I was utterly inspired today by what Mike Allen calls
"a manifesto for the planet, with an appeal to "the burdens of global citizenship."
You saw it as we all did and my greatest fear in this moment of utter awe and inspiration is that there may be a crack in the system and this year, of all years, may expose the potential for Democracy's failure...
An early critique notes
I worry that the combination of the visual and some of the rhetoric--"Tonight, I speak to you not as a candidate for President, but as a citizen--a proud citizen of the United States, and a fellow citizen of the world"--was a little too post-nationalist for the typical American swing-voter. I'm not sure you win the presidency without being seen as an unambiguous nationalist.
And I'm reminded of the Dark Knight which I enjoyed this weekend, and how sometimes Democracy Fails.
The choice this election could not be clearer... On one hand we have a craven, backward looking Naitonalistic Pig, and on the other hand we have a unifier, both domestically and now internationally. A person gifted in his ability to inspire both America and the world to a higher calling to "Break down walls of division" which seperate everyone from inside Ohio to between nations.
Yet Democracy can fail.
((Spoiler Alert))
If you saw The Dark Knight this past week, you'll note that while on the Ferry, the "Good People" voted by an overwhelming margin to "off" the "Bad People".... a cowardly move, but one entirely becoming of the dangers of Democracy exposed to an ignorant public.
((Spoiler End))
And there in lay the danger. Simply put, as the Dark Knight is a Hero deserved of Gotham City, John McCain may be a President deservant of a nation which has engaged in War of Choice, Torture and rupture of International Law.
I see this election now in the starkest of terms...
a- The United States will rejoin the International Community
b- The United States will continue to slide towards Catastrophy
And I'm not betting on American's to chose the right one. Every time my hope rises this high, my concern, and yes this is concern, rises higher. I don't doubt that Americans can again make the wrong choice, and because of that, while I revel in the hope, I know there is work to do to fulfill the promise of this moment. While the Public Expects a certain outcome:
Who do you think will win in November?
Obama: 51%
McCain: 27%
Depends/unsure: 22%
The Darkness of America's heart is also revealed, and the choice isn't as clear when preferences are requested.
According to the latest Fox News poll, Sen. Barack Obama barely edges Sen. John McCain among registered voters, 41% to 40%.
Stunning finding: 10% believe Obama is a Muslim while another 27% are unsure.
I may be young, but I can't recall a time where there was so much hope and expectation for a candidate who seriously could lose. I guess my fear extends deep, that Democracy could fail this moment, our moment, the worlds moment, and I mourn in anticipation the depth that such a loss could imprint forever in American body-politic.
That's why I work to be sure it won't happen... by giving, and working. And that is the good thing about Democracy I guess, that it's formative and that we can effect it.