On Anne's Mind

Everybody's buzzing today about Senator Hillary Clinton's historic speech last night on the stage of the Democratic National Convention.  How ironic it was that the woman who put "18 million cracks" in the U.S. presidential glass ceiling gave her concession speech to the nation on the 88th anniversary of American women finally winning the right to vote. 

 It was a bittersweet moment for me.  Bitter because I committed to Senator Clinton years ago and still feel that she was the most qualified candidate in the race.  I also believe she would have been an outstanding president at a time when the Unites States is battered and bruised -- at home and abroad -- and standing at a critical crossroads. 

The sweet part was in watching one of the most accomplished and impressive women of our times ascend to an even higher level of leadership.  After coming within a whisper of becoming the first woman in history to earn a major party's presidential nomination,  what did it take for her to swallow her own ambitions, walk on that stage and rally a standing room only crowd to giddy heights around a theme of party unity?  In my mind, Senator Clinton never looked more presidential.  Never were her strengths as a leader more clear.  

If you didn't catch her speech, you should.Here's a link: 

I can only imagine the reasons behind Senator Obama's decision to pass over a leader and winning candidate of her caliber for the vice presential slot on his ticket.  Was it because she had give him the political scare of his life?  Was it because he believes that electing the first African American as president is enough of a stretch for Americans and that we just "arent' ready" for both an African American and a woman to lead our nation?  Why doesn't matter anymore.  That's water under the bridge. 

But I believe America and Americans are capable of anything we put our mind to.  And I have a feeling momentum is building for opening our minds in new ways.  That can only be a good sign.  And regardless of our inidividual politics or preferences, there is no question that the historic campaigns of both Senators Clinton and Obama have already dramatically expanded our national vision of what a leader looks like.  At a time when our country is becoming more culturally diverse by the second that is a histroic breakthough in itself.  And it bodes well for our ability to see talent and leadership in every human being, regardless of the package it comes in. 

Finally!

I'm thrilled to see a smart, witty, politically savvy woman given a national platform for weighing in on the top issues of the day.  Rachel Maddow, a political commentator on the Air America Radio network, has been named by MSNBC as host of her own, prime time political TV show.  The show will air weeknights at 9 p.m., beginning Sept. 8th.   MSNBC has billed the show "a smart look at politics, pop culture and all the day's top stories."  Maddow says she's "open to suggestions for a cool name," but in the meantime it will simply be called "The Rachel Maddow Show."

Congratulations to MSNBC for a step in the right direction.  It's a beginning, but hardly enough to counter the bully pulpit that Keith Olbermann and his "good old boy" political cohorts have dominated for too long on the national media opinion-shaping airwaves.  I'm an admitted political junkie.  However, I've been so teed off at Olbermann and company for the sexist rants that they regularly dished out against Senator Clinton  during primary season ("Every time I hear her speak, I want to cross my legs;" She reminds men of their ex-wife on the court house steps;") that I had gone cold turkey from political TV.

 Now, along comes Rachel, a Rhodes scholar with her doctorate in political science.  Maddow is witty, fun and has no trouble holding her own with the guys.  But, she is only one voice and can hardly be expected to speak for 51% of the American population.  We need a lot more members of the other half of the human race speaking up and weighing in on the major issues that affect everybody. 

How about you?  Is your voice actively engaged in the nation-shaping conversation currently underway on the course we're about to set, not only for the U.S. but for the human family, as we prepare to elect the commander-in-chief of the most influential nation in the world?

AnneDoyleLeadership Blog:  One of the things that I'm doing is starting a blog. For the moment, it is simply annedoyleleadership.  But just like Rachel Maddow, I'm looking for a catchy name and would love suggestions.  Perhaps something with Detroit in it for search engines to pick up.  It's my chance to weigh in from the Mideastern U.S. on the forces I see at work that are shaping the world we'll leave for those who follow us.   I'm hoping to offer an alternative voice from Detroit where we are sick of being the laughing stock of the nation thanks to our so-called "hip-hop" mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick.  If you're part of my network from other parts of the U.S. or another country and aren't up on the leadership crisis he has triggered, here's the background: Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

You'll still hear from me once a month with this communication that I do for my personal network.   However, I'll be commenting much more frequently with short items on my blog, including links to items I find compelling.    

In the meantime, here are two of the things I'm celebrating from my perch in Michigan:  Kwame Kilpatrick is about to get hip-hopped out of Motown and Rachel Maddow Rocks.  

Finally!

I'm thrilled to see a smart, cocky, politically savvy woman given a national platform for weighing in on the top issues of the day.  Rachel Maddow, a political commentator on the Air America Radio network, has been named by MSNBC as host of her own, prime time political TV show.  The show will air weeknights at 9 p.m., beginning Sept. 8th.   MSNBC has billed the show "a smart look at politics, pop culture and all the day's top stories."  Maddow says she's "open to suggestions for a cool name," but in the meantime it will simply be called "The Rachel Maddow Show."

Congratulations to MSNBC for a step in the right direction.  It's a beginning, but hardly enough to counter the bully pulpit that Keith Olbermann and his "good old boy" political cohorts have dominated for too long on the national media opinion-shaping airwaves.  I'm an admitted political junkie.  However, I've been so teed off at Olbermann and company for the sexist rants that they regularly dished out against Senator Clinton  during primary season ("Every time I hear her speak, I want to cross my legs;" She reminds men of their ex-wife on the court house steps;") that I had gone cold turkey from political TV.

 Now, along comes Rachel, a Rhodes scholar with her doctorate in political science.  Maddow is witty, fun and has no trouble holding her own with the guys.  But, she is only one voice and can hardly be expected to speak for 51% of the American population.  We need a lot more members of the other half of the human race speaking up and weighing in on the major issues that affect everybody. 

How about you?  Is your voice actively engaged in the nation-shaping conversation currently underway on the course we're about to set, not only for the U.S. but for the human family, as we prepare to elect the commander-in-chief of the most influential nation in the world?

One of the things that I'm doing is starting a blog.  It's my chance to weigh in from the Midwest and Detroit on the forces I see at work that are shaping the world we'll leave for those who follow us.   I'm hoping to offer an alternative voice from Detroit where we are sick of being the laughing stock of the nation thanks to our so-called "hip-hop" mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick.  If you're not up on the leadership crisis he has triggered, click here: Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

 Who am I? I've worn many hats -- journalist, auto industry exec, sports broadcaster -- and been an insider in fiercely competitive and critical professional arenas.  Here's my website.  Now, it's my turn to speak up.  Hope you'll check in now and then.       

Two things I know from my perch in Detroit:  Rachel Maddow rocks and Kwame Kilpatrick is about to get hip-hopped out of Motown!