The final days of the 2008 election

[Sean]

Personally, I'm not expecting miracles. I simply feel like we're at a point in history where we basically need to make a conscious decision which way we want the U.S. to evolve. On the one hand, we can choose to continue down a similar path to what we're already on, maintaining our tough, aggressive military approach to internatinal relations, putting heavy focus on drilling for more oil in and around our own country, continuing to support an economic system that puts opportunity and control primarily into the hands of the wealthy in the hope that it will trickle down, and frankly, making decisions based on instincts such as fear and distrust. Or, we can try to reshape our approach to international relations by focusing more squarely on tough, aggressive diplomacy, on developing renewable energy sources as a foundation for our economic and environmental future, supporting an economic system that puts opportunity and control primarily into the hands of the middle class in the hope that it will trickle up, and making decisions based on reason and cooperation.

I really tried to present this choice as I see it when you peel away the rhetoric. Who knows how successful either party will be if they win the election, but the ideological choice is all we can make our decision on at this particular moment. Once the election is over, it'll just be up to us to hold the winner accountable.

[Deckard]

Sure, I don't dispute this at all, I think the decision itself should be pretty obvious in that respect when we look at the factors you listed.

What I was talking about though was more the level of excitement that has undoubtedly been generated throughout the world. Certainly the enthusiasm I've felt for Obama to be elected this year has led me to occasionally keep reminding myself that this is a politician!

[Troy McClure]

Well said Shawn and Deckard. I find it disappointing especially of people in my age group, I'm 31, who don't see the choices like that. They point out some external and completely false reason to vote for Sen. McCain. I think what Sen. Obama has brought is a sense of renewed ownership in our country, government and future.

Jason

[Troy McClure]

Also since I live in Phoenix, this brought a nice start to today, courtesy of Politico.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmi...n_Arizona.html
Obama will advertise in Arizona

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, on a conference call with reporters, says the campaign is expanding its ad buy into three states.
They're going back up on the air in Georgia and North Dakota, he said, with a negative spot picturing Bush and McCain in a rearview mirror.
Obama will go up with his positive closing ad in McCain's home state of Arizona, where McCain is reportedly planning to campaign -- if only in a single, symbolic stop -- on Monday.
McCain has led, though sometimes narrowly, in every poll there.
UPDATE: I'd originally noted a new Arizona State University poll, but a reader points out it's out of date, having been taken from Sept. 22 to Oct. 17.


I think Obama is supposed to make one last push in NV, CO and NM this weekend, so the rumors are he'll make a stop in AZ, too. As long as it doesn't take away from OH, PA and FL.

Jason

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Deckard

Sure, I don't dispute this at all, I think the decision itself should be pretty obvious in that respect when we look at the factors you listed.

What I was talking about though was more the level of excitement that has undoubtedly been generated throughout the world. Certainly the enthusiasm I've felt for Obama to be elected this year has led me to occasionally keep reminding myself that this is a politician!

I know what you mean. I admit that I do personally expect more from Obama than I would from your typical Presidential candidate, which is why I've said that this year is the first time I've actually felt enthusiastic about voting whereas I usually feel like I'm just voting for whoever I think might be less bad for us.

And I expect more because, as evidenced by his current , I believe that Obama's policies and overall philosophies are based squarely on what he's learned from his experiences as a community organizer. His entire platform rests on the idea that the country's problems can be most effectively approached through a fundamental shift to a ground-up approach, where government encourages and rewards community service, as opposed to the trickle-down approach that McCain is proposing we continue. If you're willing to do your part to help make your community, local or national, better through things like military service, joining the Peace Corps, or volunteering at a soup kitchen, then you'll receive extra help from the government towards your own goals. That's the engine that's meant to drive his administration, and I believe that every policy plan he's presented is effectively structured to make it run properly. This strikes me as genuine because community organizing is an extremely selfless and honest endeavor, and involves people in situations that do genuinely shape their beliefs and passions on a fundamental level. And it strikes me as effective because it's built on involving people in the fate of their own country in a way Obama has proven he's capable of inspiring through his campaign.

