The LuLac Edition #448, March 27th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: AL GORE GIVING THE "THUMBS UP", PRESIDENT JOHNSON ANNOUNCING HIS WITHDRAWL FROM THE 1968 PRESIDENTIAL RACE 40 YEARS AGO ON MARCH 31RST AND OUR 1968 LOGO.

THE DEM SOLUTION

I was going to hold back on this until after the Democratic primary on April 22nd but I’ve already been trumped by one local blogger and MSNBC. But when I had dinner with a former Congressional candidate a few weeks back, I mentioned this scenario. Well, kind of, I said Gore would win the Democratic nod but then I started to really think about it. Here it is:
Both Senators Clinton and Obama go to the convention. There is a stalemate. The super delegates are divided. The convention at Denver is deadlocked. The first ballot is over. Obama won’t concede and Clinton won’t either. Before the second ballot, a faint chant goes up, “Gore, Gore, Gore”. Then out of nowhere, strains from Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al” starts to play. The crowd, being Democrats are at first confused. But then they catch on. The chant becomes louder, “Gore, Gore, Gore!” Then they start yelling “Gore Is Great in ‘08”. Delegations start asking for attention from the Chair to change their votes. The delegations start falling like dominos. In Pennsylvania, Governor Rendell frantically bribes anyone with cheese steaks. Governor Corzine in New Jersey does him one better, throwing hundreds on the floor. But it is to no avail. The magic delegate number is reached and Al Gore, former Vice President of the U.S. accepts, however reluctantly the Democratic nomination. He names as his campaign Chairs Senators Obama and Clinton. He picks as his running mate New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Since only two U.S. Senators have been elected President, Gore goes on to win the Presidency by a landslide with Senator McCain and Haley Barbour carrying only their home states Arizona and Mississippi. On January 20th, 2009, America’s long national nightmare comes to an end and Al Gore takes the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States. Better late than never!
From YOU TUBE, Paul Simon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOiVaE-pKqM&feature=related.

1968

On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson stunned the world with his surprise announcement that he would not seek re-election.
The announcement came at the end of this TV speech concerning the situation in Vietnam where increasing numbers of young Americans were being killed amid the recent escalation of the war.
In January of 1968, the Tet offensive occurred in which North Vietnamese troops attacked 36 provincial capitals and 5 major cities in South Vietnam including an attack on the U.S. embassy in Saigon and the presidential palace.
Filmed footage of the offensive and its resulting carnage appeared on nightly news programs seen by the American public. Unlike previous wars, news personnel were not censored and thus often took graphic front line combat footage.
Year after year of TV news reports showing bloodied young Americans and dead Vietnamese civilians led many to eventually question the necessity of the entire ordeal. By 1968, demonstrations and unrest had erupted on college campuses with demands for an immediate end to the war.
Amid the mounting death toll and continuing erosion of popular and political support for the war, President Johnson was faced with having to decide America's future course in the conflict. His choices included possible escalation in an effort to win the war, or the pursuit of peace with an enemy who now seemed determined to fight and win no matter what the cost. As a fourteen year old, I watched the speech with interest but at 9:40PM the phone rang and my seventh grade girlfriend whined about the fact that The Smothers Brothers wasn't on. We talked until five after ten. When I walked back into the living room, my father said, "Mac, you missed it!" "Missed what?" I asked. Johnson withdrew. Chagrined that I missed this historical moment, my father said, "Women are gonna kill ya, I can see that!" It was one of many time he'd say that to me. Here is what President Johnson said on that fateful night.
Finally, my fellow Americans, let me say this:
Of those to whom much is given, much is asked. I cannot say and no man could say that no more will be asked of us.
Yet, I believe that now, no less than when the decade began, this generation of Americans is willing to "pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
Since those words were spoken by John F. Kennedy, the people of America have kept that compact with mankind's noblest cause.
And we shall continue to keep it.
Yet, I believe that we must always be mindful of this one thing, whatever the trials and the tests ahead. The ultimate strength of our country and our cause will lie not in powerful weapons or infinite resources or boundless wealth, but will lie in the unity of our people.
This I believe very deeply.
Throughout my entire public career I have followed the personal philosophy that I am a free man, an American, a public servant, and a member of my party, in that order always and only.
For 37 years in the service of our Nation, first as a Congressman, as a Senator, and as Vice President, and now as your President, I have put the unity of the people first. I have put it ahead of any divisive partisanship.
And in these times as in times before, it is true that a house divided against itself by the spirit of faction, of party, of region, of religion, of race, is a house that cannot stand.
There is division in the American house now. There is divisiveness among us all tonight. And holding the trust that is mine, as President of all the people, I cannot disregard the peril to the progress of the American people and the hope and the prospect of peace for all peoples.
So, I would ask all Americans, whatever their personal interests or concern, to guard against divisiveness and all its ugly consequences.
Fifty-two months and 10 days ago, in a moment of tragedy and trauma, the duties of this office fell upon me. I asked then for your help and God's, that we might continue America on its course, binding up our wounds, healing our history, moving forward in new unity, to clear the American agenda and to keep the American commitment for all of our people.
United we have kept that commitment. United we have enlarged that commitment.
Through all time to come, I think America will be a stronger nation, a more just society, and a land of greater opportunity and fulfillment because of what we have all done together in these years of unparalleled achievement.
Our reward will come in the life of freedom, peace, and hope that our children will enjoy through ages ahead.
What we won when all of our people united just must not now be lost in suspicion, distrust, selfishness, and politics among any of our people.
Believing this as I do, I have concluded that I should not permit the Presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year.
With America's sons in the fields far away, with America's future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the world's hopes for peace in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office--the Presidency of your country.
Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.
But let men everywhere know, however, that a strong, a confident, and a vigilant America stands ready tonight to seek an honorable peace--and stands ready tonight to defend an honored cause--whatever the price, whatever the burden, whatever the sacrifice that duty may require.
Thank you for listening.
Good night and God bless all of you.
America was stunned and the political world was rocked. All of a sudden, Vice President Hubert Humphrey's stock went up. The Bobby Kennedy campaign was stunned and bewildered. Kennedy was going to campaign against his sworn enemy with relish but all of a sudden his nemesis deserted him. Eugene McCarthy made the lame comment, "This makes it interesting" and walked away leaving his supporters dazed and confused. It was after all McCarthy's insurgency campaign just weeks ago in New Hampshire that vanquished the Johnson war policy. On the night LBJ ended all doubts about his future, McCarthy raised them about his own..... On the statewide level, a public question went on the ballot asking about legislative reapportionment. The question called for 50 State Senators, 25 elected every two years for four year terms and 204 State Legislators to be realigned after each ten year census……..in the County Eugene Ziomek decided to make a run for state representative against incumbent Fred Shupnik in the 4th Legslative District. It would be the only primary opposition for a state rep….in the Wilkes Barre, newly minted and hired Fredrick Wegner began his duties as Wilkes Barre City manager….in Pittston at St. John the Baptist Grade School the last co-ed dance was held between the seventh and eighth grade students. A mini scandal broke out when a few students began to say the words to Mitch Ryder’s “Sock It To Me Baby” were dirty, so assistant pastor and head chaperone and bouncer Father Andrew Strish put on his favorite song, “Skip A Rope” by Hensen Cargill , effectively killing any amorous activities….forty years ago this week the number 1 song in LuLac land was Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart’s “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight”, here it is courtesy of YOU TUBE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSMUtLHPH7Y. While Father’s favorite song was playing, he was called away and one of the eighth grade school boys acting as a deejay put on Mel Carter’s great 1965 hit “Hold Me Thrill Me”. For three minutes, the romance returned. Or what passed for that in 1968 among 7th and 8th grade boys and girls! As an added bonus from YOU TUBE: Mr. Mel Carter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OoZno_FLjI&feature=related