Today, the longest presidential campaign in the nation’s history will finally come to an end. This presidential race has been the most expensive, closely followed campaign of all time. Today, we will elect either our first African American as President or our first female as Vice President. History will be made today for our country. Millions of Americans who have never felt connected to our political system now feel that they have a stake in our political process.
After two plus years of campaigning and countless political events and interviews, this race will end with a turnout of over 100 million people. All participation records will likely be broken today in this country. In Louisiana, the Secretary of State predicts a turnout of over 70% of the voters. Considering that participation in many elections is below 20% of the vote, the huge turnout is encouraging.
It will be very positive thing for our process if the voters that participate in presidential elections today decide to remain engaged in the process. In many elections, the participation is non-existent and people are unaware of the important political issues that impact their lives. In this election, the stakes are higher and people across the country are following the campaign.. The economy is in trouble, the nation is at war and a host of societal problems need to be addressed, so people want answers from the candidates.
While voters can raise legitimate concerns about the policies of certain candidates and disagree about the right course of action for our country, hopefully, everyone can agree that increased voter participation is very positive for our country. As long as the votes are legitimate and the laws are being followed, our political system is always strengthened when more people participate.
Our next challenge as a nation will be to educate voters about the problems facing our country and the different courses of action that will be available to our next President. Hopefully, the 100 million voters who educated themselves on the candidates will become educated on the issues because the next President will have some very tough choices in the days ahead.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and the Political Editor for NewOrleans.com. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
If the Democrats had achieved the filabuster proof majority in the Senate I too would be worried; but without it, they will have to set their sights lower - much lower - than if they had achieved that majority. I wouldn't lose too much sleep as long as the media trumpets the cry of "obstructionist Republicans in the U.S. Senate" - let that screeching be music to your ears. Written by kpf
on 11/9/2008
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Along with my fellow dumba#*, country folk, Fox watching, gun toting, religious leaning, conservatives out there, I am concerned that Mr. Obama seems to lean drastically to the socialist side of the left. My biggest concern is that Congress will run rampant over us "We the people" with Mr. Obama as President. This same Congress with a terrible approval rating, this same Congress that has gotten us into this economic mess, this same Congress that is talking about taking our 401K's and putting it into social security, this same Congress that we continue to send the same dead beats back to year after year, yes this same Congress that no longer represents the people. Mr. Obama is my President, I did not vote for him nor do I like him, but he is my President. And after watching how disrespectful the left has been to President Bush for the past 8 years I can tell you that all us dumba** ignorant non TW/MIV voices out here will respect the Presidency in a more decent manner than the left is capable of doing. He is our President for 4 more years and hopefully he will do a great job, but I think that's impossible because Congress has no one watching over them. Written by Sid
on 11/8/2008
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You are so wrong..... Written by .... but funny too sometimes.
on 11/7/2008
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You are definitely an expert on arrogance. And if you want to do more research on ignorance, spend some time with the next 20 people you see wearing an Obama t-shirt. Written by
on 11/6/2008
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It's that sort of arrogant ignorance about the world that I was talking about. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 11/6/2008
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Every election the vote is split almost dead even (popular vote), every election - even if the winner garners only 43% of the vote - the winner declares a "mandate" and his supporters claim that "the political tides have turned" and that the opposition party will wither and die. Same thing when either party wins. Same ol' same ol' - at least that's what it looks like to me. MIV, I did not say Obama was a socialist or anything else, I voted for the guy and hope he does a great job as president. Written by kpf
on 11/6/2008
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Oh, goody, the governments of the rest of the world are willing to give us a second chance. I by golly hope we do all the right things by them, to repay them for all they've done for us. Maybe the Chinese will jack up their prices to make our overpriced, quality-deficient union-manufactured products competitive in the world markets. Maybe the French will come to our aid if our military is overwhelmed by an aggressor. Perhaps Cuba will share their secrets of health care and prosperity. Chavez might decide that democracy is the way to go. -- Time will tell if Obama is a moderate or not, no need make that judgment today in bayoubuzz, even though we have highly qualified experts here ready to make such declarations. Obama went from Chicago street radical to moderate statesman over the course of the campaign (at least when it comes to talk). Every radical troublemaker from Jesse Jackson to Rev. Wright and Michelle Obama disappeared during the campaign. Let's see what happens when he takes the oath. I'm all for moderation, because extremism breeds more extremism. Let's see if Tee Dub is right and Obama does his part to end the partisan showdowns. I'm hoping that's the case. And if it's true, I'll even vote for Obama in four years. In the meantime, Tee, you've got your America back, and since it's yours, we'll know who to contact to address any minor problems that might come up during the next four years. Glad we have a local contact for such grievances. Written by
