The “60 Minutes” interview is for me the presidential nominee’s most important media moment. This is a segment from the recent “60 Minutes” interview with the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and her running mate Tim Kaine. CBS flipped the format from the spouses to the ticket. We’re looking at a job interview (and that’s what all this campaigning is about). We’ve certainly come a long way from “Standing by Your Man.” And plus Bill and Hillary have already done at least two of these before. Republican nominee Donald Trump and his running mate Mike Pence’s interview aired the week before and is here. Be sure to pour yourself a drink first.
IMO Hillary saved Bill Clinton’s first bid for President in this 1992 “60 Minutes” interview with Steve Croft following the Gennifer Flowers scandal. It was early enough in the campaign to pick up the pieces. And btw, what we don’t see, but was recorded, was the video light exploding during the interview. It was a moment that showed how deep marriage can be especially this one. The outtake (that aired years later) also showed the Clinton’s tenacity, to not buckle under pressure. I always warn people, Clintons can thrive in crazy.
The Hillary in this interview from over 20 years ago is no fool personally or professionally neither does she suffer them. I didn’t notice the Arkansas governor or think he was viable at all until I saw HER.
In her acceptance speech tonight Hillary Clinton will do good to have Hillary Rodham Clinton standing by her candidate.
No it’s not fair. But it’s the world we live in where a woman can say as much and sometimes more by what she wears as what she says. First Lady Michelle Obama and Republican First Lady hopeful Ann Romney made telling statements in the dresses and designers they chose for their grand appearances on the conventions’ political stage.
Getty Ann Romney chose Oscar de la Renta in signature GOP red. Classic, tasteful and a price tag of approximately $2,000 ($1,900 by the lowest estimates). The dress made a statement about where Mrs. Romney and her husband stand in wealth — on top of it but they’re not aristocrats. It’s the kind of dress that leaves the “wow” factor to the color and accessory choices of the woman who wears it. Mrs. Romney further understated her dress with simple gold jewelry and black pumps. This is the “old money” look for the 21st century. No pearls. And no crass new money diamonds and gems. But a little solid gold bling doesn’t hurt. The dress is made of silk taffeta. It “wrinkles so easily” (Cue Madeline Kahn “Young Frankenstein”). Taffeta makes a statement about status and how close you desire to be to another person including strangers in a big convention hall. The dress was Ann Romney’s choice. It was what she felt comfortable to wear. Oscar de la Renta has designed gowns for First Ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. For Mrs. Romney, why break with tradition?
Getty
First Lady Michelle Obama gave her speech in a dress designed by Tracy Reese. The colors are pink and gray (update: the trim is blue). Price tag: Tracy Reece dresses run between $200 and $500. The pink pumps were from J. Crew (around $245) Mrs. Obama seemed to be less concerned about party colors and more into what works for her including bearing her signature toned arms. The pink dress shimmered and moved as Mrs. Obama moved. Wrinkles look like they’d dissolve on this dress with a few good strides across the stage. Do either women have time to iron before they step out? I remember my mom avoiding at all costs ironing the morning of for fear of potentionally leaving the iron on which could start a fire, not to mention being late for work and school. These are working women’s concerns. Tracy Reese is a young designer compared to de la Renta. Young designers have become the First Lady’s signature fashion statement. Young designers struggle. To be selected by the First Lady is a bump they all dream of. Oscar de la Renta was already an established signature designer at the time he got the calls from the last two First Ladies. Old school vs. New school?
Americans are very uncomfortable talking about class in a serious fashion. Race makes the contrast a lot simpler. Does it matter that one designer is Hispanic and one is African American? What does that signal to voters? Not much. But it could tap into buyers’ decisions. In the 1% vs 99%, haves and have-nots context of this presidential election, both Mrs. Romney’s and Mrs. Obama’s fashion statements can be called “Class acts.”
And now, words in motion.
Transcript from Ann Romney’s speech at the RNC Convention (Tampa, FL)
Transcript from Michelle Obama’s speech at the DNC Convention (Charlotte, NC)
Photo: Charlie Riedel/AP Photo
Today the DNC launches their convention in Charlotte, NC. This also marks the 4th anniversary of this blog which was launched at the 2008 DNC convention in Denver. Different kind of convention and energy. Eclectique916.com isn’t boycotting the conventions this year, just taking care of business closer to home. Even the blog has to ask itself, “where do we go from here?” Eclectique916.com is attracting over 1,000 unique readers each month. That’s a real convention bump from where this blog started.
The DNC released their 2012 platform in a tidy online format that you can read in its entirety or just the bits you want. I’ll post some bits from the platform here.
