Not in the Mainstream

Lately, with the Supreme Court nominations and their resultant arguments for and against, the phrase "not in the mainstream" has been used to indicate someone who could not be trusted to do what's right for this country. Though, of course, I wouldn't want a judge to be too far to the right or left, since when is "the mainstream" something for the United States to aspire to? I do not consider myself in the mainstream. I don't feel that I am in line with the values of middle America. And, to me, that makes me more truly "American" than most. Wasn't this country founded by people who bucked the status quo? Weren't our esteemed forefathers dynamic, thoughful, flawed, creative, passionate and, dare I say, quirky? They didn't cater to "middle America", if there even was such a thing back then.

Maybe it's because I was raised in Southern California, but middle America scares the hell out of me. Soccer Moms and NASCAR Dads? McDonalds and Starbucks? Wal-Mart, for gosh sakes? Where's the sophistication? Where's the innovation? Where's the creative spark? Where is that cool, smart, funny, slightly out of the mainstream President of my dreams? Yeah, yeah, I know, he's in his office in Harlem chasing his secretary around the desk and can't run for a third term.

Alas, our choices in the last presidential election were, indeed, meager. As a registered Democrat, I was very much an ABB (Anyone But Bush) voter. Kerry did not thrill me in the least and I thought his wife was a horror, but to vote for Nader would have been a betrayal of my party.

So, what do I look for in a candidate? I want someone who does not conform to the stereotype of the "mainstream" politician. I want someone who makes me say, "Hell yeah!" not "Needs salt." What's more, I want someone who will not betray the voters after ascending to office (remember, I'm from Governor Arnold's Kal-ee-for-nee-ah). Very well, then, who's looking good?

The potential presidential candidates that I like are Hilary Rodham-Clinton and Barack Obama. Both seem up to the task (Rodham-Clinton more than Obama, but she carries so much political baggage from her husband's administration that her run may end before it begins). One is a woman, one is a black man. On the other side of the aisle, many people are touting Condy Rice as a contender. A black woman (twofer?) on the Republican ticket would defy a lot of stereotypes about that party. Time will tell as we get closer to election season, but it is encouraging to note that issues of gender and race are becoming moot. It may no longer be an issue of black/white, male/female. It may become about where their "stream" is located.

What are your thoughts?

Technorati tag: barack