POLITICAL SUPER BOWL

October 29, 2016

"The usual months of intense debate led up to election night, which was a gripping event." Fast forward to 2016: "The UNUSUAL months of intense debate... ." This essay was written weeks ago in response to, "Connecting People with Politics."

Fall and football go hand in hand: neighborhood flag football or high school, college, and professional games. No one is left wanting for a game to watch, a team to cheer or a tail gate party to enjoy.

Fall of 1964 was exceptionally exciting. Certainly better than watching golf, baseball, basketball, and yes, even football, was the 1964 Presidential Election. Republican candidate Barry Goldwater ran against incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson. The usual months of intense debate led up to election night, which was a gripping event.

This first memory of my exposure to the political process in action is vivid. Much like a Super Bowl party, my family, along with several others was invited to watch the televised election. We chowed down on hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and finger food as the tally of electoral votes came in.

To the dismay of the Republicans, hope faded as Johnson ran away with the election. Goldwater won only six states. As a young child, I knew the suspense was over; many were disappointed, but life carried on. Regardless of political position, there remained a level of trust in our legislative system and a respect for the President of the greatest nation on earth. Patriotism was alive and well.

Although I knew the conservative team had lost the 'Political Super Bowl,' I must have quickly dismissed the drama. In May, 1965, unbeknownst to my parents, I wrote a letter to President Johnson. I would love to recall what I wrote--I have no clue. Unbelievably, there was no such thing in the average household as electronic copy, screen shot, copier, or scanner. Carbon paper belonged in the hands of secretaries, not with an eight-year-old. Had I thought about it, I possibly could have taken a picture with my camera.

To my semi-delight, I received a response that is still tucked away with my keepsakes. The response was canned, with a stamped signature. Nice. But from the White House, nonetheless. I don't recall my parents’ response to receipt of mail addressed from the White House. I suspect it at least raised an eyebrow.

Apparently, President Johnson never actually read my letter nor took my advice--I can't image, even as a young child, that I would have missed an opportunity to offer at least one suggestion.

There are many things I would like to have shared with presidents through the years, especially after the summer of 1974. I was working as a camp counselor during the Watergate scandal. Again, we gathered around the T.V. and held our breath as President Nixon announced his resignation. No team won that day.

Every four years, I follow the presidential election with the same interest as an avid Super Bowl fan. I can't get enough of 'he said, she said,' which for some is ad nauseum. Through the years, I've listened to message after message from presidents and presidential candidates. Communication steadily flows our way and at times I wonder if we will collectively ever agree on anything. We can't even agree on what formerly were embraced as rudimentary elements of patriotism.

Thankfully, political connection is a two-way street. Or, perhaps better described as a roundabout.

Donald and Hillary, thank you for the unending tweets, interviews, debates, and political messages. You'll be sure to hear back from us on game day. Even better than a Super Bowl party, the good people of Dixville Notch New Hampshire cast their votes at midnight at Balsms Grand Resort Hotel. It is, after all, a special occasion.

[Carolyn Fjeran, LowTide explorer/reflective writer; horticulturist & gardener; former writer for Cooperative Extension Service, Master Gardeners and The Newnan Times Herald]