Democracy or Mockocracy

I am a thirty-six year old male educator on the south Texas border. The school where I teach has a matriculating body that boasts a staggering 87% economically disadvantaged population. I have one post graduate degree and working on a second one. I have voted a straight Democratic Party line since I began voting eighteen years ago. Moreover, I am a politically active environmentalist, pro-labor, and can justify higher taxes to help give the downtrodden a leg up. I am what one would call a stereotypical, card-carrying, blue-blooded Democrat. The direct and not so subtle inferences should give you a strong idea as to my Presidential leanings. I agree with Obama's message, "Change." His message has affected me. Yes, it is time for a change-- change the face and voice of the Democratic Party's heir apparent.

The Democratic Party needs a reality check. For the first time since a Clinton did not sit as the party nominee, the chances of a Democratic sweep are high. However, sadly the party is squandering away a great opportunity. This election year, why do the Republicans need Swift Boats when they have the Democratic Party? The 2000 election was close and the histrionics of that debacle need not get a re-hashing. Then 2004 gave us another opportunity but Kerry was too close to a national tragedy and mired in a US cultural climate that's pride was still to injured to delve into the negative politics that would have allowed him to counter damning claims against him. Circumstances effectively emasculated Kerry to a point he could not launch and manage a mudslinging and winning election bid.

Now here the Democratic Party sways on the precipice of history to elect the first black president but wastes precious time celebrating what it sees as a victory lap before the race has even begun. The economy is a shambles, our foreign policy and popularity went out the window with the isolationist, hawkish programs of the Bush regime, and we are fighting two very unpopular, costly wars. The Republican's have handed the 2008 presidency to the Democrats-at least they tried.

The nation waits while both parties' apparent nominees wait to make their respective VP choices. McCain needs a moderate or independent dem, to take much needed votes away from the Obama camp. McCain has the perfect man in Liebermann but does he have the political acumen to break from the wishes of his party to take on a liberal running mate like Liebermann? Obama on the other hand needs a very moderate to conservative running mate to assuage the fears of the working, lower-middle class. Does he have the gumption to pull up his boots and pick one? And that last question is what waylays me...no he plays high school student government tactics to build suspense in a rapidly diminishing winning campaign. Essentially his tactics have lost him two votes that I know of-my wife's and mine.

He is making a mockery of the democratic process. His snake oil, used car salesman tactics are a shame. He promises to text us when he is ready to announce a VP candidate. The reason behind this tactic is to build a war chest of potential new supporters that register on his website to get the coveted announcement when he is ready to announce. Word has it, apparently, the announcement will come sometime on Saturday when he lands in Illinois. In a press conference today, he announced to the world, "I have chosen a running mate" but refused to enlighten us on his choice-you know, the choice that is the future man, or woman, that rests a heartbeat away from running and protecting our country. When a reporter probed for an answer, he smiled that little impish grin of his and replied, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

The answer is, "Well, yeah. I do want to know." The future of my country, my checking account balance, national security, child's inheritance, and decision to stick with the Democratic Party relies on it. I want to make an educated decision and have time to weigh my options when it comes to the Vice President choice of my party. Will he pick Senator Warner? Senator Clinton? A no-namer? Senator Biden stated he is out the picture by the way. We don't know. We vote in less than three months. Isn't it time to let us know what's going on?

Stop playing with my emotions and my well-being Senator Obama. It is not cute. It is not piquing my interest. It is grating my patience; patience that wore thin long ago. Your politic machinations, Machiavellian nature, and public appearance are immaculate. However, your experience, record, and political team, unless you highjack the political strength, team, and experience of a running mate is suspect. Instead of wasting creative energy on cute little marketing techniques to further your campaign, your team and you need to start forming some real, country saving ideas to sell me. Because in all honesty, at this point, I am waiting to hear your campaign manager, or you, jump into the screen and scream, "BUT WAIT, THERES MORE." Stop the mockery of the democratic process Senator Obama or I am sure my lost two votes will not be the only ones to jump off the Obama-wagon.