4.11.08

Please, for the love of all that is holy ...

!!! STOP READING AND GO VOTE !!!

Seriously, I'll wait. And if you can't vote for whatever reason, get out there and remind someone who can to go cast their vote.


Back already? Okay, then. On with my ramblings ...

So as you know, today's the big day for everyone in the US. My study abroad program is having an election night party at a local bar where the TV will be turned to CNN in English. I have a feeling I'll be glued to the polls and the websites until the last votes are tallied, even if it means staying up all night. I sent in my absentee ballot weeks ago, even though my (presidential) vote isn't likely to matter. I'm more concerned about two propositions on the state ballot: 8, which states that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid in the state; and 4, which prohibits abortions on minors until 48 hours after parental notification. I'm really worried about both of these, because polls have shown that the margins on both these propositions are incredibly slim.

Being outside of the US has really given me a different perspective on the elections and how they impact other countries. Spain (as from discussions with people studying abroad in other countries, most of Europe) is extremely pro-Obama. Most Europeans have become very disappointed in Bush over the past eight years, and consider his policies responsible for the current worldwide economic crisis. They see McCain's election as just a continuation of that, despite all the "maverick" talk. Few people take Sarah Palin's nomination as VP seriously, because she is seen as inexperienced and unqualified for the position. On the other hand, Obama is seen as a welcome change from the last eight years. Spaniards are encouraged by the fact that he seems much more open to working closely with foreign leaders, and that he's more sensitive to the issues that arise from leading a diverse country. His recent Spanish ad directed at the Latino community has been played over and over during news reports, but McCain's campaign (as far as my limited Spanish can tell) hasn't gotten nearly as much coverage.

I'd also like to express my condolences to Obama and his family for the passing of his grandmother. She raised her grandson well; may she rest in peace.

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