Although the media has declared that it is useless for us to go to the polls, and that Obama will win by a blowout equal to...umm, the blowiest blowout on the planet, there's a big "what if?" that they haven't planned on.

What if, by some long stretch of the imagination, Barack Obama and Joe Biden do not win on Tuesday? I'm not talking blowout (although, let's be honest, with the magnitude of suckitatiousness* that is our current economy, a blowout would be a disappointment equal to...umm, the disappointingest disappointment ever*), but an Obama win should be a foregone conclusion.

But what if Barack does not win? Then the Democrats will need to revamp their strategy. Obama has spent more than any candidate in history, and has been handed a huge gift (ok, I'll stay off the fancy made up words for this one!) in an economy that is so far down the toilet Roto-Rooter can't reach it. If he does not win, it will be a referendum on the Democratic Party that the party can no longer ignore.

While I've been told I'm full of what came out the back end of a bull, I can tell you that what I have seen is a Democratic Party that increasingly does not represent me. And I've talked to many former Democrats who feel the same way (and who have similar been accused of having a high content of same back-end-of-the-bull matter). If McCain wins, it will be a boon for many of us, as the party will have a hard time ignoring our existence.

Unfortunately, it does appear that Obama will win and we'll go back to being obscure (and being accused of being full of what came out of the back end of the bull)

*Grammar brought to you by Dr. T's school of grammarliciousness!

Though most people find it hard to believe, there was a time when I was actually a Democrat. But that was long ago when I was young and in college and had yet to experience the real world. Once out there I discovered that a lot of great speeches amounted to...a lot of great speeches. But that those speeches put into action did nothing for me.

Looking back I think that perhaps the chance we had at one of the best President of the time would have been Robert Kennedy. That was when I first became politically aware, if only on a minor level. I think he would have outshone his brother, John. But unfortunately it never happened.

Throughout this campaign I've heard the thunderous slaps of mud being slung by both parties though one whined about it more than the other (and no I don't mean McCain). Is there a chance of an upset? Sure. The interesting thing is to figure out why.

I honestly don't think its because McCain is the best candidate we have to offer. But I like more of what he has to say than I do Obama. I like the fact that he didn't find the need to buy the White House by purchasing more ads. I like the fact that he didn't say he was going to tax people under a certain income only to see that number change within days of the election. I like the fact that he doesn't intend to take my money and pass it out by spreading the wealthy. Will McCain raise taxes? Sure. What politician doesn't? Sad but true. But I don't think his plans are to take as much without cutting a few things here or there.

So what will happen if he doesn't win? Erica Jong says there will be blood in the streets. As we said weeks ago, the press talks about how violent Republicans are and yet the ones screaming about blood or killing someone in the news always seems to be a Democrat. No not all, just the ones that are attention seeking.

Will the Democratic Party change their attitudes and the way they do things? I doubt it. I've watched over the years as the Democratic Party changed from a group with a core sense of beliefs to a group that cow tows to so many fringe groups they no longer have a clear cut identity. And the one forced on them by pundits is not one that most of America wants:tax and spend. Pundits words, not mine this time.

This party made of fractured groups will continue to be so. They owe too much to too many of them to change. Their funding comes from too many of them.

On the other hand, if the Republican Party loses (which everyone in the media seems to think is an assured bet) I don't see them changing near as much. I think more than anything you will see them tighten the circle and become more conservative. But their roots and beliefs will remain the same.

One thing that amazes me at this point, the Friday night before the election. If Sen. Obama has such a tight grip on the Presidency and if it is an assured thing that he will win...then why is so much money being spent in the last few days? A sure thing shouldn't require this last ditch effort. While watching the local news I saw two new Obama ads in a 15 minute time stretch. And the millions spent on a half hour infomercial? While people ranted about $150,000 paid for clothes for Sarah Palin (that will be donated to charity auctions) no one seemed to feel that the money spent on this infomercial would be better used to help the needy or destitute. And this one was in the millions (I've heard $4 to $6 million now).

The one thing I hope happens? I hope that people calm down. I hope that whoever wins we have a smooth transition. I hope that the hatred that has poured out of this country comes to an end. And I hope to stand on this soapbox with less regularity. LOL

*getting off the soapbox and passing it on*

Almost forgot...an aside as it were...folkie? Still waiting. Thanks.

the email addy momloves gave me didn't work

Just sent her another as well. Now you just have to reach her. LOL.

