Political relationships are almost as intriguing as personal relationships.
In order to watch the debate tonight, I signed up for the Community Room. We live in somewhat of a resident hotel. Through some mix-up I arrived to find a group of young men from the Rhode Island School of Design poised to watch Barack Obama and John McCain. They were Obama supporters who had canvassed for him and attended focus groups.
Despite the fact that I had a disconcerted scowl on my face because I was hoping to sit and watch it with a neighbor, they invited us to join them. Almost by default I stayed because I received a series of emails from my editor on a Blackberry gone wild.
I like to think I am neutral, but opinionated. So here goes. For me the campaign from the start has been filled with bumper sticker thinking, “My mind is made up; don’t confuse me with the facts.” And I don’t think tonight’s debate really had a defining moment – although there were a few good jabs.
Student Perspective on Ayers: The young men thought that Obama answered the questions more crisply — although some said in the beginning McCain was “doing pretty good.” As I watched the reruns on my computer, John McCain seemed to answer the questions more directly.
They asked me what it was that most concerned me about Obama. That was easy, “Ayers and experience.” As someone who lived by Greenwich Village and knew the house that exploded because of the Weathermen, a group to which William Ayers belonged – I have long been troubled that Obama did not tackle the issue head on and say, “Yes, I knew him. Yes, I wrote a forward to one of his books. Yes, the records from the Annenberg Challenge show that we worked closely together. As I look back, I may have made a mistake in embracing him as I did.”
However – one student pointed out that what troubled him was the characterization that Ayers was a domestic terrorist. They were not old enough to remember Vietnam. But they had a keen sense of history, and they saw the SDS and the Weathermen for who they were – angry young people who could not get the attention of their government. I pointed out that it was the massive peaceful demonstrations that probably were responsible for the famous words of Lyndon Johnson, “. . . I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.”
Everyone of us who had every marched in protest were stunned and elated.
But where do we stand today? And more importantly where do the young people stand? For the most part, they stand solidly behind Obama.
Nonetheless, they saw McCain as too connected to George Bush – but interestingly not because of John McCain, but because of “those who chose Sarah Palin.” It is their feeling that she was chosen by George Bush operatives.
Education: They see that as a nation we are in crisis. They were smart enough to realize that our educational system is in a shambles. Bob Schieffer, 71, longtime host of CBS’ “Face the Nation” touted the old chestnut – our children consistently score lower than other nations. Bob, please let’s get that one right — the students have lower scores than other nations because other nations only test the best and the brightest.
Nonetheless – “No Child Left Behind” is a bit of a disaster. It teaches children to test, instead of think.
Energy: And as for our energy policy, they believe in wind and solar. Some of the students were quite excited that Robert Whitcomb, one of the authors of Cape Wind, was addressing their class. Obama, so closely associated with the Kennedy family, will he be willing to buck them on their cherished pledge to keep wind energy from their treasured cove at the Cape? The full title of the book is Cape Wind: Money, Celebrity, Class, Politics, and the Battle for Our Energy Future on Nantucket Sound.
As such, if all young people are as forward thinking then maybe whomever the next president happens to be will not matter. They will go on and create and innovate and think.
Perhaps the most interesting discussion centered around our future – their future. One young man said, “We are in a crisis but sometimes it takes a crisis to become the most creative.”
What if? Months ago, I expressed my greatest concern about Obama on Talking Points Memo. “He is a new face and his ability to stir a crowd is riveting. But he reminds of how we all flocked to Jimmy Carter for a change – a breath of fresh air. We all loved Jimmy Carter, but he couldn’t lead the country. I loved his sister, Ruth Carter Stapleton. But he couldn’t lead the country. What if Obama is the star in a movie in which the golden candidate is elected; his team celebrates; and he says, “Now what?”
Actual words: The movie to which I was referring is “The Candidate” with Robert Redford. And after winning the election, before meeting with reporters he says to Peter Boyle: “Marvin, what do we do now?”
If Barack Obama is our next president as the polls indicate, will he have a “What do we do now” moment?
My own sons see Obama as surrounding himself with the smartest young minds in the country, Bill Gates style. If that is the case, and he can separate himself from the politics of old regime Democrats – then young people are convinced he will succeed. And you have to feel their spirit, their personal energy.
Who do I think is the most qualified? Hillary — forget likes or dislikes — forget personal style — iHillary.
Hillary disappointed: In the interim, tonight Lynn Forester de Rothschild, a former Hillary fundraiser, is heading up Democratic Women for McCain. She said that at a recent rally, Hillary and Bill attracted a crowd of 4,000 – while Sarah Palin attracted 7,000.
Ah yes, Tim Russert you must be enjoying the view!
Copyright 2008 Rita Watson