The Underlying Good
Yes, we’re all pretty tired of the presidential election. It’s been going on for years and now it’s actually down to a number of days. As polls pour in and last words are said, I think that, for the most part, negative vibes have reigned in the media: McCain ditches Letterman, Palin buys expensive clothes, and Barack dodges Ayer spitballs.
But when I read this Q + A with Michelle Obama, wife of senator Barack Obama, it reminded me of the greater accomplishment that seems to have been buried at the starting line. As Michelle was snuggling with her 2 young girls the morning after Barack was officially named the Democratic nominee, she asked them if they knew how big a deal it was.
“Malia, who is 10, said, “Yes, because African-Americans couldn’t even vote for a long time.” And then she said, “But it would have been a big deal if Hillary Clinton had won. Because women couldn’t vote for a long time, either.” I thought, They get it. This election has changed everything for girls like mine. Now they know that they really can do anything.”
As much as I can’t wait for it to be over, it is historical. This election has defined our times and at least some fundamental good will definitely result regardless of who wins.
What are you taking away from this presidential election? How do you feel as the Obama and McCain campaigns wind down?
To read more political Q + A’s, see GQ’s list of articles titled “What they’re fighting for“
Image credit: Kyle Wegner
Tags: ayer, barack obama, democratic nominee, hillary clinton, history, letterman, mccain, michelle obama, negative, palin, polls, presidential election
Leave a Reply
Start a Conversation
Media
What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
>Watch
Do you crave destiny? (Part 2)
Destiny? Is this really me? Was I really born for great things?
>Watch