Has there ever been an election with this much emotion?

[Nikia]

There are people on both sides who seem really excited, angry, upset, and strong about their choice for presdient. In the past, it seemed that most people felt one way or the other but really wouldn't be too upset no matter how it turned it, better luck in 4 years.
I think that many people realize that this election is a major decision for the future of this country and maybe even the world. Some on both sides would go as far to fear that if the outcome is not the way that they hope that there won't be another election in 4 years.
Maybe it is because I am older now, but I never remembered things being like this before.

[Kahuna]

1. Not in my 50 years on earth.

nt

[Individualist]

2. nor in my 61 years n/t

[charlyvi]

5. Nor in my 53 years.

At least the parties were civil to each other--they were honorable. Then Raygun was elected and civility went down the tubes; talk radio spewed hatred and demonization of the Democratic party, and it seems as though a large part of the US has bought into it. I think the thing I hate--yes hate--about the modern day repub party is that they use anything--religion, patriotism, bigotry, fear--to appeal to the lowest common denominator in human nature. The worst of them have a binary view of the world, good vs evil; or, as our president said--you're either with us or against us. The idea of reasonable people disagreeing in good faith is quickly becoming obsolete. Where did America ever learn such hatred? I don't know.

[TahitiNut]

12. Nor in my 61 years, although '68 was close.

It all depends on the outcome on Wednesday ... and I expect to see widespread chaos.

[isrealpackard]

3. 1964, 1968, 1972

In 1964 is was probably the Democrats who were over the top with the mushroom cloud commercial, but Goldwater said what he thought and what he thought wasn't moderate.

1968? Check the history books. Those kids in Chicago weren't squirting ketchup on their heads.

1972 was probably not as emotional at the end, because it was clear that McGovern was going to lose, but the Democrats truly believed Nixon had to go.

Don't give in too easily to the notion that whatever is happening now is necessisarily the best/worst of times. This country is strong enought to survive even if GWB wins (God forbid).

[oldleftguy]

9. As a child of the '60s ...

1968 had a certain edge. Haven't seen a police riot this year yet!

[flordehinojos]

13. the only problem i've with your statement is that the country has never

been through a fascist totalitarian, repressive state and while we've seen a lot about a fascist, totalitarian repressive state means, not enough of us have experienced it to know that you can just be arrested to speaking out against the government, that you have no right to a lawyer to defend you, that ... in a totalitarian state the head of power is "God" and that "God" has to be obeyed at all cost.

Bush and Cheney have already given ample evidence that they have enough of an iron hand to make it happen if bush is reselected.

But like you, i pray may God forbid a reselection of Bush to the white house.

[isrealpackard]

14. True

But I'm careful about how I use words like fascist and totalitarian. There is a difference between Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, et al and fascism, and the measures they've introduced have caused progressives (and thoughtfull conservatives) to react and oppose them.

America is bigger than a repellant administration. America is free speech, diversity, freedom of religion. My faith is in America.

[flordehinojos]

16. Of these 14 identifiers of fascism, how many apply to bush & his goons?

well, let's see how many of these 14 identifiers of fascism apply to the bush/cheney philosophy of government
Fourteen Identifiers of Fascism


1. Powerful and continuing Nationalism.

2. Disdain for the recognition of human rights.

3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause.

4. Supremacy of the military.

5. Rampant Sexism.

6. Controlled mass media.

7. Obsession and National Security.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined.

9. Corporate Power is Protected.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed.

11. Disdain for intellectuals and the arts.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment.

13. Rampant Cronyism & Corruption.

14. Fraudulent Elections.

From my point of view, I see all 14 of them applying to the bush gang.
Quite a solid indicator, i'd say.

The hope for America is now...before he gets in a second term. If he gets in a second term ..... America is either done for, or there will be a long, bloody, civil war in this country.

[napi21]

4. No, but it was close with Clinton.

The difference this time is that there's very strong emotion on BOTH SIDES!! Have you forgetten how much the Pubs HATED BC?

[Nikia]

8. It didn't seem like that to me

I was a teenager in a red section of Ohio, although it did have a strong local Democratic party, and I went to a Fundamentalist Church. Rush may have hated Clinton. Many Fundies and other Republicans may have disliked him, but it was my personal experience that they didn't believe that the country was going to hell if he got elected.

[kayell]

6. I felt almost this during McGovern/Nixon, but I was a 15 year old envelope

stuffer. I am amazed at the intensity I feel now as a seasoned and cynical 47 year old.

[blackcat77]

7. Perotistas were very excited early in '92

But when he melted down, so did their enthusiasm.

With this election, it's just been building and building and building...

[Walt Starr]

10. Oh yes, there was one other election that had an as high an emotional

level.

The election of 1860.

[ComingTogether]

11. I wonder

what was the most important election ever?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. 1800, 1860.

In 1800 the election between Adams and Jefferson was much more vitriolic with the Adams people predicting a replay of the French Revolution's "terror" if Jefferson was elected. The Jefferson folks accused Adams of wanting to make America into a sort of monarchy. Both sides used personal attacks. Jefferson was accused of miscegantion (probably true - with Sally Hemmings) and Adams was accused of incest and whoremongering (both untrue).

In 1860, Lincoln was elected in a 3 way race. Civil war was the result of the emotions stirred up in that one.

Compared to those 2, this one is downright civil.

But, in my lifetime, (I'm 60), I have never seen the nation so divided and angry. Even '68 wasn't as bad.