By: Mary Mostert, Original Sources (www.originalsources.com)
August 4, 2000
There was something about George W. Bush’s speech, and the reaction to it by Democrats, people in the Gay and Lesbian lobby groups and even some conservative commentators that made me think about Estes Kefauver in the 1948 election. The election of both Kefauver and Harry Truman was based largely on the public’s perception of which candidate they could trust, not their stand on issues.
Fifty-two years ago Estes Kefauver ran for the U.S. Senate from Tennessee against the wishes of the political boss of Tennessee’s Democrat Party, E.H. Crump. Crump issued a scathing attack on the young upstart, calling him "nothing but a pet ‘coon." While that might sound meaningless today, at the time it was about the most insulting comment you could make, inferring that the person was little more than a black-faced prostitute.
It was intended to destroy the hopeful young white politician who wanted to serve his State, but didn’t want to kow-tow to the political boss controlled elections for decades. However, rather than being crushed by the insulting attack, Kefauver bought himself a coon skin cap, complete with tail, and began wearing it everywhere. "I may be a pet coon," he told the people at his rallies. "But I’m the PEOPLE’S pet coon. I’m not E.H. Crump’s pet coon!"
Estes Kefauver later chaired the Senate Crime Investigating Committee, known as the Kefauver Committee, which laid the foundation for legislation to control organized crime in America. He won, although he was a lot more liberal than the people of Tennessee were at the time, and he probably helped President Harry Truman get elected in the astonishing upset against Republican Tom Dewey. While I wasn’t old enough to vote in 1948, I distinctly remember that election and still have the tallies I made throughout the night as I listened to election returns on the radio "I don’t agree with his policies," one elderly woman from East Tennessee told the station, "But he’s a man I can trust. So, I voted for him."
George W. Bush’s speech yesterday, and the whole four day GOP convention, was designed largely to help the public get an idea of George W. Bush, the man, and what he had accomplished. And, what did it tell them? Dave Wenzel, a veteran who lost both legs, a hand and an eye when he stepped on a land mine in Vietnam rice paddy, told us we ought to vote for Bush because:
"In Texas, Governor Bush has greatly improved the lives of individuals with disabilities."He has encouraged employment. He has increased access to public facilities. And he has made appointments of highly qualified Americans with disabilities to state boards and commissions."
Governor Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania talked about his friend, George W. Bush, saying:
"How many of you have seen George in a classroom? Or heard him talk about kids?"The passion in his voice; the love in his heart? I've seen it. And I'll tell you this: when the voters of America see it -- this election is over."
Senator Bill Frist, a heart surgeon, said:
"We propose ways to offer affordable, quality health insurance to all Americans. We will make sure medical decisions are made by doctors and patients, not bureaucrats. …"On energy, we'll replace FAILED policies that have led to high gas prices with SENSIBLE policies to promote our energy security."
Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, a black minister who said he was neither a Republican nor a Democrat, told us:
"I believe in the effective and visionary leadership of Governor George W. Bush.As a result of the Governor's leadership...in Texas today, government, business, and faith-based organizations work together to transform communities long ignored by the political establishment.
"In Texas today, schools are safer, and reading and math skills are up for all of our children. Just one powerful example -- African-American 4th graders in Texas boast the strongest math skills in the nation. Businesses and entrepreneurs are also thriving, especially minority and women-owned companies which have won 52 percent more of the state's business since Governor Bush was elected. And over half of Governor Bush's highly qualified appointees are minorities and women.
Ladies and gentlemen, that's not rhetoric, that's results!
As a political independent, I am here because Governor Bush believes! Governor Bush believes the gap of economic segregation should and can be closed. "
Each of the speakers added a few brush strokes to the sketch the Republicans were drawing of their candidate. And then George W. Bush, the Republican Candidate for President stepped to the microphone and completed the picture:
"This is a remarkable moment in the life of our nation. Never has the promise of prosperity been so vivid. But times of plenty, like times of crisis, are tests of American character."Prosperity can be a tool in our hands -- used to build and better our country. Or it can be a drug in our system -- dulling our sense of urgency, of empathy, of duty.
"Our opportunities are too great, our lives too short, to waste this moment.
"So tonight we vow to our nation ...
"We will seize this moment of American promise.
"We will use these good times for great goals.
"We will confront the hard issues -- threats to our national security, threats to our health and retirement security -- before the challenges of our time become crises for our children.