Contrast this with the transparently manipulative strategies we've seen from Republicans in this campaign, and you can see why I've personally come to believe that Obama is approaching his potential Presidency from a more constructive and honest place, and that he'll follow through on his plans more vigorously than a typical politician.

Maybe this is naive of me but in my mind, this argument stands up to logical scrutiny, not just emotional reactions. It's the difference between trying to get in better physical shape through changing your habits to a healthier diet and excercise, as opposed to trying to get in shape through over-the-counter weight-loss pills.

And all we need to do right now is vote.

EDIT - just a note to mention that I'd really like you to see the links I provided here. They're powerful.

[cacophony]

i'm so very tired of this election season so i'm comforting myself with some very stupid meme humor.

"And Mary and Joseph rode their dinosaurs into Bethlehem where a stork was waiting with Baby Jesus who was conceived through abstinence and wishing on a star... and that's how we got Christmas!"
- Sarah Palin

[Sean]

Just got this email here at work, and thought I'd pass on the valuable information it shares in case any other Los Angelinos could benefit:

Below is a message from SPE's Government Affairs department.

Because of some recent press reports on problems in Los Angeles County in distributing mail-in ballots to voters who requested them, as well as expected long lines on Tuesday, November 4 due to the high interest in this election, the Government Affairs department would like you to be aware of the following:

If you are voting by mail, today, Friday, October 31 is the last day to mail in your ballot. After today, ballots should either be hand-delivered to the LA County Registrar’s office at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650, or completed ballots may be dropped off on election day at any polling place in Los Angeles County.

If you prefer to vote early in-person before election day, you have the option of voting at the LA County Registrar’s headquarters, located at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650. On Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1, the office is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Sunday, November 2, the office is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

If you are unsure where your polling place is located, you can look it up at www.lavote.net . If for some reason your name is not on the list of voters at your designated polling place but you believe you are registered to vote, you have the right to request a provisional ballot.

As a reminder, voting starts at 7 a.m. and continues through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4. Any voter in line when the polls close at 8 p.m. is allowed to vote.

If you wish to confirm that the LA County Registrar has successfully processed your voter registration, you may do so at www.lavote.net .

If you do not live in Los Angeles County, please visit http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_ppl.htm to find specific information for the California county in which you reside.


And I hear you Cacophony. Having been addicted to it for the past year and a half or so, I'm tired of the election and can't wait for it to be over too. But I figure a few more days of reminding people to vote and being vocal about my opinions is all that's left to do, so why let up now?

But here's a for you that might make it easier...

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

Just a heads-up, metaphorically speaking as, I, would NEVER promote sexual enhancing anything for profit or otherwise.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27455136/

Mostly, mostly... most sex toys are designed to hurt, harm or cause injury to the user. This includes designing toys which have a distinct odor to them. WOOOOOOWWWW, who'da guessed that ?*










* I am jOHN rODRIGUEZ, and I'm not sure yet if I approve this message yet. But maybe.

[Deckard]

Does anyone know what time the results start coming in? I'm sure I read somewhere that a few of the key battleground states like Virginia will start coming in around 7pm EST (is that midnight in Britain? Anyone? )

Just wondering if there's any point in staying up...

EDIT - yep, it's midnight over here. And here's a guide:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/ame...08/7705795.stm

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Deckard

Does anyone know what time the results start coming in? I'm sure I read somewhere that a few of the key battleground states like Virginia will start coming in around 7pm EST (is that midnight in Britain? Anyone? )

Just wondering if there's any point in staying up...

EDIT - yep, it's midnight over here. And here's a guide:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/ame...08/7705795.stm

Yeah, CNN's been saying the first polls close 6pm eastern time here in the States. Should be interesting for me. I'll probably have to vote after work, so I may be starting to see some early east coast results before I get to the polls here in California myself.

Thank god it's finally coming to an end....