The morning after the US election

The Republicans have already begun fighting in advance of their expected defeat next week.

One rival is predicting what another rival will say, a third is blaming a fourth. All are expecting to duke it out in the national spotlight the moment CBS calls it for Obama.

So allow me to explain to these Republicans, from personal experience, that something altogether more painful is going to happen.

I was in Conservative Central Office in May 1997, on the night the Tory Party lost power after 18 years. I saw friends, and people I liked a little less than that, lose their seats or scrape home. And then the Prime Minister, John Major, returned and took his friends and advisers to a private room where he talked to us of his plans to resign as Conservative leader the next morning.

As he did.

But while we thought this was a central news item, it really wasn't. Because on that first day of Tony Blair's Government it was the new people who were the story.

There was a feeling of euphoria in Britain that morning, a feeling of freshness and change. Even people who hadn't voted for Blair were caught up in it. Many of them wished that they had, and his poll rating soared. Much of the good feeling about new Labour was generated in the months after their landslide, oddly, rather than in the months before it.

And here's the lesson for Tories. The hardest thing to absorb was this - we didn't matter.

For the first time in years the story wasn't about us, and our squabbles and intrigues seemed oddly silly and pointless. And we, especially those of us who had worked on the losing campaign, felt excluded from a great national party. It was a little bit like sitting in the gloomy train Woody Allen films in Stardust Memories, while in the happy train everyone is popping champagne corks.

The first step towards recovery for the Conservative party was to stop thinking that we were the centre of the universe and that what we thought mattered more than what others thought.

The Republicans are about to go through a period of self absorption and will think it is all that matters. They will only recover when they start to understand that no one is watching and that no one, except them, cares.

That realisation will be more painful than the battles themselves.

Comments

[Prudence Eely Bond McGuire]

IF THE REPUBLICANS ARE BEATEN INTO SECOND PLACE BY THAT INDECISIVE DISHONEST SOCIALIST PARTY THERE WILL PROBABLY BE NO AMERICA TO COME BACK TO.
'A MAN WENT LOOKING FOR AMERICA AND COULDN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE'. 'EASY RIDER'.

[Blunt]

And do you remember the election in which everybody thought Labour would win and in fact Major did? The US election is only on the 4th November. Maybe you should save this kind of article till then or you may end up looking very silly

[Keble]

Exceptional comment, Daniel. A great many Republicans are about to learn Kepler's Fourth Law of Planetary Motion: The World does not revolve around you. In a way, it's sad as the closing chapter of the GOP reign is marked by recession, corruption, war and a compromised constitution. "Morning in America" ended up being a government managed by those in the grip of political autism. There is a lesson, of course, to be learned here but it will be repeated.

[John Fox]

YOU make it about us.

[Owen]

But you forget - The Tories, for all their faults, have honour and a sense of sportsmanship. They took the drubbing of 1997 with relative good grace.

The Republicans are power-hungry meglomaniancs who will lie, cheat and steal to achieve their objectives. They have very little, if anything in common with the Conservative party.

Here's hoping they tear themselves apart.

[Malbork]

No, there is a difference, and it has everything to do with the political and national culture of the U.S. Britain still exercises some political civility, but the U.S. cultural/political divisions are exposing frightening characteristics. When the Right loses, they will lash out in every direction. Blame will be generously distributed internally, and accusations of fraud and deceipt will be hurled leftward. Power will be relinguished grudgingly. The Left, of course, will preen and gloat and sharpen a few knives themselves. It will be ugly and get uglier. The mutual hatred will come to a boil to a point where government will be frozen, unless the Left achieves Congressional majorities. That freeze, of course will be blamed on each by the other. This accumulated malice will eventually evolve into a sort of Cold Civil War that separates all that binds us. I can only hope we stare deeply into that abyss before allowing ourselves to tumble.

[John Louis Swaine]

"The Republicans are power-hungry meglomaniancs(sic) who will lie, cheat and steal to achieve their objectives."

Politicians in other words?

Both parties are massively corrupt, believing otherwise is to ignore the nature of modern US politics. Kickbacks, earmarked discretionary spending funneled back to supporters and no-bid government contracts to old friends and old donators. Democrats and Republicans both have their fair share of kleptocrats.

[Piero]

Probably Obama will win 2008 election.(I hope not)
It's almost sure he will lose 2012 election.
Do you remember Carter?
I know,different times now and different demographic situation in Usa but Obama is far left-wing even than Carter and most of people in America like guns,death penalty and don't like their sons are brain-washed at school (me too).
Republicans need only to take more care of working poors,to be less dogmatic about universal healthcare service and to realize that deficit spending usually is not a good thing,these aims are compatible.

[charles]

Silly Brits- Its not a popularity contest. regardless of which twit gets elected, the balance of power rests with the Congress, and Senate, which sponsors legislation, and spending. American conservatives recoil in horror to a popular vote, bequase it equals "Mob Rule". Rather, Republicans tend to want a real leader. Not necessarily Like McCain, a lifelong politician, or Obama, A lifelong marxist.

[Janet Greene]

What a beautiful article. Invokes the Camelot feeling. Maybe there is hope for America after all...

[narmer]

BARACK OBAMA:PLEASE -- OBAMA IS NOT JIMMY CARTER OR ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING.HE IS OBAMA.LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT FROM THE START.YOU'VE ALL,FOR WHATEVER DUMB (REPECTFULLY) REASON,UTTERLY MISREAD THE MAN.

OBAMA LITERALLY PERSONIFIES OUR SWIFTLY CHANGING WORLD AND WISHES ONLY TO TAKE US ALL ALONG ON HIS MAGNANIMOUS JOURNEY--LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL--GLOBALLY.BUT FIRST,
THE HOME FRONT:EDUCATION,EDUCATION.

"MAWKISH!!",YOU SAY? STICK AROUND.

POOH-POOH IT IF YOU WISH,HOWEVER,
KEEP IN MIND THAT -- HISTORY IS REPLETE WITH SO-CALLED UPSTARTS, BUT CAPABLE AND SINCERE MINDS THAT CONTRIBUTED MIGHTILY TO HUMANITY'S FALTERING COMMONWEAL.

