The last two days of foreplay leading up to Obama's announcement of Joe Biden as
his VP pick have left me exhausted. I, along with millions of other Americans, got
suckered into the Obama campaign's carefully orchestrated media orgy surrounding
his choice of Vice-president.
First, the news that Obama, The One, has decided on a VP. But he's not saying,
just yet. The media reacts as anticipated. "You'll just have to wait!", Obama says.
Then, right on cue, a full day media watch, with cameras set up outside the homes
of those on the short list. Cameras, beaming out to the world, the picture of four
houses. No action, just speculation. The tension builds, the world awaits.
Then, in the waning hours of Friday, select bits of information are released to
an anxious nation. No, its not Kaine...oh. No, its not Hillary either. And did you
know she wasn't even on the list? Each announcement is timed for maximum media
exposure.
Then the biggy. Headlines on Drudge breathlessly report that Obama - Bayh bumper
stickers are being manufactured. The firm refuses to confirm. Could it be? Or is
it just another fake-out? Speculation swirls.
Millions of Americans have been whipped into a frenzy of anticipation. Who will
Obama pick? More leaks tantalize the eager public. Talking heads claiming the inside
scoop are interviewed ad naseum. Finally, finally, a News Flash: Secret
service agents are heading to Sen. Joe Biden's home. Could it be??
Millions of eager Obama acolytes check their Blackberries every few minutes, relying
on Obama's promise that they would be the first to know his VP pick. Alas, they
waited in vain.
AP jumped ahead with a carefully worded announcement with built-in deniability,
just in case they've been suckered again. They were willing to risk a replay of
the infamous Truman headlines in order to be "the first to report." They lucked
out.
Around 3 am Saturday morning, it became official. Sen. Joe Biden is THE GUY. Whoosh.
After all that foreplay, I was left flat. Biden? Mr. logorrhea himself? Mr. political
expedience with hair plugs? Say it ain't so.
Michelle needs to give Barack a good talking to. She needs to tell him that its
not good policy to engage in extended foreplay unless he can actually deliver the
goods. Joe Biden? Aargh. It was for this I waited up two hours past my regular bedtime?
It's not fair. I feel used and abused.
Once again, I fell for honeyed promises from the lips of a master wordsmith. Once
again, the actions didn't match the rhetoric. I have only myself to blame. Once
again, I realize the truth of the statement, Men are from Mars and Women are from
Venus. I should have known.
Obama should have known also. His political handlers should have known. When you
tease and tantalize, you better have the goods to back it up. This, every woman
knows. Apparently, Obama doesn't.
Obama has used up his share of the headlines, his last quotient of goodwill from
a fickle media. From now on, the headlines will focus on Bill and Hill. Obama has
just proved, once again, that he doesn't know how to pick his wars. He doesn't know
that big promises require, uh, lets say, culmination. And Joe Biden is not a 'culminator.'
Sigh.
This morning, I don't respect Obama. I feel used and abused. And if I were a liberal
woman, I would exact my revenge in the voting booth.
Nancy Morgan is a columnist and news editor for
RightBias.com
She lives in South Carolina
Article may be reprinted, with attribution
