Political Poker Perspectives
February 6, 2008 | 09:05AM | maudie dot b - gmail d c | |
I'm feeling incredibly old today. I suspect it has more to do with a body that has begun to fight me at every turn than with anything else, but of late, I'm feeling the generational gap more keenly than I have before.
Yesterday I made my vote in my state's primary for the Democrat I thought had the edge to win the general election next November. It was not an easy decision. Both candidates vary only slightly on most of the issues that are important to me. Both candidates represent a release from the insanity that has been the Bush administration the last eight years. Both candidates are intelligent, articulate and passionate.
One candidate provides a level of inspiration and hope I've not felt since the days of Bill Clinton's first campaign. But, unlike that time, so many years ago, my cynicism has held me back from jumping wholeheartedly on that bandwagon. I fear the optimism may be grounded in shaky naivete. The other candidate offers experience, savvy and an insider's understanding of what to expect come January 20, 2009. But, can I trust that candidate to end politics as usual and give us real change?
Do I go with my head or my heart?
At the risk of being accused of painting with broad strokes here, it appears to me that those of my generation and political persuasion, are listening to their head and those a generation or two behind me, are listening to their heart.
That is not to say that the youngers aren't engaging their own intelligence and smarts as this election process moves forward. Quite the contrary. There is a wonderfully high level of discourse, analysis and debate going on out there that makes this geezer feel darn good - and humble - about the future of this nation.
It is also not to say that us geezers aren't capable of shedding the cynicism and allowing optimism and idealism in.
There's a "But" hanging over those last paragraphs - however I'm not confident I can articulate that "But" just yet. I'm going to have to let that hang for the time being. It's all a part of the process of trying to understand....
So, who got my vote yesterday? A Democrat did, you can be sure of that. But if that candidate who got my vote ends up not being the nominee of my party for the general election, I will rally wholeheartedly behind the candidate who does. I make a plea to all to do the same. My greatest fear is that those who's candidate doesn't get the nomination will choose to withhold their vote next fall or, the gods forbid, vote for the opposition in protest.
That's my rambling for today. Kudos to those who are far more articulate and a lot smarter (not to mention funnier) than me . I have a lot to learn from you.
