Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and They’re Bringing the Grandchildren

Leon A. Walker- leonwalker@cox.net

April 15, 2008

Lately I have been entertaining myself laughing at the national media and the Clinton Campaign. They are languishing in confusion over why Senator Barack Obama is destined to win the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States. The analysis continues fail at predictions and the negative political tactics just won’t stick. They are absolutely dumbfounded. I will start by stating simply, that they are just too institutionally conditioned. The media pundits and traditional politicians who claim to have their finger on the political pulse of America have totally missed the mark. Totally!

The first massive mistake that the media and the Clintons have made is that they are convinced that on some level this contest can be negatively influenced by injecting race. In fact, the opposite is true. The one thing this contest has already clearly told us is that Senator Obama’s voters “are determined not to permit this to be about race”. Why? Because they absolutely do not see it that way. Many Black and White Americans just don’t see things thorough such a simplistic black and white lens anymore. The media and the Clinton’s cannot understand or accept this because they are locked in a myopic world and mindset that says this cannot be. You see they understand the racism, what they don’t understand is the absence of racism. The truth is, I only just figured this out myself. Being African American I started thinking about who Senator Barack Obama represents to me, and I believe many other Americans, regardless of their race.

We the Neglected Children of American Politics

Leon A. Walker- leonwalker@cox.net

April 12, 2008

“We the neglected children of American politics, in the sincere hope, that we will someday be embraced by this Union”. 

I made that up following an inexplicable urge to scan some of this nation’s founding documents yesterday.  In doing so, I again read the following from our Declaration of Independence, the document that is the cornerstone of American freedom. 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. .

There is no escaping the beauty, passion and eloquence of Thomas Jefferson’s words.  My man Jefferson could run it down now… but apparently he was not talking about everybody.  There were, and amazingly still are, Americans who are better described by my far less eloquent opening statement.
The exclusively White representatives that shaped the original thirteen United States were incredible visionaries.  I believe that they understood that the fledgling nation they had laid the foundation for would flourish and grow.  I also believe that they imagined that Blacks (then primarily but not exclusively a population of slaves) and women, would someday be granted the power of the vote.  These rights were not provided for in our original founding documents or laws.  It must be pointed out then, that even from the very beginning the influential few, orchestrated governmental inequities counter to their claims.  And thus, were born of this wonderful document, the first “neglected children of American politics” to be victimized by the privileged.  Women, for social reasons and slaves for economic and political reasons.

The Clintons: “Sixty Is the New Seventy”

Leon A. Walker-leonwalker@cox.net

April 11, 2008

Former President Clinton’s recent remark about his wife being sixty and suggesting that those of that age can be expected to sometimes forget things leaves me in uncomfortable hysterics. I am only laughing about this most recent Clinton gaff because the content and context of the comments are really of no consequence. The reason I am somewhat uncomfortable is because the only plausible explanation for such a ridiculous statement is that the former President has actually started inhaling this time.

How is it possible for a surrogate (who happens to be your husband and a former President) to call his wife (a candidate for President) old, senile and then to again breathe life in the biggest lie she has told in her campaign (hopefully in her life). Never mind who is going to answer the phone. It already is beginning to look like the inmates have taken over at the asylum! I had no idea how old Senator Clinton was nor did I care prior to yesterday and I doubt that anyone in America really cares. Although I am not a supporter of Senator Clinton and whatever else I think of her and her politics, I would have to characterize her as an amazingly, bright, accomplished and vibrant woman. That said, I’m not seeing much in the way of leadership and experience from Senator Clinton in managing her campaign. Additionally and perhaps most importantly, she is faced with a political and personal problem in her husband that may have consequences beyond any she might have ever imagined. He is now a “prime time” political nightmare!

In consideration of the aforementioned I have to begin to ask some questions that have begun to haunt me. Exactly what does Bill Clinton fail to understand about the terms: “World Wide Web” and “Mass Media”? Exactly why does he continue to stand before crowds and reporters and wag his finger (oh god, the finger) and embellish and lie as if we will all consider that it is coming from the burning bush? How in the world will Senator Clinton’s Campaign remain credible in light of his continuing smorgasbord of embarrassments? Has anyone on their staff realized that he has now become a walking, talking reminder of every deception and scandal that were the hallmarks of the first Clinton Administration? Does anyone else see that right before our eyes, “Slick Willy”

has become “Silly Willy”?

I am convinced that former President Clinton has made and can continue to make a significant contribution to the Senator’s campaign behind the scenes. But as a front man, he has definitely lost his touch. The sad thing is Senator Clinton may not have figured it out yet. I can tell you this; she is going to have a good many people on her staff pointing it out to her in the very near future. That is when things will get interesting. Hillary is going to have to fire Bill and when that happens, many Democrats will be reminded to ask themselves this more serious question. Are we really comfortable with the idea of another Clinton Administration? Particularly one with the former President, a man of influence and connections wandering around making statements and working deals that may well run counter to administration policy. Ok, alright, let’s try another question. Does anyone really believe that Hillary can keep him on a short leash politically, ethically or otherwise? Go ahead, you can say it. Absolutely not!

Thankfully, I do not believe that we will be faced with another dysfunctional Clinton White House. I feel confident that as the primary process continues to unfold she will lose herself this contest due to unsavory tactics and the embarrassing baggage that she has to tote along with her. This is to say nothing of the earnings and business dealings that are beginning to surface and face severe scrutiny. I predict it is all far worse than it may currently appear.

