Anyone who tuned into the Democratic National Convention (DNC) could not help noticing a spirit of hope, a thirst for progress and an overwhelming sense of patriotism among the crowd. The focus was change, an idealistic term challenged by the McCain campaign until the “maverick” himself later adopted the synonym “reform” as a slogan. With the grace of a modern Jackie O., Michelle Obama opened the convention by expressing deep love for her family and urging Americans to build up our country with a foundation of values and hard work. Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden continued the convention with themes of equality and change. At the DNC, the speakers spoke of the future and moving forward, away from the redundant negativity of Karl Rove-like political tactics. The convention tone was progressive, positive and willing to change our nation to make it better.

In Obama’s acceptance speech, he spoke for a belief that American citizens must be responsible not only for themselves but also for their hurting, starving, poor neighbors. The political system must move away from stereotypical Republican smears that question a candidate’s character or patriotism because disagreements occur. A week later, the Republicans answered Obama’s pleas for maturity with lowbrow jabs at Senator Obama’s community service efforts. Obama’s speech highlighted the similarities of Americans, regardless of party, rather than the petty differences that often divide the people of this country. The conclusion of Obama’s convention speech offered solutions of love, grace, strength and responsibility to the hot-button issues of the present like abortion, gun control and gay rights.

The next week, the Republican National Convention reveled in the usual negativity of the Republican party, fulfilling Obama’s predictions: “If you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don’t have a record…you paint your opponent as someone people should run from.” The inability of the Republicans to depart from their tiresome tactics and empty bureaucracy was astounding. The agenda of the RNC became less about why voters should invest in Senator McCain and more about why Obama is wrong. The GOP speakers repeatedly belittled Obama’s service as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago; a week prior both Obama and Biden commended McCain for his heroic service in the military. The RNC blatantly mocked a man who grew up in a single-parent home, worked his way through a university education and a law degree, and accepted the job of improving the lives of communities. Ironically, one of Palin’s ideal ways to govern according to her RNC speech is “with a servant’s heart,” which must not apply to keeping Chicago citizens off welfare and helping working class families get back on their feet. The RNC speakers rattled off complaints about Obama’s lack of executive experience (McCain’s equal lack and Palin’s 19-month run as governor remained conveniently unmentioned), but at least he can pronounce “nuclear” without it spelled phonetically on the teleprompter. Palin complained of not knowing Obama’s exact plan for America, while she repetitively mentioned her gender, her plights as a hockey mom and living in a small town with no apparent purpose. Even McCain’s acceptance speech seemed like a half-hearted imitation of the Democratic nominee’s speech a week earlier. McCain’s revived “maverick” attitude cannot argue with the evidence that he voted with President Bush 90 percent of the time. The RNC once again falsely promised change by a candidate so firmly rooted in all that is the same.