There's much discussion over the last few days, weeks, even months about the possibilities of this election. Finally, a chance to oust the Republicans from the White House. Finally, a return to social and economic responsibility. An end to a war. The restoration of the American reputation in foreign affairs.
However, the possibilities are more than just that. In fact, I'd say that's just scratching the surface. Follow me over to what the election really means.
No doubt, this election will be a big victory for the Democratic party. Not only are we likely to elect a Democratic President and gain seats in both the House and the Senate, but we're probably electing our first African American President.
However, this election is a huge gain to the party in general. How so?
Let's look at the areas, starting with fundraising. The Obama campaign has done an incredible job of soliciting donations. But this has been extended to various downticket races, where we're seeing huge discrepancies of cash on hand versus the Republican candidates. To me, this a huge reason for the polls showing Democratic challengers either leading or contending in races that typically would be an easy Republican victory.
Second, we're seeing dissension among Republican troops. When conservative columnists call out the McCain campaign and express their outrage, it's very, very telling. The more moderate Republicans have, over and over again, stated their disgust with the "anti-American" comments and the mud slinging. We're seeing this not only in the Presidential race, but also in smaller races, such as Michele Bachmann taking a huge hit after her comments. In fact, her opponent is living the high-life now:
Elwyn Tinklenberg is living the long-shot candidate's political dream.
There weren't enough chairs for the volunteers crammed inside the four-room campaign office Wednesday morning. Every time aides hit "refresh" on their computers, hundreds more online donations appeared. Downstairs, the postal carrier spent 10 minutes trying to cram a two-foot stack of envelopes stuffed with checks into the mail slot.
This raises, to me at least, a huge question: Is Barack Obama drawing in huge numbers, or are Republicans turning away huge numbers? Perhaps some of each.
No doubt Obama is big on change and hope. No doubt he can inspire people, bring them together, and give them a realistic goal. No doubt he can get our youth (and others) to finally register and, more importantly, show up to vote early. This year, we're seeing huge numbers of Democrats vote early. No doubt, Obama has caused much excitement.
But what Obama is to the Democratic party, John McCain and Sarah Palin are the exact opposite to the Republican party. For every comment on how to fix our situation from the Obama campaign, we have a distracting, mud-slinging comment from the McCain campaign. The people are proving that the Republican party is teaching an historic lesson in, dare I say, "How to FAIL. Epically."
This election is more than just electing a black man to the White House.
There is a chance here to change the tide of the political scene. Sure, wishing for an end to the mud-slinging campaigns is probably a bit of a stretch. However, we're certainly seeing how they can be more detrimental than anything.
The classic fear-mongering of the Republican party? It may have gotten us into a war with Iraq, but is not an effective campaign plan. Might we actually see some unity and tolerance in the political scene? And who, pray tell, does that favor? Certainly not the conservative core.
As Obama has expanded to embrace Independents and Republicans alike, McCain can only hope to appeal to the base; a base that appears to be diminishing. Rapidly. McCain has destroyed the Republican party almost singlehandedly by inciting division and separation.
The question is: Can the Democratic party continue this trend? Can we, in two years, remain as focused and willing to give (be it time or money) to down-ticket races? Will we push just as hard (in the issue-focused, moral-high-ground approach) for additional seats in the House, Senate, and even local races? Just how far can we push this?
The possibilities extend far beyond the races this year. If only we can "Stay the course" and refuse to stoop to the mud-slinging attacks.
One can only hope.
Thanks for taking the time.
And, as much as I hate polls: