The Justice League’s motto is “Finding the superhero in all of us.” It could just as easily have been, “Who are the superheroes in our midst?” Because these days, it seems good leaders are hard to find.
Our President said last week, “It is inexcusable for any Democrat to stand on the sideline in this election. Change is hard. If you’re serious. Now is exactly the time you have to step up.”
Obama’s talking about leadership, about superheroes. The superheroes of yesterday were superheroes for a reason, above and beyond their specialized superpower (one of our favorites: communicating to animals via concentric brain waves). Superheroes of lore showed up when people were in need. They didn’t compromise on their values. They risked their personal safety for the betterment of the whole. That’s what Obama’s talking about.
But contrast Obama’s words with the Republican strategy. It’s conventional wisdom in politics that repeated negative campaigning can drive down voter turnout. By drive down we mean, un-inspire people to vote – encourage them to stay home. Right, it’s backwards – to have a strategy that works to suppress votes – and to especially count on certain voters (i.e. young voters) to stay home. Pathetic.
In every poll we’ve seen this cycle, Diane Denish performs better relative to Susana Martinez when turnout scenarios are higher. Is it any surprise then, that the Republican Party, the Chamber of Commerce and Susana Martinez are going so negative this cycle? We’ve not had a break from their attack ads since June!
So let’s see, negative ads + tons of Texas $$$ = Democrats stay home. Huh. And worse, Democrats stay home = Republicans win. Really?
For Republicans, it’s a win-win. They get to attack Diane Denish, AND they get to lower voter participation. In mid-term elections, turnout usually hits about 60%. The Republican Party would love to see just half of registered New Mexicans voting this year. That’s not leadership.
It’s the opposite of a superhero. In fact, it’s the persona of a classic anti-hero, a villain – selfish, power-hungry, anti-people.
One of our Facebook friends said this week, “Diane has to get out there and speak her mind.” That’s right. And it applies to all of us, not just Diane.
And what’s on our minds? We want a New Mexico that has superheroic qualities. We help each other in times of need, regardless of what we look like, where we’re from, what gender we are, who we are dating, or what god we pray to. We want a New Mexico where our children are compelled to stand up for the values we were all taught – to love thy neighbor and to treat others as we would like to be treated.
The Republican strategy of using negative campaigning to lower turnout is just that – a diabolical strategy. But it’s not an outcome. Outcomes, in elections, are up to us. The candidates, parties and special interest groups can spend all the money they want, but they can’t make the decision of the decade. That right belongs to us.
Casting a vote for Diane Denish is a step closer to the superheroic New Mexico that we want.
So here’s the challenge to you: are you ready to lead? Are you ready to be a superhero?
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