Taking a Look at Campaign ‘08
January 8th, 2008 at 01:26am Mark Noonan
My father turned 81 on Monday - which means that it has been 60 years since he first registered to vote. Way back then, he registered as a Democrat, and a Democrat he remained - until now. He’s a new-minted Republican, and he will be attending the Nevada caucuses on January 19th with Thompson as his first choice, Romney as his second. I’ll be there, too - though given the unsettled state of my mind on the campaign, I’ll be supporting Duncan Hunter as first choice and “who the heck knows” as second (though I’m leaning towards Romney or McCain). On the flip side of things, a friend of mine wanted to know how her Republican daughter could switch to the Democrats to caucus for Barack Obama (yes, I told her what she needed to do). One in, one out - the world of politics.
In anecdotal evidence, people seem to be paying closer attention to this race than any I’ve seen in my adult lifetime. Usually, a political junkie like me doesn’t start getting questions about politics until September in an election year. This year, the questions started coming in November, and they’ve intensified since then. Today a group of us discussed the relative strengths of Obama, Clinton and Edwards - and the conclusion of the conversation was that while change is wanted, the people claiming to be for change better start letting us know just what they mean by it…and no one is about to believe that any of these candidates has figured out how to pay for change. Be that as it may, I sense that there is a greater intensity in 2008 - and I think it fits: regardless of how one views President Bush, the nation is at a crossroads. We will, in November, make a very large decision about what sort of America we want to live in. The stakes are very high, and people seem to know this.
It would not surprise me if we find in November that turnout goes to 70% of eligible voters. Nor would it surprise me if we have not just one, but two major independent campaigns, and 40% takes the whole ball of wax. Passions are high, people are in an uncompromising mood - in a sense, civil war is in the air.
This could be a watershed election - like those of 1860 or 1932; elections which change the direction of the nation, lead it not out of but more deeply into crisis, and a different America emerges at the end of it all. As for me, personally, I feel curiously disconnected from it all - interested to be sure, but also not at all concerned. Perhaps this is because its already fairly late in the game and I haven’t invested any personal feeling into any candidate - but it might be more a function of my very much revived Christianity which leads me to just trust in God that all will come out right in the end, and my only job is to do my duty, as best I can see it.
My prayer for 2008 is that, somehow, passions will cool - that we will get in both the GOP and Democratic parties candidates who are calm, measured and deeply in love not just with America, but with the people of the United States of America. I don’t think it will come out like that at all, but I can still hope and pray - and, just maybe, it might happen. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to battle for my side - the side of conservatism; of Judeo-Christian civilization; of those core values which built the United States, and which alone can sustain her in the 21st century.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Democrats, Republicans
13 Comments
1. Huck Fillary | January 8th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Apparently most visitors are not even aware you are collecting aggregate information on their browsing habits.
I sure wasn’t, Brett, and now that I am, I DON’T CARE!
And please, Brett, don’t tell Mark who and what to pray for. I’m sure that in his private life, he prays for many things, including, probably, your sorry arse. I know I do–I pray that you’ll go away to somewhere that you’re more welcome…
2. Huck Fillary | January 8th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Mark, I feel the same way you do about ‘08.
Serenety is a wonderful thing…
3. neocon | January 8th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Brett,
Are you postive God does not care about country? Do you have any proof?
And aren’t countries also a celebration of commonality amongst men? Language and culture that brings familiarity and sense of pride to it’s citizens? Or is it just a devisive instrument in your opinion?
And who would ever want a cookie that would be around 2039? I like them right out of the oven.
4. Joe | January 8th, 2008 at 8:00 am
My prayer for 2008 is that, somehow, passions will cool - that we will get in both the GOP and Democratic parties candidates who are calm, measured and deeply in love not just with America, but with the people of the United States of America.
Amen to that Mark. This bitterly partisan crap is tearing this nation apart. That goes for BOTH parties. Well said on that… even if I don’t agree with you on a lot of things.
5. neocon | January 8th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Brett,
Of course God transcends the notion of “country”. God enriches those who follow his Word, whether that be individually or collectively, and is non-discriminatory.
I would think places like Ethiopia and Darfur, would currently be Gods favorite places. That is where His attention is needed the most, and it is unfortunate that our current global leaders are not paying more attention.
6. js | January 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
You keep spouting off about what God does and doesnt do/like/want Brett, but the last time I checked, to be God was to be all powerful, I really doubt that you dictate his intent.
7. vms1 | January 8th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
What happens to humans is not something to take lightly. Perhaps shutting off the television for a few weeks might make the odds a little different throughout the country.
Posting campaign amounts raised on the media- and all these other statistical things- just raises more energy. Not good energy in many cases.
Simply said- go see a re-run of Saving Private Ryan, God will talk to you then.
8. SteaM | January 8th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Mark,
Have you and your grandfather ever discussed why he has dropped his support Democracts? I’m curious what his reasoning was.
9. Mark Noonan | January 8th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
SteaM,
Father, not grandfather - but his reasoning is quite simple: the Democrats don’t want him anymore. His views of what it means to be a patriot and a Chrsitian are rejected by the Democratic party he belonged to for 60 years - and his father before him for his whole life, and his grandfather before that. He’s third generation Democrat representing the tail end of a family affiliation going back at least 140 years…all over, now.
10. Mark Noonan | January 8th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Brett,
Good point - and I pray that I will do more for the needy children in my area; and that you will, too, in your area.
Outside of that, God does care about nations - its not just individuals who will be judged, as far as I can tell, but also nations which will be judged. God, as I understand us, expects us to render unto Ceasar - in other words, what is justifiably within the control of then nations we belong to. Failure to do your duty to your nation - which would include loving it, and not because it is lovable, but because only by loving it can you make it so - would be a sin.
11. SteaM | January 8th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Mark,
In your fathers view, if you don’t mind me asking, what does being a patriot and a Christian mean and what part of the democratic party has changed that has made him decide that they reject him for these views?
12. Huck Fillary | January 8th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Brett,
My comprehensive immigration plan would consider all cases. But no, I wouldn’t be advocating the deportation of illegals who’ve been here for a long time, especially if they’ve fled repressive governments.
What I would do is close the borders first, and then take it from there. Anyone who entered the country illegally would be eligible for legal status, but not citizenship, and their children would be treated the same. Those children born after my plan goes into effect would be granted full citizenship.
Suburbs, Baltimore, transplant. Navy brat, 20-year AF veteran…
13. Tractatus | January 8th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I pray that I will do more for the needy children in my area</i?
How ’bout instead of “praying that [you] will do more for needy children,” you just plain do it?