Chad Peace
There is no question about it: President Obama can give a great speech.
And no, I’m not going to follow that up by saying, “but, he’s a terrible President.” Because he is not.
My President? Yes.
A good President? I personally believe so.
But is he right about our state of democracy? Not even close.
The beautiful thing about Barack Obama winning the presidency is that it was proof that the American voter could overcome institutional barriers that favor establishment candidates. In short, it proved that democracy was working.
Barack Obama won the presidency because there was a passion among average Americans, and that passion translated into votes. In short, he won by winning the hearts and minds of voters.
Problem is, Hillary Clinton does not have that mandate from the American people. Throughout the primary, her 15 million votes represent less than 8% of the voting-age population. And, as of today, more than half of Americans have an unfavorable opinion of her.
But what is more troubling is the way she won. We all know now of the DNC email scandal, undeniable evidence that the “Democratic” Party worked within its private infrastructure and with the “free press” to make sure Bernie Sanders did not get the nomination.
Many of us know how the “Democratic” Party kept primaries closed, requiring voters to register with the party as early as 6 months before the election, knowing it would favor Hillary Clinton.
Some of us know that the “Democratic” Party, in states like California, actively opposed voting measures that would make it easier for voters to understand and participate in the process.
And a few of us know how the “Democratic” Party used the same voter purging tactics that they deride the Republican Party for using, so that voters who were more likely to vote for Bernie Sanders couldn't even cast a vote.
Does this mean Hillary Clinton is a terrible person? No. She’s just the figurehead of a system where democracy is in trouble, not on the incline.
No speech alone can repair that.
Photo Source: AP