[Terri]

I loved reading this. Thank you.

[David]

I guess I was asleep when Obama already won the election.

I wouldn't jump the gun if I were you. Polls are underestimating conservative turnout (due to Palin), and even at that they have it being a 3-5 point lead for Obama. That's not insurmountable by any stretch, and polling from the primaries show that undecideds break away from Obama almost unanimously. If he hasn't won them over before they enter the polling booth, he won't win them.

And if the Republican party and McCain loses, they won't be as wimpy as the torries, they will battle on, elect new leaders, and win again very soon because we know the country naturally leans to the right.

[David]

I regard the earlier posts as pretty wide of the mark. Extreme political and partisan warfare is unlikely to continue, and far more likely is: the Nation will focus on the New Project, Camelot et al; the GOP will be left alone to lick its wounds; national reconciliation will become the order of the day with the economy in such turmoil; there will be militay disengagement in Iraq and the beginnings of a new foeign policy. In every major policy area the Republicans will need to search for their own response. This will be far from easy and a modernist, reformist wing will quickly establish itself and is likely to produce a contender in 4 years. Mrs Palin will disappear from whence she came. I think that this is what Daniel had in mind when he recalled the Day The Other Lot Got In. For other lot, read That One.

[shrubnose]

The Republican party is on its way to becoming a minor party, Hate and fear are poor selling points.That, and rapidly changing demographics spells the end of the GOP ( Greed Over Principles party ) as a major party . People of colour will NOT vote for those who hate and despise them . Lincoln must be rolling over in his grave ! I will not miss them .

[JB]

But you know what is particularly sad? While telling each other that the Republicans don't matter, the Democrats will continue to act as if the Republicans are the main drivers in world affairs. You see, they must. It is how they have come to be where they are now, building their entire campaign around blaming everything that has ever been wrong in the world on George W. Bush. Is your home in foreclosure? It's Bush's fault, not yours for agreeing to a ridiculous loan that anyone with half a brain should have seen would never work for you. Did you lose your job? It's Bush's fault, not yours for failing to show up on time or being flexible enough to survive in a changing world. Did your dog die? It's Bush's fault. And so on, and so forth. By about 2010, that whole mantra of "It's Bush's fault" will no longer bear any resemblance to reality. It will be interesting to see who a Pres. Obama blames for anything bad that happens on his watch.

[Don G]

Obviously, you did not see Petraus speak on Iraq recently. He gave a very detailed assessment of what is happening and what must happen. Whe Obama tells him what he is going to do I suspect he will retire. Perhaps Colin Powell can help him out as he has already explained where the wmd's are!

[George]

What McCain/ Palin won't tell the American people, the recession is connected to the subprime mortgages, the subprime mortgages is connected to the Dem Party, the Dem Party is connected to BHO, BHO is connected to spreading their wealth around.

[Tyler Smith]

Any right thinking level headed person will tell you Mr Obama is all set for victory next Tuesday. I was my self a Hillary supporter and a republican. I am a white, conservative christian Male. The confidence, nobility, sense of fairness and purpose of Obama is breathtaking and refreshing. Mr McCain represents everything wrong with America today. The old, tired and ancient scare politics of the GOP of yore totally outdated in a 21st Century global village moving at the speed of sound. Most of his supporters are bound by a quiet racial bias which they wont acknowledge publicly but will do so privately. Come on folks, wake up and smell the coffee. The party of Bush has imploded, ruined the greatest nation and along with Cheney ride into the sunset as total failures. Time for Change, Time for Barack.

[e skelton]

Republi whats?

[e skelton]

Just how corrupt and power hungry are the Republicans? Watch out on November 6th for the pollsters calling it 60/40 for Obama but the 'count' calling it 50.5/49.5 for McCain. Or does that only happen in Zimbabwe and Florida?

[Sam C]

Some of the comments from Americans here show that country's biggest problem: the excessive angry stupidity of a large fraction of their population. These fools buy the Republicans' message of despair and hatred. And they buy into idiotic lies about Obama. They bandy words like marxist and socialist which they don't understand at all, because they're nasty ignorant woodentops. Obama thinks a country with healthy educated people would be better than one with rich people exploiting the poor - that is not exactly revolutionary politics in the more mature parts of this world.

Grow up America, that grey stuff between your ears is for thinking with, not just for moving your loud mouths!

[Juan]

Mr. Finkelstein, what are you going to do with this article if McCain wins?

Do you have a crystal ball in your navel?

You might become as irrelavant as the Tories in 1997.

Why do you risk your credibility? Might it be because of partisanship?

[Juan]

Is not that a 'racist' comment from Sam C: that some americans are "nasty ignorant woodentops"?

Sam C, you are ignorant and ungrateful. The americans that you despise have died by the millions, twice, to save your "enlightened" Europe.

You do not deserve it.

[Liz]

The Democratic candidate for my district does not even live in the state. He said he will move here if he wins. I will still vote for him. That is how much I can't stand the Republicans. My Republican congressman has a personal wealth of 14 million dollars. Hardly a man of the people.

[Andrew]

Hate to be so frank about losses of life but technically only roughly 600,000 American troops died in WW1/WW2. Also whilst US involvement was crucial in successful allied victories it could be argued that it was only forthcoming when it suited US interests and was not to "save" Europe.

[Robert Boyd]

Its not over 'till the fat lady sings.

[Paul]

Oh please Juan! America never entered any war other than for motives of self-interest.

What is clear and frightening is the extent to which so many Americans 'just don't get' modern realities.

The world is changing and you're being left behind.

[Tommy Walker]

It's ignorant Europeans like Sam C. that will suffer when the USA figures out that they dont want to "help" those who spout hatred toward them.
The economic conditions in the world right now, will not allow the US to "help" other nations.
"Enlightened" Europe will not be able to afford those US imports that you so hate and despise.
Whomever gets elected will pull back from "helping" our so-called friends.

