False hope versus real change

As Americans make their final decisions this Election Day, the stakes could not be higher. The country stands on the precipice of authorizing complete one-party control of government, with a Democratic president and virtually certain large Democratic majorities in Congress. If they reach 60 votes in the Senate, Democrats could overrule the filibuster and ram through legislation on party-line votes.

This ought to horrify voters. Democrats have already started making their policy wish list, which includes the return of the Fairness Doctrine (which would threaten first amendment rights by regulating talk radio content) and removing the right of union members to the secret ballot. Obama's tax policy seems increasingly similar to a game of chicken limbo, with the limit for those he won't raise taxes on dropping from $250,000 to $200,000 to $150,000 to $120,000 this past week. Under one-party rule, this may pass uncontested.

Still, some Obama supporters suggest their candidate will govern in a bipartisan manner. Believing this requires a great deal of "hope," to the point of delusion. Sen. Barack Obama, for all his political talents, has never worked in a bipartisan way on any major legislation. His voting record is the most liberal in the Senate, according to the nonpartisan National Journal. Yet we are expected to think he will govern from the center? How will an inexperienced Obama resist an emboldened Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid?

Yes, many people are angry with the Bush Administration (mind you, on both sides of the aisle). But Americans should think hard about jumping aboard the Obama bandwagon. With his record as an independent and bipartisan reformer, Sen. John McCain offers real change. He is a compelling alternative to the last eight years and to the radical shift leftward presented by the Obama candidacy.

McCain has served America through years of public service and made sacrifices most can barely imagine. The Arizona senator has always put country first, above party, above political ambition. Let's remember: McCain staked his political career on the success of the surge at a time when it was deeply unpopular. Had it failed, McCain would have faced likely defeat even in conservative Arizona. But McCain eschewed what was popular for what was right. When has Obama done that?

Voters have few insights into the character of these candidates, but the glimpses we can see into McCain's life demonstrate a man of tremendous integrity. Obama is somewhere between a blank slate and a party-line liberal. Voter, beware.

Vikram Srinivasan, Trinity '10; Sam Tasher, Trinity '09; Joanna Bromley, Trinity '11; Jake Bullock, Trinity '11 and Cliff Satell, Trinity '11, are members of the Duke College Republicans Executive Board.