and I have two things to say:
1. I would like some musicologist to do an interesting, cogent reading of the choice of popular songs used between speakers, and, like, class/race stuff. Just because it would be fascinating and because I would do it myself except that I’m still on holiday. And also I feel like I’m at a total disadvantage when it comes to American politics anyhow, and because I only watched enough of the convention to catch “Chain of Fools” and “Don’t Stop.”
2. American politics are so much more exciting than Canadian politics! Everybody is so earnest and excited and waving flags and dancing around! I feel like Canadians would be vaguely embarrassed at the thought of exhibiting such behaviour. I mean, I love Jack and Olivia as much as the next dyed-in-the-wool NDP voter, but we all know that it’s sort of an ironic love. I don’t think any of us would dance to soul music for Jack. And I really don’t think we have politicians who are charismatic enough to command that kind of enthusiasm. I mean, I really loved Jean Chretien, but mostly because dude talked out of the side of his face and was kind of bumbly and incomprehensible and hilarious*, not for any real, substantial reasons. And Paul Martin was boring and Stephen Harper is obviously a reprehensible, cruel, devious human being, who also has the distinction of looking like a child molester. And remember back in the late 1990s when This Hour Has 22 Minutes was really good and they just managed to make most Canadian politicians look like laughable idiots? I remember those days. Those were good days. I still sort of have a hard time believing that Stockwell Day, Creationist, is an actual, real person, and not just some character that Rick Mercer invented.
So I guess, even if Canadian politicians aren’t exactly exciting, they really do succeed at being hilarious caricatures of themselves.
*This video is hilarious, go watch it. “For me, pepper, I put it on my plate.” Oh Jean, you jackass.