A Day Full of Champions
What a great end to an amazing day. Since I woke up this morning, I’ve been watching in awe as three champions shone about their competition — one local, one national, and now one world champion.
The Local Champion
This morning I had the opportunity to walk the Central States Fair Parade route with Elli Schwiesow — the real Republican candidate for District 32 Senate — and witness her energy and zeal one more time. The lovely Stephanie Trask and I set out with signs and literature with the intent to flank Elli as she walked. Little did we know that we would both be flanked by Elli herself, bouncing from curb to curb as she recognized folks. I’ve done a few of these parades, and have never seen a more energetic candidate outside the TeenAge Republicans.
Noticeably absent from the parade was the beady-eyed hijacker of the good name of the Republican Party. I wonder if it was too hot for his Cadillac’s air-conditioning unit. Meanwhile, Elli had about 50 people, four vehicles and two mules on her team (no pun intended). One of the announcers joked that she had a quarter of the parade in her entry.
No matter how you cut it, Elli’s grassroots support is there. What has yet to be determined is whether District 32 voters will choose a champion of values with grassroots support, or if they will choose the chump with hidden agendas and big money.
I know who’s got my support!
The National Champion
I’ll leave the deep punditry to others, but it’s safe to say John McCain was the audience favorite at tonight’s forum at Saddleback Church. He topped Obama on all the issues, and probably more importantly to voters, personality (the liberal talking heads began excusing Obama, attributing his lackluster performance to nerves from his harrowing plane ride). Although I personally cringed every time McCain started to tell a story, each anecdote was very well timed, appropriate and most importantly, applicable. I’m sure the Dems will try have tried to cast him as an old-timer, for the stories he told. However, we need to remind them how much wisdom is in those words.
The World Champion
Although the Olympic fanfare is starting to ring with me in a manner akin to my alarm clock — partially because I’ve fallen asleep a few times this week with the TV on, only to be awoken by the sound of trumpets — I’ve got to tip my hat to the arguably best Olympian of modern times, Michael Phelps. His performance tonight was nothing short of inspirational. My only thought (along with the rest of the cynical nation) is how long will it be until this great hero gets accused of doping, or some other method of cheating. Seems like every time we get behind an athlete as a nation, the accusations start flying.
But for now, Congratulations #1! U-S-A! U-S-A!
August 19th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Michael can sure burn through the calories. He must be getting some natural steroids from the cholesterol he’s processing. But I’m sure those can be banned just like Carbon Dioxide.