What a contrast in narratives for this cycle's Iowas caucus as opposed to 2004's. For 48 hours after the 2004 Iowa caucus the narrative was the "Dean Scream." The continious loop of that moment on all the major news networks nearly drowned out Kerry's win and Edwards' second place finish. From there to New Hampshire it was all we heard about as the MSM followed Dean's mortally wounded campaign into New Hamshire on a death watch. Meanwhile, Kerry and Edwards' message was not being heard around the country, only locally.
What a difference an election cycle makes. The narrative now is Obama's speech. I counted the replay last night of that speech as follows: MSNBC 2 times and several viewings of clips; CNN 2 times, again with several clips; C-Span twice (as well as all the candidates); FauxNews clips several times and one full speech viewing.
This gives the Democratic campaign such a positive feel and move forward it really makes the GOP campaign look old and tired as they reach backward. The amazing thing is that aspect hasn't changed. It was the same way in 2004 - Democrats looking forward and reaching out while the the GOP looked tired and old reaching back to early 20th century perceptions of power and prosperity. The "Dean Scream" narrative clouded all that from the national picture and left Kerry and Edwards out as a marginal story until after Iowa. After that the impressions that were left were never overcome.
The GOP narrative we see now is absolute disarray. Both McCain and Thompson look old and tired. Romney looks anesthetic and sterile while Guiliani and Ron Paul each have baggage they simply cannot discard. What we have left is Mike Huckabee who's simpelton aura is way to authentic to cover up.
This time the Democratic narrative feels right. This time it sounds right. And finally, this time it is right. I was and still am a 50+ year old Gore supporter who was holding out to the last. But after watching Obama's speech last night I now realize Gore would never have made it. Obama represents something totally new and different from the old guard. He frames it in a language more modern and representative of those who desire to be inspired. Gore representented the past with language from yesterday.
Here's to our future.
http://trumansconscience.blogspot.com