Finally...I saw the speech!

Those who regularly read this blog (hi, Mom) are probably curious as to why it took me a whole long day to post anything about the inauguration of my big crush, Barack Obama.

It's because I didn't see it.

I saw about three minutes of the inauguration speech while standing at the Hertz counter in the Philadelphia airport, waiting on the shuttle to take me and my coworkers to the terminal. I was mad when the shuttle came, because I was just starting to get into it. (They all reminded me that my fascination was well and good, but we had to, you know, get to our plane and go home.) By the time we got to the terminal, checked in, through security, etc., and to a place with a TV, everything was over and it was showing the Obamas walk into lunch.

I was greatly displeased by this. I was especially mad when I got home and watched the news, and the reporter said something to the effect of, "When you've been a reporter for many years, it takes a lot to make you really pause and reflect on the moment. But this is an event we'll always remember - and we'll always be able to say, 'I watched that.'"

But I didn't watch it! Can you believe it? I must really like my job. At any rate, I do very much want to keep it.

Thanks to a DVR snafu, none of the inaugural festivities ended up being recorded when I got home. But Brock found a bunch of videos on hulu.com for me, so I've spent the evening catching up. Here's my summary:

• Oath of office: not Barack's fault it got goofed up, and thank goodness he's still the president anyway.
• Speech: awesome. Well done. Still, a day later, I haven't heard a word against it.
• Poem: didn't quite get it, but I don't usually quite get poetry, either. Nice enough - but the shots of the crowd leaving during it made me feel bad for the poet. It can't be easy to write a poem for an event like that.
• Benediction: I have the sneaking suspicion that the pastor slid in his ending comments without anyone knowing he was going to do it, which make them even more entertaining. Good for him for trying to have some fun with it.
• Crowds: it was extremely moving to see the mall packed with so, so many people...I don't know if the country really is more united, or if I just feel that way because the guy I liked finally won, but it's a nice feeling to see so many people coming together and getting behind the president.
  
• Inaugural ball fashion: Michelle Obama seems so freaking cool. I think she would be fun to hang out with. And I thought her inaugural dress was very pretty, and not what I was really expecting from her. That said, I liked her yellow dress and coat for the inauguration better.

It's a new day in America, people - I hope it lasts at least a little while.

Yes we can!

And yes we did.

Tonight, I am proud to be an American. Way to go, America. Way to go.

Election excitement

Full disclosure: I have a minor in Political Science and did my college internship with the State of Indiana, so I am a bit of a political junkie. At least, more so than most people. Even though I find it harder to keep up with the big campaign stories as my life gets fuller and fuller of other things (work, school, husband, kid, Heroes, etc.), election night has always been a special night for me - and the upcoming election feels absolutely, once-in-a-lifetime historic.

I am planning on eating a lot of snacks, and not going to bed until I find out who the President-elect is. I understand this means I might not actually go to bed...and I also understand I might just have to give up and crash at some point. But I'm going to try! While the presidential election is obviously the big story for all of us, it's pretty much the only story here - Barack Obama is from Illinois, of course, and also the races for the other offices affecting our district are pretty uninteresting (I think both our state representative and Congressman will be re-elected fairly easily).

I'm planning to go vote at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The polls open at 6, so theoretically I could go earlier, but I don't think it's actually possible. Brock said he thought if I showed up to vote in my polka-dot pajamas, they might question my mental capacity to cast a ballot. *chuckle* So I'm going as early as I can and hoping for the best. I do think there will be lines (hooray - that means more people will be voting!), but hopefully not that long that early in the morning. Also, we vote at a school, and normally if I try to go before work, I get there during drop-off time and have to park a block away because you can't actually get anywhere near the door to the school...and the jam-up of cars is awful because a bunch of stressed-out moms are trying to get their kids to school and themselves to work.

Normally I would say, "I don't care who you vote for - just vote." But this time I don't really believe that. I feel like the outcome of this election is utterly essential for the righting of our country (and I don't mean "moving right"), and I am horribly nervous that too many people will vote the way I don't want them to vote. (If you read this blog at all, ever, you know I am totally voting for Obama.)

The thing that has disappointed me so much about this campaign is that, prior to it, I was something of a fan of John McCain. I thought he was a pretty cool guy, with an independent streak that seemed to take him in the right direction (campaign finance reform, anti-torture, etc.). He's a war hero, for pete's sake, so I thought he knew what he was talking about when it came to national defense. Also, he's funny, and in his several appearances on The Daily Show I always thought he came off smart, with a clever sense of humor. Four years ago, when I was so impressed with Barack Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention, Brock actually said to me, "What if he's running against McCain in 4 years? Who will you vote for?" And I said, first, "It'll never happen," and then, "I really don't know." So I was actually really looking forward to the showdown between him and Obama, as I thought it would be full of really stimulating discussions that would make us all better-informed and provide lots of food for thought.

