The Other Election

With most most media attention snagged by this historic presidential race that will climax tomorrow, less attention and thought have been given to the House and Senate campaigns that have just as much importance to this year and the future of American politics. All mainstream media attention is given to the campaign, and I think most Americans are severely under informed about their Senators, not to mention the presidential candidates. Though seemingly less important to the title of Commander in Chief, Senatorial office holds essential powers in government, and speak on behalf of their districts, as a more direct voice in government. So why is it that more Americans know less about their Senators than the little they do know about Obama and McCain? Governmental detachment by citizens and notions of an "evil government" with too much power, bad connotations, dismisses interest in politics for Americans.  Knowledge about how to change an unpopular government leads to political optimism in voters.

 As it were, all signs point to a realignment and a Democratic takeover of Congress and the Presidency, and probably the Supreme Court if the other two were to fall into place. A recent New York Times article points out several key points. First, Congressional Dems are outspending Republicans by a margin of about 2:1, going after seats in Colorado, Nebraska, Washington, and my home state of Maine. Assuming Dems will hold their current seats, picking up battleground states, those which were strongly Republican in the 2004 election (VA, NC, AK), they could reach a total of 59 seats, strengthening their majority in the Senate. Retirement also plays a part. Among other main reasons, the surge from the left has sprung from the presidential campaign, where Obama acts as a pseudo voice for the entire party. His civic idealism has crossed racial borders, changed Republicans to Democrats (my father included), and led our country into the most crucial and historic presidential race of American history. This is unquestionably a realignment election, if not, in the very least, historically crucial. The campaign has opened a new generation's eyes to the possibility of leadership; undeniable optimism that will hopefully last for at least the next four years.