January 2, 2008
On election season eve
Wow, it has been a while. I’d like to say I’ve been staying away in sympathy with those brave striking writers walking their picket lines in the noble pursuits of respect and cash, but really it’s been for no reason at all. But here on the eve of the start of the Presidential campaigns I find myself back at the keyboard.
It’s so nice to be back into a campaign season, it almost seems like it never went away. But now, now that everything’s all nice and official again the media can start really paying attention the candidates who can really get their grandstanding into action.
Tomorrow Iowa starts things off as they do whatever the heck their caucus thing is. I’ve always been curious about this ancient ritual they practice just west of the Mississippi instead of the voting traditions most of the rest of us were raised with. Apparently the caucus involves everyone getting together in one place to pick their candidate. Then if no one candidate is popular enough, those wacky Iowans go ahead and vote all over again to see if anyone lacks conviction and wants to change their vote to back a winner.
Now I’m from Chicago, and around here we have plenty of respect for people who vote more than once (or from the grave). Of course when we do any of that, the votes all usually go to the same candidate. I may never understand their cornfed ways, but Iowa really only asks for the spotlight once every four years so I think we should respect their customs and quit gripping about why they go first.
If anyone should feel slighted, it should be New Hampshire. They really start the Primary Season as the first ballot-casting vote. Iowa’s caucus is something different by a technicality. But much like 2001 never got the credit for it’s real significance in the shadow of 2000, New Hampshire is destined to be an eternal bridesmaid.
The real significance that goes down tomorrow is that it’s the official start to our national search for a fitting replacement for Our Fine President. Lots of people have said anyone would be better, and that seems right, but despite the seven years of lies, scandals, lawbreaking and gaffs, it really could be worse.
Our Fine President loves to talk about the importance of democracy and how it can transform things for the better. Of course, Pakistan and Kenya might argue that point right now but all the rioting and violence is being spurred by passion for their democratic systems and anger against their perversion at the hands of corrupt rulers. After all that Our Fine President has done, it’s hard not to wonder what it would take to get Americans out in the streets protesting our government.
Whatever that may be, it’s the sort of transgression I hope we can avoid from our next elected leader. And should he or she commit an act that spurs such passions locally, I hope we’ve progressed far enough to voice our opposition loudly, coherently and peacefully.
Until then, we can all kick back, pop some corn and watch our pals in Iowa go to work warming up the engine of our democracy.