The Most Important Election?

It's not hype to say that this is the most important American election in history. I'm saying that because FDR was already in office when the Second World War started. And Lincoln was established before before the Civil War began.

Not only is there no incumbent President or Vice President on the ballot this time, this election has boiled down to "Who are we?" and "What is America?"

I don't think most people understand how dangerous it would be to elect the Republican ticket in 2008. I believe McCain is a genuinely dangerous person. And his age is not the point. I know people in their eighties who are very sharp. My concerns about McCain involve his well-documented anger management problems that exhibit a troubling personality trait for the world's most powerful leader. It's an anger that seemingly underscores much of what he does. And it's an anger, in particular, for people who question his judgement.

Keep in mind for someone with such oversized pride and ego who is so enamored with himself coupled with a hair triggger temper (that could be more unfettered if Senator McCain is elected) to be entrusted with the fate of humanity cannot be comforting.

As for Obama, here's the community organizer, Harvard Law student, freshman senator who dares to run for president against the incredibly imposing Clinton machine, which was considered the most powerful, the most well-connected in modern political history. Hillary Clinton thought she was going to stride right into the White House. Both Hillary and McCain are flabbergasted at this young man who spoiled their runs. And Obama hasn't just beat these old political machines; he's done while redefining how candidates raise money-through small donations, not from fat cats.

Every black kid in America will be one inch taller the day after Obama is elected. The rest of the world will see that we're not the warmongers they think we are. And in the Arab world, this will help heal the scars of Abu Ghraib.

There will be a collective sigh of relief from both our friends and enemies.

Comments

[FeministSmithie]

Your Obama Inauguration Speech stunt on The Daily Show, Mr. Belzer, was inappropriate and offensive. I am willing to forgive loads of political incorrectness in the name of political commentary, but your little act was grossly distasteful. You would be embarrassed to deride any other language--or cultural or religious group--in that way. Why is Islamophobia permissible?
As a white, American, Christian woman, I feel affronted and outraged. How dare you?

[nobozos]

~
"Every black kid in America will be one inch taller the day after Obama is elected. "

What a wonderful thought....and I'm an old white broad.
~

[Sarastro]

for Toot.

for all of us,

even those who have been poisoned by Fox news,
commentators and pundits without a conscience - your time is done.

for those who follow us - the election of Obama enables our unlikely union to start again living up to its potential to lead the world on the path to peace and cooperation.

for Iranian mullahs bent on ill will and the Taliban - look out - your own people will abandon you when they see what cooperation can accomplish among free peoples encouraged by an intelligent American president...

GOBAMA

[eggcream]

Today is my birthday and the ONLY present I want is for Sen Obama to become my,our, President!!
I am so excited at the idea of this happening that I can't imagine anything else happening. I will however keep in mind that ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN but this is the MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION that will EVER be!
Don't forget to VOTE and take a friend or neighbor that needs a ride!!
Peace to you and yours...
Thank you Richard for being so f*(king great!!
Have always loved you and admired you too.

[ladydriver]

I'm voting for Toot's grandson!

[kellygrrrl]

I have never in my life seen anyone so calm, serene and sane under such pressure.
"Steel in his spine," INDEED!

I'm sticking with "That One" - the skinny guy with the funny name.

[mollywood]

Well said and so very true! The anger thing with McCain is serious. Have you noticed the last few days on the stump that Palen is squawking a bit more than usual? She sounds like she is going off. Let's hope with all our hearts and energy that tomorrow we are ushering in new direction in America.

[Rescisco]

"It's not hype to say that this is the most important American election in history."

I don't know. It is important, and it is a transformational election. Clearly the crises of our time (created by a cowboy foreign policy and casino economics) make it important. And yes, the prospect of an African American President is historic and uplifting for the nation and, I dare say, the world. But each election is "the most important" if you stop to think about it. Does anyone think Al Gore would have invaded Iraq? The result of each election is "historic" and far more "important" than most of us ever know. I think this is one where we feel the history and the importance a bit more. The electorate is more engaged, the urge for something new is greater, and the sense of what is at stake is sharper than ever. But even when the electorate is blissfully unaware and the senses are dulled, each election is "the most important American election in history." At least that's how I feel because the stakes are never lowered and the margin for error is always small.

[Pantelleria01]

Importance is certainly a subjective term. In terms of establishing an image of the United States as a reasonable country in the eyes of the world, i would have to agree with you Richard. It has huge symbolic importance to the maturing of the race question. The presidency has been a dedicated white man's holding all this time. Changing that is nothing less than revolutionary. The revolution will be realized when Obama is conformed not as a black president, but as a good president...as a human being who has the chance at least to heal a poisonous cancer in the established leadership that brought us to this point. That is needed more than ever. Well said.

[bkbigfish]

What are you talking about? This isn't even close to the most important election in Amercian history. The differences between the two candidates are microscopic. The election in 1980 was far more important, pitting two candidates against one another who couldn't be more different. Obama and McCain both love illegal immigration, both are slaves to their corporate masters, both would increase the size and scope of the federal gov. exponentially. Try again.

[wandering girl]

was that the year you were born?

[LucyTBee]

Let me guess---you're voting for Nader?

The differences between Obama and McCain don't look quite so microscopic to those who've lost their jobs and can't access unemployment benefits nor those who are on their third deployment to Iraq to fight a war Obama opposed. The differences between the candidates may not be important to you personally, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

[florestanchi]

I fail to see how your inability to differentiate the candidates on three pet issues has anything to do with assessing the importance of this election. And honestly, with so much hanging in the balance, you're fixating on immigration?

One-issue voters are paying dearly for the "enlightened simplicity" of their political decision-making. This time around, many are weighing the candidates according to a more encompassing calculus. McCain is trying to short circuit the math with ad hominem attacks. He is counting on a nation that is incapable of learning from its mistakes, much less shying away from new ones. Here's hoping he can't count on anything, or past 270, in any case.

Go Barry !
Go Joe !

[HeevenSteven]

Aw c'mon belz, how 'bout workin' in a conspiracy theory here somewhere. lol. Meantime GOBAMA!