"And we will extend the promise of prosperity to every forgotten corner of this country.
"To every man and woman, a chance to succeed. To every child, a chance to learn. To every family, a chance to live with dignity and hope.
"For eight years, the Clinton/Gore administration has coasted through prosperity.
"And the path of least resistance is always downhill.
"But America's way is the rising road.
"This nation is daring and decent and ready for change.
"Our current president embodied the potential of a generation. So many talents. So much charm. Such great skill. But, in the end, to what end? So much promise, to no great purpose.
"Little more than a decade ago, the Cold War thawed and, with the leadership of Presidents Reagan and Bush, that wall came down.
"But instead of seizing this moment, the Clinton/Gore administration has squandered it. We have seen a steady erosion of American power and an unsteady exercise of American influence.
"Our military is low on parts, pay and morale.
"If called on by the commander-in-chief today, two entire divisions of the Army would have to report ... Not ready for duty, sir.
"This administration had its moment.
"They had their chance. They have not led. We will.
"This generation was given the gift of the best education in American history. Yet we do not share that gift with everyone. Seven of ten fourth-graders in our highest poverty schools cannot read a simple children's book.
"And still this administration continues on the same old path with the same old programs -- while millions are trapped in schools where violence is common and learning is rare.
"This administration had its chance. They have not led. We will.
"America has a strong economy and a surplus. We have the public resources and the public will -- even the bipartisan opportunities -- to strengthen Social Security and repair Medicare.
"But this administration -- during eight years of increasing need -- did nothing.
"They had their moment. They have not led. We will.
"Our generation has a chance to reclaim some essential values -- to show we have grown up before we grow old.
"But when the moment for leadership came, this administration did not teach our children, it disillusioned them.
"They had their chance. They have not led. We will."
At that point I remembered Estes Kefauver and the coon skin cap. George W. Bush had just told his fellow baby-boomers that it was time to grow up. The "Greatest Generation," represented by his parents had passed the torch eight years ago. Yet sadly, baby-boomers were still acting like they were acting in the 1960s. He said:
"This is not a time for third chances, it is a time for new beginnings. The rising generations of this country have our own appointment with greatness."It does not rise or fall with the stock market. It cannot be bought with our wealth.
"Greatness is found when American character and American courage overcome American challenges.
"…To seniors in this country ... You earned your benefits, you made your plans, and President George W. Bush will keep the promise of Social Security ... no changes, no reductions, no way.
" Our opponents will say otherwise. This is their last, parting ploy, and don't believe a word of it.
" Now is the time for Republicans and Democrats to end the politics of fear and save Social Security, together.
"For younger workers, we will give you the option -- your choice -- to put a part of your payroll taxes into sound, responsible investments."
One by one he listed the nation’s problems - taxes, terrorist threats, education, the challenges of using the current prosperity for constructive ends, poverty, inequality, drugs and warned:
"When these problems aren't confronted, it builds a wall within our nation. On one side are wealth and technology, education and ambition."On the other side of the wall are poverty and prison, addiction and despair.
"And, my fellow Americans, we must tear down that wall! …Big government is not the answer. But the alternative to bureaucracy is not indifference. A hundred years from now, this must not be remembered as an age rich in possessions and poor in ideals.
"Instead, we must usher in an era of responsibility.
"My generation tested limits -- and our country, in some ways, is better for it. …We have discovered that who we are is more important than what we have. And we know we must renew our values to restore our country.
"This is the vision of America's founders."
This is a breathtaking development. Can a baby boomer get elected after telling his peers to grow up, stop blaming their parents and start taking some of the responsibility for the deplorable culture they have created for their children? That’s in effect what George W. is doing: That’s courage, folks.
"In a responsibility era, each of us has important tasks -- work that only we can do. Each of us is responsible ... to love and guide our children, and help a neighbor in need. Synagogues, churches and mosques are responsible ... not only to worship but to serve. Corporations are responsible ... to treat their workers fairly, and leave the air and waters clean. Our nation's leaders are responsible ... to confront problems, not pass them on to others.
"And to lead this nation to a responsibility era, a president himself must be responsible."
Not surprisingly, some members of the baby-boomer generation, especially a couple of them in the White House, are squealing like stuck pigs today. When Generation X figures it all out, they may all unite behind a resolute George W. Bush in the hopes that their parents finally begin to understand that THEY are the main reason America’s culture is such a mess and they need to grow up.
To comment: mmostert@originalsources.com
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