on 11/6/2008
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I think Republicans, and Southern Republicans in particular, need to wake up and realize that their agenda no longer resonates with the public at large. This "culture wars" nonsense that they're always foaming at the mouth about - that may play well in small-town Alabama (what Palin might call the "Real America")... but it doesn't do much for folks from all walks of life in big cities and suburbia. Only 20% of the populace is rural, guys. Can't you do math? Also, MIV is correct, Obama is a moderate, and in the vast majority of Western Democracies, would pretty much be considered center-right. Calling him a socialist may have won McCain the votes of that guy with the misspelled "Obama teriost" sign I posted below (I see the link got removed; I'm guessing Bayou Buzz has a spam filter now?), but it didn't resonate much beyond the Deep South, Great Plains, Idaho and Utah. The Republicans can no longer count on winning elections pandering only to the far right. They're losing ground among suburban and educated voters, and as long as they're putting people like Palin in positions of power and influence, you're going to see them losing even more. I'm channeling my inner McCain when I say that "Those are the facts, my friends." One last thought - did any of you see the reaction to the election around the world? There were only two or three nations that were pro-McCain prior to the election - the world is ecstatic, and they're ready to give us a second chance, which will be great, considering what absolute a-holes our government has been for eight straight years. It is a new day in our country, y'all, and I, for one, am going to bask in it. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 11/6/2008
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I said that Obama is a moderate because he is one. Apparently to some anything even slightly to the left of Attila the Hun means hard-line socialist. What has Obama proposed in relation to addressing the credit markets crisis that's so unreasonable? Remember now, McCain himself proposed direct help to homeowners. Written by Moderate Independent Voice
on 11/6/2008
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I truly hope Obama is a great president, for this country's sake. He is uniquely positioned to be a truly great influence on this country. But he will not go far if he and his supporters (52% of the populace) try to ram legislation that is anathema to the remaining 40+% of the country. When I think "regulation" I think of the phrase "keep it between the ditches." That is, not too far left, not too far right. I still have my money in a thrift fund instead of stocks; I won't make any money but I will not lose it either. Why? Why lose value to inflation? Because I am not hearing yet from those who caused this economic "crises" that they 1) recognize what they did wrong and 2) ensure the public it won't happen again. No, I'm not hearing Barney Frank & company discuss how the detractors of the Community Reinvestment Act were correct - all these years - and how they were wrong about this. The detractors predicted exactly what would happen if the housing bubble burst (which is nothing more than the completely normal occurrence of prices falling as well as rising). All I hear from them - instead of admitting to meddling in the market - is that we need MORE government meddling in the market. Now that the Democrats are in charge I wonder if we'll have more damaging programs like CRA. It does have me worried. I do not personally "fear" the damage to the economy the Democrats could cause due to my financial standing (a secure job, house paid for, a decent sum of money saved, and pension eligible already) and in fact share their social stances. However as concerns economics and the market, this is where I differ with this party, and fear the long-term economic consequences of them being in power. Fortunately they did not get the required number of senators that would allow the "changes" they'd really want to be enacted into law. Our federal government is still divided which is appropriate considering the losing candidate receive a bigger percentage (46%) than the winner did (43%) in 1992. Written by kpf
on 11/6/2008
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Post-partisan-ness. Now that the dems are in control, everyone should just get along. One day post-election and you and Pelosi are already declaring Obama a moderate. I just hope he has fewer girlfriends than Clinton, and fewer hostages than Carter. Written by
on 11/6/2008
