For the state of Illinois, February is shaping up to be a big month. For the rest of the country, February is apparently just the beginning.
Last weekend, Illinoisans came together in a show of support for the state’s favorite sports franchise, the Chicago Bears. Unlike with baseball – where fans' loyalties throughout the state are spread among the Cubs, the White Sox, and the Cardinals – Illinoisans, and especially Chicagoans are united in their love of Da Bears.
Sunday, of course, turned more sour than sweet for Bears fans who saw ‘Bad Rex’ show up in the season’s biggest game – as the Indianapolis Star took pleasure in pointing out – and the team that was known for forcing turnovers fumbled away multiple chances to win the Big One.
All is not lost, however, in the Land of Lincoln. This weekend, many in the state will turn their eyes toward another team seeking the Big One. The team, of course, is Barack Obama and his bastion of supporters. The Big One is the white mansion located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
All indication is that Obama will announce his candidacy this Saturday on the steps of the old capital building in Springfield, Illinois. Following his announcement a caravan of busses will lead the charismatic Senator across the state and into Iowa, where Obama’s first step toward the Presidency, the Iowa Caucuses, will occur a mere 342 days from today.
Alas, we are getting ahead of ourselves. In order to become President, as we all know, Obama has to win the Democratic Nomination. And, as only a sports analogy could explain, it will be no cupcake. Last Novemeber, during a speech he gave for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Obama said, “The days of using the war on terror as a political football are over.” While President Bush seems to have thrown his last Hail Mary in Iraq and the days of political football may soon be done, I have news for Mr. Obama: Baseball season is just around the corner.
As Obama takes off on his own White House Shuffle, he certainly won’t be looking for no trouble, but trouble will likely be looking for him. Harold Meyerson’s column in this morning’s Washington Post highlights the problem with the Democrats over the past 30 years: There is no unified message. For this election, the problem is likely going to be even worse because of the elongated campaign season.
Instead of hammering out a platform to carry forward the successes of the 2006 election, the leaders of the Democratic party will either be vying for the Democratic nomination, or having their loyalties tested by those who seek the top spot on the Presidential ticket.
I believe that most progressive and liberal voters in this country WANT to rally behind a single candidate, and not waste time and energy with infighting. The problem with progressives and liberals, however, is that we inherently feel strongly about issues, and so the infighting seems to be inevitable.
Sports fans in Illinois could spend years debating the Cubbies, the Sox, and the Cards. And while Democrats in this state will likely be unwavering in their support for Obama, liberal politicos in the rest of the country have only the next 14 months to decide who will represent the Democrats in the 2008 election. Unifying their energy behind a candidate may be impossible. I just hope that after the long and arduous primary campaign season we don't fumble our run at the White House.
Last weekend, Illinoisans came together in a show of support for the state’s favorite sports franchise, the Chicago Bears. Unlike with baseball – where fans' loyalties throughout the state are spread among the Cubs, the White Sox, and the Cardinals – Illinoisans, and especially Chicagoans are united in their love of Da Bears.
Sunday, of course, turned more sour than sweet for Bears fans who saw ‘Bad Rex’ show up in the season’s biggest game – as the Indianapolis Star took pleasure in pointing out – and the team that was known for forcing turnovers fumbled away multiple chances to win the Big One.
All is not lost, however, in the Land of Lincoln. This weekend, many in the state will turn their eyes toward another team seeking the Big One. The team, of course, is Barack Obama and his bastion of supporters. The Big One is the white mansion located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
All indication is that Obama will announce his candidacy this Saturday on the steps of the old capital building in Springfield, Illinois. Following his announcement a caravan of busses will lead the charismatic Senator across the state and into Iowa, where Obama’s first step toward the Presidency, the Iowa Caucuses, will occur a mere 342 days from today.
Alas, we are getting ahead of ourselves. In order to become President, as we all know, Obama has to win the Democratic Nomination. And, as only a sports analogy could explain, it will be no cupcake. Last Novemeber, during a speech he gave for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Obama said, “The days of using the war on terror as a political football are over.” While President Bush seems to have thrown his last Hail Mary in Iraq and the days of political football may soon be done, I have news for Mr. Obama: Baseball season is just around the corner.
As Obama takes off on his own White House Shuffle, he certainly won’t be looking for no trouble, but trouble will likely be looking for him. Harold Meyerson’s column in this morning’s Washington Post highlights the problem with the Democrats over the past 30 years: There is no unified message. For this election, the problem is likely going to be even worse because of the elongated campaign season.
Instead of hammering out a platform to carry forward the successes of the 2006 election, the leaders of the Democratic party will either be vying for the Democratic nomination, or having their loyalties tested by those who seek the top spot on the Presidential ticket.
I believe that most progressive and liberal voters in this country WANT to rally behind a single candidate, and not waste time and energy with infighting. The problem with progressives and liberals, however, is that we inherently feel strongly about issues, and so the infighting seems to be inevitable.
Sports fans in Illinois could spend years debating the Cubbies, the Sox, and the Cards. And while Democrats in this state will likely be unwavering in their support for Obama, liberal politicos in the rest of the country have only the next 14 months to decide who will represent the Democrats in the 2008 election. Unifying their energy behind a candidate may be impossible. I just hope that after the long and arduous primary campaign season we don't fumble our run at the White House.
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