NYT, pg1: Voters Show Darker Mood Than in 2000

[DeepModem Mom]

Voters Show Darker Mood Than in 2000
By KEVIN SACK
Published: January 24, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Whatever their ideological differences this election year, Americans seem able to agree on one thing: the political landscape being crisscrossed by the 2008 candidates is barely recognizable as the one traveled by George W. Bush and Al Gore a mere eight years ago. Obviously, Sept. 11 and its aftermath have changed the country in countless and irretrievable ways. But even beyond the emergence of war and national security as pre-eminent concerns, there has been a profound reordering of domestic priorities, a darkening of the country’s mood and, in the eyes of many, a fraying of America’s very sense of itself.

While not universal, that tone pervaded dozens of interviews conducted over the last week with Americans of all political stripes in 8 of the 24 states that hold primaries or caucuses on Feb. 5, as well as with historians, elected officials, political strategists and poll takers. As the candidates fan out to New York and California and here to the heartland, they are confronting an electorate that is deeply unsettled about the United States’ place in the world and its ability to control its own destiny.

Since World War II, the assumption of American hegemony has never been much in doubt. That it now is, at least for some people, has given this campaign a sense of urgency that was not always felt in 2000, despite the dramatic outcome of that race. Several writers and historians remarked on the psychological impact of such a jarring end to the Pax Americana, just as it seemed that victory in the cold war might usher in prolonged prosperity and relative peace (save the occasional mop-up operation). Its confluence with an era of unparalleled technological innovation had only heightened the nation’s sense of post-millennial possibility.

Now, Americans feel a loss of autonomy, in their own lives and in the nation. Their politics are driven by the powerlessness they feel to control their financial well-being, their safety, their environment, their health and the country’s borders. They question whether each generation will continue to ascend the economic ladder. That the political system seems so impotent only deepens their frustration and their insistence on results....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/us/politics/24change.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all

[NoBorders]

1. Yes, the repugs drove us into a ditch

And now we Americans can know what it feels like to be just another country. Maybe our nationalist arrogance will be checked. Or get worse out of fear?

[Warpy]

2. Well, gee whiz, who'd have thought that?

The economy is in the toilet if you work for a living. Jobs disappear before you've finished your retraining for them. Paychecks are going noplace but down. Prices are going noplace but up. That house you thought would be your retirement nest egg is losing value every time you send in a mortgage payment.

The country is involved in two wars of occupation that have no chance of success. All the money that should be going to infrastructure from bridges to health care is being squandered in countries where the people don't want us around, just to satisfy the pride of a bunch of old men. Coffins return home daily and the VA system is full to the rafters.

One arrogant foreign policy blunder after another have lost this country its reputation. Over a hundred years of strict adherence to the Geneva Conventions, one of the sources of great pride for this country, have been thrown out the window, along with habeas corpus and the right of ordinary citizens to go about their lives without being spied upon by a hostile government.

Now why in hell would any of us be in a dark mood this election season?

[sinkingfeeling]

3. I read that this morning, was on MSNBC.com as well. Too bad no one

interviewed me, cause my comments would have been about 100 harsher than any they quoted.

[chrisrobbins]

4. The media playing psychologist again

The same media that gets it wrong over and over again in everything is trying to average the mood of Americans compared to 2000.

I should have become a journalist. It's so easy.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. I'd guess you'd have been a good one, chrisrobbins -- welcome to DU!!!

[Uncle Joe]

5. What else do they expect,!? They dis empower the American People

treating counting the votes as rocket science with all the import of changing a television station, slander and libel the greatest political leader to come along since FDR and enable a corrupt incompetent to power, you treat the people like shit, you get shit in return!

I just wish the corporate media; so intent on the horse race instead of the issues would have the intestinal fortitude to come out with a poll for a change on what the American People think of their job performance or journalistic integrity!

Thanks for the thread, DeepModem Mom.

[DeepModem Mom]

8. You're welcome, and thanks for your strong response! nt

[Prophet 451]

6. And good riddance to the Pax Americana

I'm sorry for those suffering because of the way it ended but the idea that any one nation should rule the world belongs in another century.

[bemildred]

9. What a bunch of drivel.

Another attack of "some say" reporting. Not a real fact in it, but dozens of made up factoids and wishes and opinions masquerading as facts.

[bronxiteforever]

10. How can you not feel dark after the last 7 years!

[mwb970]

11. Sadly, what happened was inevitable once we "elected" bush.

How else could things have turned out? We allowed an incurious, unworldly, worthless political operative to join with a group of criminals and take over the country. We now see the results, all easily predictable (and predicted) from the very beginning.

America sure is stupid these days.