Obama Wins New Hampshire Primary!
January 7, 2008
The media is all about Obama right now. He appears to have Hillary Clinton on the ropes. This is good for Democrats. As I said before, he is the only Democrat that can win in the general election. If Hillary gets the nomination (which she won’t), she loses the general election. Obama will get a lot of swing-voters. He won Iowa and will win New Hampshire tomorrow. This is significant.
First, he’s black and is winning (assuming I am right about tomorrow) in the whitest of white states - Iowa and New Hampshire. That means that truckloads of white people are voting for him. It may sound like I’m stating the obvious, but we are seeing the fruits of labor from decades of civil rights struggles. A black president is upon us. However, the real beauty of the story is that the race issue is secondary. This guy is popular because of who he is. He’s young, energetic, confident and thoughtful. That’s his appeal. The color of his skin seems to be an afterthought and that is true progress. People are drawn to him because he is a strong candidate. Not because he is a strong black candidate.
It is also significant because he is going toe-to-toe with one of the most powerful campaign machines ever. Obama, and to some extent Huckabee if he can hang in there (unlikely), are proof that anything can happen. This sends a good message to entrenched politicians and their political parties - don’t get too comfortable.
“Privatize” the Vote
January 6, 2008
I grew up in a town that still decides much of its politics through an annual “Town Meeting”. Therefore, I shouldn’t make too much fun of the Iowa caucuses, but I will.
It is somewhat amazing in 2008 to have the first step toward the Presidential nominations decided by people who, first and foremost, live in what is otherwise generally considered a flyover state and, more significantly, use such an antiquated system.
Caucus-goers cram into houses, churches, gymnasiums and auditoriums by party affiliation for the action. Citizens lobby for their candidates and viability is determined. At the end of the day there is a winner. That’s a simplistic-yet-useful overview. In reality, there are some differences between the parties. For example, Republicans abide by a straight vote. Democrats, predictably, have a more complex process whereby alliances can be made (or broken). I could explain it, but does anybody - besides Iowans and overly ambitious Presidential candidates – really care? I didn’t think so.
The point is that while the caucus process is quaint, it is not very democratic at the moment of truth – the casting of ballots. Why? Because there’s no guarantee of a secret ballot. Candidate support is often manifested by the raising of hands and even sitting in specific areas. “Observers” and “guests” are permitted to attend but cannot actively participate in the process. They don’t have to. Their presence is enough. I won’t go so far as to say that Iowans are indoctrinating their children into a system of politics that emphasizes “going with the flow” more than individual values, but, unfortunately, that is often the outcome.
It’s like this, the overwhelming majority of people are petrified of any form of public speaking and would therefore vomit at the very thought of having to argue politics publicly. In caucus scenarios the squeaky wheels usually gets the grease. Most people prefer one candidate above all others, but few people will fervently fight for them in public for fear of embarrassment or repercussions. Do we expect students to fearlessly take positions in opposition to their teachers? How about employees in the midst of their employers? Spouses? Local leaders and law enforcement officials? Will union members feel free to speak out in favor of a Republican in the presence of other union members? Anybody want to piss off their mailman or garbage collectors? It’s like the waiter asking you for your order as every head in the restaurant turns, eagerly awaiting your decision. “I’ll have what he’s having” is an easily-uttered and often-heard response.
It’s bad enough that most Americans have to navigate through oceans of sign-holding supporters on their way to the polls and exit-pollers/media gadflies on the way out. At least they have the momentary serenity of the voting booth. It is only there, in complete privacy, that one can truly vote their conscience.
Then again, what do I know? The Democratic candidate most renowned for bullying placed third in Iowa.
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