barack and Michelle show complete with adoring kids and lots of hugs and kisses.

 

Never before have I seen commentators and presenters (anchors) expose their political colors more than in this campaign.

 

In 2008, Sarah Palin pretty much stole the show in such a fashion as to guarantee John McCain second place. Deserving of it or not, she provided a comic relief that offered the media safe passage through the campaign end game. This time, however, there was no comic relief; not even from Vice President Joe Biden who can usually be counted on for a gaff of some sort.  

 

As a result, and also because we are so politically polarized, everyone was seriously and passionately focused on the issues and the contenders. Pundits who have in the past come across as fair and impartial revealed their loyalties in numerous and often heated panel discussions offered on all the networks and cable news channels.