By ANDY LASKY
For The Tribune-Democrat
November 01, 2008 11:29 pm
—
As election years go, this one is very special. As a political junkie, I’ve closely observed all the election cycles of my adult life.
I don’t remember ever feeling the sense of excitement that this one has produced.
Not just in us political junkies but in the nation at large.
The feeling that there’s an awful lot on the line has energized the democratic process in a way that I think is historical and healthy.
I hear some people complaining about how long and drawn out it has been.
Truth be told, it has been long and drawn out. But I don’t see that as a bad thing. I think of it as the longest job interview ever for what might be the most important job ever. I like observing how each turn in the campaign road is negotiated by the candidates.
You can learn a lot about these would-be leaders of the “free world” by how they lead their campaigns.
After watching these two men navigate this protracted process now for what seem like years, I have to say I think we have two fully vetted candidates, both of whom have exceptional qualities.
Not necessarily the same qualities, but both possess the kind of qualities that recommend them to the job. I think that’s rare in my own experience.
Usually by this point in the election process, one of the candidates has me scared.
Scared in a way that I know I’m voting for the other guy.
The fact that I find both of these men electable is an unfamiliar political phenomenon for me.
My sense is that I’m not alone in this dilemma.
Democracy is alive and well when political discourse is done in the bright light of day. Many places in the world don’t provide the populace with a choice in these matters, and still other places make decisions with the gun, or worst yet, a machete.
We should never lose sight of the rarified air we breathe in a true democracy.
Perfect? Hardly. Preferred? Surely.
Having two qualified candidates running in what has to be considered a historic election should be exciting to everyone. If I were 17 I’d be upset that I couldn’t participate in this one.
Imagine it’s the first time a person of color will be on a major party ticket in our 232- year history. It’s the first time a Vietnam veteran and amazingly a POW real life hero will be a major party candidate.
It is both one of the youngest and the oldest candidates to ever run against one another. A female candidate almost led a ticket for the first time ever and a woman is second on a ticket.
No incumbent is running, and neither the Clinton nor Bush political dynasties is in play for the first time in a long time. People have observed the televised debates, including the vice-presidential debate, in record numbers.
Personally, I’ll be disappointed if we don’t see record numbers turn out to vote on Election Day. But, if as I expect we do, then know that democracy is not only alive and well, but healthy.
So when you step into your neighborhood’s polling place on Tuesday take a deep breath.
Breathe in deep the rarified air of democracy and know you are a participant in history.
Andy Lasky and his wife, Katie, own and operate City View Bar & Grill – “Atop Johnstown’s Famous Inclined Plane” – and Westwood Plaza Theatre, both in Westmont.
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