America loves to root for the underdog!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0j37GpheRg&feature=related
The psychological reasons for America's love of the underdog are beyond the scope of this political post. If you've made up your mind to vote for Sen. Obama then you may want to skip this post. If Sen. McCain is your choice, then you might enjoy this piece.
Some instances, by all means not a comprehensive list, of examples where Americans displayed their love of the underdog:
1. The American revolution: where the less organized patriots defeated the British forces to gain independence for the thirteen colonies.
2. Afghanistan defeated the USSR's army in the 1980's.
3. U.S. President Harry Truman in the 1948 presidential election.
4. Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's election in 1998.
5. Super Bowl III; NY Jets, Joe Namath defeat the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.
6. 1964: Mohammad Ali defeats Sonny Liston.
7. In 1980, the United States hockey team consisting of amateurs and college players defeated the Olympic hockey superpower, the Soviet Union. The amazing upset was called the "Miracle on Ice".
8. Super Bowl XXXII: 1998 wild card Denver Broncos beat Greenbay Packers.
9. 2004: Boston Red Sox defeat NY Yankees for baseball's World Series.
10. Well, you get the idea.
In an Oct., 16th interview with CBS' news reporter, Maggie Rodriquez, Michelle Obama claimed that her husband Sen. Obama was still the underdog. Inspite of the fact that the night before, CNN had done away with the need for the Nov. 4th election at all, by declaring the polls closed , and proclaiming Obama the victor and new president of the United States. His lead in every poll is expanding, it's projected that he'll win by a record landslide, and still she wants the designation of underdog? It should not be a surprise since being the underdog invokes America's desire to see the underdog win.
I have a hard time seeing Sen. Obama as the underdog: His popularity and meteoric climb to front runner position was launched by TV's billionaire diva, Oprah, on CNN's Larry King Live (May 1st, 2007). Just like Dr. Phil, who got his own TV show, and any author honored by Oprah, success is all but assured. The financial support of 3 of Chicago's wealthiest women, aside from Oprah, easily enabled his campaign to attract additional support (reminds me of the NY Yankees and George Steinbrenner). He has the sleek and smooth gift of gab that personified in the presidency of Slick Willie Clinton. Questions of associations with Dark clouds like Rev. Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers, and Chicago characters of less than moral credentials, rather than taint, slide off his persona like he too is coated in Teflon. And remember, Bill Clinton was the first black president, so he can't even claim that distinction. Sen. Obama is seen, and he actively promotes the image, as the Anti-Bush candidate. And with Bush's abysmal record and exceedingly low approval rating , that is no surprise. What does peak my interest though is the Pelosi/Reid Democratic congress of the past two years have even lower approval ratings. America is really unhappy with the current government and most of all with congress. Polosi, Reid, and Obama....hmmmm, could be interesting.
Considering the Bush administration's 8 year debacle, Ruben Studdard could run for president with Tina Fey as his running mate and win against Bush or whoever they deem the Bush surrogate.
No, I have to say that Sen. John McCain is truly the underdog, and has been from the beginning.
Some instances, by all means not a comprehensive list, of examples where Americans displayed their love of the underdog:
1. The American revolution: where the less organized patriots defeated the British forces to gain independence for the thirteen colonies.
2. Afghanistan defeated the USSR's army in the 1980's.
3. U.S. President Harry Truman in the 1948 presidential election.
4. Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's election in 1998.
5. Super Bowl III; NY Jets, Joe Namath defeat the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.
6. 1964: Mohammad Ali defeats Sonny Liston.
7. In 1980, the United States hockey team consisting of amateurs and college players defeated the Olympic hockey superpower, the Soviet Union. The amazing upset was called the "Miracle on Ice".
8. Super Bowl XXXII: 1998 wild card Denver Broncos beat Greenbay Packers.
9. 2004: Boston Red Sox defeat NY Yankees for baseball's World Series.
