Pre-Ramble: ‘Twas the night before voting day and all through the land …

I don’t know why I’m always surprised by political campaigns, and why I tend to tune them out. It’s weird, because, if you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know that I am a fairly politically engaged gal.  I pay attention, and I care, which makes it even more dichotomous to me that I refuse to watch political ads on television and delight in actively tearing every piece of politically charged direct mail in half before tossing it directly into the trash.

Bring in the clowns – On the other hand, I so wish I had been able to attend Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear,” last Saturday on the National Mall in Washington D.C.  According to a follow-up story in Sunday’s NY Times, the event was, “part circus, part satire, part holiday parade, … a political rally without politicians.” There were flags and bands and speeches, and Stephen Colbert wore a sweet pair of navy blue pants with white stars all over them. I mean, these guys are political satirists, right? Comedians?

But there was something more.  Thousands of people (or Colbert’s estimate of 6 billion … ) don’t travel across the country to hear a couple of jokes …

“For many who came, the rally was an opportunity to take control of the political narrative, if only for one sunny afternoon … Beyond the goofiness, the rally seemed to be channeling something deep — a craving to be heard and a frustration with the lack of leadership … less by President Obama than by a Democratic Party that many described as timid, fearful, and failing to stand up for the president’s accomplishments.”

I actually think Steve ‘n’ Jon are only half right. Foreshadows of this frustration were present way before the ink had  dried on Obama’s Audacity of Hope. The American people are frustrated because they aren’t being heard by any party on Capitol Hill. Things are a mess and there’s a huge disconnect and people don’t know what to do with that. 

The Take-Away: Here’s a thought – In solidarity with the call to “be heard,” step out into your own little rally and deliver a few punch lines at the ballot box today.

The Pre-Ramble: Just one more day until it’s officially time to vote. Phew!  It would be an understatement to say that this election season has been a unique and wild ride. Campaigns have been playing the ultimate game of political dodgeball as new personalities, technologies, and formats force candidates to engage with John and Jane Q. Public in new and unconventional ways.

Ever since 1992, when Slick Willy played “Heartbreak Hotel” on his golden ax on The Arsenio Hall Show, the self-important traditional media has increasingly found themselves standing on the sidelines as Comedy Central and Late Night serve up the candidates’ latest spin. Spit-polished political hopefuls squirm in their chairs alongside the night’s Top Ten and hot young actress du jour, trying to engage the viewing electorate with clever self-effacing banter. Forget Charlie Gibson - candidates are chewing their nails in the green room waiting to test their metal in a verbal cage match with the gals on The View. (I’ve never actually seen The View, but from what I’ve heard, it sounds like a pretty scary scenario.) And,“Live, from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”  … These words, spoken at the end of the coveted SNL opening skit, are now the solid gold standard for political street cred. This season everyone from Hillary Clinton to Sarah Palin has appeared on the show. Frankly, some of the candidates play better than others in the hip, “watch-me-make-an-ass-out-of-myself” venue. One of the candidates, who shall remain nameless (and likely un-inaugurated), came across significantly older and less presidential than he might have imagined.  

The Point: In addition to the entertainment factor, what I like most about this political season, that seems different from years past, is that somewhere along the line someone gave us all permission to drop the ton of political apathy that was hanging around our collective psyche and let us be genuinely excitied about the political process. Commentator/comedian D.L. Hughley and his guest, the Reverend Al Sharpton, sat on CNN the other night talking about how historic and giddy the whole thing really is. This year there is a palpable sense of energy and unity, a kind of pride in our country and the possibility for real change that hasn’t been out there in a long time (if ever). 

An article on the front page of Sunday’s New York Times (11/2/08) describes the new brand of engagement with the political process, “… Across the country, black men and women who have long been disaffected, apolitical, discouraged or just plain bored with politics say they have snapped to attention this year.” Sure, there’s the black/white thing, but it feels like way more than that.  Among the folks interviewed in the article, Brooklyn bartender, Timothy Hairston, 47, who has never voted before put it this way,

“I wanted to be a part of a historical moment…to say that I was an active participant as opposed to someone on the sidelines rooting for change but not involved in the process of making change. I think it’s a testament to [Barack's] campaign that he can inspire. At the end of the day, no matter what party you vote for, I think every once in a while there are inspirational moments that call for people to wake up from their deep sleep and become involved.” 

No matter your political stripes, this election is about something fundamental to our heritage as Americans. The tone of this election invites every American to reengage with their civic privilege and responsibility. It invites us to step up, individually and collectively, to be engaged, to do what we can given our gifts, to make our community, our country, and our world a better place. Most of all, it inspires individuals to take themselves, their lives, and the potential they have, the inherent right that they have to a point of view, seriously. This election invites every American to take action, to lift up their voice and reach for the hopes and dreams they have for themselves and for their children. This election represents a new patriotism for a new time.

The Take-Away: It is an honor and a privilege (and unbelievably awesome) to be able to stand among our fellow Americans at this decisive moment in history and have a role to play in the outcome.

Nuff said (I’m getting a little bit of vertigo up here on the soapbox…) – LET’S GO VOTE!