I voted this morning with a big crowd of my fellow citizens of Berkeley. Tonight, I’ll be working in the newsroom, as I have on each election night from 1980 on (with the exception of 1984, when I worked for a weekly). (We’re citizens! We’re journalists! There’s no conflict — imagine that!)
None of those contests has remotely compared to this year’s — not just in the level of partisan emotion, something that has caused so much tsk-tsking from the punditry, but in the sheer level of involvement. (My Berkeley neighbor and colleague Andrew Leonard feels the same way.)
And it’s not just that an unusual number of my friends and colleagues are out volunteering in get-out-the-vote efforts; it’s that everyone I talk to says the same thing — they’re amazed at the number of their friends and acquaintances who are out volunteering.
“Getting out the vote” has always been a bipartisan goal in theory but, sadly, a highly partisan issue in fact. You’ll note that nearly all of the election-day disputes center on Democrats trying to boost turnout and Republicans trying to reduce participation. You can draw your own conclusions.
The Net is, of course, one big element in this election’s high level of involvement. Here on this little blog I’m quite pleased and proud that, though my own strong preferences in this election have long been clear, those of you who’ve chosen to participate in the comments have for the most part presented honest and vigorous arguments from both sides. When I hear people complain about the blogosphere promoting a one-sided echo chamber, this debate stands as a simple counterargument. Thanks to all who have tossed in their words — particularly, thanks to those who’ve challenged my views.
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