Arts and Culture. Democrats are proud of our support for arts funding and education. We are committed to continuing the policies and programs that have already done so much for our creative arts industry and economy. Investment in the arts strengthens our communities and contributes to our nation’s rich cultural heritage. We will continue to support public funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, for the National Endowment for the Humanities, and for programs providing art and music education in primary and secondary schools. The entire nation prospers when we protect and promote the unique and original artistic and cultural contributions of the women and men who create and preserve our nation’s heritage.
Democrats believe that the right to organize and collectively bargain is a fundamental American value; every American should have a voice on the job and a chance to negotiate for a fair day’s pay after a hard day’s work.
The platform is built around the nice ideas goals (including the ones from 2008), lessons (now scripted into goals), and policies of the party’s undisputed and unchallenged candidate, President Barack Obama. If there’s any lesson the DNC has learned over the years is to know when to gather under the big tent. But protest and descension are also part of the party culture in their post-Dixie-crat incarnation. It’s not that Tampa didn’t get their share of protesters and party crashers (The Ron Paul people pulled it off from the inside.) Weather conditions will make it easier in Charlotte for demonstrators and the media. Plus the party who has the power at the top of the chain, has to expect a response to policies enacted, and promises delayed/unkept during President Obama’s first term.
Where is this party going? Who are the party’s new faces? The next generation? We’ll see tonight. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro will give the keynote. He is the first Hispanic American to deliver the keynote at a Democratic convention. But you have to ask if being a “first” in 2012 is something to stand up and cheer about.
BTW Julian has an identical twin brother, Joaquin, who is a state Representative. This could get interesting. Will the real Julian Castro please stand up?
Rule #1 for a political convention: kick it off with a diversity theme. The Hispanic vote is a hot topic with non-Hispanic pundits every four years. First Lady Michelle Obama has women and maybe military families (omitted from the RNC convention) covered. Hopefuly, there won’t be any empty chairs inside the convention hall.
*in photo, Julian Castro is on the left (striped tie); Joaquin is on the right (blue tie).
A White House Twitter town hall may have the advantage of limiting comments to succinct 40 word questions, and add another first for the 44th President. After tweeting with the American people, the President’s Weekly, turns to the Congress to get the job done.
Ideology seems to keep everyone in lock step. Republicans will not raise or add any taxes under any circumstances coupled with some political gamesmanship for the 2012 elections; some Democrats will not make any concessions on benefits, even though many years ago, a prominent, well-admired Democrat said:
We must frankly acknowledge our complicity in the creation of the unconscionable budget deficit and recognize that to seriously address it will put entitlements at risk. The idea of justice between generations mandates such acknowledgment and more. The baby boomers and their progeny have a right to a secure future. We must be willing to sacrifice for growth – provided there is equity in sacrifice. Equity means all will sacrifice – equally. That includes the retiree living on a fixed income, the day laborer, the corporate executive, the college professor, the Member of Congress…all means all.
I do not see a path to a deal if they don’t budge, period. I mean, if the basic proposition is “it’s my way or the highway,” then we’re probably not going to get something done because we’ve got divided government. We’ve got Democrats controlling the Senate; we probably are going to need Democratic votes in the House for any package that could possibly pass. And so if, in fact, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner are sincere — and I believe they are — that they don’t want to see the U.S. government default, then they’re going to have to compromise just like Democrats are going to have to compromise; just like I have shown myself willing to compromise.
“Sacrifice” and “compromise” — at this rate, can “austerity” be far behind?
Before We are Democrats or Republicans, We are Americans.
If anyone has been paying attention (and that’s somehow rare these days), it’s quite clear President Obama has been consistent in his message about unity and a civil discourse as part of a flourishing democracy. In his remarks at the memorial service in Tuscon last week, and his weekly address, you can trace the themes back to Obama’s keynote address as a newcomer on the national political stage at the 2004 Democratic convention; or the night he claimed victory in the Iowa caucus in 2008. Obviously these are not “feel good” lines in search of the right theme song for Obama. It’s part of a core set of values and a personal narrative.
It seems appropriate to post both the memorial remarks and the weekly address.
And I give a nod to Senator John McCain (AZ-R) for his op-ed,
“After the shootings, Obama reminds the nation of the golden rule” published in today’s Washington Post Our political discourse should be more civil than it currently is, and we all, myself included, bear some responsibility for it not being so. It probably asks too much of human nature to expect any of us to be restrained at all times by persistent modesty and empathy from committing rhetorical excesses that exaggerate our differences and ignore our similarities. But I do not think it is beyond our ability and virtue to refrain from substituting character assassination for spirited and respectful debate.
And to the Senators who are “seating” an example and advocating that the parties sit together during the State of the Union address January 25.
