To down-play the role that race is playing in this election is ridiculous.....Race is playing an enourmous role in this election.
Probably about 1/3 of the FTE's at the organization I work for are out on the organization dime participating in Get out the Vote activities in various battleground states. This org has about 500 employees at HQ , not to mention a local presence in all 50 states, running a machine that represents about 1.5 million people all over the country. It's a lot of freakin' votes.
We're getting an alarming number of reports stating that potentional voters are straight up telling them they won't vote for Obama because he's black.
For many (including me) this election is about more than just politics, it's about emotion and restoring the image of the US abroad. Not to mention bucking back at a machine that has us involved in a war we perceive to be unjust and a subtle erosion of the civil liberties that make America.....America.
Honestly, nothing would make me happier than seeing the blood boil in the veins of racists in this country and the protectors of the good ol' boy's network upon realizing that their new Commander in Chief is a black man. The upstart in me wants to just crush any machinery that a person like that believes in.
But all that said, put all that aside and take a pure look at policy and my vote is still clear.
We all know on this board who will get our votes next week. I can't wait to cast mine, especially living in VA, knowing that my state will play an historical role in this election.
Cheers to all the spirited debate in this thread.