But What if…
This morning, many internet-perusers are reading about Obama’s declaration of a Vice Presidential running-mate. In fact, Wikipedia has already updated their Joe Biden page to include the mention that, he is, indeed, “the presumptive Democratic Party vice presidential nominee in the 2008 presidential election as running mate of presumptive presidential nominee Barack Obama.”* Meanwhile, I am considering what will happen if Obama doesn’t win. I know, I know. *Gasp* Don’t talk about that! Doubt will only harm the potential success of this revolutionary election. But shouldn’t we address this issue? Shouldn’t we wonder, what if?
To put it simply, Slate states that an Obama victory would mean seeing “our legacy of slavery, segregation, and racism in the rearview mirror.” Conversely,
If Obama loses, our children will grow up thinking of equal opportunity as a myth. His defeat would say that when handed a perfect opportunity to put the worst part of our history behind us, we chose not to. In this event, the world’s judgment will be severe and inescapable: The United States had its day but, in the end, couldn’t put its own self-interest ahead of its crazy irrationality over race.
Personally, I am extremely concerned about this election, and I know I’m not alone. What does it mean for the future if McCain becomes president? I see the hope that Obama represents. I see the potential. But I also see it all suddenly, and easily, fading away.
To the rest of the world, a rejection of the promise he represents wouldn’t just be an odd choice by the United States. It would be taken for what it would be: sign and symptom of a nation’s historical decline.
If we truly are the “melting pot” nation, then shouldn’t we be represented by someone who isn’t white? I worry that our country’s racism will hold us back. I worry that we will stay in Iraq until 2011. I worry about the freedoms we do have, and where they will go, about the progress we have made, and what will happen to that progress. If Bush is looking to repeal parts of the Endangered Species Act, if he is reconsidering Roe vs. Wade or calling for a ban against same-sex marriages, what will happen if another Republican is elected to the White House?
* Wikipedia’s footnote for this quote states that information was “retrieved August 23, 2008″ from Obama’s website.
14 responses so far
I’m very worried about this election and also what will happen during the next four years. This is definitely a turning point.
A relevant point, but a little hysterical. Which is to say, yes, when JFK died our nation lost its innocence–but there was life after lost innocence.
I think it’s also appropriate to point out that George II’s reign has been a special kind of nepotism we’ve all had to endure. This man plundered our literal and social wealth to enrich his friends; I don’t think McCain is as brutal.
And our civilization’s decline is an inevitability. Whether it is now or at some hazy futurepoint remains, I think, to be seen.
And finally: Obama will win.
What bothers me about McCain (and when I say ‘bother’ I mean ’scares’) is that it’s so easy to compare him to George W, and suddenly hey!, he doesn’t seem that bad. But if you stop comparing him to anyone, and look solely on his stance on a lot of issues (many of which you raised at the end of his post), he is a bit scary. At least for someone who believes in a woman’s right to choose and the idea that maybe diplomacy/conversation might be a great way to start with a nation that isn’t doing what the US wants.
I think Obama will win. I also think though, if he doesn’t win (which, I don’t even like to think about), it won’t be as much because of race as what people think. If he loses it will be because of the religious right, a solidified Republican base and the voters who wanted Hillary so badly they were willing to vote for McCain. I’m not saying that race (sadly) won’t play a part, but I don’t think it will be the deciding factor. But that’s just crazy talk because seriously?
He will win. He has to.
I think…for sure, it’s definitely going to be an interesting election to watch. Whatever they say, this election thus far has been the most controversial. In some respects though, I think…the U.S. has been declining for a long time. The current economic depression is a strong indicator of such.
Change is good. But negative change is not. I’m hoping that whomever becomes president has the foresight to get the U.S. out of its current situation.
I’m concerned as well. I see Biden as a choice many progressive African Americans are not at all pleased with to the point of not supporting a ticket with him on it. I spent a couple of hours at a pig roast this afternoon and there was some vigorous discussion among a few of my African American friends on this. Much disagreement.
The new Agenda, a group formed mostly from leftover Hilary supporters is doing it’s best to stick it to Obama, and though I do not think he is the messiah should McCain get elected I would have to wonder if moving back to Australia wasn’t a better option.
The young voters have to put their money where their mouth is an actually vote, at this point this looks like the next few months is going to be ugly.
A few things in response:
Great article in Slate. There is the real fear that racism will overcome any conherently rational choice much of the electorate could choose to make. But hey, to frame this in some historical perspective, you could argue racism has dominated every election since Brown vs. Board of Education.
