There was chatter in the streets about the sheer size of Obama’s audience in Denver. Coffee klatches convened to review the candidate’s energy policy, his own choice for a Veep, his impressive and telegenic family. The day after Obama’s historic speech, McCain attempted to seize the spotlight by picking Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to fill out his ticket. Would she woo jilted Hillary Clinton supporters away from the Democrats? Would her conservative stance on gun rights and abortion shore up support among the party’s base?
Then came Hurricane Gustav. The Republicans opted to curtail their convention events Monday as the storm strafed Louisiana. That decision was also awash with political portent for a party longing to put to bed the memory of Katrina and Rita.
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While the politics was deep as the bayou mud last week, the truth is they are rarely completely untangled. For example, speaking about Palin on CNN Monday, even Democratic pit bull James Carville had to admit that — while he found the Palin choice “curious” — all vice presidential choices are as much about getting the president elected as putting the most qualified person a heartbeat from the presidency. Anybody remember J. Danforth Quayle?
The same dynamic plays out in coastal politics. Did Assemblyman Gene Mullin really believe in AB 1991, which would have made an exception of Beachwood when it comes to state environmental law? Or was he trading for political favors with other Coastside politicians? Did state Sen. Leland Yee cave to environmentalist supporters when he drafted the counter bill known as SB 863? Or did he believe the tract a perfect place to spend 5 percent of the state money in Prop 1C devoted to parks? The answer may be “yes” to all of the above.
Politics — local, national and international — usually occupies a murky middle ground rather than the high ground on either end of the debate. The answers are rarely as clear-cut as the zealots would have you believe.
— Clay Lambert
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