Turn the question around, kirby. What if Obama DOES win and the country doesn't fall apart, terrorists do not take over the White House, and we do not become a socialist dictatorship? Will people finally see the Republicans for the lying a-holes they are, or will they keep enjoying victory year after year in "red" states?

as someone involved in the military,(my husband is in iraq)I pray Obama wins. I don't even want to think about mccain being in charge, that not only makes me sick to my stomach, but i don't know if me and my husband can go through any more hell than we have already been through the last eight years. But I can't see mccain winning I don't think the majority of people are that stupid.

Duh, it's never a sure thing when the rethugs are keen to steal elections...... see florida in 2000 and ohio in 2004.....


so now you are blaming obama for working too hard to win?

quote:

Turn the question around, kirby.

Kirby didn't write the article. I did. And I don't think the world will fall apart if Obama wins, as he probably will.

Magic,

You just proved my point. If Obama wins, you and the rest of the Dems will be too busy celebrating to care what any of the rest of America thinks. We won't matter in your power grab any more than you mattered in Rove's power grab.

A shame, too. Bill Clinton was a somewhat centrist leader who actually LISTENED to people on the other side. I don't know what Obama will be, but his followers simply MOCK anyone on the other side, and characterize us as evil. The sad thing is, that's a recipe for revolution.

Which may, sadly, be the way we're headed if either wins.

To go further...

Barack Obama cannot lead the nation with 51% of the United States behind him. He may hold power for two years, but if he fails to unite the country, we're going to see a backlash, and the backlash MAY be severe.

We are a house divided people. If we don't unite and get past our differences then we will continue down the same road as always. It is time we came together, realized that even with our differences, we all want the same thing...a government by the people and for the people. We all want a stong and good nation. We can do this, it has been done in the past but are we willing to try? As long as the Republicans are the "evil" conservatives and the Democrats the "amoral" liberals it will not happen. Who ever wins, I will be praying for them and for this country.

quote:

Originally posted by proudliberal:
as someone involved in the military,(my husband is in iraq)I pray Obama wins. I don't even want to think about mccain being in charge, that not only makes me sick to my stomach, but i don't know if me and my husband can go through any more hell than we have already been through the last eight years. But I can't see mccain winning I don't think the majority of people are that stupid.

You mean deployment-wise? You honestly think Obama will mean less ops-tempo? Let me tell you a couple reasons why a President Obama may not mean what you think it will for the military:

1. More troops in Afghanistan. If Obama actually does go through with his promise to pull most (see next) troops from Iraq, he has repeatedly said we need MORE TROOPS in Afghanistan. So, we're not going to see a drop in deployment rates, just a change in scenery.

2. A Strike Force 'left behind'. Even if he does pull combat troops from Iraq, he's promised to keep a STRIKE FORCE in Iraq. Since you live in Enid, I assume your husband's Air Force (unless he's Guard) so where do you think this "strike force" will come from? Here's a hint, the same service that has maintained a constant presence over Iraq for the last 18 years.

3. Iraq a terror breeding ground. If Obama manages to unilaterally pull troops from Iraq, it's assumed it will be without accomplishing the mission of peacefully handing over control to a stable government. I don't think it's beyond the scope of reason to assume Obama's withdrawal plan will result in civil war and mass chaos in Iraq. Great for the terrorist "business" who will have a safe-haven to train and plan for attacks on Americans in neighboring countries. Countries like Qatar - home of the biggest AFB in the Middle East, or Afghanistan, where all our troops are going to be sent anyway.

4. Huge military budget cuts. If you listen to Obama, and the Democrats' plan for defense spending, you'll hear figures like a 25% CUT in Defense spending. That's going to mean one of two things. Either less equipment - from low-tech body armor to high-tech counter-IED sensors - or it will mean huge cuts in personnel - like the Air Force has done before. Less people means higher deployment rates for those left behind.

Frankly, I don't see how a President Obama will make ANYTHING better for those in the military.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ParosGearDown,

And the Democrats have made it ABUNDANTLY clear they will NOT be gracious winners!

If Obama wins, I'm going to be dang glad I don't live in a Democratic stronghold!

actually i think most americans will grow to like and admire obama and he will have great approval ratings......

even if they don't like negroes in general.....

gracious and W. were never uttered in the same sentence.....

quote:

Originally posted by folkieokie:
And the Democrats have made it ABUNDANTLY clear they will NOT be gracious winners!

If Obama wins, I'm going to be dang glad I don't live in a Democratic stronghold!

I don't get you on this one, folkie...what do you think will happen in Democratic strongholds after Obama wins?