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Illustration by Resist Today
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Today, it seems that the only thing that has been predictable or conventional about this election is that it has been unpredictable and unconventional.
Who would have thought that even John McCain would choose a tenth-rate, first-time governor and long-time religious fundamentalist as his running mate? Or that notable Republicans such as Christopher Buckley and Colin Powell would decide to endorse Obama? And as the twists and turns continue, we remain embroiled in one of the worst economic crises in our nation’s history.
So it is not an exaggeration to say that the stakes have grown higher everyday–while the days left until November 4th are fewer and fewer.
There are those who say that this election is “Obama’s to lose” but as history has shown, nothing is ever in the bag.
This is politics and the going will get rough. We have already witnessed this in the increasingly hysterical and demagogic McCain and Palin rallies.
But it would also be unfortunate—and self-defeating—to become too cynical or discouraged under these circumstances.
One of the most unfortunate and self-absorbed ways of expressing this has to be the many times you may have heard someone utter the following mantra: “If (insert applicable candidate here) wins, I will move to (insert applicable country).”
Of course, most of these individuals never wind up moving. In fact, they usually revert back to not doing much of anything. This election’s equivalent of this pitiful phenomenon is maybe even worse and more nihilistic “Obama will never win because Americans are too racist.”
These people should speak for themselves.
Apparently the real sacrifices and accomplishments of the civil rights movement mean nothing to these individuals. Nor, apparently, do the ongoing shows of support for Obama, by tens of thousands of white, working class people in campaign rallies all over the country.
Yes, there have been some disappointments and many difficulties this year. This is part of reality and will always be the case—in any country, in any time, even with the greatest of leaders.
On the other hand, this election continues to exceed—and defy all expectations.
Regarding the most urgent issue of the day, the economy, polls and figures indicate that more Americans have confidence in Obama’s handling of the situation over McCain’s.
Anyone who has watched the presidential and vice-presidential debates cannot honestly say with a straight face that they do not see the increasingly stark contrasts between the candidates.
The “youth upsurge” is one of the most hyped-up aspects of the Obama campaign. Sometimes this notion verges on the condescending and at worst, right-wing pundits attempt to write it off as a mere trend for naïve and overly idealistic young people.
Let's prove them wrong on Election Day—and beyond.
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