The Amazing Race!

“The Amazing Race”

No, not the popular CBS show. This is the most amazing political race for President in my lifetime. One week ahead of “Super Tuesday”, there are actually three viable candidates from each major party. Probably to the consternation of the Democratic and Republican National Committee Chairmen, who would like to see one candidate from each party emerge now, this wide open campaign may be the best thing that has happened to American politics in decades. These races have made fools of pundits and pollsters alike, and have given voters real choices as to who they want to lead America after eight disastrous years of George W. Bush. No serious candidate for the White House can take any state or any political faction for granted anymore. This will truly be a fifty state race for party nominations and in the general election this fall as well.

The campaigns have brought out the best and worst of the candidates and their supporters (and spouses). What appeared to be a coronation for Hillary Clinton has become a hotly contested race between her and Barack Obama. On the Republic side Rudy Giuliani seems about ready to sing his swan song, while John McCain is in the process of making one of the most remarkable political comebacks in history! The media is afraid to predict the winner of any race, which is something this writer has longed for over the years. As a result of the competitive nature of these races voter turnout has set records in every primary and caucus, which may even translate into seventy five or eighty five percent of eligible voters actually going to the polls in November.

This race has made me think about wonderful possibilities for the future of the American political system. I dream of the abolishment of the Electoral College system, meaningful third, fourth and even fifth party candidates, publicly funded election campaigns, foreign born Americans having the right to run for President, and a voting system that is uniform in every state with proper monitoring and validation of all ballots cast. It is truly an “Amazing Race” and no matter who wins the White House in November America will be better and stronger for it.



By:

Henry A. Lowenstein