[Dusty]

I was thinking back to the 1996 election, Clinton versus Dole. I remember how gloriously detached I was from politics. As were most people during that era. Things in the world and especially the USA were relatively calm. This was after the end of the cold war, and before 9/11.

I was around 30 years old at the time and paid close to zero attention to politics.

I did not watch the conventions. I did not listen to talk radio. I didn't even have cable tv. I hadn't yet used the Internet at that point, and never logged on in my life (the Internet was gaining ground then but most people didn't have it).

None of my friends talked about the election, nor anyone at work. I didn't vote.

All I remember was someone at work laughing at how stiff Al Gore was doing the Macarena (I guess at the convention)?

I do remember Norm Macdonald was doing a hilarious impression of Bob Dole. Me and some of my frineds used to chuckle at that, but only because Norm was funny - none of us had strong opinions on Bob Dole one way or the other.

Things started to turn in 2000. Especially with the virtual tie. I remember the next day at work, people were polarized arguing about the results.

Then things really went south on September 11, 2001.

But that 1996 election - - how nice it was not to care and to be detached.