One Day More

This has been a tiring election season and I can’t wait for tomorrow. Politics are so addictive and I’ve been obsessing over this election the same way fantasy sports nerds obsess over their baseball teams. I’ve been like Hunter S. Thompson with less talent, fewer drugs, but, at the end of the day, the same level of influence he had during the 1972 election: absolutely none.

I do wonder what Hunter S. Thompson would think about this election. Doesn’t Obama’s story seem to parallel McGovern’s? First there was McGovern’s situation – the underdog of the Democratic Party winning out in a hotly contested primary that was finally settled during the Democratic National Convention. McGovern was an unapologetic leftist candidate that was going to bring out the youth and minority vote to topple Nixon. His rhetoric changed after the primaries to become a bit more centrist. Then he picked a VP candidate that might be a bit, you know, insane (except in McGovern’s case Eagleton was, actually, certifiably insane and had the records to prove it). I guess the difference was McGovern’s move towards the center and the Eagleton controversy completely killed his chances of winning the election and, as a result, he suffered one of the worst landslides in presidential history.

Ironically, it’s McCain that went centrist and chose the wrong VP candidate. And, as a result, the polls may not be showing a McGovern-style landslide but it’s certainly looking like Obama could win handedly.

Anyway, tomorrow’s the day. One day more.



I teach class tomorrow evening and I’m going to try my hardest to wrap it up early, although I imagine the students would be resistant. You know, having paid for the class and all. I’m hoping for an early night. Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, and Florida are all early closers and once those states are settled we’ll know for sure which way the election will break. If Obama wins half of those states this election is over, folks, and Robin and I are going to go home and make a baby we’ll be so excited. If McCain wins more than half of those it’ll be a long, long night.

Anyway, I thought I’d close out this final election season post with a recap of all the political stuff I posted these past few months. You know, in case you want to relive the awesome.

August 27th, 2008 – Comparing Obama’s pre-presidential experience to our five greatest presidents’.
August 28th, 2008 - I handicapped McCain's VP choice. I called Rob Portman, Sarah Palin wasn't even on my list. Fail!
August 29th, 2008 - A couple hours after Palin was introduced as McCain's VP choice I dropped some initial thoughts on my blog. I hate to pat myself on the back but I called THE FUCK out of where this narrative was going to go.
September 1st, 2009 - More on Palin, where I accused her and McCain of putting "Election First" even before they adopted the slogan "Country First."
September 2nd, 2008 - I looked at the Conservapedia entries for our four Presidential players.
September 2nd, 2008 - I live blogged the RNC.
September 3rd, 2008 - I said McCain's only chance to win this race was to drop Sarah Palin from the ticket before it's too late.
September 3rd, 2008 - More RNC live blogging.
September 4th, 2008 - RNC-approved pick-up lines for the final night.
September 5th, 2008 - A little on the GOP/Evangelical relationship and how it's really kind of a sham.
September 5th, 2008 - I filled out my own Electoral Map and called the election for Obama 324 electoral votes to 214. It is interesting to note that I had Obama winning despite losing Pennsylvania and Ohio. I had him winning Virginia, Indiana, and New Mexico (at least two of those seem to be a lock at this point) but also winning Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri (not as likely). If I called North Carolina and Georgia I'd look like a genius right now. I do still think Obama's going to win Missouri and Louisiana, however, and I think we'll be hearing the term "reverse Bradley effect" in regard to those two states.

September 9th, 2008 - I casted the eventual 2008 Election made-for-TV movie.

September 12th, 2008 - I pitched the 2008 Election comic book.
September 18th, 2008 - LOLections!

September 19th, 2008 - I suggested some new polling questions designed to get at the info the undecided voter really wants.
September 28th, 2008 - I talked about what I'd do for the economy with a $700-billion stimulus.
October 3rd, 2008 - I commented on the VP debate.
October 4th, 2008 - I commented on an idiot that commented on my comments of the VP debate.
October 6th, 2008 - I decided to talk about education reform since neither of the candidates were talking about education reform.
October 6th, 2008 - Commented on the second debate and said some nasty things about undecided voters.
October 14th, 2008 - I said some nasty things about cross-party couples.
October 16th, 2008 - I gave Joe the Plumber some financial advice.
October 17th, 2008 - The five best entries on Conservapedia.
October 20th, 2008 - I helped Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann define what makes someone Pro-American.
October 21st, 2008 - I designed some new signs for McCain's campaign.

October 23rd, 2008 - I talked about some other crazy congressmen that you all should be aware of.
October 24th, 2008 - Christianity and politics.
October 31st, 2008 - I came to the conclusion that the electoral college system is unfair for those that want to be involved in the election process.

And that's that! Go vote tomorrow and I'll see you all on the better side of life.

Labels: editorial, politics

follow JayRodriguez at http://twitter.com