Our Un-Enlightenment

It has been two weeks since Election Day, and Sen. John McCain and President-elect Barack Obama have already flip-flopped at least one of their previous points of view.

After months and months of competitive campaigning spiked with smear ads and ugly accusations, the pair have not only reconciled their “differences,” McCain has even professed his support of Obama’s presidency.

Additionally, the former (perceived) rivals have issued a collaborative statement outlining their commitment to “change the bad habits of Washington.”

Depending on the person, this can be interpreted as either consoling or sickening. One day, McCain and Obama are seemingly mortal enemies, and the next they’re holding buddy-buddy press conferences. This story line is as bad the one in the movie “Blades of Glory,”  where two rival male figure skaters go from bitter, hate-filled enemies to awkwardly close pals in a matter of minutes.

The McCain-Obama quasi-partnership could spell good things for the future of our government, though. As the respective figureheads of the Republicans and the Democrats, maybe they could bank on each other’s strengths and party influenec to tap into an efficient, compromising legislative-executive relationship that hasn’t been seen for years.

OK, they aren’t best friends and superheroes, so I won’t hold my breath for that one. My fingers are crossed that the two will spearhead a positive turnaround for the U.S. Government.

Then again, this is still politics — they may just end up squabbling again.