Democrats deploy secret weapon

… they’re trying a little kindness! The bastids!

As oratory, it won’t make the cut in any compendium of speeches alongside Churchill, Lincoln, or Demosthenes. (Who was his Ted Sorenson?) But the groundlings gathered around Blaska Manor’s b&w Philco did enjoy watching ol’ Bubba burble forth on the big stage Wednesday 08-21-24 at the Democrats’ national convention in Chicago. 

We remember when Bill Clinton was a young buck, full of wild oats. (So does Monica.) But last night at age 78, he looked more like Tom Poston in late career when he played Bob Newhart’s handyman at that Vermont B&B. A bit shambling and unsteady, hoarse of voice, but comfortable as an old hat. 

The former President’s 28 minutes summoned no Greek heroes, name checked no Founders, expounded no eternal truths. His rhetoric did not soar but was more of a fireside chat and all the better for it. But it still had a little music. A worthy President must answer these calls, the Man from Hope asserted:

Here are our problems; solve them. 
Here are our opportunities; seize them.
Here are our fears; ease them.
Here are our dreams; help them come true.

Doesn’t get much kinder or gentler than that. Bill drew a contrast with the Republican nominee: “He is about me, myself, and I.”

The old sinner (was he worse than the P😻 grabber of Mar-a-Lago?) began by asking the convention “Aren’t you proud to be a Democrat!” By some sort of kismet, Blaska ran into Tommy Thompson this morning in Madison WI. We were attending the wake of Roger Stauter’s beloved partner in life and in real estate, Marilyn Stauter. The Stauters were Mr. and Mrs. Republican here in Dane County. 

I told Tommy, “For all the things you have accomplished, you being here today like this, as you have done so often, that alone would make you a great man.” Because he remembers people in their times of sorrow. (Here are our sorrows; sooth them.) Tommy always began his speeches, “Isn’t it great to be a Republican!” Except when speaking as governor of all of Wisconsin, when he would exclaim, “Isn’t it great to be a Badger!” He was more than “likable enough.” Voters loved him. Hellz bellz! The man won deep blue Dane County in 1994!

Blaska’s Bottom Line: At one point, Bill Clinton gave this advice: “As someone who spends a lot of time in small towns in rural areas in New York and Arkansas and other places, I urge you to talk to all of your neighbors, to meet people where they are. I urge you not to demean them.” Even in retirement, Tommy Thompson meets people where they are. He and Ronald Reagan were never mean-spirited.

During her husband’s speech, cable news camera flashed to Hillary up in the booth. She could be thankful the networks did not flash the word “Deplorables” on the screen. The worst thing I ever heard Tommy say about an opponent was when he said of Ed Garvey, “He is a strange individual.” Called no one a “Dem-o-rat” as too many Republicans do today. Or RINO.

How does bile persuade?
Or is “I am your retribution” the winning message?