Noting a Special Moment
Regardless of who you support in the current Presidential election, I think we saw a couple things last night in Iowa that are quite special.
I don't pretend that my personal observations here are insightful or original... but I still wanted to record them as they make me feel just a little bit better about the state of the country - or more precisely - the direction it is heading.
1. A black man with the middle name Hussein and a Muslim grandfather won a decisive election in the Democratic party in a 94% Caucasian, middle-America state.
2. The Republican victor was outspent at least 15 to 1 and virtually unknown as late as six months ago.
I understand that there are many factors at work.
It definitely goes beyond the optimistic vision of an increasingly colorblind and culturally inclusive America.
It definitely does not suggest the fulfillment of an idealistic wish for a political system in which character and ideas can consistently trump money and machinery.
But Iowa did show us..that we are most certainly on our way to the first - and that there is no excuse for giving up on the quest for the second.
6 comments:
A black man with the middle name Hussein and a Muslim grandfather won a decisive election in the Democratic party in a 94% Caucasian, middle-America state.
He won a caucus. How well the caucuses reflect the actual opinions of the party members of the state is an open question.
The Republican victor was outspent at least 15 to 1 and virtually unknown as late as six months ago.
He used the magic word, "Jesus."
Steve!
I hoped that this disgusting flurry of overblown sentimentalism would bring you out of hiding! Happy New Year :)
Would you explain the question you raise about the validity of the Iowa caucus? Not sure I understand why the caucus wouldnt reasonably represent the opinions of the party members of the state.
As for Huckabee - I wouldn't dispute that his unique ability to connect with evangelical voters was decisive. But I'm still impressed that this trounced money and I'll tell you why.
Huckabee didnt employ the approach that characterizes the Falwells and Robertsons that have, rightly or wrongly, become the face of Evangelical Christian political figures. Huckabee spoke a similar message on social issues e.g abortion, gay marriage,etc. to be sure. But it was not the core of his campaign or appeal. He definitely did more than just say I'm one of you (a protestant Christian) and "they" are not (though he did do this a bit with Romney) by battering away with this narrow slate of wedge issues.
He also, quite refreshingly, brought the less divisive but(at least) equally important aspects of the faith with him. For example, he was unafraid to stick to his compassionate record on the third rail Republican issue of immigration....just as, I humbly suggest, Christ's example would suggest he do.
I guess the point that I am making (in this comment - not the one I was making in the post)is that even if his religion was the decisive factor it was not the same religion card that the Bush administration or some other Republicans have played. And that is positive.
Put another - and perhaps more provactive way - I wonder if Huckabee is one of the first to actually embrace Jesus' philosophy and not just say he was using Jesus while actually just using abortion and/or gay marriage....
I suppose, looking at it now, the turnout of the Iowa Democrat caucus was actually pretty good this year. I retract my assertion...!
As for Huckabee...I'm sorry, but when you're a creationist who attributes your political success to divine intervention on your behalf, you're a turd.
When did he attribute his political success to divine intervention?
ABC News, December 5, 2007.
Personally, though, I find the creationism more offensive.
Post a Comment