Kissing ass on the campaign trail
by Ben Pillow | July 1, 2008 at 7:30 am
Posted in news, politics
Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama made a patriotism-themed speech Monday in, of all places, Independence, Mo. This, of course, follows his high-profile joint appearance with former rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton last week in Unity, N.H. Anyone want to bet Obama visits Hope, Ark., before the general election?
Speaking of the Clintons, the former president spoke with Obama on Monday for the first time since the heated primary ended, according to the Associated Press. There had been speculation that Bill Clinton — just back from a five-nation tour overseas during which he attended Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday party — was giving Obama the silent treatment because he was bitter about his wife’s nomination loss. Citing a “senior Democrat who worked for Mr. Clinton,” The Telegraph of London even reported over the weekend that Clinton recently told friends Obama could “kiss my ass” in return for his support. Think that quote came up during their 20-minute phone conversation?
On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain this week is heading south for a three-day visit to Colombia and Mexico. He’s scheduled to meet with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Mexican President Felipe Calderon during the trip, which McCain’s campaign is framing as a chance to spotlight the former Vietnam POW’s commitment to free trade and the war on drug trafficking. Closer to home, the word from Politico’s Mike Allen is that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has taken the lead in the GOP vice presidential sweepstakes.
Reports Allen: “Campaign insiders say McCain plans to name his running mate very shortly after Barack Obama does, as part of what one campaign planner called a ‘bounce-mitigation strategy.’”
Hmmm. Hope, Ark., is actually the birthplace of Bill Clinton. If Obama names Clinton’s wife as his running mate, does that count as ass-kissing?
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July 1st, 2008 at 4:07 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Under no circumstances (well unless your life is in danger) should anyone ever kiss ass. But basically every politician is brown-nosing the entire nation of voters as part of their campaign.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:10 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
what about hope, rhode island?
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:41 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
I highly doubt that Clinton will be named as Obama's nominee. She is not likely to bring in many extra voters for him and may even drive some of his current supporters off.
I would like to see John Edwards or Wesley Clark personally, but it will more likely be someone like Evan Bayh.
And unfortunately, kissing ass is a necessary evil. You don't get very many voters but telling people they are idiots and that their excrement doesn't smell like roses.