Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for November 06, 2008

I was too tired to post yesterday, having worked a fifteen-hour day as an election inspector helping other people get their ballots cast. It’s part of a family tradition - my family goes way back. One of my grandfathers fought in the war that started it all. I don’t know if he was at Valley Forge or not, but his brother-in-law was rather important, having witten that little note to George in ‘76. John Robert Mallernee doesn’t have a monopoly on service.

This bunch of strips was a bit of a leap for Trudeau, as he did them a couple of weeks ago when the outcome of the election was more uncertain. I wonder if he would have pulled them or had alternates prepared in the event things went the other way.

When I got home after that double shift, I was barely coherent enough to turn on the TV to find out what happened, but was happy to have a result announced before I lapsed onto a stupor.

Say what you like, to me it’s like a breath of fresh air. Ah, well, on to humor.

I did the same, Runar - 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Thanks for your service. This was my first stint, and what a feeling to have been involved in this particular election.

runar - I believe that I read that Trudeau was going to let the individual papers decide whether to run the strips or to go to reprint for a week. Some have speculated that, had McCain won, Trudeau should continue on with President Obama in the strip.

Maybe you could answer a question. As of yesterday votes had not been totaled in, I believe, North Carolina. Tuesday night, within 5 minutes of the polls closing on the west coast, they’re calling California and the rest for Obama. Considering its size and population, how the heck does that work? I’m ecstatic about the result, but it sure sounds funny.

–Ed

I don’t necessarily believe that this is the forum to discuss our service, runar, however, since yiou brought it up, every generation of my family has served in the military since the Revlolutionary War, myself included (ASAF, active, 1978-1982). All service is important to protect our democracy.

I would make bold as to say - given the content of Doonesbury in recent days - that this is a perfect place to discuss service.   Far too many vets I know are reluctant to discuss their contribution in today’s political climate (not speaking of those who just don’t want to remember the things they had to endure).   There was a time in this country when people wearing uniforms were treated like the heroes they are. I, for one, salute them all for their courage and sacrifices.   My two penn’orth.

Right on, CC, on all counts -

I would also suggest that Mr. Trudeau’s work INTENDS to spark just such discussions, and has for a very long time - 25 years or more … that was about the time his strip was taken off the comics page and moved to the editorial page of those papers that chose to still carry it.

ccdesan-When I left for overseas (on military orders)I was not PERMITTED to wear my uniform (Carter administration). When I came home 3 years later, I PROUDLY wore my uniform (Reagan administration)

edcoyote wrote:

“As of yesterday votes had not been totaled in, I believe, North Carolina. Tuesday night, within 5 minutes of the polls closing on the west coast, they’re calling California and the rest for Obama. Considering its size and population, how the heck does that work? I’m ecstatic about the result, but it sure sounds funny.”

Ed, Et Alii:

Since Runar hasn’t yet responded, I’ll attempt to elucidate:

According to Article II of the Constitution of the United States, and Title III of the United States Code, the President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College, not by the popular vote.

Electoral votes were counted yesterday, early on, and that’s why John McCain went ahead and made his concession speech, even though the popular votes were still being counted.

Yes, it’s very possible (and historically, has happened) that a presidential candidate can win the popular vote, but lose the electoral vote.

Thank you.

John Robert,

First off, thank you for the response.

I understand the concept of the electoral college, but that doesn’t really answer the question. The electoral votes are granted to the winner of the popular vote within the state. What I’m asking is what magical method is the left coast using to tally it’s votes that’s not available to Virginia or any of the other east to mid-west states that couldn’t get their votes counted within 2-3 hours. I mean, isn’t California the home of the “Bradley effect” (claiming to vote for a man of color, but not actually following through)? If the electoral votes are being granted on the basis of polls, that seems pretty sloppy.

–Ed

edcoyote says:

I understand the concept of the electoral college, but that doesn’t really answer the question. The electoral votes are granted to the winner of the popular vote within the state. What I’m asking is what magical method is the left coast using to tally it’s votes that’s not available to Virginia or any of the other east to mid-west states that couldn’t get their votes counted within 2-3 hours. I mean, isn’t California the home of the “Bradley effect” (claiming to vote for a man of color, but not actually following through)? If the electoral votes are being granted on the basis of polls, that seems pretty sloppy.

–Ed

I think the difference was that in Virginia, the margin of the vote was small enough that their projections were not able to forecast the results. In the left coast (California-Oregon-Washington), the margin was great enough that they knew the error would not possibly change the results.

And then there is the desire to be first with a “scoop”…

Bmonk

(and I can’t make the type any bigger…)

Bmonk’s analysis is on target. The margin in California was almost 2-1, but also, the voting systems are decided on state-by-state. Some still use paper ballots and some (I suspect California would be in this group) use high-tech computer machines which can send data almost immediately to election headquarters.

BTW, in the Carter administration, less than ten soldiers died in military operations and those were the ones killed in the failed hostage rescue operation. I spoke to a general who helped plan that, and the back-story is fascinating. Carter will go down in history as a weak president, but he was one of the finest human beings elected.

From what I gather, the NC had a large number of provisional ballots and a very small margin between the candidates which cannot be properly counted until 24-48 hours after the polls close. As a poll worker, I’m not privy to what goes on at the election comission. All i can say is that the ward where I worked had on-site election day registration for people with proper ID, we only had to turn away two people who didn’t have the right ID and we had no provisional ballots cast.

For my part….I have no idea of how, but we gotta do SOMETHING to stop the gutter nastiness that got into so many of the races this time, and very nearly included the presidential election.

swolf48110 says:

For my part….I have no idea of how, but we gotta do SOMETHING to stop the gutter nastiness that got into so many of the races this time, and very nearly included the presidential election.

BMonk: One thing we can do is to do our part in other fori (=forums) to maintain a respectful dignity toward others. Not indulging in gutter nastiness as an easy ad hominnem argument that proves nothing.

Burgundy2 and ccdesan- your thanks are OVERWHELMING! I knew there was a good reason why I served! :-)