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We have not had total free market capitalism since pre-Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt. Amazingly, one of the greatest presidents ever and arguably the second greatest GOP president ever, fought for regulation of the fat cats. Sure, capitalism is the best thing for the consumer, promotes efficiency and rewards hard work and inventiveness. But it's a double-edged sword. The days of the robber baron capitalists were the days of great corruption, terrible poverty and periodic boom/bust swings and depressions and near-depressions. It took the Roosevelts, both of them, to save capitalism from itself. I don't see that Obama or anyone is trying to dump capitalism any more than any other 20th or 21st century president but only return to regulation that used to be in place. We don't need socialism and there is ample room for reasonable regulation and oversight. Indeed, yes, we all deserve a government that works and, yes, government CAN work, provided that the people at least have the attitude that it can work and that they will make it work. When you have people in charge who believe only in that government can never work, then, of course, it won't work, and that's the GOP problem in a nutshell. What the GOP needs to do is become the party that's committed to making government work better -- and drop all of the social issues obsessions. The GOP seems to want to advertise that they are the better managers or at least their followers believe in such rhetoric but their actual delivery on that promise has been woeful. They are going to need to change that. I am coming to believe that we are entering a new era of, let's say, post-partisan-ness. I'd be very surprised to see the Democrats actually over-reach in their initiatives. Some on the left are already disappointed with the signals that Obama is not necessarily intending on trying to do everything all at once. Many have likened Obama to JFK. I see someone similar to FDR and, yes, Reagan in that he will prove to be very pragmatic beneath the soaring rhetoric. He is as intelligent as his two immediate predecessor Democratic presidents, who are themselves two of the most intelligent people ever to have held office, and yet extremely disciplined and under control. Congress will not likely fight him as they did Carter. There is too much at stake. Also, so far he is looking to try hard to avoid Clinton's mistakes. Don't forget that The Great Communicator came from Illinois originally, even though he was more associated with California, and was originally a Democrat. Written by Moderate Independent Voice
on 11/5/2008
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I'm thinking an Abita and some Flying Burrito Brothers, with my pants pulled up. Written by
on 11/5/2008
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And you go grab a six pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon, turn up the Toby Keith and cry in your beer. As for me, I feel better than James Brown did in 1965! TW Written by Tee Dub
on 11/5/2008
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OK, OK, you deserve a celebration. Kick back, down a couple of 40's. Pull your pants down around your butt and party with your brothers. Written by
on 11/5/2008
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Ha ha ha. You're not bringing me down today, Redneck. WOOOO HOOOOO! TW Written by Tee Dub
on 11/5/2008
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Excuse me, make that Western European. We all understand that you're a socialist, not a communist. Karl Marx is your mentor, not Lenin. Written by
on 11/5/2008
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Hooray for Tee Dub. It must be a bright light if a blind man like you can see it. When you get time, give us your vision of America in 2012. Not what you hope for, but for what you really predict to be the case in four years. Should be fun watching you hedge your bets while still free-associating on your Eastern European utopia. Written by
on 11/5/2008
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I find the whole thing hilarious…. Now all of a sudden the burden of accountability rests squarely on the shoulder’s of the ‘concerned citizens’ shoulders while they run their racecar around the track… I do not like to be the bearer of bad news, but folks out there may as well understand this; The racecar is going to hit the wall in turn 2 around next October because what will become painfully apparent to the announcers is that there are no real driving skills being displayed in the first place, just racecars turning left, turning left, turning left instead of turning right, turning right, turning right…… accompanied by the sounds of spectators complaining about the cost of admission to the spectacle while they strew additional trash and empty cups in the grandstands….. T-duhhhhhbbbb, that light you think you see at the end of the tunnel? It is a drunk behind the wheel of a Chinese import,, running full speed ahead….. If you turn around you will notice there is also light at the opposite end of the tunnel, and that one isn’t artificial in nature…. It is called the light of freedom……. And I am still betting on its ability to shine, at least for a little awhile longer…. Written by
on 11/5/2008
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Actually MIV I agree that the Republican Party needs to adapt and not be left behind (although without the inept current resident in the White House yesterday's election may have turned out differently, as the popular vote was quite close). I do hope the GOP can become more a party of limited constitutional government (in reality, not just sound bites) and can drop the more exclusionary elements (creationism, opposition to gay rights, etc.) to attract a wider range of the public. The Democratic Party adopted their "Big Tent" after 1968, likewise the GOP can change in some respects while still being a braking mechanism on rampant socialism. I do not fear "socialism" - rather I think everyone is better off with the markets remaining as free as possible. I cannot help but wonder how the young people who voted for Obama yesterday will feel if our government continues to buy things today with money they will pay throughout their lifetimes. Money isn't everything, but nobody likes to be ripped off. This country's government needs to stop stealing money from future generations and live within our the limits of what income the governmemt actually has on hand today. Written by kpf
