Michael Tomasky has a terrific essay in today’s Guardian about the significance of this year’s election.

The grand theme of this contest, to hear the candidates tell it, is “change.” That’s a shallow buzzword that doesn’t say much, and to listen to the candidates strain to persuade the public that “I represent change too!” (Obama was first) is to be reminded of schoolchildren in pursuit of gold stars from teacher.

But amazingly enough, it’s not entirely inapt. This election is fundamentally about whether a majority of Americans are prepared to give liberalism another chance…

It’s a thoughtful piece which has the right historical range.