The Amazing American Race

While this presidential race may have started early, it will certainly not end early. As the candidates campaign around-the-clock, voters are, as always, letting them know how they feel.

However, this election is a bit more…interesting. While each party has clear front-runners (the democratic side is still quite heated), each party is split between party lines. We've seen it before, but most often, only between GOP nominees and grass-root conservatives. Now, the indecision is creeping into the minds of democrats around the nation, causing this to be an extremely contested race for both sides.

I will start by analyzing the front-runners of the Democratic Party. We realistic thinkers out there know that Edwards is pretty much out. Now, the race is between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. While most democrats unite around the need for change (both candidates have pushed this heavily), they fail to see eye-to-eye on issues such as healthcare and the economy. This uncertainty across the party is further aggravated by the fact that neither candidate is giving the other any slack on these issues. For the first time in a while, the democrats have been split between candidates.

On the Republican side, John McCain and Mike Huckabee are the only candidates left. I have nothing against you, Ron Paul, but you simply don't have any shot at winning the nomination. On the right, the controversy between this party gets even more heated. Conservatives who cite moral issues, ranging from abortion to gay marriage, have refused to vote for front-runner John McCain, instead trusting their vote with underdog Mike Huckabee. Republicans who see illegal immigration as the number-one concern don't like any of the candidates, as neither has a real plan for this issue. If you thought the Democratic Nomination was going to be filled with conflicting views, just wait to see what conservatives have to say about John McCain. Conservative talk-show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham have already launched their war of words against the independent-minded thinker. This race will definitely be one to watch.

Now, over to my main argument. Neither party will be able to win the presidency unless they can unite under one leader. For this reason, I see the Republicans winning yet another presidency. Democrats would love to see Obama and Clinton run together, but both candidates are “in it to win it”. I just can't see one of them conceding to the other. But, if this did happen, it would be almost a surefire victory for the Democratic Party in November. Turning over to the right wing, many people, including myself, can see Huckabee conceding to McCain, and them both running together. For the conservative republican, this would definitely ease concerns over voting for McCain in the general election. Because this is a likely scenario, the Republicans are my pick to win the White House later this year.

And so, the Amazing American Race begins! The objective: unite your party. The prize: the White House.