Will November Rain Obama or McCain

By Milly Thangjam *

The unceasing political drama surrounding the 2008 Presidential race never fails to entertain me. It's akin to listening to Jared Leto and Dave Grohl, my current favorite singers. When Obama won the nomination, I thought that was it. That I wouldn't have much interest in what happens next till November. I only wanted Hillary out.

Boy, Hill and Bill are as appetizing as last week's boiled cabbage. Her shrill voice, Bubba hovering in the background, her desperation to be the first female Prez, her corporate-kissing attitude, plus the fact that she is a past board member for Mallwart (oops, I meant Walmart) are enough to give me a big time migraine.

In the beginning, I supported Obama simply because he's no Hillary. In the following weeks, I got more and more drawn to his policies, his personality, his oratory skills (I feel he does have an excellent team of speech writers despite his claim of writing them himself) , the cult like Obamamania exhibited by his supporters.

I was moved by people waiting for hours in the snow to hear him speak, stories of kids contributing their piggy bank savings toward his campaign, plus his demeanor of always being calm whatever the situation was. The man has got class. Period.

In a society where special interest groups virtually run the government, I was glad, glad to have a candidate who downsized partisan contributions from lobbyists. Also, if he wins, I am looking forward to seeing a stop to the tax breaks for companies that outsource, fixing the social security system without privatization (let him increase taxes for Walmart and Microsoft and their ilk for that).

From the look of things, it won't be hardly surprising if he wins. I feel he's one smooth operator, I bet he can even sell dvds to a blind person. Joe Biden? I couldn't care one way or the other. The only thing he brings in is his senate voting record is so identical to Obama's (well, not the time span, but the issues) and at least he can fill in some of the blanks in the 'experience' area for Obama.

On the other side of the coin, when Mccain announced that he was running, my first thought was that he would drop dead while in office if he gets elected. I don't go by political tags, Dems or Reps.

The line dividing the two is so blurred, most politicians regardless of which party they belong to sound and act the same. Like most people, I am no die hard Dem or Rep, I'm just somewhere in the middle. While I admit that I admire Mccain's war record and am a somewhat strong supporter of the troops, I am not sure whether I want to see the present war go on for decades.

But hey, I love, love his lastest move. The least expected Sarah Palin. Her true blue roots, small town charm, dowdy clothes(I also wear dowdy clothes) are truly appealing. Also, there is hardly anything to criticize about her (what can be there when she' s only been mayor in Lilliput-city Wasilla for two terms and Governor for two years?? Something like Obama's record...).

Personally, I would love to have a Prez or VP from Alaska, a state so under-representated. It's a place I love, its obscurity and rich wild life fascinate me, a place I would move to if I can, without ever looking back.

This has no political bearings but I love that Palin's husband is a sled dog racer...have always loved Togo and Balto and all those Alaskan huskies... have always wanted to see the Iditarod race in person...sigh.

At least, Palin might capture a chunk of the undecideds , bring in some of the blue collar workers (and their supporters) to the Rep fold. Also, some of the PUMAs (Party Unity My A**) who have been so disappointed over Hillary's non-nomination might find their niche in her.

With issues ranging from the war, subprime mortgage crisis, global warming, Wall Street in ICU, third generation bio fuels (I wonder how many tons of algae will produce one gallon commercial oil:)), traditional oil prices, to pro life/pro choice, outsourcing, gender, race, gay rights, this has been an exhilarating season with the promise of becoming even more so.

With the conclusions of the DNC and RNC, I feel the curtains have been drawn on the third and fourth parts of a five act play. Simply can't wait for the final act in November.