Can you believe it? Obama pulled it off! We had some friends over last night for an election watch party that lasted til about 10pm. I drank too much wine and ate too many red-white-and-blue M&Ms, so I was keyed up. My partner went to sleep but I had to keep watching the returns.
McCain's concession speech impressed me and, for the first time in months, I saw a glimpse of the McCain that I used to respect. If the man who gave the concession speech had actually been the man running on the Republican ticket, he might have fared better.
If you watched any of Obama's party in Chicago's Grant Park, surely you sensed how inspired our country is with Obama's win. I'll confess--I'm a big ol' softie. I just started bawling my eyes out, but they were tears of hope and promise for this country. It's already a cliche, but I do think Obama is a transcendent political figure who can unite us once again at home and abroad. His election has the potential to heal racial divides and usher in a new generation of leadership. His election has the potential to soothe wounds we've inflicted on the rest of the world, and his election has the potential to restore our image around the world.
Yesterday, while running errands, a car pulled up next to mine. A black woman was waving her arms out of the passenger window, and I was a little suspicious at first because she was a complete stranger. I rolled down my window and she yelled, "Have you voted yet?!" I replied yes, and then she yelled, "Did you vote for Obama?!" I nodded politely, and then she let out a big whoop and drove off. Her enthusiasm and joy was so unexpected--and I regret I didn't join her. It was just so out of left field and uncommon. But people are excited, and that's great to see.
So, ok, Barack, you've won. Now please, just don't screw it up!
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