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Ruminations On The Local And National Elections

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By JOE O'NEILL Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008

So, Hillsborough County led the state in voter complaints. Was there ever a doubt that this election would be one more opportunity for Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson to add to his inglorious legacy?

But he did, at least, lose. However, his 233,000 votes were only about 18,000 fewer than those cast for Phyllis Busansky.

Which begs the question: And how many votes would he have gotten were he competent?

• Nice victory statement from Rachel Burgin, the experience-challenged, 26-year-old who won the District 56 Florida House seat.

"I'm very honored and humbled that the people of Hillsborough County have decided to let me continue to represent this district," she said.

Arguably, more presumptuous than "humbled," however. She is not the incumbent. That was Trey Traviesa. Burgin was his dutiful, acolyte aide. Close enough for government work.

• Tampa Bay lived up to its kingmaker reputation. When a Democratic presidential candidate wins Hillsborough County, the ramifications - and electoral ripples - are nationwide.

The Strawberry Alarm Clocks?

Here we go again.

What should we call the new high school opening next summer near Plant City? Alas, a really good name, Plant City High School, is already taken.

Given the association of strawberries and Plant City, there was logical sentiment for variations on a berry theme, including Strawberry Crest High. And because the new school sits partly on land sold to Hillsborough County by the Griffin family, there was a rationale for Osburn M. Griffin High.

Put it this way. Why not think students first? A sense of school identity is important - and all too infrequently realized. And nothing says community like geography or indigenous trait. That's why Apollo Beach Elementary or Turkey Creek Middle or Brandon Senior High works better than, say, Mintz Elementary, Farnell Middle or Newsome High.

Moreover, we're all familiar with the surname game. The living are still subject to revisionist embarrassments or modest accomplishments. The pantheon of great (deceased) Americans is limited and, well, taken. How many more Washingtons, Jeffersons and Lincolns do we want? Then the pecking order dilutes quickly to local politicians, captains of industry, school board members and those who sell land to the county for a school.

Strawberry Crest High? Good choice. And a likely winner with students. The Fighting Smoothies? The Strawberry Blondes? The students would love it. That has to count for something.

Perfect Storm Post-Mortems

The campaign that had increasingly seemed more uncivil war than election run-up is finally behind us. But the post-mortems and Monday-morning quarterbacking are not likely to end even on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.

And Sarah Palin speculation, to be sure, will become a national pastime until she finally signs on with Fox News. As a result, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal will continue to look more competent and mature beyond his years.

But this much should be so obvious that we shouldn't need to dwell, baby, dwell:

• In a change-year election, change typically trumps "experience." And when "experience" undermines itself (see Palin, Sarah), the results should have surprised no one.

• That an African-American can win the presidency still seems surreal. But this was the perfect political storm: given an incumbent party saddled with economic and geopolitical implosions, a presidential opponent who could only play the POW/"socialist" cards so far, a veep candidate less qualified than Tina Fey and the uncommonly charismatic candidacy that was Barack Obama's.

• Enough Americans - ideology aside - were more than ready for smart and articulate.

• "The American Dream" still resonates.

• Regardless of who won, presidential election campaigns shouldn't last this long or cost this much. Too much time spent on trivialization and character assassination - and too much money allocated for marketing and advertising. Neither, ultimately, is good for meaningful democracy.

• The key game-changer was the financial meltdown. Not even the most partisan Democrat wanted that.

• Nancy Pelosi is still obnoxious.

• Anyone with a frame of reference dating back to 2000 knew the day McCain shared a Liberty University stage with Jerry Falwell, "an agent of intolerance," his real "maverick" days were over. • Most elections are still won in the middle - even such a bizarrely polarizing one as this. Palin never gave McCain a puncher's chance at this decisive demographic.

• Joe Biden will be a much better vice president than vice presidential candidate. His liaison work with Congress will be critical - and his across-the-aisle mettle will be tested early. Mark these words.

• McCain was gracious in defeat. No integrity bypass.

• Obama has a shot at coming to grips with a transcendent, global issue that impacts everything from America's security to economy. From national defense to free trade agreements. From energy independence to green-planet cooperation.

Where exactly does the U.S. fit in this world, the only one we have? How do we again become the force for good that has long been our destiny? He has a shot at hitting the re-set button internationally.

Why not work with our allies and negotiate with our adversaries? Can't we be strong - without being arrogantly unilateralist? Must it be a sign of weakness if others like us again? It's called enlightened self interest. To reiterate, Obama has a shot.

McCain had no shot.

Now on to those likely Obama cabinet picks. ...

Joe O'Neill is a South Tampa writer who can be contacted at moesez@aol.com or www .opinionstogoonline.com.

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