Eugene Robinson: Last Chapter of a Storybook Campaign

[babylonsister]

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/10/our_twoyear_obsession_draws_to.html

Last Chapter of a Storybook Campaign
By Eugene Robinson


WASHINGTON -- In a week and a half, it'll be over. What will we do to fill the void in our lives?

Opinion surveys, voter registration totals and cable television ratings indicate that Americans have been engrossed by the marathon presidential campaign. That's no surprise, given the first-in-history nature of the candidacies, the host of crucial problems we face and the sense that the outcome may determine the course -- and the prospects -- of our nation for many years to come.

snip//

In the course of the long narrative, some characters emerged from nowhere -- Joe the Plumber, for example -- had a dramatic impact, and then disappeared -- Jeremiah Wright, for example. Others went away but returned unexpectedly, such as Giuliani, who came back to lead Republican convention delegates in the unforgettable "Drill, baby, drill" chant. Or John Edwards, who dropped out of the race but later resurfaced at a Beverly Hills hotel, hiding from National Enquirer reporters chasing a tip that he was visiting his mistress.

As for plot twists, I can think of few in literature that compare with the sudden emergence of Sarah Palin. If you look closely at the video clip of her appearance on "Saturday Night Live," when she's in the hallway talking to Alec Baldwin and SNL honcho Lorne Michaels, a man dressed like Abraham Lincoln is in the background with what appears to be a llama. That's the kind of year it's been.

We're now at a bittersweet point that's analogous to reaching the middle of the final chapter. We want to race ahead and find out what happens. We want to know if our hero -- Obama or McCain -- is victorious. But we also know that when we finally get the answer, we'll have to exit the alternative reality of narrative, atmosphere and emotion that we've inhabited for months. We'll be bereft.

We'll have something to savor, though. After Election Day has come and gone, we -- at least those of us who bother to vote -- will know that the time we spent obsessing about the campaign was worth it. That's because we'll be the ones who decided how the story ended.
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[crispini]

1. Wow. Describes it exactly.

Amazing.

[madaboutharry]

2. I was thinking this the other day.

I have been working as an Obama Team Member on the campaign. I love going into the campaign office and being around all these engaged and involved people who are all so interesting. I think I am going to have a real void and period of adjustment when this is all over. One thing that has happened is that I have made a couple of really good friends and I know that these friendships will carry on. But I have really gotten caught up in the politics and I have to say I have loved it. But where will I channel my obsession?

[babylonsister]

10. We'll be here, and there will still be things done in our name we

oppose. First thing imo, we need to get out of the Middle East. That's my major objective this coming year. Oh, and to hopefully hold someone accountable for what's transpired the past 8 years. See, my plate is full!

[BeyondGeography]

3. One for the ages

Clinton/Obama will turn out to be the whole ballgame, and most of us here probably won't see a primary battle of that level of skill and intensity the rest of our lives.

[babylonsister]

5. Thank gosh for that; I don't know if I could do another year like this.

But it's been fascinating to watch-and argue about. :)

[BeyondGeography]

6. Yup, it was exhausting, and I won't miss it either

Watching Barack and Hillary solve health care together for this country will be a lot more enjoyable. Which was the whole point anyway, right?

[babylonsister]

7. And don't forget Teddy...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4299062&mesg_id=4299062

[elocs]

4. My god! Once the election is over and Obama has won,

what will Democrats have to hand wring and worry about? I'm sure the attention here at least will return to attacking Democratic members of Congress for not jumping through our hoops and doing exactly as we wish and then it will be impeachment 24/7 because there is still a couple of months left to get it on record. Can't wait.

[babylonsister]

8. I am positive there will be things to worry about, talk about, criticize.

This is DU! People here hand wring even when it's unnecessary. And Obama will surely do things we'll not be happy about.
Me, I look forward to reveling in things that happen that we can all cheer about, and hope there are many more instances of that. We deserve it!

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

9. K&R