[sunny]

well said Andrew The US is in it only when it suits them. Thats the story always Period. Its a myth that USA joined the wars to save Europe. USA was afraid that if Germany Overcame the rest of europe, its ass would be on line next HAHAHAha Cheeky yanks never miss an opportunity to beat their own trumpets. I will go on to say that half of the worlds problems are because of them.......

[Al Frick]

It's pretty easy to "party" after the election. Then, inevitably, comes the hangover. The socialist and timid Jimmy Carter-like foreign policy hangover.

[Gary]

Look this guy Obama is so radical he opposed a bill that would have offerd medical assistance to a baby that survived an abortion! If he wins America will have Left wing Democrates running the whole show.
And that spells trouble for Europe and Israel.

[sharky]

Actually, this does worry me as a liberal--Democrats are getting an unexpected majority. That may let us do well for a few years because we've been helplessly watching mistakes and only just now had a chance to undo them... but the US runs on checks and balances. We need one side to wrangle the other.

I'll save my real worrying until after we're done cleaning up after Bush's mess. First things first.

[Anne]

Don't rule out the Silent Majority in America. We're the ones who keep our mouths shut & speak with our votes. We're the ones that put Reagan into office twice when the polls had counted him out. We're the ones who embarrassed Dewey when even the newspapers had published his victory issue -- and had to retract when Truman won. We're also the ones that will keep the world together while the rest of you secular humanist liberals are out trying to get the government to take care of you. Why? Because we ARE the government -- and if it weren't for those of us who have a sense of personal responsibility and are able to hold down jobs, the rest of you would be in breadlines -- manned and supplied by -- guess who -- Republicans!

[Sam Spiegler]

The truth is not accepted very well by Republicans.
Evidenced by these comments.

[Diane]

Piero...if you honestly believe any Republican will ever care one whit about the working in the US, I have some shares in the Brooklyn Bridge I'd like to sell you.

[Marty in Minneapolis]

Great article, no one on this side of the pond seems to think about the day after next Tuesday. As Obama's win becomes inevitable, this significant milestone in U.S. history becomes an event that voters (his supporters) will not want to miss, while McCain’s supporters never really liked him anyway. Yes, next Wednesday I do hope becomes a transformational moment in America’s history.

[Mohammed]

"Oh please Juan! America never entered any war other than for motives of self-interest."

True, but can any nation claim a bona fide altruistic reason for which they entered a war? To say that America looks after itself is obviously correct. However, don't other nations do that as well? Economics 101 tells us that we're all ultimately guided by our self-interests and will do anything to achieve them. While this may sound harsh, cynical, and an anti-humanist stance it's undoubtedly true.

On another note, while "it ain't over till it's over," Obama's lead in the polls does suggest that he will most likely become President. A lot of Republicans, independents (myself included), and perhaps even some die hard Hillary fans, will be sitting out this election. Neither candidate appears to have a firm grasp on the issues that the nation faces and are ultimately pandering to party rhetoric. Whoever wins I hope they know what the hell they're doing.

[m smith]

Obama hasn't won yet, but if he does then the chances of him actually surviving to take office are fairly small. So, we'll never get to see whether he is more of a disaster than Jimmy Carter.

[JM]

Obama will likely win. He will at first preside over a continued downward economic slide, for which he, like all presidents, will be inordinately blamed. Then, the world economy will naturally cycle up and Obama will receive undue credit.

Whether or not he is reelected depends on several factors: 1. Will he turn out to actually be the antichrist? 2. Will he actually attempt to implement all his promises and send the country into complete bankruptcy? 3. Can he continue to blame Republicans for all America's problems when his party has total control over government?

Provided #1 above isn't true, America will hopefully grow wise to the evils of breeding a socialistic dependence on the welfare state, and Republicans will once again regain a prominent role.

What outsiders don't understand about the U.S. is that it will likely always be a two party country. Those two parties will stay Democrat and Republican for the time being unless an incredibly charismatic figure appears on the horizon under an independent or third party banner.

Barring that, the only reason Republicans won't reemerge is if Dems somehow manage to completely transform America into something other than what it has ever been or should be. Brits may not know it, but that's the last thing they want or need to occur.

[jd]

juan, you (and most americans) have been watching to many hollywood films... a million died to save the poms?? read some history .. or better still spread the wealth so a few more americans can read!

get a passport and travel! you need the humbling experience of seeing what the real world is about.

[oldasiahand]

This is Obama's year and his lead is so large that no amount of cheating will be able to deny it credibly.

I was in Manila in 1986 when Marcos called a snap election ahgainst Cory Aquino. He 'won' the election 55/45 but Reagan's emissary, a Senator from Nevada, came and told him the jig was up: his 'winning' margin was far less than the amount of stolen votes, he had to leave the country and concede to Aquino.

[Joe from Raleigh]

I think you miss an important difference in the US and British political systems. A Brit once asked me what it was like to elect a President. I thought for a moment, and said "He's a constitutional monarch. He has power, but it's limited." He thought about that, and said "We elect a dictator." To a constitutional monarch, the opposition matters (some, at least) unless his party wins a landslide in the House and Senate, as well as the Presidency. To a dictator, it matters not at all.

By the way, this will be a close election. If it's stolen (a real possibility), it'll be stolen by Obama's left wing fraudulent voter registering friends in ACORN.

[Juanita Edmondson]

Sir I'd like to know when GOD died and you took His place to know the future.Boy will you be shocked when your apparent party is the loser.
It ain't over until the day after.
I hope you have plenty of puffs for the crying.

[Paul Freeman]

The Rasmussen Poll (which use the best polling methodology) is showing Obama's 7-8 point lead collapsing to 3 points today. No I don't believe the polls either. Start sweating Democrats!

[Mark Smith, Houston, Texas]

If I remember my history correctly, the US did not enter WWII to save Europe from an evil leader, but instead entered because Hitler declared war on the US following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour, and to engage and ultimately (very successfully) defeat Germany, it had to fight them in Europe.

