The View from Abroad: France

For a long while before the appointed time has come, the election becomes the important and, so to speak, the all-engrossing topic of discussion. Factional ardor is redoubled, and all the artificial passions which the imagination can create in a happy and peaceful land are agitated and brought to light. ... As the election draws near, the activity of intrigue and the agitation of the populace increase; the citizens are divided into hostile camps, each of which assumes the names of its favorite candidate; the whole nation glows with feverish excitement; the election is the daily theme of the press, the subject of every private conversation, the end of every thought and every action, the sole interest of the present. It is true that as soon as the choice is determined, this ardor is dispelled, calm returns, and the river, which had nearly broken its banks, sinks to its usual level; but who can refrain from astonishment that such a storm should have arisen.

Some typically prescient commentary from that old hand at observing US politics: de Tocqueville. Michael Cohen, writing at the New York Times, hauls out the Frenchman's take on the 1832 election to remind us just what a remarkable thing US presidential elections are, and have been for quite some time. Cohen adds:

Whichever candidate wins; simply the opportunity to ensure that our voice is heard and that our vote is counted is today’s greatest and most lasting gift.

It's been quite a ride. After all the shouting and silliness and triumph and disappointment, the fact that we really do get to decide this thing, one filled-in oval or pulled lever or pushed button at a time, is still pretty amazing. And something to be proud of.