WHEN THE SMOKE OF BATTLE CLEARS,
IT’S OUR DECISION
A Widow Bit – Nov. 2, 2008
By Mary Koch

I wasn’t surprised by the phone call. I still get them every election year.     

            “I sure miss ‘One Man’s Vote,’” my caller sighed. “What do you think John would have written?”

            Never mind that it’s been 16 years since the last “One Man’s Vote.” People remember.

             My late husband thought it pretentious for a weekly newspaper to “endorse” a candidate. Truth was, he said, when a small paper endorses a candidate, it all comes down to one man’s vote – the editor’s.

            Nonetheless, a newspaper – no matter what size – does have civic responsibilities. Every election, John would write a column entitled “One Man’s Vote” and list his picks – with a brief rationale for each. Many readers, confounded by complex initiatives and uncertain about obscure positions such as appellate court judge, welcomed his guidance. For those who did not, he provided ample space in the “letters to the editor” section so they could tell him exactly why he was all wet.

            Passionate about American history and this grand experiment called democracy, John would have been thrilled by this year’s historic presidential election. The election. Not the campaign.

            After the primaries and convention blow-outs, it was clear that no matter who won, it would be a watershed. The first black president? The first woman vice president? The oldest incoming president – symbolic of our increasing longevity?

            In my opinion, which of course was not universally shared, both presidential candidates possessed the innate talent and strength of character to lead the world’s super power – given that they were mere mortals when we seek gods. I also knew that these two shining knights would be so savagely pilloried, battered and verbally crucified that by election day, voters would be faced with choosing whomever they despised the least.

            I chose not to buy into it. I’ve been careful about my information sources and exposure to the campaign. I haven’t buried my head in the sand, nor did I pull the plug on the TV. I restricted myself to public television, which is plenty informative and occasionally entertaining. Too liberal, you argue? If by liberal, you mean broad-based and broad-minded, then yes.

            I saw and heard snippets of caustic ads – when public TV or public radio reported on them. And there were, of course, those forwarded e-mails. Control/delete.

            I read a lot of newspapers, mostly on-line, and I’m enough of an old-fashioned journalist to seek professional, objective reporting instead of wallowing in the muck stirred up on so-called news channels.

            “Is it true,” my caller asked, “that (insert candidate’s name) really (insert latest slander)?”

            What would John have told her?

            “Turn off the TV,” he would have said. “Listen to your common sense. Because, in the end, that’s what democracy comes down to.” We the people are the common in common sense.

            Once we’ve made our choices, what really matters is this: I’m willing to accept whoever you and I – we – pick. Our president. Our governor. Our legislator. Otherwise, the grand experiment fails.