Up to now I was on the fence about whom I was going to vote for in the Presidential election. All I knew for sure is that I was going to vote for whatever Democrat won the nomination. If Charles Barkley won the nomination I would have voted for him. So, yes, no matter what Democrat wins I’m casting my ballot his or her way.
Even though I am running for President myself (I announced that a few columns ago) I am realistic enough to know that I may not win. I am going to take a stand like Ralph Nader. I’m in it to make a point like Nader. I’m in it to be a huge pain in the ass with no godly chance of winning… like Nader. If you ask me It’s just as much Nader’s fault we are in a war in Iraq as it is Bush’s. If he did not take votes away from Gore then we would be worried about a sex scandal right about now not fighting a war we have no business waging.
I like Both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama and would have been happy to vote for either.
Until last week. Last week I decided whom not to vote for.
Before I give my endorsement (which will surely decide the nominee as I carry so much weight) let me share a bit about each candidate. There is a real chance that Barack Obama will come to Comic Con International this summer. His campaign contacted me last year about setting that up and it still may happen.
Why me? Let’s just say that’s how I roll.
I like Obama but did not know if I was ready to vote for him. I was very impressed that his campaign thinks that Comic Con is a smart place to reach young people. That move earned him serious points in my book.
To be frank I was a huge fan of the Clintons and was leaning in Hillary’s direction, mainly because I loved Bill Clinton. I have met quite a few notable people in my life. From heads of state to rock, hip-hop and movie stars to world leaders. When I say meet I’m not talking about some random street meeting or autograph signing I’m talking about being in business with them or being invited to their home or inviting them to mine. Most of these well known people I meet are impressive but three impressed me to a point where I was speechless.
I know what you are thinking (OK, I know what Paul Levitz is thinking): Michael Davis speechless? Yeah, right. That’s like Snoop Dog passing up a joint. Never happen.
Well, Paul, it happened three times and the people who put me in that speechless state were Nelson Mandela, Jack Kirby and Bill Clinton. When I met Mr. Mandela I cried like a little girl. When I met Jack Kirby all I could do was stare. When I met Bill Clinton and shook his hand all I could do is gaze down at my hand in disbelief.
To give you an insight to how I view meeting notable people here are a few examples.
Upon meeting Malcolm Jamal Warner (Theo, of the Cosby Show) I said, “What’s up Theo?" Malcolm is now a good friend of mine. When I met Robert DeNiro, after being introduced he said “Nice to meet you.” I said, ‘You talking to me?” When I met Mickey Dolan of the Monkeys I said “Hey, hey, you’re a monkey.” When I met Wayne Brady I said “You Wayne Brady…bitch.” Wayne and I are developing an animated show together. My last example: when I met Donald Thump I said “Can I have some money?”
He said no.
Every single one of these people and countless more reacted with good humor and were good sports. Only one guy was a bit of a dick. Dennis Miller. When I met Mr. Miller I said, “You know people just pretend to know what you are talking about.” Boy, he did not find that funny at all. He then said something really bad to me and I had to get ghetto with him. Denys Cowan was there; ask him if you know him. It was not pretty.
So you see for me to meet someone is not a big deal…most times.
I tell you this not to impress you but to impress upon you that I take people at face value. I don’t care if you are King Tutt or the Burger King to me you are just a regular person and if you can’t take a joke…
Up to last week Hillary Clinton was a regular person with some great ideas for the country. Then last week she lost her damn mind. First she praised Obama, then she attacked like a pit bull, then she mocked him. I gave her a pass on the first two. I mean this is American politics after all. But to mock him like he is a child was the deal breaker.
I know that she is on the ropes and these are “Hail Mary” attempts to stop his momentum, but to mock him and complain about always getting the first question at an debate is so High School. She even went so far to ask if he wanted a pillow, referring to a skit on Saturday Night Live.
High School.
Obama calls a lot of what happen in American politics “Silly season.” His term for stupid tit-for-tat jabs that have no relevance to what the country needs. Speaking of Obama, what did he do while the Three Faces of Hillary reared their ugly heads? Well, one he secured my vote, and two he acted Presidential.
Nothing silly about that.
As Hillary might say (but won’t), Michael Davis gets real every Friday, right here on ComicMix.
DC Comics April 2012 Solicitations
PREVIEW: “Jim Henson’s Tale Of Sand”
DC Comics March 2012 Solicitations
Preview: “Darkwing Duck” #18 — Like A Fenton From The Ashes!
Preview: “Daredevil” #6
Preview: Betrayal Of The Planet Of The Apes #1
MARTHA THOMASES: George Lucas, Black History, and African-American Comics
Dennis O’Neil – Sick, Sick, Sick
MIKE GOLD: Stupid Logo Tricks
MICHAEL DAVIS Is Bringing Sexy Back
MINDY NEWELL: “Superman? He Must Be Jewish!”
