The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
What is the 2008 American presidential campaign all about? The way Joe Biden sees it, itÕs about Òthe American dream slipping away.Ó ThatÕs how Barack ObamaÕs vice-presidential running mate framed what the Democrats hope will be the core debate with John McCainÕs Republicans between now and Nov. 4. Biden is a blunt-talking, ÒIrish-Catholic kid from ScrantonÓ who has known Òhard times,Ó and who has both foreign policy and street cred. In his first speech last Saturday, he went straight for the Republican jugular, leaving Democrats cheering. Under U.S. President George Bush, working people have seen their jobs disappear and wages shrink as food, health, college and gas costs soar, Biden thundered. Many have lost homes. Meanwhile, the Bush administration has cut taxes for the wealthy and for corporations. Bush also has Òshredded alliances,Ó sacrificed Òmoral standingÓ in the world and left the nation energy-dependent on Òhostile nations.Ó And the U.S. is still mired in Iraq. And McCain? Biden flayed him for professing his total Òagreement and supportÓ for Bush on Òthe most important issues of our day.Ó This is red meat to Democrats hungering for the presidency. Its brawling partisanship will appeal to the those with whom Obama has had a hard time connecting: blue-collar workers, retirees and many women. BidenÕs support also helps allay concerns about Obama being out of touch. If Lunchbucket Joe shares the same core values as this Harvard law prof and his rhetoric of hope, Obama must be okay. These early volleys in AmericaÕs political season are compelling and instructive for Canadians anticipating a possible federal election this fall. Liberal Leader Stphane Dion and people like Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff could do worse than frame the debate here with something approaching BidenÕs passion and focus. Like Obama, Dion has yet to connect. And like Bush, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has an unimpressive record to defend, on such issues as cash-strapped cities, the environment, poverty and accountability.
