Random Election Thoughts

With the randomness in my brain on the day of the US election:

- As of this very moment (12:42 pm Brisbane time) the BBC has Obama with 200 Electoral College votes and McCain with 124. It should be all over before I go to work tonight.

- Both the Hermit and I have fielded a lot of questions from our co-workers about the election. There is a huge interest in the election here, and I think it's safe to say that many Aussies would vote for Obama, if they could. There is a deep association to candidates with their party, and while McCain has attempted to rebrand himself as a different Republican than President Bush I don't think most Australians - who have little to no respect for Dubya - would buy into that. McCain = Republican = Bush.

- At least on my end, these questions from co-workers have lead to discussions in the differences in the two democratic systems, Australia and the US. I have agreed with them that the US campaign, with its fixed election dates, is long long LONG, and I've gotten a lot of agreement that not directly electing your head of state (even if it's through an archaic electoral college system) is bizarre. The official head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who got the position through an accident of birth, and our Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, got the job through his party and not through a popular vote (except in his own electorate).

- Have you ever tried to explain the Electoral College system to someone? I wish they'd scrap it.

- In my own household, Miss Thing and the Hermit are two living arguments for/against the concept of compulsory voting, which we have here in Australia. Actually, let me clarify that point - you must turn up at the polling station on the day of the election and get ticked off that you were there, else you can be fined. What you do with that ballot is up to you. In anticipation of Miss Thing turning 18 next year, she filled out her paperwork to be included in the electoral roll. However she is not pleased about it, sees no reason why she has to vote, refuses to learn about the issues and will likely toss her ballot either into the trash or return a blank ballot. She is a compelling argument against compulsory voting. Then there is the Hermit. He's, well he's a few years older than me (he gets touchy about his exact age) and yet has NEVER voted in a US election. Had Hillary won the Democratic nomination, he would have voted merely to vote against her. He fully admits to knowing next to nothing about the current US candidates and their stances on various issues. Sounds a lot like Miss Thing, doesn't he? Yet in Australia he's been forced to the voting booth twice - once for the federal election last year and for the local council elections earlier this year - and has taken an interest in the issues. He's no political wonk, but he made an effort to get educated because if he was going to cast a ballot it was not going to be out of ignorance. He's a compelling argument for compulsory voting.

- I miss voting on a weekday. Voting Down Under happens on a Saturday and it annoys me to give up part of my weekend. That's my time. But my Aussie mates think it's odd to vote during the week.

- I'm thrilled to hear about the large turnout in the US. It has done a lot to shake off the misconception that Americans are apathetic.

- If Obama wins I'm afraid my brother Gabe is going to burst a blood vessel. Can't wait to read his pre-scripted rant on his blog tomorrow. Maybe he should start drinking now...

- No matter who wins this thing, the world will keep spinning on its axis. Please remember that if your candidate falls short.

- And now at 1:26 pm, the BBC has Obama with 207 Electoral College votes and McCain with 135. No wait... make that 138. Hurry up and decide Florida and/or Virginia already!

UPDATE: Ask and ye shall receive. It's now 2:25 pm and it's all over red rover. Obama has 333 Electoral College votes to McCain's 155. Congratulations President-Elect Obama.