So the thing I hate is that I feel like John McCain, who I used to think was a cool guy that I might have even considered voting for, totally sold out. First, he hired a bunch of the same doofuses who did such a hack job on him in the 2000 election (which, by the way, was horrible, and those people should be ashamed of themselves). Then, he started moving right on all kinds of stuff he'd previously had a different opinion about (stem-cell research, for example). Then, he picked a completely unqualified running mate, and in my opinion, he did it only because she's a woman and he wanted to attract those disgruntled Hillary voters - which is completely the wrong kind of affirmative action.

(Sidebar: if he was dead-set on picking a woman, I can't believe there weren't any better-qualified options than Sarah Palin. I mean, really. It's a bit insulting to me as a woman that this is the best we could do. What about Elizabeth Dole? She seems to have her act together, even though apparently her latest campaign ads for Senate are way out of line.)

I just feel like, at some point, John McCain just decided that darn it, he really wanted to win, and he would do whatever it took to win, and screw everything else (like principles). That really disappoints me, because one of the things I've always liked about him is that I felt like he said what he really thought about things. I don't think he's been doing that in this campaign - which makes me nervous, because I think one of two things could happen IF he wins. One is that he'll get into office and turn into the old John McCain, which would make me feel somewhat better (though still completely depressed), but would probably cheese off all the right-wingers who voted for him. The other is that he'll keep taking advice and guidance from these dorks who are running his mess of a campaign, and we'll be even worse off than we already are. Neither of those is very good - one says he's completely unpredictable and the other says he's under the influence of bad advisors.

That's why I'm not voting for him. I know that if Barack Obama wins, he won't be able to do all the stuff he says he's going to do (no President can ever do all the stuff he says he's going to do while he's campaigning, but he has to say it...I mean, who would vote for a guy who said, "You know, I'd love to solve the health care crisis in this country, but frankly, folks, I don't think it can be done in four years"?). He'll probably disappoint me somehow. But I truly believe that, overall, he's a steadier presence in a time that calls for a steady presence, and that he's still idealistic enough to believe things can be better and he can help make them that way.

So really, go vote. If there's a line, wait through it. And think really, really hard about whom you're supporting, because in this election, more than any other in my lifetime at least, it really, really matters.

GO-bama!

You guys, we have GOT to elect this man. We've just GOT to.

Obama's acceptance speech was fantastic. Even the Republican operative/contributing analyst on NBC said as much. (And then we stopped listening to analysts, because they are generally annoying, and I'd rather just formulate my own thoughts.)

I have so many favorite lines: "Eight is enough!" "Change doesn't come from Washington; change goes to Washington." "America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this." It didn't make me cry the way his "This is the moment" speech in June, but it made me happy and hopeful. And it was really wonderful to feel that way.

His speech was smart, tough and inspiring. I think he's smart, tough and inspiring. More than 80,000 people showed up just to hear the guy talk. We've GOT to elect him.

Awww

I was reading the news on CNN and found this photo from a gay marriage ceremony in San Francisco.

I know this won't please some of my readers (not that I have many readers, but you know what I mean), but I think the picture of those two old ladies getting married is the sweetest thing. They're 87 and 84, for pete's sake; who knows how long they've waited to be able to get married? (Edited: Just read another story that says they've been together 55 years. Whoa.) So congratulations to them, and have some cake for me.

And maybe someday the rest of the country will realize we've got much bigger things to worry about than two people who love each other wanting to make their devotion legal. Nuff said.

BARACK OBAMA!!!!

I just finished watching Barack Obama's speech in Minnesota. It occurs to me:

1) that I may never see another presidential candidate like this in my lifetime.
2) that one day, Hannah is going to ask us about this when she has to write a report for school.
3) that it feels pretty amazing to live through a historic time that's actually positive.
4) that this is the first time I have nearly cried when hearing a presidential candidate speak - because I was inspired, and hopeful, and optimistic, and moved.
5) that I am proud to have voted for this man three times.
6) that I am going to his next campaign event that is anywhere near where we live - and I don't care when it is. I will not miss out on this experience.
7) that Barack Obama is an excellent example of why I always wanted to get into politics - and his rarity is the reason why I didn't do it.
8) that it may be weird to clap and cheer for a political speech while sitting in your living room in your pajamas, but I did it anyway.
9) that this is the first time I've really wanted someone to be president because I believed in him, and not because I just really didn't want the other guy.
10) that I am, for once, extremely proud to be an American.

If he's elected president, Barack Obama certainly won't be able to do everything he wants to do; no president ever can. But he's a once-in-a-lifetime candidate, and he makes me believe things can be better. I'm in awe that I am living through the time in American history when we finally have an African American presidential candidate. I am in awe that it's THIS African American candidate who, even if he were purple, would still be the most inspiring political figure I've ever seen. I feel privileged to be part of this, even if my part is very small.

I can't wait to vote again!

