Election Day Drama

After more than a year of campaigning, the day that we’ve all been waiting for has arrived: November 4th, AKA Election Day 2008.

Tonight most of America will be glued to their televisions to see who the next president will be. It’s too close to call at this point. One thing that is for sure is the fact that whoever is elected will have a lot on their plate, the economy and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq being just a couple of concerns they will have to face.

Another thing we can be sure of is that this will be an election to remember. As we watch the election results unfold throughout the night, we will also be witnessing history. If elected, Obama would be the first black president, while Sarah Palin would be the first female vice president if McCain is elected.

I’m impressed by the passion that this election is evoking. Young people are truly interested in politics. You can tell by simply logging on to the ever-present Facebook, where people have donated their statuses to telling their friends to get out and vote for (insert desired candidate here.) But it’s not just young people who are interested. Record poll numbers across the country have been reported today, along with record early voter turnout.

While many will be glad when the election is over, I will be a little sad. It’s almost like the day after Christmas.

Whatever the outcome, this election will be one for the history books.

The Campaign Catwalk

There’s no question that this election has gotten out of hand. In past elections, candidates’ experience, education and stances on issues have been analyzed, scrutinized and overblown.

In this election, it’s dress to impress.

Thanks to vast media coverage of the presidential election, the candidates are constantly under pressure to not only sound good but to also look good. In my opinion, it is a good thing to look presentable at all times. But it seems like the candidates are being judged based on their fashion sense.

Governor Sarah Palin’s $150,000 wardrobe was under fire last week. The Democrats, as they are frequently known for their ability to make a fuss over nothing, had a field day with this. Palin confirmed that the clothes were not hers and were auctioned off after she wore them. What’s more, the wardrobe was financed by the Republic Party, not the American people. What’s the big deal? I’m sure Obama doesn’t buy his suits from Wal-Mart.

Before her expensive wardrobe was purchased, Palin was criticized for wearing “plain” and “dull” outfits. Now that she has more fashionable clothes to wear on the campaign trail, she is criticized for wearing clothes that are too expensive. I think Sarah Palin is a beautiful woman who looks excellent not only for her age but also considering that she’s had five kids, including Trig who was just born in April.

Not to mention Palin’s outfits blow Hillary Clinton’s pantsuits out of the water. This slideshow from Newsweek details Palin’s looks and guesses how much the various pieces cost: http://www.newsweek.com/id/165227

Even the men are being criticized when it comes to wardrobe choices. Or, in some cases, their choice of neckwear. An article from Newsweek analyzes the candidates’ ties, saying that the knots they choose tell a lot about who they are. McCain’s Windsor knot, according to the article, conveys an elite image. Obama’s four-in-hand knot is more common, therefore sending a message that he is the quintessential “every man.” (Here is a link to the Newsweek article: http://www.newsweek.com/id/163334)

Yet another feature from Newsweek has fashion guru Tim Gunn of Project Runway fame criticizing the candidates’ looks. Not surprisingly, he seems to favor the Democrat’s looks over the GOP’s. Imagine that. He calls Palin’s outfits “schizophrenic” and isn’t a fan of McCain’s distinguished sweater with a crisp dress shirt underneath. And he completely ignores Cindy McCain’s adorable pink tweed skirt and blazer. But he likes Nancy Pelosi’s look, calling her the “most fashionable woman in all of Washington.” Please. I’m not a fashion expert (who can compete with a fashionable gay man?) but Tim seems to have a bit of a Democratic crush. Of course, Obama and Biden get kudos for their clothing as well as Michelle Obama, who I admit is a very fashionable woman.
(Here’s a link to Tim’s Democratic Love-Fest. Just kidding. Or not. http://www.newsweek.com/id/166200)

In fact, I really think that all of the candidates are stylish. And they should be, as I’m sure they have plenty of campaign advisors telling them what (and what not) to wear. I guess what bothers me about fashion and the campaign trail is that it turns it into a sort of red carpet gala instead of a serious turning point for our country. Okay, I admit it’s fun to see what they wear and it’s important to look good. But you shouldn’t decide on a candidate because of what they wear, and there are more important issues to focus on.

The Voting Virgin

Today I lost my virginity.

No, not that virginity.

I’m talking about my virginity when it comes to voting. For the first time ever, I voted for the President of the United States of America. It felt amazing to cast my ballot and take part in something bigger than myself. More importantly, I felt good about my decision. For me, it was a no-brainer to vote for who I voted for. I voted for someone who has fought for me to keep the freedoms I have and the right I have to even vote at all.

The democratic process of voting is something that people have fought for since the birth of America. I can’t imagine not being able to vote simply because I am a woman. And today’s voting is getting hi-tech; I voted via touch screen, which was pretty cool. That’s right Florida, no more hanging chads.

The most patriotic thing a person can do is to get out and vote on Tuesday. You have the right to choose, so choose wisely. Do your research. Don’t vote for someone just because everyone else is. Stand out, make a stand, have a voice, yaddah yaddah.

In the 2004 election, I was too young to vote. My birthday was only a week or so after the election, and I was pretty bummed. Looking back, I really had no clue who I would have voted for. I wasn’t passionate about George Bush or John Kerry. It was like the lesser of two evils. Today, I knew who I wanted to vote for. I want the fate of our country to be left in the hands of someone who has fought and nearly died for it.

I voted for John McCain. Who will you vote for?