The spectacle of Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer's speech and
the glee Democrats displayed over having a real, live over-the-top,
walking (wildly inaccurate) stereotype of "regula Midwest folk"
dance like a trick monkey for them was pa-the-tic. Sadly, for me,
others have already put this into more eloquent context:
1) Dave Weigel in his
must-read column
on the disappearing-before-it-really-appeared Libertarian Democrat,
writes:
Instead of
being a proudly contrarian executive of an oil-drilling state, he
became a populist rancher raging against "petro-dictators,"
domestic drilling, and "tax breaks for big oil." Leaning back, then
leaning forward with his finger pointed like the guns he didn't
mention, Schweitzer country-drunk slurred his insults against the
Republican candidate who'd bring "Mora-tha-same!" Surprise! His
performance killed! The buzz among delegates on the interminable
path out of the arena, lined with golf carts, blown-up fetus
pictures, and bullhorn-hogging bearded loudmouths, was that the
large fella with the bolo tie and jeans was this year's Obama
2004.
Naturally,
every political convention features its share of demagoguery. But
buried beneath all the idealistic talk in Denver are some ugly
details. Those who had the inner fortitude to remain conscious
through speeches by Bob Casey and Mark Warner were surely
entertained by the theatrics of populist Montana Gov. Brian
Schweitzer (a man who represents the possibility of America - a
place where even a former cast member of "Hee Haw!" can become
governor of Montana).
When
Schweitzer claims "we must invest" in projects he likes, he means
government will take it and invest it for you. You see,
you must.
Then Schweitzer claimed (in a half truth)
that Republican nominee John McCain voted "against" solar energy,
biofuels and wind energy. Which
is weird, because I could swear my neighbor has solar panels, so
they must be legal. I know I've seen windmills. So I suppose that
Schweitzer meant that McCain voted against some federal boondoggle
for wind and/or solar energy.
topics:
John McCain, Energy, Oil
