This election has turned depressing for me, and I think that many people feel the same way. The hard part of it is is that in February, I wanted to see a McCain / Obama race. This is my second election to vote in, and early this summer I felt as if I was going to get to vote for the better of two goods and not the lesser of two bads as I felt last election. That was easier to see before they entered into a struggle for votes.
The primaries and pre-primary debates were fun to watch because of the ideas and sense of togetherness that competetion within the same parties could bring. It was great to watch people sharpen themseles and share the distinctive ways they saw issues. These were days where talking about politics had a general sense of “Yes, but [the issue is different/can be best addressed this way/is not that simple]“.
The past few weeks have turned from “yes, but…” to “no, and [some insult to the other party or candidate/you kicked your dog as a kid]“. This is getting old. I wanted these candidates because they are thinkers and moderates who I think will acutally represent the American people.
Arguing ad hominem over commercials is damaging. I wish both Barack and John would become a little more “elitist” and not stoop so low to cut each other. In my opinion, they are going to need each other over the next 4 years.
Tags: America, Barack Obama, John McCain, politics, thinking