[will]

obama will be president for 4 years. he will then hopefully get kicked out like clement atlee was in about 1950.
i only hope that the american people get rid of the socialism that obama brings in a hell of a lot faster than we managed to get rid of it. After all it took us 34 years to even begin to fight back against the nationalisation of british industry that atlee brought in. under obama there will inevitably be an american NHS created, and with a democratic congress and senate it will get through. once america has these socialist things you wont be a super power for much longer. and i for 1 would much prefer america as the world super power to china.

there will be other terrible ecconomic policies that he will bring through. he is a protectionist which will inevitably hurt the american ecconomy, cause inflation and cause tit for tat tarifs to be raised against american exports.

i just wonder how many people actually listen to what obamas got to say rather than those who fawn over him just because he is prettier than mccain and isnt a republican.

[Joe Radmacher]

Boy oh boy, the Republicans on this post are sore losers. I can't believe anyone with any intelligence believes that Obama isn't the best choice for our country. Do you really want Palin getting that call at 3AM? The scariest thing about Palin is her having our nuclear launch codes. She might try to go hunting out of a helicopter with a nuke.

[anathema]

The republican party isn't just a small party, it's one half of the political makeup of America. Half the politically minded electorate matters to more than just themselves. Were the tables reversed, the democrat party would also matter to more than just themselves.

[Payne]

This US election is all about race, like it or not...if Obama should win, a lot depends on the decisions he makes which must be entirely based on capabilities and merits of his appointments, not race. If he stacks the deck with unqualified people it will be obvious, especially if they are perceived as favoring an entitlement society.. and it will be a century before the Demobrats gain office again....

[Obamamessiah]

You effete Brits are gonna roll up in a big, fat ball and die when THE ONE loses the election.

Happy meltdown on 5 November.

[Wendy]

And I think the same thing is true of the Liberal party in Canada. Dubbed the "Natural Ruling Party" they are currently close to obscurity and financial bankruptcy after years of huge majorities. In those days it was more about the fights between different sides within the parties than the criticism of the oppoosition parties. Now they're on the cusp of ANOTHER leadership campaign and the need to pull it together.

[Stan]

Mr. Freeman, please read the Whole article at Rasmussen.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

[dan mcgarity]

If Obama wins, America will no longer be the opponent of Russia, they will be working on a merger.

[John O'Farrell]

The polls had Bush running 8 points behind on the last day of the 2004 election. He won by 3 points. Don't count your chickens, the Messiah can easily lose, I'll send you a box of kleenex when he does.

[Larry Daley]

Hmm:

Here in the US in many circle Obama is not expected to be a Carter; but rather he is expected to be a "Carter on Steriods."

[Bobc]

And the author doesn't think Obama believes the world revolves around him? My gosh, he is one of the most arrogant, self-absorbed politicians I have ever seen...and believe me, we have a lot of them.

But Obama is a younger breed, a socialist, and as Pelosi & Reid have meetings on how they can grab our 401k's, and be so kind to give us $500 or $600 in each S.S. check, they will have a cheerleader in Obama.

Here's the deal, if Obama wins, immigrants wanting to come to our Country, should look elsewhere, because we are no better than the socialist country you came from.

[Bill]

Its funny that Brits, that presume to know anything about what Republicans stand for, are busy instituting sharia law in their own courts. You'll be begging for Republicans when the tanks roll over your country. Sorry to say it, but its true. The idealism of the democratic party is simply unrealistic, unsustainable, and quite frankly, dangerous. We have a 10 Trillion dollar national debt, and they want to spend, spend, spend on socialised economic reform?

The republicans are not perfect, but they are not dumb, nor are they the racist, or corrupt (at least completely corrupt, both parties are terrible quite frankly) as the media makes them out to be.

Remember the media is completely in the tank for Obama, and are willing to spin any of Obama's corruption away.

To our foriegn friends, all is not as it seems. I hope for your sake that Mc Cain is elected, as Russia looms over the horizon.

[emma]

Although a life long Democrat, I refuse to vote for Obama. I'd rather vote for Republican McCain than a smooth talker who has zero experience. Obama would be the collapse of the U.S.
Many may say they plan to vote for Obama, but behind the curtain of the voting booth...most will vote for McCain.
-Emma, Austin, Texas

[emjay]

Many people aren't thinking about his words, Will. They're watching the pictures. He's been speaking clearly and openly lately about his intentions, yet moderate pundits still support him on the "hope" that he will govern more as a centrist than his leftist voting record, speeches, and writings indicate. They're willing to take that gamble, and stake everything on that hope.

Certainly, all nations go to war out of self-interest, when they feel their vital stakes are threatened. It isn't, and shouldn't be, any other way. Still, America has sustained and fueled it's support of difficult and decimating wars in Europe and the Pacific with the sense that there is evil that must be put in it's place, and the allies cannot handle it alone. It's not purely altruistic, and isn't meant to be, but it's not entirely out of crass, cynical self-interest, either.

America felt after the destruction of WWII that Europe needed help getting back on it's feet. After the herculean effort of winning the war, we sent over the Marshall Plan, a massive expenditure for that purpose. It wasn't enough to defeat the Nazis and the Japanese, we also had to clean up, square away refugees, and rebuild. The altruistic streak is still there. You saw it in the Berlin airlift, and in tsunami relief (private cash from U.S. was the largest voluntary transfer of wealth in history). America has given even in circumstances where it's vital interests were not at stake, taking on Bosnia and Kosovo when it was Europe's backyard, not ours.

We could all use a little refresher. Google this: youtube The War American Anthem by Norah Jones. You don't mount that intensity of effort just on cynical self-interest alone.

Back to Obama. No doubt he will win. Many American voters are moved by the notion that Obama is preferred by Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and selecting him will "renew" respect for America. As we can see by some comments, this isn't likely to happen.

Others could give a rat's *ss what the world thinks. Millions still beat a path to our door, and the Pentagon is on speed dial in case anything tough, heavy and thankless is required. With or without Obama, that will continue.

Normally, one would tip a hat to the mothership, England, but with it's own culture and demographics so close to demise, it may no longer be the mothership of old.

American views regarding vital interests in Europe are changing. We don't need to have troops in Germany. If Putin menaces Europe, he'll do it with the oil and gas spigot, not armored tank columns. (Unless you are Georgia.)

[Patience]

"Pride goeth before a fall, and a Haughty Spirit before Destruction.",
or to look for an easier parable, has anyone heard of the race between the "Tortoise and the Hare"? It would seem that Mr. B.O. has been awfully certain, that ACORN and similar support groups have his back, that he can Measure the drapes, since he's had his Presidential Seal Designed and Desplayed, since visiting the Middle East, but not all American's will blindly follow the Pied Piper; and you in the E.U. had better begin praying that he, and the Dem.s don't make a Clean Sweep: [Does the E.U. have a standing army ready when Mr. Murtha and Barney Frank cut defense spending by 25% and we have to pull all our troops out of the many places they've been stationed, with some since WWII?]
[If it's true, that the "Russian Bear" was only hibernating, and now has awakened with a huge hunger, and military re-equipped by Oil Riches, Will a Pres. Obama catch on to it's movements being a danger before you've discovered that it wants to see what's further away than Ukraine?] [Will a Socialist America, have enough money to fund the World Bank, U.N., NATO, and still rush to every World Disaster? (Remember the increased Taxes in the U.S. will either drive businesses away so the people won't be able to do private donations, or, our Rich will be too busy paying taxes, and won't be able to afford them)!!]
[Will a Socialist America still be a place you want to go on vacations, or business? (Remember that it wasn't called the United Soviet Communist Republic, but THE UNITED SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC; AND WITH ONE PARTY RULE AND THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE, THE WORLD MAY WELL SEE THAT THE USA ISN'T A WHOLE LOT MORE INVITING OR VISITOR FRIENDLY?)!!!]
We who believe in Prayer, are the ones whose God has blessed America and through our blessing, the further world, and we're praying that He'll now have mercy on us {and the unborn!}, and keep that tortoise plodding while somebody claps 3 times and breaks the hypnotic trance of the World Media.

[Jason Black]

Tyler Smith--You have got to be kidding me. You claim to be a "conservative white Christian male" that is supporting Barack Hussein Obama. If you are truly a Christian, then how can you support a man that believes in abortion on demand? He is refreshing? That's ridiculous---You just don't know much about the man, so you can make these idiotic comments and feel good about yourself. Btw, talk about the racism in the republican party---look at the 97% of blacks in this country that are supporting Barack Hussein Obama---then we can discuss utter racism on a grand level.

[Doug Lindsey]

Massive voter/registration fraud could throw this election, but I'm still hoping the Electoral College throws out the popular vote and performs it's Constitutional duty and elect the next President of the United States of America.

There are two Democratic-Socialist one is overt and the other is in Stealth mode in the US Senate based on their voting data and they are Senators Bernard Sanders and Barrack Obama.

[Jason Harris]

As a young Conservative from Ole Virginia, I long for the day when either party learns that the common American yearns for a leader who will practice true fiscal conservatism, fight for a line-item veto, allow school vouchers, eliminate pork-barrel spending, and boot lobbyist out of Washington town (as we call it in occupied VA) Until that time we will be governed by elitist like the Bushes, and Barrack Obama.

[givemeliberty]

There has been a lot of badmouthing of Republicans in here. Thanks to the Media skewed representation through the years which has been hijacked by liberals who don't understand what America has done for them. If Obama gets elected it will be the best thing for the Republican Party because of what he will be walking into. American people are not ignorant. Congress (mostly consisting of Democrats) has had a 9% favorable rating. All the world would love for our great nation to fall further. They are ungrateful for all of our contributions and our saving of their asses, or should I say ARSE...

[alan]

how sad that so many british have forgotten their greatness, much as our 'trophy children' have forgotten the sacrifices made on their behalf in past wars. once we had a great alliance and a common goal(hands across the water anyone?) but now everyone is so focused on what's in it for me that if some great depression, god forbid, or real open war were to break out, i'm afraid that both England and USA would just lay down to the enemy as look as they dont take away their fish'n'chips, top 40, futbol match (or McDonalds, american idol and superbowl)
Pan et Circenses!
BTW how long will we have to wait now in america to have a wisdom tooth pulled under our glorious new national health plan.
vignette from a real life conversation with cuban refugees: Cubans: we had many hardships, but we would try anything to get away from Castro's oppression.
Americans: thank god we never had to go thru that!
Cubans: thank god we had somewhere to escape to! where will you go?

[Will]

Will - post 29 Oct 2008 18:11:10 - your comments are dead on with a large number of the silent majority; however, the question remains if Obama will win. He consistently fails to "close the deal". Remember he did not win a single race against Hillary after the comments of Reverend Wright surfaced and now there is the Khalidi issue. Who knows. Most voting for Obama would not care if he were Satan himself, they'd still vote for him.

I question the validity of the polls. My peer has been polled by the same major polling agency every Monday for the past three months. Every Monday he tells them he is still planning to vote for Obama. Monday 3 Nov.. he plans to tell them the truth.

Obama a marxist?
I must have missed that small discrepancy! Oh I can see it now, Marxist because he thinks the average people have been fleeced enough and require representation from their government! The Mccain camp has really decieved the masses with sound bytes and no substance, but hey thats what they do best considering they have no substance!

[Matt]

You're going to look like a real fool if McCain wins. But I guess that's the point of writing biased stuff like this... to try to kill any possible momentum that McCain might have.

It's going to be a close election. But maybe you should focus on how Obama can win despite the fact that he's coming off as a socialist and losing ground in the polls rather than what's going to happen to the Republicans IF McCain loses.

[Jack Kennedy]

The worst thing about obama will be the beating that America will take if he wins.

When jimmy carter won, the financial and real estate in the US got beat up from 1977-1980. When bill clinton won, the financial and real estate in the US got beat up from 1994 to 1997.

Both of this downturns were do to the liberal policies of taxing the rich and business into a recession.

Based on the obama stated policies of penalizing the rich and businesses as well as the current recession that the liberals have dumped on us since taking over govt in november 2006, it is probably a guarantee that the US is headed for another 3-4 years of liberal brutalization of the rich and business or financial and real estate industries.