Unfortunately, the impacts of this campaign fiasco may impact her political future beyond what I believe will be a failed run for the Presidency. This could get so messy that after her term I the U. S. Senate, Senator Clinton may just have to put a robe on Bill and shrink from public life.

I like to think that history will record that she had a storied life through age sixty. Even if she is a well… “old” sixty.

L. A. Walker

“The Clinton Campaign Is another Clinton Whitehouse”

Leon A. Walker-April 9, 2008
leonwalker@cox.net

“The Clinton Campaign Is another Clinton Whitehouse”

Senator Hillary Clinton’s Presidential Campaign has descended beyond embarrassment into a historic abomination. Interestingly, a look back at the White House under the first Clinton Administration provides the best vision of the ineptitude, impropriety and immorality that are the Clinton trademarks as campaigning continues.

No doubt those that continue to manage Senator Clinton’s campaign are feeling some relief as Mark Penn shrinks from the main stage. Unfortunately, it leaves them with many challenges. There is a very real possibility of defeat that must certainly be fueling internal consternation. There is also a continuing damage control problem that is not only of Mr. Penn’s making but also as presented by exposed inaccuracies, lies and deceptions contributed by both Hillary and Bill Clinton.

I have to consider however briefly, the potential reality of a new nightmare in another Clinton White House. I am among the growing throngs of “ex-Clinton Supporters” who are aware of having remained loyal through the many embarrassing scandals during the Bill Clinton Presidency. Understanding that Senator Clinton was not fully or singularly at fault for much of what transpired during those frequently dark days, she insists that she was directly often involved and cites this as a basis for being “Ready on Day One”. In fully considering what that statement is intended to mean, I am extremely uncomfortable with another such Administration.

The Youth Vote: “Like A Storm”

By Leon Walker-Freelance Writer  leonwalker@cox.net

I am amazed at what I have seen among young voters in this country. I am equally amazed that this is being ignored or overlooked in the media in favor of such nonsense as passports and preachers.  These snacks of political mischief that our media continues to serve us.  Something I like to call “the devil’s Hors d’oeuvres”.  Of all of the political stories of this campaign season, the story of America’s youth activism and participation is both awe inspiring and historically significant. 

The other day I was watching a live news report from the campus of a small college in North Carolina as I lay in bed.  At that moment I felt as if I was actually watching a Saturday pregame sports rally.  As a backdrop for the news commentators, there were several hundred excited students with signs, cheering in support of Senator Barack Obama and anticipating his forthcoming speech on their campus.  Now get this… It was 11:57 PM here in the Panhandle of Florida where I was resting comfortably.  Meaning of course, that it was nearly 1:00 AM in North Carolina!  Let me say this a different way.  When a bunch of college kids are hanging out at 1:00 AM awaiting a political rally I find that striking.  They were not at home studying, or partying or surfing the internet.  They were organizing and participating politically!  Perhaps this is not particularly significant to you.   So let me delicately suggest that you start paying attention.

Hillary Clinton: Lies Have Short Legs

Here’s another jewel from our friend Leon Walker: leonwalker@cox.net

Senator Hillary Clinton’s repeated telling of a shocking fabricated and later recanted story of her arrival in a Bosnian combat zone “under sniper fire” is absolutely ghastly. This horrific fabrication is not only a very telling indictment of her credibility and integrity; it reveals a clear vision of a ruthless woman lost in self consumption.

I have no apprehension for having made the aforementioned scalding comments because two decades ago I myself served. At one point in my career I was a crewmember aboard the carrier “United States Ship Independence”. During my service on that vessel we were required to launch aircraft and drop bombs on the nations of Grenada and Lebanon. Tensions were high and in Lebanon our aircraft were engaged and one was shot down. Through it all I never felt particularly threatened. Why? Because I was an Air Traffic Controller and I sat comfortably in my air conditioned work center, dozens of miles off shore, deep within the skin of a well protected ship. That my fellow Americans, is the maximum extent to which I can embellish these events. Oh wait! When “Battle Stations” were announced, I did have to put on my ball cap and tuck my pants into my socks.

Super Delegates Heading To Obama

Thanks to our new friend Leon A. Walker for contributing this insightful op-ed piece..

By Leon A. Walker-Guest Contributor

(March 31, 200 I believe we are currently witnessing an exquisite political strategy being executed by the Democratic Party Leadership. This, in the form of an orchestrated trickle of Super Delegates publicly indicating support for Senator Barack Obama. The recent endorsements in favor of Senator Obama by Bill Richardson and Bob Casey are among the first key indicators. Additionally, that trickle I have suggested may well develop into a stunning trend even before the important primary contest in Pennsylvania. If I am right, not only will this influence the Pennsylvania voting, it will send a clear message of doom to Senator Clinton.

Clearly there is no direct or clear path for either candidate to gain the required number of delegates prior to the Democratic National Convention. This alone, without considering any of the many further impacts is simple grounds for the contest to continue. However there is an obvious and growing advantage in favor of Senator Obama in terms of sheer numbers. This is the basis for the many discussions and comments about the necessity for Senator Clinton to concede and withdraw. Under the current rules she simply can not expect to catch up. Basically, the voters have already spoken. She may say what she likes but a decision (Clinton Nomination) at the convention is nothing more than a pipe dream.