When I’m not reporting for the Free Press, compulsively updating Twitter or avoiding homework, I like to read trashy books about cut-throat political campaigns. The most recent contribution, Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, has captivated my attention for the past week with its fly-on-the-wall look at the 2008 presidential race, so revealing that at times I physically cringe while reading.
According to the book, the Democratic Party had few candidates they were willing to push for in late 2006. Obama was urged to run, if for no other reason than to give Democratic leaders a reason to not get behind Hillary, whom some feared would be toppled in the general election by Bill’s indiscretions.
The Republican Party is currently in the same boat. There are no clear leaders. Case in point: Sarah Palin may very well run for president in 2012. In the words of SNL’s Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler: Really Republican Party? Really?
At the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville last weekend, Palin insinuated a White House run in 2012 and took shots at Obama (My favorite: ?How’s that hopey-changey thing workin’ out for you?”) The crowd ate it up. In a country where 20 percent of the population is angry enough about bank bailouts to dress in revolutionary war garb and dangle tea bags from their ears, you would think republicans could come up with someone better than Palin.
For many, Palin has a renewed relevance. And as Obama’s approval ratings slide and the Democratic Party’s relevance slips, instead of throwing in the political towel, we should focus on changing what we do have control over.
This semester, a small group of graduate students began organizing their own student government. Last week, the faculty senate scored a small victory by convincing President Selma Botman to include three faculty on the restructuring committee, something she said would never happen. And student leaders want in on the process – although the administration has said that too, will never happen. Everybody wants to join the debate; everybody wants to be counted. And it’s exciting.
I take comfort in the fact that Mainers are getting involved in their community. More and more, we are looking locally to make a difference. Maine’s gubernatorial race has swelled to 24 candidates. And say what you want about Brad Watts (see the story on page one), but I’m glad to see a USM student running for state house.
We can’t control whether Goldman Sachs executives get bonuses. We can’t effectively control the health care debate. And I can’t convince the 20 percent of the country enamored of Sarah Palin that voting for her could quite possibly destroy the country.
But we as a community can get involved in the small fights: the fight to keep majors we want at USM, the fight to change how much money we get in proportion to the University of Maine, the fight for students to be included in discussions that affect them.
These are the fights we can win.