Examples:
Michael Dukakis torpedoed by the racially polarizing Willie Horton ad.
Richard Nixon purporting to argue for the “Silent Majority” (yes, he was referring to the Vietnam War, but he was also appealing to white americans who feared the racial turmoil they had seen on TV in the late 60’s in places like Newark and Watts).
Here, the racism with Obama is clear-eyed and upfront. It’s the only way the other side can win. Hillary, who I love as a Senator, and her campaign had Obama running scared when they pulled out the racial advertising (Rev. Wright etc).
I won’t offer any predictions, just wanted to frame this in a historical perspective. Racism in campaigns has always happened, let’s recognize that slowly but surely it will get better and has gotten better.
I have my worries, too. My father lives in Missoursi, which is a very rural (in other words, hillbilly) region. He once told me that some of the locals–even the registered Democrats–won’t vote for Obama simply because of his race. Sadly, it’s obvious that MLK’s dream had not been 100% fulfilled yet. But hopefully if Obama does win, it will be one giant step closer to that dream.
And while I do not agree with a lot of McCain’s policies, I do applaud his goal to shut down Guantanamo Bay. The next president, whether he be a Republican or a Democrat, must correct Bush’s horrible crimes against humanity.
I’m not sure if my last comment showed up, hopefully it will.
Btw, all those rollbacks in policy the Bush Administration is pushing for that you mentioned at the end of your post are all ones that either need Congressional action to enact or, in the case of the Endangered Species Act, will be by executive order which will be challenged in court and reversed.
By all accounts, Congressional Democrats will pick up a wide majority of seats this year in both houses of Congress and state governments will increase their number of Dems. Question is, can they do more with this? Pelosi has been rather dissapointing so far, but she is biding her time until after this election when she can pick up seats and 1. end the war 2. rollback various environmentally questionable acts of the last 8 years and 3. reform healthcare insurance.
My point: Congress won’t pass any anti-gay marriage amendments or anti-choice acts.
State governments (which after all control much of the “Devil is in the details” verbage of these types of social policy laws) after this election, will be Democrat heavy.
The courts, for now, are still holding strong against Bush and Co (See: scandals, justice department. )
To riff on this topic briefly, I’d even say that Bush II is one of the best things to happen to the leftist movement in this country. Setting aside all of the damage he and his cronies have caused, he’s also emboldened an entire generation of left-leaning voters. He’s given an enemy to a movement desperately in need of one since Nixon was impeached. He’s given a cause for those folks to rally against (civil liberties, unjust military action, environmental degradation, corruption and cronyism in our courts and our government).
And those people I’m talking about, are of course, us. And with that, we need to follow up by voting, organizing, talking about this, phonebanking before this election, donating to a cause of your choice.
Wow I sound like an optimist!
Don’t give up hope arw!.
I agree with you about people losing hope if McCain wins. I just hope that it will motivate people to actually get out there and vote this time around and realize what is at stake.
What’s funny is that I feel as if Obama’s already won. Every time I see a McCain commercial I just think “Really, are people stupid enough to vote for that idiot?? God, I hope not.” If McCain pulls out the win I think we’re all in for a rude awakening. But then my grandparents have seen so many presidents that they don’t think anything will change regardless of who is voted into office. I’m crossing my fingers that change is around the corner. But it’s going to take all of us youngins to stand up for what we believe in and vote accordingly.
A funny thing I heard this AM-
so since the DNC is here (Denver, YEAH!) it has been all over the news/radio. This morning on the radio they had someone from the MLK whatever talking about Obama banking on his race and that if MLK Jr, was alive he would not endorse Obama because he is a left-wing “extremist”.
HAHAHAA…I laughed my arse off.
I echo your fears. Somewhere, in my head, it bothers me to no end that there may be a majority *gasp* of Americans who would rather send our citizens to their deaths in the killing fields of Iraq than to bring them home. Who would rather snatch up services so many need and raise the national debt in favor of raising taxes on the people who will feel it the least. Who would vote for a stiff like McCain over someone seeking change. It’s those unbearable thoughts that give me permanent shivers and do not make me wonder why our country is considered with ill-will at this point in time.
I am terrified that if McCain wins we will see a draft, the war will not end and more importantly we will continue economic and educational decline into obscurity. I think this election is so important because the US as the dominant world power is declining. We are not number 1 anymore and if we want others to help us in the future or not screw us over we need to start being more humble and humanitarian, and stop fighting ridiculous wars.
[...] wildly between states of blind rage and abject terror. I see this sentiment reiterated over and over and basically I need to just swear off politics again for a looooong time and maybe move to some [...]