10. Well, you get the idea.
In an Oct., 16th interview with CBS' news reporter, Maggie Rodriquez, Michelle Obama claimed that her husband Sen. Obama was still the underdog. Inspite of the fact that the night before, CNN had done away with the need for the Nov. 4th election at all, by declaring the polls closed , and proclaiming Obama the victor and new president of the United States. His lead in every poll is expanding, it's projected that he'll win by a record landslide, and still she wants the designation of underdog? It should not be a surprise since being the underdog invokes America's desire to see the underdog win.
I have a hard time seeing Sen. Obama as the underdog: His popularity and meteoric climb to front runner position was launched by TV's billionaire diva, Oprah, on CNN's Larry King Live (May 1st, 2007). Just like Dr. Phil, who got his own TV show, and any author honored by Oprah, success is all but assured. The financial support of 3 of Chicago's wealthiest women, aside from Oprah, easily enabled his campaign to attract additional support (reminds me of the NY Yankees and George Steinbrenner). He has the sleek and smooth gift of gab that personified in the presidency of Slick Willie Clinton. Questions of associations with Dark clouds like Rev. Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers, and Chicago characters of less than moral credentials, rather than taint, slide off his persona like he too is coated in Teflon. And remember, Bill Clinton was the first black president, so he can't even claim that distinction. Sen. Obama is seen, and he actively promotes the image, as the Anti-Bush candidate. And with Bush's abysmal record and exceedingly low approval rating , that is no surprise. What does peak my interest though is the Pelosi/Reid Democratic congress of the past two years have even lower approval ratings. America is really unhappy with the current government and most of all with congress. Polosi, Reid, and Obama....hmmmm, could be interesting.
Considering the Bush administration's 8 year debacle, Ruben Studdard could run for president with Tina Fey as his running mate and win against Bush or whoever they deem the Bush surrogate.
No, I have to say that Sen. John McCain is truly the underdog, and has been from the beginning.
- He's running against the media ordained savior of America.
- Sen. McCain is seen as George Bush. ( excuse me but Sen. McCain has far more character and integrity than Mr. Bush.)
- Think albatross here.
- He's running against an abysmal economy.
- He's running against old age.
- He had the unmitigated audacity to appoint a conservative, family oriented female to the VP slot.
- And what's worse, he was ballsy enough to chose an attractive women. ( why she's almost as pretty as Tina Fey.)
- Those two items alone put his judgment into question.
- He supports America's warriors in an unpopular war.
- He's not Robin Hood, nor is he
- Santa Claus.
Sen. John McCain is the underdog in this election. I'm sorry he has to stand in the shadow of Geo. Bush. I'm glad he's a conservative and believes in accountability and not free handouts just because you exist. We served in the same war and I respect the fact that he, unlike Bush was true to his military obligation. Asking Obama to be Commander in Chief of the United States Military is like asking a Catholic priest for marital advice. John McCain's age and experience are
vital to extracting the changes we need in Washington and in the world.
The world loves the underdog and hates the top dog. That's why the world hates America. In 1776 c., we were the underdog and now we've became the top dog.
I'm voting for John McCain to keep us Topdog. He exemplifies my values and my morals.
Senator Barack Obama = NY Yankees.
Senator John McCain = Boston Red Sox.
posted by rel at 8:21 PM
15 Comments:
Yes they certainly do. ...and I agree! :)
hopefully the Red Socks don't lose to the tampa bay rays then:) JL
I don't agree, but once again, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just can't wait until the election is over, because I can't stand all the drama...On both sides.
i didn't even know underdog was running.....
Rel -
Thank you so much for posting a link to this on Writers Island Journals... this is what I was hoping for when I chose CONTROVERSIAL as the prompt.
Being a fellow 'old fart, I agree that McCain is tilting against the windmill of ageism in this election, and that bothers me in principle.
