But after watching these last few weeks, I have an answer to that question. We get what we deserve.
In a year when we've reached the unfortunate milestone of 4000 US dead in Iraq, an economy in shambles with bailouts for investment banks while average people are facing homelessness, a decimation of our supposedly inalienable rights under the Constitution, and an environment that is in peril, we are instead focused on tax returns, failed memories about sniper fire, and who has the most controversial pastor. In a race that started with the high notes of promise and progress, we are now mired in the same acerbic dialog that has made politics a foul word and those that practice it masters of a dark art.
What has happened to the nobility of public service? What has happened to enlightened discourse over real problems? When the Republican field thinned out and John McCain was the last one standing, I thought for just a moment that this might be a different kind of race. While I wouldn't vote for a Republican, McCain, afterall, was known as a maverick, a centrist, and someone willing to do what was right versus what was the party line. Did this signal some sort of national shift to more progressive ideas? I mean, if the Republican candidate was "not conservative enough" maybe this race would be the portent of a new era in the United States--a Renaissance. But lo, his victory came at a price. He has sold his soul and seems more likely to be Bush, Part III.
But I didn't fear. The Democratic field was strong. Any one of the candidates would make for a fine choice. Given that strength, I expected honest, intelligent dialog about the issues of our day.
But instead, we're left with sound bites and venom.
In the modern age of politics, the traits we say we despise in our leaders are, unfortunately, the very traits we require of them to get elected. We want our leaders to be self-sacrificing, but require them to have an ego of monstrous proportions to get the nod. We want them to be thoughtful and deliberate, but only give them 15 seconds to make their point. We want them to inspire through humble strength, but we gnaw at their ankles when any show even the smallest signs of weakness. We want them to be "human" but relish in exposing their very human frailties.
20% of Clinton supporters say they won't vote for Obama if he wins the nomination. An equal number of Obama supporters say the same if Clinton wins. Do either of these disenfranchised groups really believe the other choice is so bad? Probably not, but they, like a lot of us, are getting tired.
Yup, we get what we deserve.