Cant wait, cuz I have some projects and employees that rely on me, but I think the liberals will kill their jobs and hurt their families with the class and race war coming down the pike.

But, the worst part of it is the liberals are taking pleasure in the intended pain they want and hope to inflict on America. IF OBAMA IS ELECTED, THIS WILL MOST LIKELY BE ANOTHER OCCASION OF LIBERALS TAKING REAL PLEASURE IN ACTING AND BEING AMERICA HATERS AND ANTI-AMERICAN

THIS ELECTION COULD HURT THE MILITARY, BUSINESS AND ANYONE MAKING OVER $75,000 AND HAVING EMPLOYESS OR OWNING/RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS.

IF OBAMA IS ELECTED, THE BRIGHT SPOT WILL BE WINDFALL PROFITS OF THE GREENIES, RADICALS, BLACKS AND WELFARE SET

I BEAT THE DEMOCRATS WONT TALK ABOUT ANY WINDFALL PROFIT TAX ON THESE SPECIAL INTEREST - THEY ONLY TAX THE PRODUCTIVE INTERESTS NOT THE LEECHES.

[BigDaddyDK]

Sam C, you sir are an idiot. I know full well what socialists and Marxists are. Obama fits the bill. He has advocated not only the continuation but the extension of the progressive tax system we have, which was a cornerstone of Marx in his manifesto. He has advocated "spreading the wealth" and more social programs that will take money from producers and give it to non-producers. He has advocated for a restoration of the death tax. Note that Marx favored abolishing all inheritance rights, i.e. taking that which you have earned away from you when you die rather than allowing you to pass it on to your children. These are not common themes of conservatives, but of leftists. Obama fits that mold, regardless of whether or not Joe Biden thinks it's a joke.

[stu]

Surely if Brain-dead-Bush managed to rig the last election,whats stopping the Gun totting ,war mongering,Christian lol(only to please white middle class american votes)republicans from doing it again.The US is called the land of oppertunity,DONT MAKE ME LAUGH.

[Jeff the Republican]

Owen (love the name, it is my son's!) -

I am a Republican who takes great offense at the term megalomaniac. That suggests that I am out of control in my greed, I am not. I am a good family man, I donate more to charity in one year than Joe Biden has given in 10. I pay 30% taxes. I grew up relatively poor. I run a business that employees 30 people and pays them dearly. I creat wealth for myself and value for my customers and employees.

Go read our Constitution and the history of the GOP before you act like you know me.

All the best
Jeff

[lifemovesfast]

I followed a link to this site to read the story about Obama's family and I was curious to see what the take on Obama was with folks on the other side of the pond. How did I get so lucky to choose this as the second article I read? I plan to vote for McCain. Obama is not ready to lead in any way, shape, or form. Now before you jump up and scream REPUBLICAN, I would have voted for Hillary Clinton. Not everyone in the US has been drinking the Obama kool-aid. McCain's life is an open book and the Clinton's have been disected to death, however, we are not allowed to question Obama about certain aspects of his life. Things that do make a lot of Americans nervous. Try reading this article, maybe it will broaden your view on things a bit. http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/10/vote_for_national_survival.html

[Peter, London]

"Normally, one would tip a hat to the mothership, England, but with it's own culture and demographics so close to demise, it may no longer be the mothership of old."

The mothership's not perfect but doing just fine thank you. In fact far from demise. We know what marxism and socialism are, but we don't really do 'isms' hereabouts.

What we don't need are your fundamentalist religious views and bigoted ill informed racist rants. We don't need your litigious culture or your TV shows(sorry about X-factor & Simon Cowell by the way).
We also don't need your toxic financial instruments, however, guess you don't want those back!

The world changes so adapt! There is such a thing as a mixed economy and that exists in US as much as the UK

I just hope Obama gets to serve your great country.

[Maureen Downs]

Just a comment in response to the republicans here that have so obviously been spoon-fed by Fox News and Caveman talk radio:
You may want to come to terms with the fact that Americans who vote Democrat WORK FOR A LIVING! You sound ridiculous claiming you are the ones "who hold jobs". Our fathers also fought in WWII, our brothers in Vietnam, and our young people are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. No, you are NOT more American than we are. (From a proud East Coast city girl!)

[Jin]

You are all forgetting the last election where the democrats had the majorty vote but lost the presidency because of the crooked Florida vote.
I'm sure the republicans have something up their sleeve and won't give up easily.

[BgDave28]

The US lived through eight years of Bush Jr and the world didn't end. But just as the Democrat party imploded a few years back, the Republican party has to take time to reexamine its stance and move away from the right wing loonies toward a position more Americans will support. Regardless of who wins the Presidential election, the author is spot-on. The republicans will take a drubbing in the congress that would leave a McCain (or God forbid, a President Palin) effectively neutered/spayed.

In our system of elections, a slight number of people, roughly 15%, the "independents" decide Presidential elections. People who vote for Obama simply because he's black and DAMN their positions, should have their votes thrown out. Anyone who still is in that scary 23% of the populace who believes that Bush Jr has done an "exceptional" job as President should have their votes thrown out. Anyone who votes for McCain because Palin is penis-free or because they "just don't trust black people" should have their vote thrown out.

With only two parties, these fringe loonies largely cancel each other out, leaving it to the few of us who truly watch the debates, read the policy positions, listen to the candidates, and then get out and VOTE to make the difference.

Sadly, because Obama is black and McCain is ancient, we also have to look at their second string quarterbacks, because there is an increased likelihood that we may lose the Commander in Chief to age or a supremacist idiot with a gun. Here, there is a clear choice, and it's not the mayor of Wasilla, AK.

After surviving 8 embarrassing years of Shrub, the republic will survive under either of these guys. But as the infighting above shows, we need to stop thinking of America as red or blue, and start thinking of it as red, white, and blue, or we'll tear it apart from the insides.

[mac]

FDR wanted the US to enter WWII earlier - congress resisted. WWI was a little different, but "jump right in" the US did not do.

the stupidity of comments like "the US only enters a war for it's own self-interest" is mind-boggling. Other than Russia (and nazi-Germany) what country is gonna' just send their young men out to die? EVERY country pursues their self-interest in times of war and times of peace. and every country (except as noted) thinks mighty hard before risking the shedding of it's precious blood in battle.

