I've followed this election for over a year. I remember thinking back then,
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will win the presidency - so I better pay attention while it still matters. Well, the election turned out to be more volatile, and more interesting, than that. At least for a while.
Reflecting on the events of the past two years (!), here is my list of biggest losers and biggest winners of the election process so far. Some of this may seem counterintuitive, but this is all from my personal point of view.
Biggest Losers#1. The Media. They were certain that today we would be deciding between Rudy Guiliani and Hillary Clinton. They declared McCain's candidacy dead, and counted Mike Huckabee out too; yet they were the two Republicans remaining until, obviously, McCain sealed it up. Concerning both Republicans and Democrats, they wrongly predicted various state primaries - especially early ones.
#2. The New York Times. They deserve a special place among the media losers. I had always known their coverage was disbalanced, but this year they stopped even
trying to appear fair minded. Appearing more like a tabloid than an esteemed elder statesman, the NYT basically launched a get-out-the-vote campaign for the left.
#3. Meet the Press. Tim Russert died earlier this year, and was replaced by Tom Brokaw. Tim Russert interviewed in a way that was extremely fair but tough, and he enjoyed life to boot. Regarding Tom Brokaw, see #2, above.
#4. Mitt Romney. My greatest concern was that this man not receive the Republican Party's nomination. Fortunately, he didn't. Even though he had all the money - which was easy prey for incorrect media assumptions (see #1, above) - people just didn't like him. If he wasn't fake, he did a good job pretending to be.
#5. The Democrats. I've always been told that Republicans house the racists in this country, that the Democrats are concerned about minorities. But the primaries proved that there is plenty of racism in the Democratic Party. The Clintons (also big losers in all this) tried to capitalize on it, to their shame. ("Saturday Night Live" was surprisingly one of the media outlets that covered this aspect.)
#6. Conservative Talk Radio. Rush Limbaugh and a host of others hated McCain, before McCain became the functional savior. Now it's all about hating Barack Obama and fearing his policies. Some of his policies are to be feared, I fear, especially concerning human rights issues. But you know, you gotta do better than this guys (and ladies)...
#7. Priorities. We really don't need a 2-year presidential campaign. Do we realize how bad this is for the country? Not only will politics completely destroy policy, if it hasn't already, but more than ever we are fed the lie that the highest office is the highest power. No -- there is a God who created the universe who deserves higher praise, greater trust, and
ultimate allegiance.
Biggest Winners#1. John McCain. He could lose in a landslide today. But who would have thought that a Republican could have ever been this competitive? Had the major news outlets treated him and his opponent on equal terms, he might have even pulled this off. I'm certain he wouldn't have gone as negative if the campaign hadn't been "about" Obama, but I must admit - that's one aspect of this campaign that's been disappointing.
#2. Sarah Palin. Apart from choosing her, McCain could not have generated the energy he needed this fall. So I for one don't buy the bad rap she's getting now, as being a drain on the ticket. Who should McCain have chosen? Some experienced person, who happened to be male? Palin has some serious deficits, some of which she shares with her rivals anway. But as a pro-life woman in high office, which means a woman in high office who upholds basic human rights, she is a force to be reckoned with.
#3. A Few Good Men (and women). Last night I saw the most intelligent interview yet concerning the election. It made me realize how few there are. The interview was with David Brooks of the New York Times. Yes, the NYT needs to be forever discredited and dismantled, but that's for their reporting: they do have a few good columnists. A great reason to watch the Jim Lehrer News Hour on PBS, the other reason being Jim Lehrer. A few, very few, others have been helpful as well. I appreciate 'em when I find 'em.
#4. The Shomos. Just as the primaries were heating up, Cullen James Shomo was born - on August 17, 2007.
#5. God. God is the one who allows men and women to rise or fall. Sometimes it's for our blessing, sometimes it's for our chastening, sometimes it's to reveal our hearts. We rarely know on election day. But he has his way.
