Posted by
Jay Noble on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:42:11 AM
If the polls are to be believed (a big if), then in four weeks the American republic will elect the most radically liberal candidate ever nominated by a major political party to be the 44th president of the United States. Barack Obama's resume is berefit of any form of executive experience and his tenure in the United States Senate has been both short and undistinguished. Yet he appears on the crusp of victory.
In a sane time Obama would not have been nominated by the Democrats and certainly would not be the odds on favorite to be elected. Unfortunately, these are not sane times. I am convinced that the American people are prepared to roll the dice with Obama. In my conversations with people - and these are evangelical Christians, the sort of people considered as quintessential conservative voters - I am frequently shocked by favorable comments about Obama and the level of disinchantment with the Republicans. Listening to them it seems that McCain is almost a peripheral figure in this campaign. They want a change and McCain simply doesn't fill the bill.
This campaign has a surreal quality about it. One candidate, Obama, has been adopted by the "mainstream" media which has pulled out all the stops to get him elected. Journalistic objectivity, if it ever existed, is now a thing of the past. Instead the media has suppressed inquiry into Obama's past associations and critical review of his policy prescriptions. Combine that with McCain's maddening reluctance to go after Obama hammer and tung and it should be no surprise have played a significant role in the race. There are reports that McCain is going to go on the offensive; would that it be so, but what has he been waiting for? The news cycle is now dominated by the current economic crisis and McCain's attempt to raise questions about Obama's character, fitness and judgment must compete with potential financial collapse. This prospect of a financial collapse - like a hanging - tends to concentrate the mind of the voter on one thing: economic survival. While that is the case, McCain, rather unfairly, serves as a surrogate for President Bush on this issue and suffers as a consequence.
McCain's vote in favor of the 700 billion bailout by Congress was a terrible mistake. Most Americans regard the vote as a historial betrayal of the American taxpayer. McCain had a golden opportunity to oppose a pork bloated bill and prove his bona fides as the champion of the little guy. He blew it. His miscalculation is a missed chance for him and a tragedy for us.
The absence of confidence in the Federal government, the viseral sense of anger directed at elected representatives, and the increasing bitterness between Americans, driven by ideology and differences on fundamental issues has brought us to the brink. The United States today reminds of an estranged couple still together for no other reason than inertia. All that is necessary for a blowup is one spark, not even necessarily over a significant issue. When people lose faith in their government and each other, when they are afraid for their future and their survival, anything is possible.
We are in a very dangerous period. Obama is a different sort of candidate to his supporters; their devotion to him bears a disquieting resemblance to cult worship. In troubled times people seek the security of the assured leader, promising to hold accountable those believed responsible and convenient solutions to difficult problems. Fidelity to the leader, rather than abstractions such as law or the Constitution, become the penultimate value. Think it can't happen here? Don't be so sure.
Four weeks are left to the election. Perhaps McCain can reach the American people before it's too late. Frankly, he may be all that stands between us and catastrophe.