This Just In – Distraction is a powerful tool. Ask any parent of a toddler.
During a two -year-old’s meltdown in the grocery aisle, the creative parent might throw themselves on the floor, pretending to cry alongside the toddler. This is so unexpected, the toddler will (probably) stop at least momentarily to investigate, forgetting about the candy they were denied or whatever it was.
That’s the goal anyway.
In 2008, America was in a watershed election cycle. Obviously, we paid a huge amount of attention to Barack Obama’s historic run for the presidency including but not limited to whom he chose as his vice president.
We also paid a lot of attention to John McCain’s choice for his vice-presidential nominee — Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, perhaps one of the most unprepared and unqualified people ever to seek that office.
Since John McCain was a cancer patient there was a great deal of attention paid to Governor Palin’s incurious nature. When Katie Couric asked her what publications she read to inform her about national affairs her answer was “All of them.”
While we were occupied with the Palin sideshow, the US economy began to collapse. John McCain’s response was to suspend his campaign (something he’d done before … little more than a stunt) whereas Obama’s campaign continued. He wasn’t president and didn’t have the authority to act, but he did stay on the job as a candidate.
America was closely focused (as we should be) on the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the need for the federal government to stabilize the banking system. It was a very scary time.
That November, we elected Barack Obama to the presidency. We chose the guy with an experienced, mature vice-presidential pick and a measured temperament. We elected “No Drama Obama.”
On that very same day, the State of California, America’s most reliably progressive state, passed Proposition 8, banning marriage between two people of the same sex.
It’s striking to look at some of the similarities between 2008 and 2024. Steady vs. Chaotic. Economic stability vs. grifting and outright stealing. We don’t even know yet who the VP nominee will be on the GOP side, except to understand it cannot be anyone who requires much attention or credit for independent thought.
Is Sarah still available?
While we watch this unfold, my gaze turns to something I really get worried about.
1) How on Earth did Mark Robinson get elected lieutenant governor on the same ballot that elected Roy Cooper? Probably a similar disconnect that California suffered in 2008. (Long Live Roy Cooper!)
2) It is an insufferable, impossible scenario that would allow Robinson to be elected Governor of this (or any) state.
Robinson is a raging misogynist who promotes violence, blames pregnant rape victims for “failing to keep their skirts down” and generally relies on provocation, hatred and fear for political support. He is, of course, the apple of Donald Trump’s eye.
After his recent comments (which he says were ONLY about World War II) that “some folks need kil!ing,” Robinson should not only end his campaign for governor, he should resign as Lieutenant Governor and the Lake Church in Bladen County should account for itself in hosting Robinson’s violent, provocative campaign speech from their pulpit.
(featured image via AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Jean Bolduc is a freelance writer and the host of the Weekend Watercooler on 97.9 The Hill. She is the author of “African Americans of Durham & Orange Counties: An Oral History” (History Press, 2016) and has served on Orange County’s Human Relations Commission, The Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolina, the Orange County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, and the Orange County Schools’ Equity Task Force. She was a featured columnist and reporter for the Chapel Hill Herald and the News & Observer.
Readers can reach Jean via email – jean@penandinc.com and via Twitter @JeanBolduc
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