“Stand back! I have powers! Political powers!”

I attended a Democratic Party political rally on Friday night. Strong remarks from Senator Kerry got things going.

My state representative offered a reasoned endorsement of Senator Clinton’s candidacy; he believes she has the ability and the knowledge to do the job*.

The gentlemen who spoke up for Senator Edwards offered a game but lifeless explanation of why he supports the candidate. The most charitable thing I can say about his endorsement is that it was marginally less damaging than having no one speak up for the candidate.

Any notion I had of giving my vote to Representative Kucinich during the primary was severely jeopardized by the gentleman who advocated for him. He took the stage with his little bound copy of the Constitution, and proceeded to explain to all us poor benighted poseur progressives the importance of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You know, phrasing that doesn’t appear anywhere in the the Constitution. Patronizing schtick is never going to get very far with me, and you lose all credibility when you @#$% up basic references.**

Finally, our state senator offered a powerful endorsement for Senator Obama. Despite his passion, and the passion evident among all of Senator Obama’s assembled supporters, I remain unconvinced. When you get past the candidate’s emotional appeal, I haven’t heard a satisfactory answer to the “Yes, and then what?” part of the Obama equation.

I went into the event with an open mind, and no clear favorite. I left the same way.

*If media coverage to date is any indicator, these qualities don’t seem to be playing much of a role in the campaign.

**This should go without saying, but it won’t, so let me be clear: this is a statement against the ineptitude of Congressman Kucinich’s proxy, and not against Mr. Kucinich, his candidacy, or his positions, except to the degree that the latter inspire the former.