(My first op/ed piece as the editor of the op/ed section in the Campus, CCNY's newspaper. Dig it. I realize this is a bit dated, but whatever.)
The pendulum of momentum swung back towards Mrs. Clinton this past week, with wins in the two key states of Ohio and Texas. Just as her supporters had been looking for Clinton to clinch the Democratic nomination on a super-Tuesday not so long ago, this past Tuesday, Obabma's legions were hoping to wrap it up and go home, to no avail. Though Obama still leads in overall delegates, the specter of the superdelegates looms large over the race more and more, of which Clinton currently has the edge. In the end, if the Democratic nominee is decided by this vestige of political elitism, akin to the Brit's House of Lords, the party would be wise to make sure the outcome remains inline with the choice of the "little" people. If, say, Obama wins the majority of pledged delegates and the popular vote but Clinton is nominated because of she has more superdelegates (who make up almost 20% of the total vote at the convention), the Democrats risk alienating many of the independents and center voters that have come out, especially for Obama, and that they'll need come November to defeat the other “middle of the road" candidate who just secured his party's nomination.
Fear not young Republicans—there must be a few of you reading—never underestimate a man who, when given the opportunity to be released from a POW camp, chose to eat maggot-filled rice with his buddies. Still, John McCain might find it even more difficult navigating the "thin purple line" dividing the unusually un-polarized current political landscape. Independent, swing, centrist—whatever you call them, most feel they will be deciding the outcome of this fall's presidential election. If lulled into a false sense of security by the ease with which they eventually secured their parties nomination, a step in the wrong direction from the McCain camp, like appealing too strongly to either the right or the center, could prove fatal. They must find a way to rally the infamous Karl Rove bible-thumping NASCAR enthusiasts, while not foregoing the non-partisan, non-traditional Republican attitude that got him this far. McCain might have already overstepped by rushing to Bush Jr.’s side in the White House, accepting his endorsement after clinching the nomination. As well, one notes with disapproval the association of the senator with a right-wing radio talk show host that believes the end-times are near.
And, speaking of Revelations, a fond farewell for pastor Huckabee. He never really had a chance: nobody likes a goody-two-shoes, not even the religious right. Bush II appealed to these voters not in spite but because of his once was party-boy lost, but now sober found. Redemption seems to be a popular theme in the red states, and losing a lot of weight doesn't count. Sorry, Mike.
Speaking of redemption, or the lack thereof, it appears Ralph Nader has yet to learn his lesson from the past two presidential elections he has run in: he is screwing over the people who love him! Yes, we know you are a man of principles and convictions, Ralph, that's why we love you. You are determined and a fighter, that's also why we love you. But, as is often the case, with great intelligence and abilities comes great hubris and stubbornness, that's why you're really starting to piss us off. It was bad enough in 2000, when you effectively put the race in the hands of the Supreme Court and, surprise, we know how that turned out. In 2004, with even less grassroots support than previously, you did everything you could to make the Democrats look bad because of their attempts to keep you off the ballot. Was that the typical sketchy, big-party, partisan political wrangling that we all were (and still are) sick to death of? Yes. Did your candidacy truly expose anything we didn't already know or do anything of significant good? No, of course not. At best, you had no effect at all, the last election could only be blamed on a collective American brain-freeze. Except this, Ralph, and this is the main point at the moment: you're making yourself and any attempts to reform so much of what's wrong the big business of politics as usual look bad. Stop it! You're hurting your own cause, silly. Make us proud again. You have done important things and people will listen to you, so make it count when you do speak up. Running for president is not the only way to get your message out—unless that message is, look at me I'm becoming as crazy as Ron Paul and his supporters.
The pendulum of momentum swung back towards Mrs. Clinton this past week, with wins in the two key states of Ohio and Texas. Just as her supporters had been looking for Clinton to clinch the Democratic nomination on a super-Tuesday not so long ago, this past Tuesday, Obabma's legions were hoping to wrap it up and go home, to no avail. Though Obama still leads in overall delegates, the specter of the superdelegates looms large over the race more and more, of which Clinton currently has the edge. In the end, if the Democratic nominee is decided by this vestige of political elitism, akin to the Brit's House of Lords, the party would be wise to make sure the outcome remains inline with the choice of the "little" people. If, say, Obama wins the majority of pledged delegates and the popular vote but Clinton is nominated because of she has more superdelegates (who make up almost 20% of the total vote at the convention), the Democrats risk alienating many of the independents and center voters that have come out, especially for Obama, and that they'll need come November to defeat the other “middle of the road" candidate who just secured his party's nomination.
Fear not young Republicans—there must be a few of you reading—never underestimate a man who, when given the opportunity to be released from a POW camp, chose to eat maggot-filled rice with his buddies. Still, John McCain might find it even more difficult navigating the "thin purple line" dividing the unusually un-polarized current political landscape. Independent, swing, centrist—whatever you call them, most feel they will be deciding the outcome of this fall's presidential election. If lulled into a false sense of security by the ease with which they eventually secured their parties nomination, a step in the wrong direction from the McCain camp, like appealing too strongly to either the right or the center, could prove fatal. They must find a way to rally the infamous Karl Rove bible-thumping NASCAR enthusiasts, while not foregoing the non-partisan, non-traditional Republican attitude that got him this far. McCain might have already overstepped by rushing to Bush Jr.’s side in the White House, accepting his endorsement after clinching the nomination. As well, one notes with disapproval the association of the senator with a right-wing radio talk show host that believes the end-times are near.
And, speaking of Revelations, a fond farewell for pastor Huckabee. He never really had a chance: nobody likes a goody-two-shoes, not even the religious right. Bush II appealed to these voters not in spite but because of his once was party-boy lost, but now sober found. Redemption seems to be a popular theme in the red states, and losing a lot of weight doesn't count. Sorry, Mike.
Speaking of redemption, or the lack thereof, it appears Ralph Nader has yet to learn his lesson from the past two presidential elections he has run in: he is screwing over the people who love him! Yes, we know you are a man of principles and convictions, Ralph, that's why we love you. You are determined and a fighter, that's also why we love you. But, as is often the case, with great intelligence and abilities comes great hubris and stubbornness, that's why you're really starting to piss us off. It was bad enough in 2000, when you effectively put the race in the hands of the Supreme Court and, surprise, we know how that turned out. In 2004, with even less grassroots support than previously, you did everything you could to make the Democrats look bad because of their attempts to keep you off the ballot. Was that the typical sketchy, big-party, partisan political wrangling that we all were (and still are) sick to death of? Yes. Did your candidacy truly expose anything we didn't already know or do anything of significant good? No, of course not. At best, you had no effect at all, the last election could only be blamed on a collective American brain-freeze. Except this, Ralph, and this is the main point at the moment: you're making yourself and any attempts to reform so much of what's wrong the big business of politics as usual look bad. Stop it! You're hurting your own cause, silly. Make us proud again. You have done important things and people will listen to you, so make it count when you do speak up. Running for president is not the only way to get your message out—unless that message is, look at me I'm becoming as crazy as Ron Paul and his supporters.
