I’ve been nervous all week. But on this last day of this “greatest of all campaigns” the nerves are strangely gone. They may make a comeback at 7pm EST tomorrow eve when polls in Virginia close, but until then, I am going to enjoy the moment – as an American.
No fan of America or democracy can be left cold by what has been achieved in these seemingly never ending two years. Whatever happens tomorrow, and who knows what manner of electoral shenanigans may yet besmirch this greatest of political shows, I think America and its democracy have much to feel good about a day before our choice is finally made.
Let’s replay it. Campaign 2008 has been a global spectacle like no other. It’s reach has extended from the Alaskan tundras to the battlefields of Afghanistan with detours taken through Berlin and Baghdad. No state or territory has been left out. No country or nation has not been clued in. America has long considered itself the world’s indispensable nation and in watching this campaign with baited breath like we have – the world’s peoples have all seemed to agree. They want an America they can look up to again and we want to give em’ one.
And what a race it has been. It has rolled up and down, like the ancient Appalachian hills of southwestern Virginia, wherein this race will likely be decided. It has produced a staple of characters and caricatures, dramas and comedies, to rival the shelves of any comic book dealer’s. From Paris Hilton to Walt Monegan, from troopergate to bittergate. A race that started before the Petraeus surge will end nigh the death of Wall Street’s latest splurge. Bailouts and bombings, hurricanes and floodings. The candidates had to negotiate it all. Testing their judgement and character in a race where nothing in their pasts has gone untouched. Not a bad testing ground for a leader of the free world I’d say.
Two years ago America started its turn away from Rove Republicanism. Tomorrow we will see if the turn is complete.
Over those two years, reputations have been dented (see Penn, Mark and Ferraro, Geraldine) and redeemed (see Clinton, Bill), families have been broken and reunited (see Party, Democrats), friendships suspended and sundered (see Wright, Jeremiah). And through it all, the one constant has been the inspiring and calming presence of the young pretender from Chicago.
They say Mr. McCain may fly by the seat of his pants but the real gambler in this race was always Mr. Obama. He took a bet that America was better than so many both here and abroad seemed to think it was. He bet that the times were right for real and lasting change, that people were willing to look past a skin tone, a middle name, a resume.
McCain may have sacrificed more than most in service to his country but the real patriot in this race was the skinny guy B. Hussein. Mr. Obama has taken more hits on his patriotism than any candidate in living memory and yet ultimately it was he who really believed in the ideal of America and her democracy. He thought in America, anything was possible, and gave it a go against all the odds: he took on the two dominant political forces of the past three decades from both parties, the Clintons and the conservative right. He thought America could use a dose of hope after years of debillitating cynicism and partisan conflict. He was right.
While other candidates spent their reputations praying on the insecurities and tribal fidelities of small town America, Mr. Obama talked to all Americans as if we were all from the same town.
He told us the same things wherever he went. He talked about change. He talked about hope. And in getting to where he is today, he has already changed more than anyone could have believed possible and brought hope to millions.
So while all still hangs in the ballots. With history ready to be made; I’m feelin good about our country. I’m feelin good about our democracy. Obama believed in America and so must we.