JOHN OSTRANDER: Ch-ch-choices
MARC ALAN FISHMAN: Trades vs. Monthlies – An Unpopular Stance
Primeval Volume Three, by Robert Greenberger
Busting, by Robert Greenberger
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Robert Greenberger
Transformers: Dark of the Moon, by Robert Greenberger
Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Next Level, by Robert Greenberger
Pandemonium, by Robert Greenberger
Real Steel, by Robert Greenberger
REVIEW: “Dark Victory” (Lady Lazurus #2), by Alexandra Honigsberg
REVIEW: Kamala Sankaram’s “Miranda”, by Alexandra Honigsberg
MIKE GOLD: The Batman Family Feud, by Mike Gold
Oh, it's most definitely the Silly Season — a term that existed long before Obama, but it's just gotten sillier and sillier with every campaign. I miss when Olbermann reported real news. Now the first half hour of Countdown is spent on horserace speculation of interest only to wonks and pundits who like to hear themselves talk (but I repeat myself).That's amazing news about the possibility of Obama coming to Comic-Con. Almost makes me wish I could afford to go, even if I could get a hotel room.
We're getting a tent.
All jokes aside. If you need a room give me a call. Let's just say I know people and that's how I roll. BTW anyone else…don't ask.
Wow. I don't know what to say. This is so generous of you, Michael, I'm just speechless. I'll have to see how my employment situation shakes out, but please email me directly about this, as I don't have your number (see, unlike Michael Davis, I don't know people, or their phone numbers)…
Elayne the response to Mike was meant for you.
I admit, the idea of being a member of a fringe group large enough to now warrant the courting of politicians is an interesting position. But I have to ask – do we really want to add politics to Comic-Con?ANY appearance by any actively campaigning politician will be viewed as a political move. Yes, it'll get the con more publicity and I'll warrant a lot of people will come to the con that day that would never have done so before, because of Obama's popularity. If he holds a rally NEAR the con, and just makes a visit to the con to shake a few hands and pick up back issues of a few titles…that'd be a pretty good idea, actually. You'll have a good cross-section of people from across the country he can reach at one time. But if he plans to SPEAK at the con, I think it'll cause a real shift in the event for quite some time to come.I'm quite interested in knowing what he reads. Because if he's not an active reader of comics, then this is just a political whistle stop. Again, it's rather nice that comics readers are now a group large enough to be pandered to, but if he doesn't really have any interest in comics, that all it is, pandering.Bear in mind, I am perfectly willing to believe the Senator MAY read comics. I could NEVER believe Hilary does, and I would view any attempt she made to attend the Con as votegrubbing of the highest order.
Vinnie, he would not speak at the con. The con is a 503C3 non profit, It would be inappropriate for him to give a political speech. The tentative plan is for him to walk the floor with me (so he can get some needed recognation) then hold a reception off site. I think the fact that anyone wants to consider Comic Con a place to reach young people to me is a huge step in comics taking their rightful place in the art world.
I think that could be very interesting, just to see what sort of a reception he gets from the fans, and how he reacts to them. The security issues are gonna be a bear, tho. The Secret Service are going to have to plan for the fact that he will be surrounded by people in masks, costumes, makeup and weapons of varying realism and functionality.
Vinnie- If the Secret Service can protect the President when he goes to Iraq, they can protect Obama at Comic Con from some Klingon's!
It's a 504(c)3 non-profit, actually. That might change, if rumor is anywhere near reality. But probably not before this year's convention.You know, President Obama could certainly speak at the SDCC, even if it remains a 504(c)3.And yes, I've working with more 504(c)3's than you can shake a stick at.
Hey, some of us didn't want to add MOVIES to Comic-Con. :)It's all entertaiment nowadays, Vin.And I'm dying for Martha to ask Obama the question only Ron Paul has answered so far…
Great article! I agree it is silly season. Much props to being in talks with Obama. I would love to hear what he would say at Comic Con.
Mike, My offer extends to all Comicmix people but only if someone fixes the damn 'reply' button!!!!!
Well, to get back to the point of Michael's column- I, too, have called it quits with the Clintons this week, I can not claim to have ever been a fan of Hilary's but I did respect Bill and would have voted for Hilary if she was the nominee but not now. Her campaign has become a study in pettiness and whining, not what I look for in a President. I dearly hope Obama is the nominee. We need a break with past, a clean start and someone who acts Presidential under pressure. If Hilary somehow manages to finagle her way to the nomination (I hear now that she may go to court over Texas' delegate process) I don't know what I will do.
If Hillary goes to court I really think that will be her last gasp. I can't see her wanting to change the process because it does not sit well with her. THAT would piss off a whole lot of people. The time to challenge something is way before it appears that you are about to lose. This is so sad. I really wanted to see a lot more of Bill in Hillary. Maybe that's the problem, maybe Bill and Hillary need a date night to take care of that.