That said, I understand why the younger generations, many of whom have rallied for the first time to vote, are voting for a man who is of their generation, and represents their generation's dynamics and style in this election -- his multicultural background being part of that.
In the eyes of the coming American generations, who are beginning to take the reins in this world, the 'old farts' of this country have failed.
They look to our abysmal economy; they look to our nation's approval rating world-wide being as low as it has been in many decades; they look at the Bush/Cheney embarrassment, and its trappings of deceit, paranoia, and trampling of civil rights; they look at a wholly misdirected war that has failed at its 'advertised' initial objective of capturing Bin Laden, and is unnecessarily costing us the lives of our younger citizens while it bankrupts America; and they look at the repressive, right-wing, fundamentalist pall with which the Bush regime is smothering our country -- they look at all this with disgust and disdain, and say no more of the 'old' way.
I don't blaim them, or anyone else in this great country who is fed up.
I say let the upcoming generations set leadership in place that reflects the majority of who they are, and what they desire moving forward into a challenging future. It is their time now and they need to learn how to be in charge, just as Obama will learn in office how to be President.
Obama certainly can't do worse that 'King W' did, and I believe with Obama's beautifully naive embrace of the positive and change -- he might find a way to do better, and return true pride aand future vision to this country and its people.
I'm listening to my two thirty year old, college graduated, financially successful children and their spouse, and all their friends. They want the new guard to step in now with a fresh, less-jaded outlook they want Obama.
I realize that the old guard still runs our government, and I understand how difficult it is going to be for Obama -- but I'm going to give my children and their leaders, the opportunity to acquire the knowledge of how to govern.
I'm voting for Obama because, to set this country I love hopefully back on a path of possibility, and put it into the hands of my children, who are the future of the world -- Obama is, in my mind, the right choice at the right time.
Oh well, just a thought... :-)
As long as Obama is black, he's the under-dog, regardless of his achievements, or polls. The current of racism in America is still very strong. How it will play out in this election remains to be seen. This is our chance to get beyond, but even if Obama is elected, his accomplishments and failures will be seen through the prism of race by a great many Americans, and to a great many American he will be an epithet, like "That one," rather than fully human.
PS: regarding age-ism (I'm in my 60's btw) it's not so much tht McCain's body is old, but that his thinking is old.
Rel and Rob - I'm in your club. Permission to come aboard, sirs.
Thanks for the historical list of victorious underdogs. Your article is very encouraging and hopeful that McCain the underdog can win this November.
---Ghadafi in YouTube announcing Obama IS a Muslim
World Net Daily See Breaking News in http://www.worldnetdaily.com/
Full articles here http://palin-vp.blogspot.com/
dang rel, that was an excellent post regardless of what side of the fence.. i too believe obama is an underdog b/c of his color..his politics i am not so sure...heck chicago, remember a few years ago when half the youth was yet ..the chicago 7...what a place... all so different but yet the same...it will be an historical moment regardless of whom is elected.. black as president, woman as vp... what i find so interesting is the newspapers, reporters, television, SNL... in one month obama made 150M...AIG goes hunting on our shredded dollar, Reid/Pelosi.. it's gonna be a bumpy ride whoever takes the seat...
Perhaps Colin Powell knows something we don't.
As a Yankees fan I would like to remind Red Sox fans about the number 26, and since it is Tuesday 21/10/08 we all know who will be playing The Phillies this week.
I just hope the same is repeated on 4th Nov.
Greetings from London.
I'm here from Writer's Island.
I don't usually talk politics online but it was interesting to read your viewpoints.
Thanks for sharing.
Sara
Poets Who Blog manager
Coming from England I hate politics, but it is interesting to see how the other half lives. I don't know anybody who votes these days as there is nothing to choose between the parties.
May your dreams come true!
There is no such thing as an underdog in American politics. Big Biz makes sure they don't even get a look in. Which does, of course, leave an underdog in the US itself.
Disenfranchised, it is the population.
Post a Comment
<< Home