on 11/5/2008
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WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!! We defeated these folks:
Thanks to everyone, everywhere, who used their brains to keep Sarah Palin a 72-year-old man's heartbeat away from the Presidency! I'm a little disappointed that our state was in "Rednecklandia" but that doesn't matter now. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. After eight years of hell, I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 11/5/2008
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Actually Herbert Hoover and FDR were two peas in the same pod - both of them thought that government programs could "create wealth" and that keeping prices high was good. Government spending takes money that would be spent in the private sector (think of government spending as continuing to produce typewriters after the PC revolution) and prices falling are not bad for all people (housing that has lost value may not be "affordable" to lower income wage earners, as but one example). It is not "backward" or "antiquated" to believe in the free market. The economic problems we are facing now are due to government interference in the free market (specifically, “let's give loans to people who cannot afford the cost of a mortgage” – “noble” perhaps but not a good business practice) - all this did was artificially inflate housing prices. People “speculating” that housing prices would only go up – not down - compounded the current “crises.” Stupidity and greed gambled and lost. That is... they “should lose” unless the government takes from those who were not stupid or greedy and did not gamble and "bails out" those who were. Somehow this redistribution from the prudent to the foolish and artificially high prices is “good” “fair” and “the right thing to do” – but there are those of us who feel this is unwise for many reasons, if not out right theft. Written by kpf
on 11/5/2008
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Yeah, now that there will be a black democrat in the White House, let's put all the partisan bickering aside. That should be reserved for white republicans only. Bill Jefferson and Obama can finally get to work making the new changed America. Written by
on 11/5/2008
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Herbert Hoover lives. Written by Moderate Independent Voice
on 11/5/2008
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One final observation before I get to work, I hear so many people say that our problems are unprecedented - what a bunch of malarkey. We've had far worse times (Civil War, the 1918 flu epidemic, the Great Depression, World Wars, etc.) compared to anything we are experiencing today. Even the so-called "economic crises" is nothing but a market correction to artificially inflated prices. It would be best - in my humble opinion - to keep things in perspective. I've been off for two weeks and need to concentrate on work - not the buzzy boards - so do try to be civil to each other while I'm gone (remember those "genteel readers"). Written by kpf, ya Mama's watching ya from somewhere
on 11/5/2008
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I am glad this country has elected a black person as president so that now - similar to the first black Super Bowl winning quarterback - we can get that behind us. I am also glad that the Democrats failed to get the super majority in the Senate, as I do not want to see legislation being crafted without the party in power needing to compromise with the minority party in the Senate. I am truly hopeful Barack Obama will lead from the political center and be the "change" that is needed to lift so many from government dependency; that is what this country desperately needs. How the Dems govern the next two years will determine the fortunes of the 2010 mid-term elections. It should be interesting. Written by kpf
on 11/5/2008
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If someone disagrees with Obama's policy proposals or how well he's doing his job, fine. He can deal with that. I can deal with that. The nation can deal with that. We can have that discussion. In the words of George W. Bush, "Bring it." Still, I hope that people can cast the bitterness and pettiness and the same-old partisanship and, yes, feelings about race aside. If what's being said is all about that rather than about policy and how best to get the country moving again and how well the administration is running things, then that indeed would be a crock. I'd like to thing that a new era is indeed beginning. Clinton and Bush were both baby-boomers. Obama comes from the tail end of the generation and looks to get support heavily from those of his age and younger. I remember the watershed year of 1980. That was exciting then and I voted for The Change back then (remember how Reagan used to say "we ARE the change?"). But that's all over with now. Even the Republican Party is probably going to change somewhat, which should be really interesting to see. One thing is very much for certain: the nation has now spoken and strongly demanded change, just like in 1980. Yes, I remember some people being shocked and dismayed with the Republican landslide back then (and I didn't feel too sorry for them...I was on the winning side), which it was, but the backers of the Reagan right wing cause have had their chance all these years to show what they can do, to fulfill the mandate and so on. The times they have a-changed and it's best to adapt, you know, and not be left behind. Now...will the new crew overreach? I don't know for sure but I doubt that they will. To me they seem to have an emphasis on skill and competence which have been sorely lacking and I'd celebrate having those qualities now in the White House even if I were supporting the other side. McCain was very gracious in concession and I echo his comments totally. Don't pout; at least pray for the new crew. I'm sure that they need that very much. Written by Moderate Independent Voice
on 11/4/2008
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That true, no name. We've all learned a lesson. A key tool in capturing the presidency is constant, relentless, attack on the incumbent. The past 4 years changed American politics, and that change will be permanent. Not a good thing, but a fact of life. Written by
on 11/4/2008
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MIV, what a crock. You liberals (regardless of your chosen moniker) have no right whatsoever to talk about respect for the "presidency". You've set the tone for the last 8 years with constant criticism of the president. You'd better be prepared for that to continue, just get used to being on the receiving end. Written by
on 11/4/2008
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The long national nightmare of Bush/Cheney et al. misule is finally about to be coming to an end. In the final analysis, even though John McCain is a very honorable man whose service to the country has been nothing short of outstanding, no one truly believed that the John McCain of 2008, as opposed to the John McCain of 2000, would really bring about change, change which is much needed. Let's pray for Obama. The challenges facing him and his administration to come are immense. He will be not allowed much of a luxury of a transition time. He and his team will need very much to hit the ground running full steam. Let's pray for the nation. Obama being elected is America as what it should be, a land of opportunity for each and every one of us. I truly hope that everyone, whether they have supported Obama or not, have respect for the office of president, also judge Obama of how well he and his administration handle their job but most important come together in these difficult times and cast bitternesses and hard-line partisanship aside. My perception is that Obama truly will make every effort to serve as to be the uniter, not the divider. The most important thing is to get this country moving again and in that vein I fully expect Obama to be strongly committed to assembling the best team possible and also to be inviting even Republicans to be a part of that team. This night has been exciting but it's a beginning of something and not so much an end, even though the Bush/Cheney years are drawing to a close as I also believe that , significantly, the whole extended Reagan/Bush era is. To paraphrase Churchill, this is not the end or even the beginning of the end but rather the end of the beginning. Written by Moderate Independent Voice
on 11/4/2008
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Somehow... some way... I suspect that the "Best way to bring about unity" does not involve referring to people with disenting opinions as "people like you" or that this "unity" of yours requires them to "slink back into your holes and let the rest of us get to work" - if this is your version of "coming together" and "unity" I think I'll pass. Written by kpf, thanks... but no thanks
on 11/4/2008
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For all your talk of coming together, Jeff, you're still a jerk for the disunity you've promulgated through your column. You've been so in the tank for McCain, perhaps you haven't realized just how slanderous your writings have been. Maybe you consider calling someone a friend of terrorists is just tough campaigning and something that can be put aside once the election is over. Truth is, you and people like you just continue the poisonous divisiveness that has hurt this country for too long. Best way to bring about unity and solve problems that face us all is for people like you to slink back into your holes and let the rest of us get to work. Written by David (neither Vitter nor Duke)
on 11/4/2008
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""""Our next challenge as a nation will be to educate voters about the problems facing our country and the different courses of action that will be available to our next President""""!?!?!?!?!???? I suppose for all the good it will do, in light of the rampant ignorance of your statement, I find you to be a superficial if not an out and out glib dumazzzzzzz.........Shouldn't that have been the priority all along Jeff????????? - STRONGCONCRETE. Written by
on 11/4/2008
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""""Our next challenge as a nation will be to educate voters about the problems facing our country and the different courses of action that will be available to our next President""""!?!?!?!?!???? I suppose for all the good it will do, in light of the rampant ignorance of your statement, I find you to be a superficial if not an out and out glib dumazzzzzzz.........Shouldn't that have been the priority all along Jeff????????? - STRONGCONCRETE. Written by
on 11/4/2008
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While being quite cynical about our politicians - and also having gave up on the long lines this morning at the polling place - I'll burn a couple of hours vacation and go cast my vote. I do hope whoever is elected has the backbone to stand apart from our congress and represent the people's - not their party's - best interests. Written by hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to vote I go
on 11/4/2008
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Today, the longest presidential campaign in the nation’s history will finally come to an end. This presidential race has been the most expensive, closely followed campaign of all time. Today, we will elect either our first African American as President or our first female as Vice President. History will be made today for our country. Millions of Americans who have never felt connected to our political system now feel that they have a stake in our political process. 
