It would mean that nobody knows anything. Obama has led in the polls for weeks. FiveThirtyEight.com, the popular electoral projection website, puts his odds of winning at 96.3%. Former Bush administration officials have been falling over themselves to be the first and loudest to endorse Obama. And McCain himself went on Saturday Night Live and did everything short of delivering a concession speech.
It would mean that race still matters above all else. And I'm not calling all McCain supporters racist. What I mean is this: according to CNN.com, 70% of those polled said race would not be a factor in their decision. They say it like that's the headline. Here's the headline I see: 30% of those polled said race WOULD be a factor in their decision. And if Obama loses with an apparent lead in the polls, then I know where I would point a finger first.
It would mean we get the government we deserve. Whatever you think about policies, McCain/Palin have run one of the nastiest, most underhanded campaigns I have ever seen. So quick to attach labels, and turn everything into a meaningless slogan. Terrorists. Socialist. Real America. Muslim. Atheist. Drill baby drill. Think what you want about his association with William Ayers or Jeremiah Wright, but I dare you to justify this:
Pay particular attention to the photograph at the 20 second mark: Obama, leering, casting his gaze downward. What might he be looking at? Why, perhaps its one of those sexy sexy kindergarteners. Here are a few more labels: despicable. Indefensible.
And it would mean that there is no longer a place for the Democratic Party in national politics. If they cannot win an election when the incumbent president has an approval rating in the 20s, and 85% of people think the country is going in the wrong direction, then they might as well hang it up.
