Presidential Election 2008 - A History Lesson

A Day in the McCain/Palin Campaign

Wednesday was a big night for Michael and I as we headed for Lunken Airport to see the Republican Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates – John McCain and Sarah Palin. We left right after school and drove straight to the airport on the east side of Cincinnati.

With tickets in hand we waited outside in line for a couple hours to get into the airplane hangar where the rally was to take place. While waiting along the terminal we watched several vendors selling everything from key chains, magnets to t-shirts and hats. Michael soon decided to buy a McCain shirt to wear to show his support.

It wasn’t until a little before 7:00 PM that John McCain and Sarah Palin came to the hangar full of several thousand wildly enthusiastic supporters.

Cindy McCain came on stage first. She pointed out that between the Palins and McCains, 3 children are in the armed forces and that both candidates stand for duty, honor, country…. The crowd frequently yelled out, "U-S-A.”

Next Sarah Palin, accompanied by her husband, came on stage. There was an unbelievable response as the crowd in the hangar went crazy. Palin highlighted how close the race was in Ohio.

Palin explained why she thought McCain would be the best president. The 44-year-old Governor also took several swipes at Barack Obama. Palin hit hard on Obama’s spread the wealth comments stating that Obama will take your money and give it to others. “Our tax plan–you get to keep your own money.”

She professes that America is the land of possibilities. Everyone who doesn’t want their dream dashed by Obama’s tax plan is Joe the Plumber.

About 7:15 John McCain took the mike. Apparently Lee Greenwood and Gretchen Williams were there as McCain thanked them.

McCain talked first about Obama and his idea of  redistribution of wealth. He asked -how do you cut income taxes for 95% of Americans when 40% of Americans don’t pay taxes? They will get a tax credit which will be funded by taxing “you.” Obama’s plan will result either in massive deficits or increased taxes.

McCain wants to bring troops home in honor and victory. Again the crowd chanted, "U-S-A!”

McCain supports domestic energy production. Obama will consider offshore drilling, but John McCain says he WILL drill offshore. (For me, that’s enough to elect him.) The crowd yells, “Drill, Baby Drill!” and “U-S-A!”

McCain mentioned Biden’s gaffe on someone testing Obama. He says we can’t afford for Obama to be tested. John McCain pointed out that he was on a carrier during the October Crisis with Cuba.

It was about at this point that I heard someone yelling at the top of their lungs, “John McCain, you are a HERO! John McCain, I want to shake your hand!!!” I turned and smiled as I found Michael displaying his admiration for a real American war hero.

At the end of the rally McCain questioned, “Will we continue to be the best economy, the best military?” John McCain implored the crowd to fight for what’s right for America amd that America is worth fighting for.

At 7:35 McCain and Palin left the stage.

Michael and I hung around for about 15-20 minutes after the candidates left the stage to take one last look at the candidates while they boarded their private jets.

Yes, it was a memorable night and a lessson in history for the both of us. Yes, America is worth the fight.

A Special Connection

I have often read that twins have some mysterious “special connection" with each other. Sometimes they know what the other twin is thinking. Sometimes twins can complete each other’s sentences. Often they can actually “feel” how the other is feeling. They have the ability to share in the other’s joy and happiness, or sadness and heartache. And, some claim that they can sense when their twin is in trouble. And sometimes, they actually need each other to feel whole or complete.

Wondering if whether the connection they share is genetic or perhaps the result of spending nine months together in the womb, this close “relationship” has always intrigued me. Secretly, as a young girl, I often wished that I had a special “twin” connection that I could share with someone.

It was today that I realized the power of that special connection.

Along these many years, only my mother understood my tears. Without speaking she felt my fears. She could truly sense when I was in trouble. When I was sick she was the only one that knew how to doctor me. She always knew how to pray for me. She actually could feel my sadness. She truly could feel all my joys. She knew that I needed her to feel whole and complete.

As I grew older, we could complete each other’s sentences. I could sense what she was thinking. Without speaking I felt her fears. I understood her tears. I could sense when she was in trouble. I knew how to doctor her. I knew how to pray for her. I truly could feel all her joys, her sadness, her strengths, her weaknesses. I knew that she needed me to feel complete.

You see, I have finally come to an understanding about the mysterious “special connection” among twins or sometimes, just between two human beings. Perhaps there is some genetic connection. And, perhaps bonding while in the womb has something to do with it. But most importantly I believe that LOVE is the key to “connecting.” Simply, we connect through LOVE.

Today is my birthday. The day marked in time that I intimately share with one other human being, my mother. Sadly, this is the first birthday that I did not get to be with her. My mother died in May.

Yet through LOVE, across space and time, my mom and I, we are still connecting.