Journal-Times
July 7, 2010 — “Game Change”
By Ronnie Ellis, CNHI
FRANKFORT During high-stakes political campaigns, partisans usually suspect biased reporters of trying to paint unfair portraits of the candidates. Others complain that negative ads distort and trivialize the records and character of those running. That’s especially true of presidential campaigns.
Newsweek produces quadrennial inside looks at presidential campaigns by embedding teams of reporters in the campaigns — with varying degrees of access, depending on candidates’ level of comfort — and writing about what they saw after the election. I always look for those and after reading them, I’m always surprised at how closely the accounts resemble the public image of the candidates. John Kerry really couldn’t make a decision and stick with it for instance.
But for an even more revealing look inside the 2008 presidential campaign, “Game Change” is a must read. It’s written by John Heilemann, national political correspondent and columnist for New York magazine, and Mark Halperin, editor-at-large and senior political analyst for Time. It paints vivid pictures of Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Sarah Palin and John Edwards.
I decided to read it after a statewide Republican office holder told me it is the best book on campaigns he’d ever read — and that after reading it, “I hated them all.” My reaction was a bit kinder — the book humanized Hillary Clinton in small ways, diminished her husband in others, and reveals the complexity of their relationship. It reinforces accounts of McCain’s personality, like his risk-taking and temper, but it also showed he was at times unfocused and disengaged and sometimes willing to abandon principle. Obama is dispassionate and cool but unafraid of a fight, possessing a serene confidence that often comes off as supreme arrogance.
The book paints devastating portraits of Edwards and Palin. Edwards is pictured as callous, craven and dishonest. His wife, Elizabeth, is a terror, intimidating staff and even her husband. John Edwards has an affair and fathers an illegitimate child, then arranges for an aide to take responsibility. Fully aware all will eventually be exposed, Edwards nevertheless tries to cut deals with a disgusted Obama in exchange for a place on the ticket or appointment as Attorney General. Palin becomes morose and depressed, almost catatonic, and some of McCain’s staff feared she was mentally unstable. The McCain camp’s inexplicable failure to vet Palin is painfully obvious.
You feel the sense of betrayal and frustration the Clintons feel when long-time associates endorse Obama, of Obama when his Chicago pastor makes incendiary comments about race and America and then turns vindictive. Readers share Obama’s astonishment at opponents’ poor strategic decisions and feel Michelle’s genuine reluctance to see him run. But you also sometimes see the humanity of the candidates (except Edwards).
“Game Change” at times evokes sympathy for all of them but Edwards. It exposes the mistakes and in-fighting which crippled Clinton’s and McCain’s campaigns. Like those NEWSWEEK accounts of the Bush-Kerry and Obama-McCain races, it shows the better candidates (regardless of what you think of their positions or policies) won both the primary and general elections. McCain never gave up when he appeared dead and broke in the primary. Obama had a better plan and was smarter and more disciplined than either Clinton or McCain — and he came off as more principled. Consultants sometimes wield more power than their candidates.
Others will disagree. Perhaps you’ll be like my Republican friend and find them all disgusting or find Clinton or McCain more sympathetic and your discomfort with Obama might deepen. But the book is riveting and instructive for all who follow politics.
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.
2010 World Equestrian Games
From KY State Senator Robin Webb
FRANKFORT —The countdown for the biggest horse show to hit this country has began. Thursday, June 17 marked the beginning of the 100 days until the 2010 World Equestrian Games, which will be Sept. 25 – Oct. 10, 2010 in Lexington at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Games are comprised of the world championships for eight equestrian sports. The Games are held every four years, two years prior to the Olympic Games, and are governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).
It is a really big deal for Kentucky to be the host of this prestigious event and is a wonderful opportunity for Kentucky families to participate in a world championship event right here in their own backyard.
Even if you do not regularly attend horsing events, this is a World Championship Horse Event being held in the Horse Capital of the World – our very own Lexington, Kentucky – and will be a great treat for all Kentuckians. The Games already have entries from more than 60 countries.
We also anticipate spectators will attend the Games from 60-plus countries around the world as well. Imagine the different cultures, languages and traditions that attendees will be exposed to over the course of 16-days. In addition, during the Games you will be able to see the entire state in one place because all nine tourism regions are participating in the Kentucky Experience Exhibit. Where else could you have such an opportunity?
The Games will feature eight world championship events, with, naturally, the most talented riders in the world all in one location. The best of the best will be competing against each other. Kentucky will be the talk of the horse world during the Games and, for Kentuckians, it is the opportunity to see Kentucky history in the making as a first-time host. As a bonus, participants will get to preview the 2014 Games, which will be held in France.
These reasons and more are enough to make most of us want to get our tickets now. However, the Games mean more than that to the Commonwealth.
The Games are expected to have an economic impact of $150 million statewide, giving Kentucky’s tourism industry -- one of our leading industries -- a much-needed shot in the arm. Research has shown that tourism dollars turn over about seven times in a community. Visitors to the state will stay overnight in our towns, shop in our stores, buy gasoline and food, travel to our tourist sites, and generally spend “new” money throughout Kentucky.
Much preparation has gone into getting Kentucky ready for the Games through improvements to Lexington and many of our other cities. Lexington has been preparing for the Games since 2006 and is ready to show off the city as well as the Kentucky Horse Park – the only park in the world dedicated to horses. It will be a real treat to see some of the most beautiful farms in the Bluegrass be transformed into a 100-mile endurance course.
Many of Lexington’s outlying communities will also be on display and have made available private homes to rent for the occasion. We are happy to show off our state, not just to travelers from around the world, but also to visitors from around the country. Kentucky is within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the people in the United States. We expect many will make the trip to the Bluegrass State and we will be glad to show them our Kentucky hospitality.
There will be more than 10,000 official volunteers involved in making the Games a memorable event for Kentucky and for the country. If you would like to be a part of this historic event, additional volunteers are wanted and needed. Competition volunteers, with experience in a specific discipline, will work directly with that specific competition. General volunteers do not need equine experience and can work in various areas to help the Games run smoothly, help the athletes give their best performances and show our guests a warm Kentucky welcome.
The World Equestrian Games will be one of the greatest sporting events -- one of the great international happenings -- ever to occur in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and we are poised to do this in a way that will be a source of pride to every citizen.
A trip to the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington will be a trip to remember. Hope to see you at the biggest party the state will host this year!
If you would like more information about the 2010 World Equestrian Games or are interested in being a volunteer, visit www.alltechfeigames.com.
