President-Elect Barack Obama (takes some getting used to, doesn't it?) and the Democratic Party deserve congratulations and admiration for their stunning victory. But it is still necessary to reflect, perhaps one last time, on the real losers in this campaign.
John McCain His performance on SNL and his gracious concession speech served as a reminder of the McCain so many Americans respected (justifiably) until he got caught up in some problems of his own making (see below) and some that were not (see below). TNB would not be surprised if sooner or later the old McCain surfaced again and made positive contributions to helping solve our national dilemmas.
Sarah Palin With lightning speed even in this high tech Internet, YouTube age, the previously obscure Alaska governor burst on the scene, effectively polarizing the populace and becoming for many an object of ridicule. It's incredible that some are seriously mentioning her as a future national GOP leader (although she could appoint herself Senator once Ted Stevens, amazingly re-elected by Alaskans, is thrown out of the Senate due to his felony conviction). TNB believes that her persona can be best used as hostess of a FoxNews show entitled "You Betcha". Don't laugh-- there are stranger personalities hosting live TV shows.
Politics of Fear Despite unbelievable smear campaigns aimed at portraying Obama as a Muslim terrorist, etc. the negativity (almost the entire McCain strategy) was not bought into by the majority of the American public. A little noticed low point occurred on Election Day afternoon(!) when the McCain/Palin campaign produced robocalls to South Florida's Cuban-American community falsely (natch!) claiming that Fidel Castro had just endorsed Obama. Ever wonder what all these liars, charlatans and con artists do between elections?
Myths The Bradley effect (lying to pollsters about voting for minority candidates) is apparently behind us. So is the notion that retired Jews in Florida can't be trusted to vote Democratic. Well, maybe they can't--witness the "success" of The Great Schlep where thousands (OK, dozens) of young Jews paid a special visit to Boca to persuade thair grandparents that Obama was not threatening and wouldn't turn over Israel to the Iranians.
Joe Although Joe Biden, despite his gaffes, proved to be a credible VP candidate, three other Joes are on the ash heap. Of course, there's Joe Lieberman, who thought a McCain victory would elevate him to the Supreme Court (right--he's pro-choice!) but now faces wrath and isolation in the Senate--say it ain't so, Joe! Then there's the 15 minutes of fame wonder Joe the Plumber whose over $250,000 net income (once he gets a plumber's license) will be subject to higher taxes! Finally Joe Sixpack, who is no doubt drowning his sorrows by drinking at least a dozen bottles. Hopefully he won't then drive his pickup truck.
W. George W. Bush is really the biggest loser. Snubbed at his own party's convention (thanks Hurricane Gustav) and avoided by GOP candidates like he had leprosy, the President's failed administration became an albatross that Republicans could not overcome. Although determined not to repeat his father's mistakes (see the surprisingly sympathetic Oliver Stone movie of the same initial), Bush 43 like Bush 41 squandered high approval ratings that resulted from goodwill over crises (first Gulf War, 9/11) that the public perceived were well managed.
Time now to take a breath and concentrate on Thanksgiving, football and whether there will be a Christmas shopping season this year.
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Fantastic summary! Just curious...Think Rahm Emmanuel will accept Chief of Staff (if offered) or stick it out and go after Speaker of the House now that's he's so powerfully placed in the House?
How about 2 years as Chief of Staff and then Emanuel runs in 2010for Obama's Senate seat which might be filled by an interim appointee?
What a historic moment! Worldwide, people are full of hope and the "yes we can" attitude. Challenges lie ahead and it will be a very difficult road, but at least we can be proud of our president once again.
I could not be more excited about Barack and the changes to come.
However, you forgot one of the real losers of this election; the gays.
The right to marry was denied in 3 states yesterday. The only issue that both candidates could agree upon was that they both opposed the right to marry. Thus, while I rejoice in the promise that a new presidency brings this country, I am reminded once again that I cannot be employed by the largest employer in this nation (the military), and I cannot marry, but I still have to pay taxes to a government that does not want to give me my rights as a citizen.
The continued discrimination against gays will eventually go the way of racism.
Probably not in the foreseeable future, though. It takes a long time in this country for attitudes to change.
Great wrap-up! I especially agree with your Sarah Palin comments. I can't imagine that anyone in the GOP will be taking her seriously enough to make her their candidate in four years. She's too divisive, too polarizing, and represents -- I hope -- a point of view held by a very small minority of Americans.
I would also like to apologize for the state of Florida's vote on the gay marriage amendment. Once again I have learned not to overestimate the intelligence, or underestimate the prejudice, of my fellow Floridians. At least the state turned "blue" this election, thanks in large measure to the county in which I live (Pinellas).
I spoke to a client today who is not a US citizen, but has lived here for 5-6 years. She has spent most of her life in Europe and Canada, and she said that last night's election restored, once again, the image that most of the world had of the U.S. - a place where anyone can achieve anything, where all things are really possible. Obama's meteoric rise, as a person of color (or worse, a mutt of mixed race), without wealth or privilege (if you disregard the Harvard degree), from relative obscurity just 4 years ago, to the highest office in the land, if not the most powerful post in the world, brings back the America of old, the land of plenty, the land of opportunity. Now we'll see what he can do with it.
Rahm Emmanuel is going to be Chief of Staff and already the rumblings have started. "He's too partisan & ruthless". "He's too pro Israel"
His father was in the Israeli Army and he volunteered as a non-combatant. How ironic that Obama's choice is seen as too pro-Israel.
In every election there are losers and I agree with Docp that the Gays certainly lost in this election.
I have hope because most of the younger voters voted overwhelmingly against Prop 8 and the same measures in other states.
I have hope because we came together and elected a man of great intelligence who is up to the challenges we face. A man who was judged on the content of his character.
I have hope because the rest of the world once again respects our future President and admires the United States.
I have hope because without hope we can not survive the future.
I think the Old Widow could have a future as a speech writer.
Maybe one day it will no longer be viewed as historic to have a man of color or a female run for president.
I found it very disturbing that, back in the early summer, 30% of Americans surveyed said America was not ready for a woman president and 20% said it was not ready for a black president.
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