November 6, 2008

Obama 53%, McCain 46%

Belated congratulations to president elect Barack Obama.

It didn’t seem important to write this here, because you surely heard the news elsewhere - in much greater detail and from much more important people. Hence the delay until Nov. 6.

A few observations. When George W. Bush in 2000 clenched the election from Al Gore back in those days, Gore had a handful more popular votes, but 6 electoral votes less than Bush. Bush became the new president.

Correct me, if I’m wrong, but the main gist of his acceptance speech was somehow like ‘The American People have spoken, now let’s get to work.’ Back then I felt that he should quote the American people in a bit more detail: Gore got 50,999,897 and Bush 50,456,002 of their votes. That’s 543,895 less for the president.

Obama on November 4, having received 63,991,209 votes of the American people versus McCain’s 56,478,453, had a different approach: “And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.” It sounds like seeds of greatness, words of a statesman, a leader of all people. Let’s hope for the best.

I make no fuss about it: I don’t like politicians here, but I’m fair. I dislike them all the same along with politics itself. Attitude-wise I’ll stick to “We’ll see.” That always was a good thing to do.

Was he genuine? Political rhetoric? A moment of humility in the moment of victory?

Obama, being the most liberal senator of all times - so I’m told - and, according to his voting record, number 100 out of 100 in terms of bipartisanship may need to work hard on himself to live up to that promise. We’ll see. But no doubt about it: his were the right words at this time and history will answer my questions authoritatively.

Then there is the race issue. For the first time in history the United States of America has a black president. (Not quite, but black enough.) In light of America’s gruesome sin of slavery and everything that came out of it, this is a historical moment for that one more reason. Even if every black person in America had voted for Obama - which is certainly not the case - there would still be twice as many whites who did. Great. On this point the American people earned my respect, if that matters.

Apart from all that - there are more important things than politics. Issues, for example. If president Obama wants to live up to his promise - “And I will be your president, too” - then real arguments on issues will have to take precedence over political maneuvering based on positions of power.

It may appear that president Obama and his party have less need to reach across aisles in order to accomplish their agendas. So, will it be back to relentlessly reaffirming ideological talking points preceded and followed by maneuvers to get the votes in place? Unsophisticated approaches like “The [republicans] can go and fuck themselves?” Or will there emerge a reaching for consensus that rests in the heart of the American people? Lasting longer than the expiry date of the latest political deal?

For example, California voters passed a gay-marriage ban at the same time as they  sent Obama to the White House. What now? What elsewhere?

Until we know more - heartfelt congratulations again to future president Obama. And respect also goes to John McCain who showed character in the moment of defeat. Also he added credibility to his remarks that he will always put his country first, when he said: ”I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.“

May all words that were spoken with sincerity come true.

The Highlander

November 4, 2008
Obama wins 71.4 % of the popular vote

in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. (Source: CNN)

Admittedly not the most comprehensive poll, but the first one that actually counts. 21 votes were cast - 6 for McCain, 15 for Obama. Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, Cynthia McKinney and Ralph Nader didn’t get any.

According to CNN this is the first time since 1968 that the village has leant Democratic in an election.

The race was a bit tighter in Hart’s location, New Hampshire, where Obama received only 63% of the votes - 17 versus 10 for McCain which comes to a combined result of 66.6% for Obama. (Source: Yahoo News)

Less relevant surveys seem to show a tightening race between Obama and McCain. The most recent Fox News poll found the following:
 

That’s so at least according to a recent Newsmax mailing. The corresponding poll couldn’t be found in the Fox News Poll Archive.

Is that important?

Probably not. The only poll that really matters is being conducted at the time of this writing, reaching out to all American people. These will probably know the results before this writer gets out of bed on Wednesday morning (local time).

The Highlander

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Barack Obama
63,991,209 votes

John McCain
56,478,453 votes