[Simon]

Bond- seriously no need to be over dramatic - all countries in the world incorporate some sort of socialism including the great US of A. Your education system etc etc. And heck the $700 billion bailout was socialism at it's best - but it appears socialism is ok when it makes the rich richer.

But too the point Daniel is correct - but what he didn't mention is that the Republican party is facing the same crisis as the Tory party did in the late 1990's. With education and literacy rates rising alongside all the technological advances which means that the general population are more informed and people are no longer accepting the status quo of been represented by middle aged aristocratic men who are completely out of touch with the real problems facing ordinary people in the 21st century. We can see that the Republicans have tried to address this this with 'Joe the Plumber' trying to bring a human everyday angle on it. But its a little late and they will have to do more than Palin words of 'your everyday joe' to actually win the hearts and minds of the people because actions speak louder than words.

[c.e.kestner]

I don't think that many folks quite realise just how big the can of whoop-ass the Republican Party is about to get poured on it in the upcoming election.
The half-billion dollars that the Obama campaign has raised - in dabs and dribbles - SHOULD give the doubters pause. The electorate is royally p.o.ed and the level of donations is a great indicator of same. The elephant party should be getting ready to spend some serious time in the wilderness.

[J.Petersen]

Dear Mr.Finkelstein,I would rather quietly cry,wipe off my tears and walk away to a different land with my dignity, then join the celebratory train headed toward their socialistic death. Be careful what you wish for,Mr.Finkelstein.

[Kurt]

Republicans already don't matter. Republicans, unlike Democrats, have rarely been able to put fairness aside and run roughshod over the opposition. Although this election has the potential to place Democrats to move forward without any challenge from Republicans, they need to be careful to remember that most of their own constituents are more conservative than their leadership.

[Douglas L Hatch]

In 1994, the Democratic party was shocked to see what they had regarded as a gimmicky GOP "Contract with America" take over both houses of Congress, ending 40 years where the Democrats might not have the White House, but they were firmly in control of the legislative branch.
The central reason for this was the Democrats had gotten arrogant, and were not seen by the public as being revelent to their concerns and doubts and needs.
Now 14 years later the Republicans find themselves in the same boat as the public seemingly doesn't want to hear their message.
The challenge for Republicans will be to reinvent themselves like the Labour Party did with New Labour, or get out of the way for whoever will take their place.
One party government is impossible in America, for while the Democrats blame their inability to get their wishes done on Bush and the lack of a super majority in the Senate, the fact is many of those Democrats who were elected in 2006 are more conservative than many Republicans. In fact some of these new Democrats displaced moderate Republicans.
The challenge in the next few years for the Republicans will be to reinvent themselves and figure out just who and what they are and come back with a clear and appealing message.
While the Democrats face the greater challenge, for covered up by all the hoopla is the fact they have to keep what is in many ways a circus on track and together, and try to learn how to govern.
And this will probably be a greater challenge.

[jeremy]

Sorry, but most of you Brits don't have a clue about what you are talking about when it comes to US domestic politics, but simply parrot the nonsense you are fed by your biased media: Republican = bad; Democrat = good - that's pretty much how nuanced your analysis is. Thanks for the laughs.

[theKale]

As an American, I'm just telling you you're jumping the gun. Obama is by no means elected, and the polls are always skewed towards the Democrat. Most of the people who will end up voting McCain/Palin next week are the kind of trailer-living, shotgun toting, Southern redneck that won't respond to polls and early surveys. It's happened both of the last elections, and it just might swing this one as well.

[ohiogal]

The democratic Party has been taken over by special interest groups and haven't been for the "people" for a long time.... take a look at the larger cities who are run by democratic's... all crime is higher, welfare is higher, and the state of CA is bankrupt (and no the Gov of this state didn't do it). Look at what the New Dem Party is doing people.... they turn on anyone who they can't seem to brain wash, the look down on those who want to work, go to church and rasie their families with out government help. The current Congress and House needs to be cleaned out on both sides, starting with Reid, Pelosi Murtha, Dodd, Charlie (NY) and Barney... we need to set limits on terms and make sure their pay is lowered, their health insurance is like ours and make them pay into social sercurity instead of their own private fund that is paid by tax payers. Big Government isn't the answer and Government running our daily lives is wrong on some many levels.

Remember folks, both side are not in it for we the people any longer, only thing we can do is make sure not one party is in charge or this country will lose more than we can claim back! Left side thinks that if their side is elected they will not be effected... think again.... if you are upset now that the government is taking away your freedoms, wait until Obama, Pelosi, Reid and Barney get ahold of you.... Glad I am prepare either way....

[Alexandra]

It is fascinating to me that so many people are getting flustered and immediately insulting and making fun of Barack Obama, when he is clearly leading in the polls. I am aware that one may not always trust these mechanisms of the election. However, this election is very clearly about race, and i hope the Americans remember that the world is watching this one. We are all watching to see if you play up to what you say you are. A melting pot for the American Dream. Republicans, call Obama all the names in the book. Celebrity,Terrorist, Socialist, Communist. At the end of the day, who comes out looking presidential? Not you. These disgusting and despicable names are dragging down the once very respected Republican Party. I thought you were trying to earn some of that back after the disastrous Bush years. Guess not.
When this is all over, just remember you will have no-one to blame but yourselves and your poor choices.
And if you are elected, keep Sarah Palin on a tight leash. I have a lot of respect for John McCain, but he must have gone brain dead for a moment when he picked that disgraceful woman.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden 2008.

[Anna]

It makes me laugh to hear people calling Obama "left-wing" or a "marxist". Do any of these people actually know what these concepts are? They certainly don't encompass the imperialist foreign policy advocated by Obama, nor the defference to moneyed interest he has displayed. In anywhere other than the land of "God and Guns" Obama would be regarded as plainly right wing. I can't even begin to address the issue of people supporting the death penalty- if years of it having been shown to not work, to be cruel and inhumane, and to be degrading to every modern nation have had no impact then nothing I say will.

