Keep it Complicated, Keep it Real

The most interesting thing about this election cycle — apart from historical significance of the Democratic party putting its hopes and dreams into a race between an African-American man and a former First Lady — is that for the first time in my lifetime the Primaries matter.

Whether you want Obama or Clinton, it's good to have the debate. I'm sick of people who are saying one or the other should just give up. I think my Clinton-supporting friend's exact words the other night were "The Democrats need to wake the fuck up."

But this is naïve and oversimple and short-sighted.

I may have voted for Clinton, but I'm glad Obama is in this. It's good to have a real race. This is how it's supposed to work. It's those years where it's all sewn up months before the conventions that are the anomalies. Nothing can be taken for granted.

"Let me see, kid... Republican, Democrat or gay?"

Just before my husband voted yesterday, one of the ancient poll workers was chatting him up.

"McMillan!" he said, looking at his last name. "Ah... like McMillan and Wife."

"I can't believe he turned out to be a homosexual," said a woman.

Another woman spoke up. "It seems like everyone is. There's 10 million of 'em."

"It's terrible," said another. And everyone at the table murmured and shook their heads.

Truly, you never know where one will end up. Maybe even right in front of you. Trying to vote. Doing his civic duty. Well, way to go, old folks! You've just committed voter intimidation.

But what's Jeff going to do — yell at an old man? His calling the election board to report the situation was probably more effective. And by that, unfortunately, I mean "probably not effective at all."

Is the board really going to screen for anti-gay bias? They should. Would it be acceptable for one of them to spout off their views on a racial or ethnic minority? About women's rights? Never. Especially on a Primary day, when every citizen can cast an equal vote.

Red, White and Blur

It's a good day for Democrats.

Still, I can't help but wonder if it's more due to the success of Democratic campaigns or the failures of the Republicans. I'm not sure that it matters, frankly. The next two years are going to be tough with a blue Congress and a red Administration.

I certainly hope the Democrats win the senate by gaining seats in Virginia and Montana. However, no matter what happens, I'd rather see them stay red than be mired in recounts. Despite whatever sweeping changes we think we may be seeing in this mid-term election year, VA and MT are like splashes of cold water reminding us that this country is still rather sharply and evenly divided.

Mid-term elections are more fascinating to me than presidential election years.