CNN exit polls
Alex Granados
Nov 04, 2008

So, CNN posted an article about what the exit polls are saying. It is not particularly interesting. They state that, surprise, surprise, the economy was overwhelmingly the biggest issue for most voters. Sixty two percent of voters gave that as their number one issue.

It would have been interesting to see what drove this election if the economic crisis had not hit. In a short time we have become accustomed to the financial disaster that is looming in the background of our American lives, but not too long ago, the economy was not necessarily at the forefront of our minds.

Many media outlets have been claiming that our financial difficulties spurred support for Obama and hurt McCain. I wonder, if not for the credit crisis, would McCain’s references to Obama’s “sketchy” associations have made more of an impact? Would McCain have been able to better play up his own National Defense credentials at the expense of Obama?

Of course, McCain has done these things, but not as many people are focusing on the little nuggets that he is throwing out. They are, understandably, worried about their financial futures. And they are being summoned by Obama’s song of change.

What if? It is always a fruitless intellectual pursuit, but still, one wonders what today could have been like without the looming monster of financial calamity standing over top of us.