October 10, 2008 at 11:52:55

The Reason for McCain's "That One"

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By Kevin Geary (about the author) Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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For OpEdNews: Kevin Geary - Writer

Senator McCain's "that one" remark was really quite extraordinary in the debate on Tuesday. I could hardly believe I'd actually heard it correctly when he uttered it.

Quite apart from being gratuitously demeaning towards Barack Obama, and seeming (even though unintentionally) to evoke racism (slaves were considered property rather than humans, after all. People bidding at slave auctions in Charleston during the years of slavery, would say "I'll take that one!"). It was also quite obvious to me that it was a "Hillary moment." Let me explain.

When Barack Obama was getting to the stage of running equal with, or actually winning against Hillary in the primaries, she became notably testy towards him in the debates, and increasingly negative in her campaign ads. She, like Senator John McCain, both have a sense of entitlement or destiny about their presidential bids. And, just like Hillary (who started out certain that she would defeat all challengers), McCain, like Hillary, is having a "I can't believe this guy's actually beating me" moment!

It has seemed so preposterous that this young black man, who has come onto the scene so recently, has stolen both their thunder! It seemed utterly impossible to both of them.

It became obvious that both Bill and Hillary were completely taken aback that people would be drawn to this "untested" senator, who was hardly even known barely four years ago. It doesn't make any sense! And that, I believe is where this "that one" moment came from, for McCain.

An older guy. An American hero. The "maverick" and "true compromiser" with political opponents, who has had a history of "reaching across the aisle," suddenly is feeling, and seeing before his eyes, that this guy, "that one," is actually winning, and he, like Hillary before him, is having a meltdown moment.

It's sad really, but it's also understandable. I'm sure if I were either Hillary or McCain, I'd have probably gone nuts at some point, when I realized that this "newbie" on the political stage, this "political neophyte," seems better organized, more focused, more attractive to people than you are, when you, and supposedly everyone else, surely knows that the presidency should be the crowning achievement of your whole life! What you've worked and suffered for all these years. How dare this guy come along and steal the glory from under your eyes while you watch it all happen in horror!

This is why McCain (and Hillary before him), have had meltdowns in their campaigning styles. And it's also quite enlightening that Barack Obama has had the drive, steadiness, and apparently totally unflappable temperament, combined with obviously extraordinary organizing skills, and an amazing ability to learn and adapt throughout this campaign, in order pull this whole thing off. And you can almost hear Hillary, Bill and now McCain saying "Who the hell is this guy? - Yes, 'that one!'

Kevin Geary is an artist and writer. He currently resides in Sedona, AZ.

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