Remember 1988? Specifically, the last speech given at the Democratic National Convention, the farewell address that wouldn’t end? Possibly one of the longest, driest speeches ever delivered on the national stage?
Who gave it? Why, Bill Clinton, of course. We recall watching the speech (we are not sure why), and thinking, is this guy ever going to quit?! Even the most ardent convention delegates, Democrats all, looked bored beyond tears. That long speech delayed the start of their last-night celebratory bash, a few months before George H. W. Bush gave Michael Dukakis a bashing of his own.
Fast forward four years later, and in 1992, somehow, this same guy comes out of nowhere, with his last national appearance being the speech-that-helps-you-sleep, and catapults into the White House. Though there were other factors at play for sure (does President Clinton bow and say thanks if ever he runs into Ross Perot?), it cannot seriously be disputed that the FOB’s were an integral part of Clinton’s victory. We do not take anything away from President Clinton in saying that–he is a brilliant person, a tireless and effective campaigner, and his speech-making was definitely effective in his run for the White House. Still, having 90% or more of the media behind him didn’t hurt.
Today, in 2008, we have the new "FOB’s", except to the Clintons’ collective chagrin, those are "friends of Barack," not friends of Bill or Hillary. The media has helped construct a candidate who has what the media most craves in a public persona–"celebrity" status, "star" quality, where form is always more important than substance.
We’ve heard and read reports of "reporters" being "moved" by Obama’s pep-rally speeches. Perhaps they’ve even felt faint, like those who’ve passed out at some of these coronation events.
There’s also the failure of Big Media to run stories which might be negative against Obama, but not missing a chance to hit John McCain right between the eyes. Those baseless attacks also became focused on Sarah Palin after she was nominated by McCain.
The "new" FOBs are among us, and are determined to help propel Obama into the White House. They just need your help on Election Day, either by marching in line and pulling the lever for their chosen one, or by staying home and not voting for McCain/Palin, after hearing all these stories questioning whether he and she should be elected.
The new FOBs of TV and the screen are pulling out all the stops for Barack Obama as well. One show went so far as to run a skit in which a character suggested that Todd Palin impregnated his teenage daughter, raising the chance that baby Trig–who is Sarah Palin’s child-- was born with Down’s Syndrome. That is about as vile, disgusting and low as it can get–and these people are solidly behind Barack Obama and will celebrate with glee if Obama is elected. We haven’t heard much from the Obama camp, or the candidate himself, condemning such garbage, have you?
The FOBs are back–they never really left, they’ve just been really busy the last eight years beating up George W. Bush. But now, they have their candidate and are ready to put him in the White House.
Whether they get their way is up to you.