REGION: Watershed election awaits voters' decisions
Anxious, excited electorate poised to make history
By MARK WALKER - Staff Writer | Sunday, November 2, 2008 9:44 PM PST ∞
http://www.northcountytimes.com/articles/2008/11/02/news/sandiego/z8567ca0d5a486c4c882574f00061930a.txt (http://www.northcountytimes.com/articles/2008/11/02/news/sandiego/z8567ca0d5a486c4c882574f00061930a.txt)
Tuesday will be a seminal moment in political history, nationally and regionally, as voters decide whether to elect the nation's first black president and if gay marriage should be banned in California.
Emotions are running high in both campaigns, trumping other contests and ballot measures.
Beyond the significance of a black at the top of a major party ticket ---- although race has been a muted "issue" throughout the campaign ---- the decision on the nation's next chief executive also asks an electorate deeply worried about the economy if a dramatic shift in national policy is warranted.
The question of whether gay marriage should be outlawed by amending the California Constitution is as polarizing in North County and Southwest Riverside County as is the presidential race.