NICCAI

Feelings on the Race for the Presidency

I honestly feel bad about having missed just about every speech this week. I’ve been hearing the news through the twittersphere, so I’m feeling the vibe of pro-Obama online. That said, here are some thoughts and observations from my uneducated Canadian end of things…

1. Democrats have been a little blinded by the euphoria of having two solid prospects for president to realize that one is black and one is a woman. It’s a sad reality that it matters, but there is a significant part of the U.S. that I think this still plays a factor. In the end, I think the election won’t come down to this, but there has to be a sizable chunk of votes that won’t go Obama’s way solely on color. Again, sad.
   
2. On the Republican side of things, I think that the last go round should have been McCain - not Bush. The country would be in better shape all around, and I think McCain would have made a better president then than now.
   
3. This election is going to be Generation Y’s coming out party. It is the first election for this group, and they are going to make their voice heard. If either candidate doesn’t recognize this, they will lose on election day. Regardless of polls, I think this generation will come out in droves and their education on the things that affect them will be underestimated by most. I think we’ll see record voter turn out starting with Gen Y.
   
4. We’ve all heard that this election is about “change.” Not exactly - It’s really about choice. For the first time in many elections, people are going to be making a choice. Fence sitters can’t choose the status quo, and I think most people will feel propelled to choose what is best for them. It is also the first election in (is it 20 years) that voters won’t see a Bush or a Clinton on the ballot. It was darn close on the democratic side, but they chose a new beginning. This election America will be choosing their destiny.
   
5. Lastly, I’m not sure how a running mate really factors into decision making, but McCain’s choice seems bold/stupid/odd/suprising given the relative strength of Obama’s. This opinion is off the cuff in a matter of minutes, but that is how it is looking right now.
   

Suffice it to say, I think this is going to be an interesting election year. I’m predicting that Obama will be the next president, because I think he represents the best choice to many. I wasn’t alive, but I think a lot of people discounted JFK against Nixon in 1960. Obama isn’t JFK, but I think he represents a new choice with strength and conviction.