It’s the one phrase that ends every sports season for every sports team except the champs:
Wait until next year.
This year, the phrase is also apt in helping to explain why this fall election was one of the smallest and least dramatic in modern history.
Yes, yes, I know it snowed.
That explains the cold wet feeling I had in my left shoe sloshing from election spot to election spot all night.
But Erieites tend to be a tough breed, particularly about snow. In fact, making it through to someplace despite the weather is something of a badge of courage around here.
No, ultimately the blame must fall squarely on the collective yawn heard throughout the area as many races either went unopposed or ended early in a whimper.
Sure, there was a contested race for County Council here or a Township Supervisor seat open there.
Despite their importance to the lives and taxable well being of their constituents it just wasn’t enough to arouse the masses.
But, as Pirate fans have been saying since the end of the Seventies:
Wait until next year.
If Election Night 2007 was Dolphins/Rams, Election Night 2008 will be Colts/Patriots.
(For non-NFL fans who are tiring of the sports analogy, this year was dull and boring and next year will be lights out!)
The race for President along with most of the Congressional Districts will give voters a clear chance to speak loudly about the course of the country.
Anger over the war in Iraq and the possibility of electing either the country’s first woman or first black man as President will drive the process, early winter snow or no.
And don’t buy into the belief that no one will come out because no one cares anymore.
These days many people need a reason to come to the polls beyond vague patriotic ideals; build the right race, and they will come.
Election Night 2007 (if you can take one more sports reference) was a strike out, a blocked punt, a whiff.
Election Night 2008 will be the political Grand Slam.