Gaming American Politics

With the Presidential primary season dragging into its 5th month of actual voting and caucusing, many of the pundits and commentators have increasingly called it the "never ending" campaign.

Republicans have all but nominated John McCain... waiting only for the GOP convention to make it official. But, nobody is seriously challenging him on the Republican side, and he is campaigning nationally now as the de facto Republican Candidate... enjoying a window of opportunity whilst the Democrats continue their slug-fest primaries.

Ah, the Democrats. Despite the math, Hillary continues to campaign. Obama seems to be increasingly frustrated by her refusal to bow out. Many voices in the Democratic party have been calling on her for over a month to throw in the towel... "for the good of the party".

And, they are right, if the objective is only to elect a Democrat in November.

But, I hold that the real objective is to determine who the best candidate for President is. Not just the most electable. I think all primaries, both GOP and Democrat, should go all the way to the convention. I believe that way is the only way for truly revolutionary ideas about our way forward as a nation will form and percolate to the top of the rhetoric.

What we are seeing in the Democratic drama, is the nation gleaning from each candidate who they really are, and what they really stand for. The long, long electoral season is allowing us, the consumers of politics, to pull away the curtains of polished sound bites and key messages, and see how each deals with issues that shed light on their character. The Rev. Jeremiah Wrights, the unpaid bills by the Clinton Campaign, the Weatherman friends and all the missteps by Bill Clinton all are indicators... they shed light on the character of the candidates and imply elements of each's character.

Moreover, with the elongated primary season, the liberal media is finding it increasingly difficult to avoid actually looking at the candidates' records in congress and elsewhere, and compare (and contrast) it with the rhetoric they are providing. This, too, shines a very needed light on their character and what they truly believe. Heck, anybody can say anything, and a good liar will make you believe it. But to gauge if it is true, look at what someone has actually done and said over time.

Or, believe the used car salesman and drive away in a lemon.

Over the last few years, as states scrambled to move their primary and caucus dates earlier and earlier, I thought it was a bad move. I thought it would further limit the opportunity for candidates to be close and personal with the electorate. It would limit the town-hall meeting format of campaigning and reduce our elections to very long ad campaign seasons, talking heads without any dialog, questions and answers.

At least for this election cycle I was wrong. It has actually caused states and territories (Guam) to truly have a voice in the process. Many of these states were no longer relevant in primaries past... the race had already been decided by the time their turn came. I'm glad they have had a chance this year... I believe it makes the process better and more revealing.

This has been a truly interesting primary season, especially on the Democratic side. And it ain't over yet. I salute Hillary for not giving in, for continuing to slug it out. It may be a futile effort as far as her candidacy goes, but I believe it is the right thing for our republic and democracy in general.

That's how I see it.

CP