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Wed. Jan 30, 2008

And Then There Were Two, or Three

Boy Howdy, if I was a Floridian, I’d be most peeved that my vote only counted for half if I was a Republican, and hardly counted at all if I was a Democrat, given the penaties the state received from the national parties for busting line in the primary schedule.

But as it turns out, Florida is where candidates go to die. A verb, a noun, 9/11, and “the Florida firewall” strategy turned what was once Conventional Wisdom’s presumptive Republican nominee into a political joke. And Rudy’s withdrawal brings a sigh of relief from many.

On the other hand, John Edwards’ withdrawal is a bit of a surprise to me, and certainly shakes things up, as he was also a “candidate of change.” So Democrats get a pretty clear cut choice: two candidates who have very little daylight between them on policy (substance), and therefore will be largely judged on their personality and leadership abilities (style). And maybe their spouses, too.

On the Republican side, it almost seems some of the “base” and Republican establishment feel like they will have to decide which is more distasteful … a Democratic President, or President John McCain. There appears to be some serious doubt about that within the Republican hive mind, in fact, you may hear Rush Limbaugh’s head explode live on his show today. In other words, Hillary could yet end up being what unites the Republicans, not their own candidate.

Or, is it possible the specter of McCain as the nominee will cause Republican voters on Super Tuesday to rally around Romney? I mean, even that phrase, “rally around Romney,” sounds awfully weak, doesn’t it?

So the vote of Floridians may not have “counted” for much in the delegate total, but it certainly narrowed the field. And next week, people in 20-some states get to make a vote that counts, including myself. In fact, it’s been quite some time since I felt like my vote might actually make a difference. But I feel that way this time.

And I suppose I’ve said enough here about who I’m backing. But I hope, no matter who you support, or most especially, if you haven’t decided yet, you will get out and vote in your chosen primary. I think we can all at least agree that this is a pivotal election, with much yet to be decided, and it is no time to sit unheard.