The Debates: Three Rounds of Poetry

[H2O Man]

Introductions

During the 2008 election season, a number of DUers (including myself) have compared the contests to a boxing match, and Barack Obama to what is known as a counter-puncher. It is, of course, a perfect analogy. However, out of respect for those who are not fans of the greatest sport, I thought I would include a bit of poetry. It is no coincidence that the quotes herein were among the favorites of two of the most important politicians of our time – John and Robert Kennedy – or that these Irish-American politicians were boxing fans.

The fight that I will use as a vehicle to illustrate the relationship between counter-punching in boxing and in politics involves heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, who has a close relationship with Brack Obama. Indeed, Ali was among the huge audience when Barack delivered his outstanding speech at the Democratic National Convention. I selected what is considered to be Ali in November of 1966, as he was approaching his physical prime. Many boxing experts believe that Ali was at his best when he fought Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams.

Round 1: Barack Obama

"Bullfight critics ranked in rows
Crowd the enormous Plaza full;
But only one is there who knows,
And he’s the man who fights the bull."
--Domingo Ortega

President Kennedy loved this poem, which he thought described his experience as the President of the United States. Huge crowds watched his every political action, and there were always critics who believed they knew better than him how he should have conducted the affairs of the state. These included members of his administration, the military brass, politicians from both parties, journalists, and the general public.

I think that it serves as an accurate description of what we see in this political season. During the early primary season, members of his campaign urged him to take more aggressive stances. When the primary came down to Barack and Senator Hillary Clinton, the political pundits in the media were quick to identify what Obama had to do to win. And even when Obama was preparing to deliver his speech at the DNC, in front of a huge live audience and on television around the globe, there were many who believed that they knew exactly what the candidate had to say and do.

In 1966, Muhammad Ali was under a great deal of pressure. He was refusing to be drafted into the US Army. Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam, was advising him to enter the armed services, while Martin Luther King, Jr., was advising him not to. Boxing promoters were refusing to make fights for Ali in the United States. As a result, he had defended his title four times, in Canada, England, and Germany. In his last fight, his trainer Angelo Dundee had concluded the pressures from the draft were distracting him inside the ring. Both Dundee, his trainer, and Herbert Muhammad, his manager, advised Ali not to fight Cleveland Williams, who ranked among the most dangerous punchers in boxing history.

Round 2: John McCain

"Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;"
--W. B. Yeats

In his prime, Senator John McCain had a reputation as a hard-hitting maverick in national politics. In the past week, as the economy of the United States spins out of control, Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign has been severely damaged. As the center of his campaign is unable to hold, McCain has become more desperate in his attempts to land a solid blow on Barack Obama. His attempt to blame Obama for the economic crisis was a wild hay-maker, and as it missed the mark, Obama was easily able to counter him with solid blows. As we approach the presidential debates, it is apparent to everyone crowded into the plaza that McCain is a man reduced, far past his prime. But for John McCain, the worst is yet to come.

Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams was born in Griffin, Georgia. He was half-black, half-Cherokee. By the age of 13, he was working full-time in a pulp mill in Texas. At age 14, he was over 6’ tall, and 185 pounds. He began boxing in the professional ranks, and after knocking a number of grown men out, he drew the attention of the state boxing commission; when they found out his age, his early career came to an end.

By the time of the 1966 fight with Ali, the "Big Cat" had fought another 71 bouts, winning 51 by knockout. His manager-trainer, Hugh Benbow, was a multi-millionaire Texas oil man, who believed that if Williams could connect with a punch from either hand on Ali, he would win by knockout. And, although the odds-makers picked Ali to win, Sports Illustrated’s Martin Kane noted in his article the week of the fight, "In 15 rounds Williams must surely find one clear shot at Ali’s jaw."

The fight, held at the Houston Astrodome, almost tripled the record for an indoor fight crowd. The bout was also telecast around the globe, setting the record for any sports event at that time. The enormous plaza was crowded full.

Round 3: The Fight

"I want to fight him. If I don’t I won’t be able to say that I’m the champ. If I lose to him I’ll quit in the ring." – Muhammad Ali

"If he runs, it’s going to be a long one. If he fights, then I’m going to knock him out."
--Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams (Martin Kane; You Watch Out, Ali!; Sports Illustrated; 11-66)

John McCain has been trash-talking. He says that Barack Obama has been running from him, afraid to engage in little town hall debates. Well, Senator McCain’s chance to dual with Senator Obama is rapidly approaching. Here, for the first time, the outcome of their series of three debates is being officially predicted, including photographic evidence of the outcome.

