And the real heartland is ...
October 7th, 2008 by David ShapiroAn interesting piece in Slate, "Alaska vs. Hawaii" by Timothy Noah, poses an interesting question to come out of the presidential race: "Why is Seward's Folly the 'real America' and the Aloha State not?"
Or put another way, why is Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin virtually unchallenged when she talks about "my connection to the heartland of America," while the Hawai'i-born Sen. Barack Obama takes grief from Cokie Roberts about "going off to some sort of foreign, exotic place" when he comes here to visit his grandmother?
The reality, of course, is that Alaska and Hawai'i are both about as far as you can get from the American heartland — geographically and otherwise.
As the two newest states, both have unique histories and local political, social and cultural peculiarities not found in the 48 contiguous states.
It has been argued that Hawai'i and Alaska have more in common with each other than with any other states; that's one explanation for the unique bond between Hawai'i Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye and Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Stevens that has crossed the aisles for some four decades.
Whether Hawai'i's image gap is fair or not, it is real enough that Obama, who has adopted Illinois as his heartland, downplays his Hawai'i ties — giving the state where he was born and raised through high school scant mention in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention or the biographical film that preceded it.
October 7th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Why does he avoid mention of his Hawaii days? Maybe because mention of Hawaii recalls the days of drug experimentation, acceptance of radical political theories and affiliation with questionable mentors.
Perhaps the better question is why Hawaii relentlessly and slavishly adores a politician who clearly distances himself from his birthplace.
Ultimately it doesn't matter as Hawaii is irrelevant in national politics. (hint)
October 7th, 2008 at 7:44 am
It's a tough scenario for Hawaii-we need to advertise ourself as a tropical destination in order to get tourists, but then we do an about face and demand to be taken seriously in political matters. Take it from me, a mainland transplant who often goes back to the mainland, NOBODY on the mainland gives a rat's ass what goes on in Hawaii (unless they are invested here, in real estate or other business). Let me say it again, THEY DON'T KNOW, or CARE about Hawaii. And even if they did scratch the surface and get a glimpse of our political climate, do you think they'd be impressed. (this is not to de-value Dave Shapiro at all, I really enjoy Dave's reporting and I am an avid reader)
October 7th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Gonzinya...I don't think Obama fails to mention his Hawaii days. Read his books; or listen to his speeches. I've heard him several times mention that he was born and grew up in Hawaii.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:19 am
If Obama-Biden wins, maybe Cokie Roberts will say McCain should have picked a running mate from Myrtle Beach instead.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Alaska gets the nod as the heartland and Hawai`i does not because Hawai`i is everyone's dream destination ... perpetual sunshine, aloha spirit, gentle tradewinds, palm trees swaying ... Alaska comes across as more humdrum, everyday ... shovel leaves, shovel snow, worry about your heating oil prices, shiver in the rain for two weeks straight....
"Heartland" people don't worry about whether they put a high enough SPF sunscreen on before they tackle that surfboard lesson. Hawai`i's too dreamy, too easy, we invite envy as well as admiration. That's offputting to some voters. Why do you think Joe Biden hits his hardscrabble Scranton roots so hard? He's trying to forge a common bond, and that's a lot more common than palm trees.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Nicely stated, Ni.
BTW, this debate was a complete bore. What a great opportunity to ask provocative questions, personal questions. Instead we just got the same packaged answers.....Then again, the moderator is a staunch Obama supporter, perhaps he feared for his candidate to be opened up to such a broad range of questions....either way, a win for Obama.
AND, from a visual standpoint, you'll notice Obama and Michelle stayed after for 10 minutes and shook hands and took photos. McCain bolted, that was a huge tactical error. Obama scored big points there. I prefer McCain, still, but he's got a snowball's chance in Hell to win. Also, did you notice how much weight McCain has gained? Those little things count....
October 7th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I agree with Scott that this debate was a snoozer, virtually a replay of the first one.
I really wish McCain would stop using the personal pronoun so much. The I ... I ... I ... I ... I've been everywhere and done everything in every sentence gets grating over an hour and a half and makes him sound like the grumpy old dinosaur in my granddaughter's "Land Before Time" movies who's in a constant snit because others don't recognize him as the wisest in the valley. He could make a better case for himself if he'd get off his high horse.
And I wish Obama would draw on his supposedly vaunted oratorical skills to say something inspiring once in awhile instead of droning on with the same old talking points.
I don't see the purpose of multiple debates if they're going to be allowed to ignore the questions and just keep repeating the same rehearsed lines.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Your kidding right? Is this the best shot you or Slate can take?
Aloha,
Keahi