Odds & ends

1. I am so happy the Patriots lost the Super Bowl. I suppose I am also happy for the Giants that they won, and even though I've always thought Eli Manning was a little whiny, he just seemed so aw-shucks pleased with everything that I have to be happy for him. Also, he's Peyton's brother and I'm sure Peyton is glad they won. But mostly, it just does my heart good that the Cheating Cheaters Who Cheat got theirs...finally. My friend Jen & I put a sign that said "18-1" outside the office of this major Patriots fan we work with. (He is a nice guy, or we wouldn't have done it; he took it the right way. He also left Patriots stuff on my desk earlier in the season, so he had it coming.)

2. The problem with night school is that you have to work all day and then go to school. I had a mildly crummy day at work, but most of my department had a bona fide crappy day, so it was tiring. And then I had to go discuss ethics for 2 1/2 hours...which is endlessly interesting, but hard to do when your brain is so worn out.

3. I found a new use for my navigation system: finding your way in the fog. It is stupid-foggy here tonight, so I used the nav system to give me some warning for when turns were coming up. It worked quite well.

4. Tomorrow is Super Tuesday and if you live in a state that's holding its primary, be sure to vote! I'm planning to maintain my perfect Barack Obama voting record. I'm really interested to see how the presidential race shapes up after tomorrow, especially since the weather is supposed to be awful in many of the primary states.

5. Did I mention I'm happy the Patriots lost?

On presidential politics

Yesterday, John Edwards dropped out of the Democratic race for president. I tried to find a good story to link to about that, but then I figured that if you care, you already read it; if you don't, really all you need to know is that he dropped out.

I have a political science minor and a degree in rhetoric, so I've always been a sucker for presidential politics, which to me are the most interesting kind. And this year, I think the presidential race has finally gotten really, really interesting.

My personal policy is that I don't start paying real attention to the candidates until the primaries are far enough along that all the joke candidates have dropped out. My time is precious, and I do not want to waste it cutting through the clutter of Sam Brownback to find out about John McCain, for example. (The Democratic version of that would be, "cutting through the clutter of Chris Dodd to find out about Barack Obama.")

But now...the Democratic race is down to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and the Republican race (despite the best efforts of Chuck Norris) is pretty much down to John McCain and Mitt Romney. What I find so incredibly wonderful about this is that there WILL BE a woman or an African-American major-party nominee for president this year. And I really think either of them has a good shot at winning. It's hard to explain, but I feel like we're living history right now; someday, my daughter is going to ask me about this very moment in time when she has to write a history report on the 2008 presidential election.

Personally, I'm pulling for an Obama v. McCain campaign, for several reasons. One, I think they are both sort of "Washington outsiders" - Obama because he hasn't worked there very long, and McCain because he chose to be. I think they're both intelligent and dedicated (can't say that about every nominee in my lifetime!), and I would LOVE to see them debate. The contrast of older maverick and younger upstart is really intriguing - there would be real, tangible differences between the candidates. And most of all, right now at least (I do need to do some more research), I feel like the country would not be totally messed up if either of them won.

Don't get me started on Mitt Romney, though. Wow. I want to be clear that it doesn't concern me that he's Mormon. I mean, I don't actually care...whatever religion you are is up to you. But it does concern me that he's...maybe "out of touch" is the nicest thing to say here. If you haven't seen him "relating to the people," well...



I'm just saying...Obama and McCain would make for a really fascinating election. Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee would just sort of make me...sad. (Or happy that the Democrats would have a great chance of actually winning...)

You rock, Barack - Part 2

Barack Obama has won the Iowa caucus. Wahoo!! Go, Barack. Now I feel motivated to go back to reading your memoir rather than "I Am America (And So Can You!)" by Stephen Colbert. Such is my unique perspective on life that I asked for both books for Christmas. :)

Mike Huckabee won the Republican caucus...which is massively startling but just shows that our political process is never boring. On the news, they showed a clip from his victory speech, and his new best friend, Chuck Norris, is smiling like a kid on Christmas behind him. It was kind of cute. I wonder if they can attribute the victory to this ad?

Can't wait to see what happens in New Hampshire...

You rock, Barack

I have a crush on Barack Obama. Don't worry, Brock knows this, and I think he's okay with it. Right now I'm watching The Daily Show from last Wednesday (hey, I know it's a little late, but that's what DVRs are for), on which Barack Obama showed once again why I have a crush on him. He's smart, he's funny, and he's darned cute. I haven't yet decided if I think he'd be a good president, but he's a lot more appealing than a whole lot of the other goofs who think they're running (you know, the ones who get to be in 47 debates now, and by next November no one will remember who they are, if anyone ever knew who they were in the first place). In the interest of full disclosure, I will say that I have voted for Barack Obama before, so obviously I think the guy has some good things to say. The thing that scares me is that, in a country that could elect our current president twice, I have little faith (although a lot of hope) that somebody like Barack Obama can cut through the clutter and make people pay attention...and believe that the mess(es) we're in can get fixed.

By the way, I can't take credit for the title of this post. Some people in The Daily Show's audience yelled it when Barack took the stage, but it pretty much sums it all up. Rock on, Barack. Rock on.