WASHINGTON, D.C. - A good way to describe the evening before this year's presidential election is all-out fighting in the final hours, with the candidates throwing their last punches into the ring before the polls finally opened.
After months of campaigns, media coverage, advertising and political bantering, there is finally a winner determined at the end of the day. You could liken the events of this year to those of a WWF wrestling match; both are so orchestrated and manipulated, they are often almost comical.
The frenzy of lights, music, cheering crowds and rowdy contestants create an almost surreal political spectacle. The explosive atmosphere had all the elements for a thrilling suspense, keeping the nation tuned in until the last bell rang.
Odd, then, that the nation's capital was unusually calm on Election Day - a most important occasion for the country.
Granted, there were the groundskeepers hard at work by 9 a.m., proud to keep the Capitol steps spotless. Busloads of kids poured into the national museums, eagerly taking advantage of a day out of school. But aside from a few joggers on the Mall, activity in the city was minimal. As if waiting for the show to cut back on, the city seemed in the midst of a 24-hour commercial break.
Clearly, the glitz and glamour of the campaigns make it easy to forget that after all, it was just another Tuesday.
But this election will be of particular significance to history. The strong voter turnout indicates that perhaps more citizens realize noise making on the sidelines of a political match-up is akin to laying the smackdown when Stone Cold enters a fight.
Clearly, this election has generated a renewed focus on the political process in this country. The city was quiet because the polls were full, simply put.
People I spoke with in the city expressed a strong sentiment that this election truly will have a strong impact on their lives. Some of them admitted to following the race less closely than others, but emphasized their desire to vote and participate in the process.
Even a group of high school seniors were well informed on the issues and had concluded how that would influence their vote, were they eligible to do so.
The mood at the Democratic Party Committee in downtown D.C. exuded hopeful anticipation and excitement. Guests young and old alike expressed excitement about the sense of energy and gratification on the big night. The positive influence of higher voter turnout was reason enough for many to celebrate.
For the first time in recent memory, the race has also amounted to more than just a popularity contest. The proximity of votes in the Electoral College illustrates the fact that winning the popular vote doesn't secure a win for anyone. Furthermore, the viability of the third party candidacy of Ralph Nader proved that activist politics haven't died, either. Especially among the country's youth, his place in this election will have a distinct impact on future political activity.
This election has verily affected the political culture in our country, particularly from non-traditional participants. This lesson will remain with us long after the campaign trails are abandoned and the confetti is swept from the floor.
With months of exhaustive performing behind the country, this election proves that it truly all comes down to one single day. The hoopla certainly starts up again, but as the unassuming streets around the Capitol illustrate, common people ultimately have the power. The races this year have affirmed that unique authority; yesterday's mobilization of votes forebodes well for the health of our democratic institution.
It can be safely assumed that more people tune into a wrestling match than any of the presidential debates and campaigning this fall. But it can no longer be asserted that people don't care about politics and elections. While voter apathy has certainly not been entirely eliminated, the unique atmosphere of this year's races compelled the candidates to keep it real. This presidential election has proved that in the end, the American people are the true winners.
(Katherine Martini's column appears Mondays in The Cavalier Daily.)
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