Ungawa!
How many ways can you say "wow"? That was a true shocker last night, after so many prior recent slung-out, drug-out election nights. I was resigned to not only having numerous flip-flops but also lots of late-night never-properly-documented equivocation and eventual outcome that seemed to have nothing to do with the prior hours of coverage I was so heavily invested in. This was different. Once they played Taps for the western-most polls, the networks wasted no time in calling it for the Good Guys. Presumably, like Olbermann, they had the math down well ahead of that milestone (and apparently the confidence in their stats - though it continued to bother me when they called races with 5% or less of the voting tallied) well before the time they called it. I don't recall the timeline when Keith schooled his co-hosts over the numbers (I think he got gently rebuked for jeweler precision or something), but I believe it preceded last poll closures, hence was un-PC, but was a perfect foreshadowing of the blockbuster we heard 5-10 minutes later.
How many folks do you know who paid no attention to the election results last night? Obviously, there are those w/o access or with handicaps or limitations that could interfere with them attending to the election, but otherwise it's hard to imagine a sentient being so cold or stoic or something that they would be doing something else last night unless previously (even then, truly numb-skulled) scheduled. Aside of course from the 20% or so of us who are reportedly authoritarians and need a dominating figure in charge and hence will vote for a Bush or a McSame every time regardless of all other factors. The least-dull of those dimwits might have found some excuse for not paying attention.
While I was in the canvass line at local Obama outpost yesterday, I noticed the three women in front of me getting acquainted and eventually agreeing to team up. Slightly to my consternation, I was also solicited once they realized I was a solo act. But actually that was fine with me, although there is no scenario in which I could have stuck my nose into their happy female confabulation (and, frankly, it's a long shot that I could have vouch-safed idea of teaming up with strangers like this).
Long story semi-short, we took off with 160 or so addresses to knock on to remind-leaners to vote. I recount this for serendipity; adding to positive vibes from having been "propositioned" by my mates, I eventually learned that our driver's daughter was HS classmate of my daughter.
We stumbled through 60 or so addresses before having to jettison half our team, who had other issues to deal with. Two-some was actually much more efficient. At mid-day we stopped by partner's mother's place for a bit of nourishment, a great semi-ramshackle classic bohemian adorned with mom's eye-catching glasswork and other wonderful decor (mom is 91, lives alone, and is a Chihully acolyte). Sure enough, there on the fridge were pics confirming recognition of my daughter's classmate.
Meanwhile, the forecast of showers and such had turned to encore Indian Summer. Despite our trepidation, there were only a couple folks who were not Change candidates. Mostly "Not Homes" and "I Already Voted for Obama's." Lots of perturbed dogs guarding their turf. They had no way through the door of sensing my adoration of the canine spirit. All in all, a great collection of positive signals leading into the primal evening happenings.
Having spent six instead of planned three hours on this, my conscience was fully succored - and my head was in a very encouraged state from all the positive buzz. You know the rest! After dinner we dropped into informal party hosted by Marg's co-worker. Yee-haw!. Let's just say that John is a lot less inhibited than I when it comes to setting off major (illegal) fireworks in the city!
But back to the business at hand. There is every indication that this ballot all by it's lonesome has done a lot to restore our standing in the world. There are numerous newspaper editorials and all sorts of other evidence that our friends in other places are thrilled that we collectively came to this result. Just one example:
They did it. They really did it. So often crudely caricatured by others, the American people yesterday stood in the eye of history and made an emphatic choice for change for themselves and the world. Though bombarded by a blizzard of last-minute negative advertising that should shame the Republican party, American voters held their nerve and elected Barack Obama as their new president to succeed George Bush. Elected him, what is more, by a clearer majority than one of those bitter narrow margins that marked the last two elections.
Having snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in 2000 and 2004 it felt at times fated that the Democrats would somehow complete a hat-trick of failures on election day 2008. Instead, fuelled by unprecedented financial support, the key things went right for them yesterday, from the moment just after midnight when Dixville Notch voted 15 to six for Mr Obama (the first time the early-voting New Hampshire hamlet had gone for a Democrat in 40 years), through to the early Obama success last night in the prized swing state of Pennsylvania and on into the battleground areas of middle America.
In the last two presidential elections, the American people divided down the middle, producing a both a geographical and a demographic divide that seemed increasingly set in stone. Blue Democratic America consisted of the west and the east coasts plus the upper Midwest. Red Republican America covered the swaths in between. Women, minorities, the poor and the highly educated voted Democratic. Men, white people, the rich and the religious delivered for the Republicans. In the mind of Mr Bush's strategist Karl Rove this division was the template of 21st century American politics, a base for a conservative counter-attack against 20th-century liberalism.
Rove's America was not just turned on its head yesterday. It was broken up and recast in a very different mould. One of Mr Obama's many achievements has been his refusal to accept the permanence of the blue-red divide. He has reached out across the divide to states and voters that the embattled Democratic party of the Reagan-Bush years had forgotten about, places like the South and the Rockies, voters like farmers and small business people.
With the Democrats powerfully consolidating their position in both houses of Congress yesterday, the shift was consolidated at state and district level. This marks the end of the conservative ascendancy of the past 30 years. Whether it now marks a new, sustained era of American liberalism of the sort which followed the election of 1932 must remain to be seen. What is not open to doubt is that Mr Obama's win is a milestone in America's racial and cultural evolution. It is 45 years since Martin Luther King, in the greatest of all late-20th century American speeches looked forward to the day when his children would not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Almost unbelievably, that dream has now become a reality in the shape of America's first African-American leader and its first black first family. It is a day many thought they would never see. It is hard to know whether to weep or shout for joy now that it has arrived - probably both - but it is a lesson to the world.
Mr Obama will take office in January amid massive unrealisable expectations and facing a daunting list of problems - the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the broken healthcare system, the spiralling federal budget and America's profligate energy regime all prominent among them. Eclipsing them all, as Mr Obama has made clear in recent days, is the challenge of rebuilding the economy and the banking system. These, though, are issues for another day. Today is for celebration, for happiness and for reflected human glory. Savour those words: President Barack Obama, America's hope and, in no small way, ours too.
Frankly, I had postponed any possible thought of being proud of the old US of A for at least several years. Criminies, this was just a vote! But at this point I'm delighted in positive feedback in any shape or form.
And Digby weighs in as follows:
There are many things to be said about Obama's victory and people much more erudite and talented than I will be writing about all of it over the next few days. For me, there are twp things that are important and deserve at least a passing mention this morning after.
The first, of course, is what I referenced below. The election of the first African American president is inspiring for all the obvious reasons. I was never one who believed that we wouldn't ever elect a black president. But I assumed that he would have to be a conservative Republican in order to win --- a sort of Nixon/China deal. It is a sign of something very, very promising that this country elected a black Democrat.
The other thing is this:
It looks like America might just be given another chance. Let's hope we get it right this time.
How many folks do you know who paid no attention to the election results last night? Obviously, there are those w/o access or with handicaps or limitations that could interfere with them attending to the election, but otherwise it's hard to imagine a sentient being so cold or stoic or something that they would be doing something else last night unless previously (even then, truly numb-skulled) scheduled. Aside of course from the 20% or so of us who are reportedly authoritarians and need a dominating figure in charge and hence will vote for a Bush or a McSame every time regardless of all other factors. The least-dull of those dimwits might have found some excuse for not paying attention.
While I was in the canvass line at local Obama outpost yesterday, I noticed the three women in front of me getting acquainted and eventually agreeing to team up. Slightly to my consternation, I was also solicited once they realized I was a solo act. But actually that was fine with me, although there is no scenario in which I could have stuck my nose into their happy female confabulation (and, frankly, it's a long shot that I could have vouch-safed idea of teaming up with strangers like this).
Long story semi-short, we took off with 160 or so addresses to knock on to remind
We stumbled through 60 or so addresses before having to jettison half our team, who had other issues to deal with. Two-some was actually much more efficient. At mid-day we stopped by partner's mother's place for a bit of nourishment, a great semi-ramshackle classic bohemian adorned with mom's eye-catching glasswork and other wonderful decor (mom is 91, lives alone, and is a Chihully acolyte). Sure enough, there on the fridge were pics confirming recognition of my daughter's classmate.
Meanwhile, the forecast of showers and such had turned to encore Indian Summer. Despite our trepidation, there were only a couple folks who were not Change candidates. Mostly "Not Homes" and "I Already Voted for Obama's." Lots of perturbed dogs guarding their turf. They had no way through the door of sensing my adoration of the canine spirit. All in all, a great collection of positive signals leading into the primal evening happenings.
Having spent six instead of planned three hours on this, my conscience was fully succored - and my head was in a very encouraged state from all the positive buzz. You know the rest! After dinner we dropped into informal party hosted by Marg's co-worker. Yee-haw!. Let's just say that John is a lot less inhibited than I when it comes to setting off major (illegal) fireworks in the city!
But back to the business at hand. There is every indication that this ballot all by it's lonesome has done a lot to restore our standing in the world. There are numerous newspaper editorials and all sorts of other evidence that our friends in other places are thrilled that we collectively came to this result. Just one example:
They did it. They really did it. So often crudely caricatured by others, the American people yesterday stood in the eye of history and made an emphatic choice for change for themselves and the world. Though bombarded by a blizzard of last-minute negative advertising that should shame the Republican party, American voters held their nerve and elected Barack Obama as their new president to succeed George Bush. Elected him, what is more, by a clearer majority than one of those bitter narrow margins that marked the last two elections.
Having snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in 2000 and 2004 it felt at times fated that the Democrats would somehow complete a hat-trick of failures on election day 2008. Instead, fuelled by unprecedented financial support, the key things went right for them yesterday, from the moment just after midnight when Dixville Notch voted 15 to six for Mr Obama (the first time the early-voting New Hampshire hamlet had gone for a Democrat in 40 years), through to the early Obama success last night in the prized swing state of Pennsylvania and on into the battleground areas of middle America.
In the last two presidential elections, the American people divided down the middle, producing a both a geographical and a demographic divide that seemed increasingly set in stone. Blue Democratic America consisted of the west and the east coasts plus the upper Midwest. Red Republican America covered the swaths in between. Women, minorities, the poor and the highly educated voted Democratic. Men, white people, the rich and the religious delivered for the Republicans. In the mind of Mr Bush's strategist Karl Rove this division was the template of 21st century American politics, a base for a conservative counter-attack against 20th-century liberalism.
Rove's America was not just turned on its head yesterday. It was broken up and recast in a very different mould. One of Mr Obama's many achievements has been his refusal to accept the permanence of the blue-red divide. He has reached out across the divide to states and voters that the embattled Democratic party of the Reagan-Bush years had forgotten about, places like the South and the Rockies, voters like farmers and small business people.
With the Democrats powerfully consolidating their position in both houses of Congress yesterday, the shift was consolidated at state and district level. This marks the end of the conservative ascendancy of the past 30 years. Whether it now marks a new, sustained era of American liberalism of the sort which followed the election of 1932 must remain to be seen. What is not open to doubt is that Mr Obama's win is a milestone in America's racial and cultural evolution. It is 45 years since Martin Luther King, in the greatest of all late-20th century American speeches looked forward to the day when his children would not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Almost unbelievably, that dream has now become a reality in the shape of America's first African-American leader and its first black first family. It is a day many thought they would never see. It is hard to know whether to weep or shout for joy now that it has arrived - probably both - but it is a lesson to the world.
Mr Obama will take office in January amid massive unrealisable expectations and facing a daunting list of problems - the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the broken healthcare system, the spiralling federal budget and America's profligate energy regime all prominent among them. Eclipsing them all, as Mr Obama has made clear in recent days, is the challenge of rebuilding the economy and the banking system. These, though, are issues for another day. Today is for celebration, for happiness and for reflected human glory. Savour those words: President Barack Obama, America's hope and, in no small way, ours too.
Frankly, I had postponed any possible thought of being proud of the old US of A for at least several years. Criminies, this was just a vote! But at this point I'm delighted in positive feedback in any shape or form.
And Digby weighs in as follows:
There are many things to be said about Obama's victory and people much more erudite and talented than I will be writing about all of it over the next few days. For me, there are twp things that are important and deserve at least a passing mention this morning after.
The first, of course, is what I referenced below. The election of the first African American president is inspiring for all the obvious reasons. I was never one who believed that we wouldn't ever elect a black president. But I assumed that he would have to be a conservative Republican in order to win --- a sort of Nixon/China deal. It is a sign of something very, very promising that this country elected a black Democrat.
The other thing is this:
"Your election raises great hopes in France, Europe and the rest of the world," French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a letter to the president-elect. "I have just sent my warmest congratulations to Sen. Obama," said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown from his office at 10 Downing Street, before pointing to his country's "special relationship" with America. "I have talked to Sen. Obama on many occasions and I know that he is a true friend of Britain."One of the most frustrating missed opportunities of the last eight years was rejecting the outpouring of support from around the world after 9/11 and failing to create a new regime of cooperation and common purpose in the age of globalization.
Newspapers around the world seemed upbeat, and the most positive press in Britain appeared to come from the two papers owned by News Corp. (nyse: NWS - news - people ) owner Rupert Murdoch. "One Giant Leap For Mankind," proclaimed The Sun, a right-wing tabloid that is widely read in Britain, while The Times of London had a picture of Obama with the headline "The New World."
"Historic" seemed to be the buzzword of the day, used in the headlines for the South China Morning Post, the Times of India and El Mundo of Spain. Many papers like Le Monde of France and Spain's El Pais also referred to a fulfillment of the "American Dream."
An article in Indian newspaper The Hindu suggested that Obama's election could help resolve the separatist issue in Kashmir, while Pierre Avril, a blogger for France's Figaro newspaper, said that Brussels would now want to "forget the Bush years."
Abdul Rahman, a reporter for the Iraqi satellite TV channel Al Sharqiya, told Forbes.com that there were two different reactions to Obama's win in Iraq. "Those who are against the political process are optimistic," while others are more concerned about future political changes. "The rumor is that Obama will change the whole political process."
Obama had said in his speech that "to those who would tear this world down--we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security--we support you."
It looks like America might just be given another chance. Let's hope we get it right this time.
posted by Sir Gumbo at 10:04 PM
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