When Ali and Williams weighed-in on the day of their fight, those who wanted to see Ali defeated were happy that he came in heavier than usual. They assumed this meant that Ali would not be able to dance for 15 rounds, and so the Big Cat would be able to trap the Champ on the ropes by the middle rounds.

At the opening bell, Ali used his superior footwork to circle around his hard-punching opponent. Ali measured William’s range. When Williams missed some of his heavy blows, Ali would counter with fast, crisp punches. Then, out of nowhere, Ali introduced a revolutionary new offensive weapon – the Ali Shuffle.

Each time Muhammad engaged in the Ali Shuffle, Williams instinctively looked at the Champion’s feet. Then Ali would land solid combinations, dazing his opponent. As the fight entered the second round, Williams began to swing wildly, and Ali punished him for each mistake. By the third round, Williams was dizzy, confused, and hurt. He hesitated to even throw a punch. And Ali knocked him out.

In the debates between John McCain and Barack Obama, I believe that we will be treated to the Obama Shuffle. It will frustrate and confuse his opponent, who will begin to throw wild shots at the Democratic Champion. The series of photographs below document the official outcome of the debates.

[babylonsister]

1. Such poetry, H20 Man! I hope you're a visionary, and do so want to

witness the Obama shuffle! I can't wait til the first round. :D

[H2O Man]

2. Believe it.

This will be a high-point in democratic politics.

[H2O Man]

3. I hope that

I did not offend people by including poetry.

[bigtree]

4. bard

:P k&r

[Me.]

5. I Hope He Shuffles Him Right Off To Buffalo

I predict that McSame will start out all cutesy, trying to use the charm initiative and then go for the punch. There will be those who want to see Obama defeated simply because they can't believe that McSame isn't the man he once was. The problem for those people is that they've been had all along, gave their judgment over for a few kind words and doughnuts, for in their recent laments about 'what has happened to John', they just don't get that he never was the the man they thought he was.

Obama is one cool customer and I take him at his word when he says he may not land the first punch but he will land the last one.

[Me.]

6. I Wish We Had A Boxing Obama Smiley

and a black eyed McSame,something like we have during fundraisers

[RagAss]

7. To the Greatest Page with You ! Another H2O Man Classic !

[Solomon]

8. Obama will pummel McCain and the media will pronounce

McCain the clear winner. Everytime Obama wins, he gets punished for it with bad polls. When McCain fucks up, he gets rewarded.

Unfortunately, the media no longer control the thinking of the population. I believe the election will be a landslide.

[Gregorian]

9. Ha ha ha ha....

That's a thing of beauty. I could only laugh as I read it. The parallels between Obama and Ali. It's an ironic sense of strength and superiority. Even if our opponent works every angle, legal and otherwise, Obama is dominant.

I have a love for biking. But regardless of the medium of metaphor, I believe we're talking about the same thing- control. Measuring and dispensing for the moment that really counts. I've watched Obama, and it brings great pleasure to witness what I believe is a very wide and unique perspective. A different kind of perception. With John Kerry, I cringed when his responses were less than animated. With Barack Obama, I just know he has something going on. He's teaching a new way. This is what this country needs. Not that brute force. But finesse. When Lance Armstrong was climbing the L'Alpe d'Huez with Jan Ullrich in 2001, that huge German boy with pillars for thighs, Lance danced and toyed, and even faked being fatigued, and eventually realized when the right time to hammer was. And hammer he did. All the way to the finish line.

I'm anxious to see a political justice.



I like those photos. I never was into boxing. But you're drawing me in to it. I did spend an evening with my friend Craig Handy (now a fine saxophonist) in Oakland, and we watched Sugar Ray Leonard in a big fight back around 1980. Man, forgive me, but I just googled Craig, and here's him playing. We used to be in a band together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr2-0XA-pfk

Argh. I'm all over the place here. Forgive me. :)

[me b zola]

10. I love the visuals!

K&R for a hard-hitting post. :)

:kick: