'Never Again' Applies To Elections

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by Christine Bowman

Because I'm a BuzzFlash staffer, some people ask me to prognosticate as to this election's outcome. My standard response is, "Obama needs every supporter to get involved and everyone to vote." I say, take nothing for granted. Instead of trying to guess the outcome, help to assure it.

Today, the candidate himself urged caution. He is up in the polls today, but …

… Obama pointed out to deep-pocket contributors at a fundraising breakfast in Manhattan, and later to supporters in a driving rain in Londonderry, New Hampshire, that he was supposed to win New Hampshire last January in the Democratic primary but lost the state to Sen. Hillary Clinton.

"We are 19 days away from changing this country -- 19 days. But for those who are getting a little cocky, I've got two words for you: New Hampshire. I learned right here that you can't let up or pay too much attention to the polls," he said.

In New York, he said: "I've been in these positions before when we were favored and the press starts getting carried away and we end up getting spanked."

Obama warns against overconfidence (Reuters)

"You can't let up."

Sure, McCain's candidacy seems to be sinking. But if we know anything about Republicans running for office, it's that they're full of surprises, and they're not quitters.

Way back in 2000, didn't complacent Democrats let Al Gore lose? We were comfortable, we'd seen Clinton hang on to his office despite an impeachment. Al Gore was the incumbent, for heaven's sake -- a smart guy running against a lackadaisical cowboy wannabe. What was there for us to worry about?

Next up was 2004 -- John Kerry. Democrats dutifully nominated a war hero in a time of war. What, us, worry about attacks on his character? John Kerry had proven his mettle and shown his leadership and moral fortitude for decades. Until 2004, how many voters knew, or even cared, what a SwiftBoat was?

All I'm saying is, once and twice burned, thrice shy.

Clearly, our Democratic candidates need Democratic voters to help them carry the day -- and it's worth reminding ourselves, this particular nominee in 2008 has to overcome racism, on top of everything else. So, if you have $25 to give to a candidate, why would you hesitate? If you can find three hours to make some swing-state phone calls, why not do that? If you can motivate one extra voter to show up on election day, that doubles the power of your own vote. Get the picture?

Most are saying Barack Obama's candidacy is looking pretty good at this point. But Democrats by now have learned to expect the unexpected -- to prepare for election day surprises and some eleventh hour tricks. Really, if anything goes wrong this time, who would want to be that citizen who could have done more but didn't bother?

"Never Again" is a lesson learned by Jews and all citizens of the world when the Nazi holocaust surprised them.

"Never Again" means vigilance is always necessary.

"Never Again" means passivity is not the best course.

Surely voters, burned in 2000 and elections since, understand that "Never Again" means we must see this election through and do what it takes to achieve a just and proper outcome.

Barack Obama, community organizer and politician, has said again and again that we're in this effort together. It's called Democracy, and it's a group endeavor. It's no time to quit.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS