I thought Ted Kennedy fired everyone up. My mother had a malignant brain tumor. She had trouble functioning at times so my fascination with the Lion had as much to do with the personal connection I have of having a family member ill and seeing that he looked strong and sounded fantastic. I know this is going to given a “‘Coma’s drinking the Kool-Aid again” from some of my online buddies, but I thought he did well, as did Michelle Obama, who also opened a bit of the door into her husband’s life.

I’ve often said that there are intimate things that catch people’s attention. Small, intricate details that have great meaning for one person may mean nothing to another. Every opinion, although it may disagree with mine, is of value.

I said last night on Twitter that I miss optimism although I must admit that I’m not very optimistic about politics as a whole. I want my own Camelot. I am also a realist and realize that is just a nostalgic pipe dream. I used to sit at my mother’s feet as a child listening to the stories of how smitten she was with a young president who she admired in a time of Elvis, The Beatles and putting a man on the moon.

That time is over and I am not naive.

I have decided, as I do on occasion, to avoid blogs that use words like Dimmocrats and Rethuglicans because it adds nothing to the political landscape, nor does McSame or Obamabot. It’s just my preference. I work at a job where I hear these things for a living. Every day.

When I’m home, I need a break.

I’m also taking a siesta from the ongoing political punditry on cable news channels. The spin is out of control. It’s like beating a dead horse after awhile.

So, I’m going to watch the convention. I’ll probably write about it.

I realize this is a rambling post, but I’m tired of a nation guided by a regime of fear over the past few years. I’m going with hope.

Rove is, despite his diminished role in the Bush White House, and will always be the GOP’s Go-To guy.  Bush is a lame duck. Rove has moved on despite the whispers in Washington.

Want to see non-scandal du jour? Call on Hobbs these days. Hobbs is this decade’s new Rove. Little Rove, if you will. Instead of lurking, he’s out there. Mark says this is not the way usual shillers do it but I’m not sure if Hobbs is just changing the game. Hobbs has gained infamous celebrity. Addictive, ain’t it Bill.

Will it blow up in his face? I’m not sure. You see, if the Tennessee GOP disapproved, then they’d get rid of him. Yeah, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker have issued statements condemning his latest drive-by but it hasn’t changed anything.

I’ve spoken about how this impacts, long-term, this state’s reputation but it doesn’t matter at this point. The Tennessee GOP is more than satisfied with Hobbs’ shenanigans. And he doesn’t back up.

But here’s what bothers me the most. Our state has shown with the Tennessee GOP’s actions that the perception is our state did not display goodwill toward Michelle Obama. We didn’t show goodwill toward Barack Obama back a couple of months ago. The individuals who did are secondary to the actions that Hobbs put up and videos he’s done. Kindness was not reported on. Issues were not reported on. And Obama defended his wife. Most folks love chivalry and he displayed it.

The Tennessee GOP got the national play though.

Is what Hobbs did fair game? I guess it is. I don’t have to like it but the local GOP party is going to continue with this. And Hobbs just might get a national gig out of this because his actions are proving that mainstream media is going to pay attention to him.

But one thing that Hobbs and Co. maybe didn’t take into consideration is if they are changing the game, then they have to play by the rules they set. I’ve noticed around the Tennessee blogosphere this morning that Cindy McCain’s background is being questioned in comments at some of the blogs. Her father’s history, her money etc.

When this happens to the Republican nominee for president’s wife, how is Hobbs going to react then? If the game is gutterball and it takes two sides to play, the Tennessee GOP is going to have to deal with long-term ramifications that they created.

Mud always gets slung in politics. I’m not naive.

Just my observation.