Well, the election is finally over. Two years of ponderings, debates, scandals, arguments, speculation, and mindless drivel has finally ceased, so I figure I'll take one more look at the results and give my personal opinion on them.
We'll start with Barack Obama. He seems to be quite the lightning rod these days...I've never heard anyone express an indifferent opinion towards the guy. He's either the second coming of Jesus Christ, who will free America of all of its burdens, escort in a new era of prosperity and wealth, and bring CHANGE! (who woulda thunk it), or he's the Anti-Christ, a demon who was sent here to turn us into socialist weaklings who get terrorized every week, have abortion kiosks in malls, and allow men to marry inanimate objects. It's simply amazing how people can have such differing opinions on the exact same guy, with the exact same issues, and the exact same information. Anyhoo, while I personally would have voted for John McCain, I do wish Obama all the luck in the world. He's gonna need it.
Sarah Palin. Gah, why did McCain have to pick Palin. Yes, she did excite the base for awhile. Then, it kinda kicked in that she's a hockey mom with no foreign policy experience. And she's so. Damn. FOLKSY. Seriously, is it necessary to wink at the camera every five minutes? We know you're a mother who's incapable of naming her children names that will not scar them for the rest of their lives, but take this seriously. We know you're folksy. Show us that you can do, you know, political stuff. I think it might be rather important, no?
John McCain. Ahh, John the Maverick. Creating political turmoil for everyone but himself everywhere he goes. He doesn't conform to one party, he gets things done. I kinda like John (despite the fact that I think his constant reminder that he's a maverick is a bit weak--you're in Washington D.C., not the Old West. You're just a politician.), and I'd say I agree with him on a lot of issues. However, he kinda was the fall guy this year. After eight years of Bush, the conservatives didn't stand a chance. I think he ran a great campaign, he had a lot of dignity, and I've got a lot of respect for him.
I'm not even going to touch Joe Biden, because no one really knows about him. I will, however, leave you with a quote that he said during the Primaries. "The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training". I hope that Obama keeps that in mind when he picks his Cabinet.
@Stropko-Let me tell you WHY I like Obama. The man is more than an earthy, ardent, experienced political figure with natural dignity. He's actually celebral, has great taste and knows hell well how to market himself. It's important. His 'hope' and 'change' may seem empty and Utopic, but it was like a refreshing wave that washed away all the opression and resentment built up against the Conservatives under Bush.
Besides, those were key words of his campaign. They won't be keywords of his political agenda.
To explain to Sahana why it's not stupid that he's considered a star. He kind of ensured that he was. Yet, there isn't anything pompous or vicious about him.
Anushka, firstly, *cerebral. Also, yes, Obama had fantastic PR, but then again, if you've noticed, through the campaign trail, he's altered his policies to suit certain sections. Again, his trail was mostly privately funded, and that means that since now he's in power, he's going to have to, like it or not, pander at least a little to satisfy all the people whose money he's used. Also, he's rather young by presidential standards. Remind me once again how youth in politics is a guarantor of EXPERIENCE. Maybe he's naturally gifted at politics, but that is something he shall have to prove.
Besides, being pitted against McCain did nothing to deter his rise. That I shall grant. Like the post says, Conservatives did not stand a chance given Bush's dumb as fuck administration, and McCain had to bear the brunt of that.
Conclusively, I am not an Obama hater. Neither do I sympathise with McCain. The thing is, I happen to view events with a passive interest and then I google whatever interests me. I have nothing against Obama being a "star". I do have problems, however, with the man being hailed as the Black Jesus. Seriously.
Besides, overcoming racism to actually be elected is a huge thing. it's something we won't get.
And not by your grammar, no, it didn't seem like you were talking about McCain, but whatever, not the point.
What racism do we have? We had a Muslim president, then an Woman president, and despite random bombings, national integrity is rather stable. And I wouldn't know about American racism, but I don't get how we would never get it.
We haven't had full-fledged racism in our country, so the hoo-ha about a black man winning the American Presidential elections is something WE wouldn't get, because it's something we've never FELT.
It's just that the silliness of hype does nothing to take away from my respect for Obama.In your case, you started out with a sneer and a sigh at the hullabaloo. So no matter how much you say you're ok with the man, you show a bit of frustration, that is not equivalent to indifference.