Numbers, numbers, numbers.
Paul Simon sang about "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover."
Nena mused about "99 Luft Balloons."
Eddie Cochran inspired the next generation of rockers with "20 Flight Rock."
Retired general Wesley Clark recently played set-up man for Obama's speech on patriotism in the numbers game that is politics.
Clark was like the ad man in "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" (surely you remember…he tells Jagger that he can't be a man because he doesn't smoke the brand of cigarettes he's peddling to the masses) as he attempted to use his military veteran status to lend credibility to his critique of Senator John McCain--just as he used it to defend Sen. John Kerry back in 2004.
Can you say, "Please, Obama, pick me for a post in your administration?"
In Clark's estimation, Obama's ability to bring people together (just like Coca-Cola) and his "character," "communication skills," and "good judgment" (traits listed in GS-9 Performance Plans govwide) trump the "untested" and "untried" Senator McCain who has served in Congress for more than two decades (taking a stand on issues in lieu of Obama's heroic "present" votes in the Illinois state legislature), served in the military during wartime, and who commanded the largest squadron in the U.S. Navy.
In Independence, Missouri, Obama avowed he would neither question others' patriotism during his campaign, nor would he "stand idly by when I hear others question mine."
Did anyone on "Face the Nation" question Obama's patriotism? No, they questioned his experience, or lack thereof.
Nevertheless, one has to admit that Obama's speech was a crafty preemptive move affording him room to strike back at anyone who dares question his patriotism in the future. He has taken it off the table.
In other news, Bill Clinton has stated he will not question the fidelity of anyone else and Howard Dean has stated that he will not question anyone's enthusiasm.
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