Today's news revolves around three medical procedures: the heart surgery Bill Clinton had last month, the surgery for thyroid cancer that Chief Justice Rehnquist had this morning, and the passion transfusion the Kerry campaign is getting today from Clinton's appearance in Pennsylvania. The first made things look bleak for a while, the second could have confusing repurcussions on this election and the presidency that will follow it, and the third is hopefully the final turning point in a long and winding road to the return of hope and promise to America.
First to Rehnquist. Doesn't this shine a spotlight on the Supreme Court just a week before the election? Could Kerry ask for a better opportunity to have the public reminded that the next president will probably appoint a justice or two--or three, or four? Whatever they think of Bush on terror, security, Iraq, and being resolved, the majority of women don't want to see Roe v. Wade overturned and return to the dark days of coat-hanger abortions in back alleys. Kerry's slipping numbers among women could use a boost, and he best be deft is using this situation to resuscitate them.
Meanwhile, Rehnquist's faltering health raises an interesting question: What happens if he dies? Obviously this is not likely; CNN hastened to note that thyroid cancer is "generally one of the more curable forms of cancer." But what if? What if he dies next week, and because of rampant problems in Ohio and Florida, the Supreme Court has to pick a president again--and they tie, 4-4? Could Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, and Breyer pummel Kennedy into jumping ship? What would we do?
By the way, I don't wish ill on Rehnquist--despite his dissenting vote in Lawrence v. Texas--but I do think it's ironic that he has the same kind of cancer as my family dog. That about sums up the esteem in which I hold his jurisprudence.
Meanwhile, the horn dog is on the trail today, injecting excitement into Kerry's campaign as we enter, after about 200 laps around the track, the homestretch of this damnably long campaign. Clinton's recent health issues make him a more sympathetic character, removing the tint of scandal and infidelity from his public perception and making him a tougher target for the G.O.P. to hammer without looking cruel. If he can help Kerry make his case to women and--especially--to black voters in the final week, he can close the deal and slam the door on Bush, something he's obviously been dying to do since the day he left office and gave a touching farewell speech at Andrews Air Force Base. (I still can't read that speech without choking up with nostalgia; it's worth a look.) In that speech, Clinton said several times, "We did a lot of good." I mean no dishonor to Clinton's legacy, but if his actions this week tip the election and send Bush back to Texas, he'll have done more good in eight days than any man could ever do in eight years as president.
2 comments:
Richard,
I am of the opinion that Bill Clinton ought to spend some of his time in AR. The polls are so close there, his presence might be enough to tip the Mississippi Delta to Kerry's favor. It sure would help to send him to Upper Midwest and Ohio too, but we can't be too greedy.
Zach
And, if he spent more time down south, he may end up with a tan! (He looks ghostly pale when standing side-by-side with Kerry!)
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