Two Parties for Two Americas

Arianna Huffington remarks that it was not a little uncouth for Republican conventioneers to ridicule "two Americas." I agree. (Rumor has it that some have begun referring to Arianna as "Insult Comic Dog." Ouch.)
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Of course, leadership is about more than "a spine of tempered steel". It's about character, values, priorities, and a clear vision of where the country should be heading. So Kerry needs to offer a compelling, overarching narrative tying his strength -- and Bush's weakness -- on issues like jobs, the economy, the environment, and health care to his vision for America's future.

Thankfully -- and ironically -- during its convention, the Bush/Cheney team delivered the very narrative that can defeat it. It was offered to Kerry on a platter in Madison Square Garden when speaker after speaker relentlessly and shamelessly ridiculed the undeniable reality that we are two Americas, separated by an ever-widening gulf -- not just in income but in educational opportunities, access to health care, and the ability to realize the American Dream.

Rudy Giuliani and Dick Cheney even went so far as to use the notion of two Americas as the set up for jokes.

"Senator Kerry says he sees two Americas," said Cheney. "It makes the whole thing mutual. America sees two John Kerrys." And according to Giuliani, Democrats need "two Americas -- one where John Kerry can vote for something and another where he can vote against the same thing." Hardee-har-har.