Forty-Five Years

[Lurker]

This election is not about race. I don't think anyone should vote for or against Obama because he's black, or for or against McCain because he's white. In spite of attempts to use race and xenophobia as a campaign tactic, those attemps have been largely rejected by voters. For voters this election has remained focused on issues and what direction we want the country to move.

That said...

Forty five years ago JFK gave his radio address on the moral crisis facing America due to the unfair treatment of blacks in much of the country.

Today we are five days away from electing the first African-American President.

In an election that didn't hinge on race.

To me that is impressive and makes me proud of our country.

[Freecare Spiritwise]

Great pride here as well. I honestly think that America put all the distractions aside, kept its eye on the ball, and will be electing the better candidate, because there's too much at stake not to. Somehow we as a country took a wrong turn. 9/11 messed with our head and made us briefly forget who we are, which is the greatest fucking country on earth. We can do better than we've been doing. And we will do better. I believe that.

The fact that we're seeing history being made is just icing on the cake.

And if the man tears come on Tuesday, and I can't guarantee that they won't, anyone here at the house that gives me hell for it is a heartless bastard

[Trollbait]

We could be five days from proving the Bradley effect.....

Chickens are best counted after hatching.

[Kulaf]

I think it is a great thing as well. I like Obama.....I think I could go have a drink with him and chat and have a great time. I don't like his politics.....and I certainly won't be voting for him......but I'm glad to see him running for President.

[Lurker]

We could be five days from proving the Bradley effect.....

Chickens are best counted after hatching.

A good reminder not to get overconfident or complacent. There was no evidence in the primaries that a Bradley Effect made Obama underperform the polls on election day, quite the opposite, but anything can happen.

[Harlowe]

IMO the Bradley Effect is the last fragile hope McCainiacs are clinging to. Sort of like someone hanging onto a small branch while being swept up in a flood.

I don't think that's overconfidence, I think it's merely looking at the facts, the state of the economy, polling and what is happening around the country. Sure anything could happen, but I'd be extremely surprised if McCain wins.

[Freecare Spiritwise]

He looked cool as a cucumber on Rachael Maddow today. With only a few days to go before the election, I can't see how he's not fraying at the seams - even just a little. The guy is amazing. He's not complacent, he's not overconfident, and he's not "coasting". I think that his demeanor up until the end speaks to the level of leadership that we can expect from him as president. I personally have high expectations of him if he wins, and I'm tired of being disappointed in our political leadership.

Shit, even if he loses, and that's a big if, he's inspired millions of people to become active participants in the political process who normally wouldn't be. Win or lose, nobody can take that away from him.