[Frantzie]

Your comments and others written here are hilarious. I doubt any of you are on the ground in the USA or involved in any of the campaigns. You know nothing about how much Hillary/moderate Democrats loathe Obama. Obama and hs ACORN hugs hijacked the Dem Party and the Clinton Dems want it back. Many long time Democrats are working for McCain because they cannot stand Obama.

You make no mentions about the rady effect. Not the Bradey effect but Brady. This will be gun owners and NRA members who fear OIbama and his thugs. As k any Democrat how we it is to anger the NRA and gun owners duringan election. Bill Clinton knows all about it.

Obama is campaigning in Iowa now? LOL! He will lose Iowa and many other blue states plus he will lose the election. The Republicans will also take back the House. Obama tried to buy the election with illegal donations. Hopefully all those offshore credit card holders will ask for chargebacks afer he loss.

[ryan]

Anna, your belief about capital punishment is misguided. How anyone can seriously argue that permitting a murderer to LIVE is is beyond me.Humane is a relative term. How is it is "humane" to allow a convicted murder to breath when their victim can no longer do so? Justice, humanity, and cruelty are subjective terms.

As for your other comments about Obama. Yes, he is more moderate than the left is in other countries. Thank God for that. The left has caused as much pain, suffering, and general misery as any right wing goverment.

Barack Obama synthesizes left wing principles with that of right wing ideas. In a world divided by many different beliefs informed by varying experiences that is truly the only intelligent way in which to govern. Barack Obama and John McCain in that way, get it.

[unclesmrgol]

If what the Tories thought weren't as important as what their opponents thought, then perhaps the Tories should not have existed, because their ideas are unimportant.

In a nutshell, the above statement illuminates the core thought of this article, and shows its ultimate banality.

What we Republicans here in the USA think about the purpose of our Government and the rights of its citizens and inhabitants are important -- certainly at least as important as those offered up by our opposition, both on the right and the left.

We are not about to disappear. In this election cycle we may or may not be in the minority, but we certainly will not disappear.

[Keith]

@ e skelton | 28 Oct 2008 08:58:08

Republi whats?

Republi can'ts

[JR]

It's amazing how many Republican blog-trolls infest comment boards.

The Obama campaign and the Democratic Party are well-organized, well-funded, and working hard with millions of volunteers. We'll keep going until the polls close. We'll win, and we might win big.

When we govern, we'll clean up the Republicans' mess as best we can. This could take a while.

[D'OH! Bama/D'OH Biden to LOSE!]

The biggest problem with this election is how the MSM ignored the potential insurgency on election day from both moderates and the right. They have been so mesmerized in their "self-loving" Adoration of Him that they refuse to see the many on both sides who see D'OH!Bozo as hideously self-centered and arrogant, not to mention the many who were repulsed by his tactics in the primaries.

There's A LOT of people the MSM have overlooked in this election, A LOT of people who didn't take kindly to being tarred as "racist" for having the audacity to criticize the platform, the substance, and the ideologies of their Chosen One.

Beware the 4th of November. It ain't over 'til it's over.

Shocking: Obama's Attack Ad On Himself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3LZNc_TP_o

"When we govern, we'll clean up the Republicans' mess as best we can. This could take a while."

You mean like how the Dems "cleaned up" with Fannie and Freddie, their CRA Act, and how they arrogantly forced world markets into collapse from toxic shock through their ignorant socialist "affordable housing" subprime-loan schemes?

Oh yeah. The Dems and D'OH!Bama "clean up" real good! They couldn't care less about the American economy or world markets. They'll be too busy covering up all their dirty dealings on Fannie and Freddie!

But it's okay. Just sing naif kiddie songs all day, clap your hands for Tinkerbell, and the world will be all perfect and rosy, everyone will have milk and cookies, and America will have everlasting salvation from The One.

[Wyn]

The thing I would like to comment on is how most author's seem to think there is no left in America and seem to suggest that the left in America or way to the left. I am a liberal democrat and have been for my whole life. It seems that all of the conservatives on this board seemed to turned none of their mind numbing inspection of the left upon themselves on the right. In my mind and in the minds of many more democrats than some tiny leftist fringe group the Republican's have pushed the country too far to the right. They have alienated a good portion of the middle in the pursuit of their dogma of religion, tax cuts, American hubris, and the promotion of the rich.

My argument that America is not just simply a right of center nation is furthered by the fact that Barrack Obama is up by 6 to 7 points in the polls. We on the left as well as the democrats are tired of being lumped in with the right and the Republicans by the rest of the world. We did not vote for Bush nor do did we approve of his policies and finally we are not simply voting for Barrack Obama simply because he is not Bush. We are voting for him because we believe in his core policies. Policies that have been on the democratic agenda for years. Barrack Obama represents the side of America we want to see and it is no small side of America. As I have said before liberals and democrats in America are not a fringe group there are a lot of us. We are in mainstream politics and mainstream media whether the Republicans and the rest of the world likes it or not.

Also please all non US viewers of this post do not regard all Americans, liberals or conservatives, as ignorant of world politics or world history. To do so would automatically make you the ignorant ones. It annoys me greatly when people who have never been to the US assume they know all of Americas belief systems and core values, or when people presume to know all of our internal struggles and political differences.

[noone]

i love you overseas people....please w/ the comments keep them comin. as you said in 2004. now that I think agbout it 2000. All I have to say is look at the gun sales....and i did not invest in them:(

[Marianne]

I would be very interested indeed, to hear from the rebublicans who have commented on this blog, as to why the incumbant republican President of 8 years, has not been used once on the campaign trail.

"I would be very interested indeed, to hear from the rebublicans who have commented on this blog"..

it's very simple, he let his political ememies define him, his friends, and his idea despite being righton the issues. This allowed the democratic party to arrest his cabinate members, to embolden terrorist, demoralize the troops, allow properganda to persist, and distort the truth. With friends like that, who needs enemies.

[Roxy]

LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL DISORDER - M.S.