Yes, we can.
Okay, I think I'm still in shock. After the awesomeness of last night (and not falling asleep until 4 am because I was so wired), I was somewhat afraid to turn on the TV this morning in case the presidency had been taken away for some reason. My political awareness didn't occur until after 9/11, so, despite living through eight years of Clinton, I really only acutely remember the last eight under Bush. I'm used to being an underdog liberal in a conservative-leaning nation. I'm used to being disgusted by government policies championed by a Republican majority and feeling helpless to do anything about it.
And now...this...I don't know what to say. I don't know how to act. As I said to my dad last night, who would have thought, watching Obama four years ago at the DNC in Boston, that he would go on to become the next president? (And that we'd have to endure four more years of Bush just to get him. Sorry, John Kerry.) I realized earlier that I feel more at peace today than I have in ages. Of course, it probably won't last very long, but it's such an incredible feeling. I want to smile at everyone I see. I didn't even have the desire to yell at all the terrible drivers out on the road this afternoon, as I typically do. This is a very strange sensation for someone who's used to being so cynical about politics after the crushing disappointment of 2004. (Again, sorry, John Kerry, but looking back, you weren't all that great, anyway.)
My favorite part of last night? BLUE FLORIDA, BABY. That's right. The last time Florida went for the Democrat was in 1996. And, well, let's not talk about 2000. Broward County went 68%-32% for Obama, the second-largest margin in the state. Years from now, I'll be able to tell my nieces and nephews that I saw the first African-American president speak in person two times -- once just six days before he was elected. (Though I'm so, so jealous of everyone who was at Grant Park last night. That speech was totally epic.) This is history.
And now...this...I don't know what to say. I don't know how to act. As I said to my dad last night, who would have thought, watching Obama four years ago at the DNC in Boston, that he would go on to become the next president? (And that we'd have to endure four more years of Bush just to get him. Sorry, John Kerry.) I realized earlier that I feel more at peace today than I have in ages. Of course, it probably won't last very long, but it's such an incredible feeling. I want to smile at everyone I see. I didn't even have the desire to yell at all the terrible drivers out on the road this afternoon, as I typically do. This is a very strange sensation for someone who's used to being so cynical about politics after the crushing disappointment of 2004. (Again, sorry, John Kerry, but looking back, you weren't all that great, anyway.)
My favorite part of last night? BLUE FLORIDA, BABY. That's right. The last time Florida went for the Democrat was in 1996. And, well, let's not talk about 2000. Broward County went 68%-32% for Obama, the second-largest margin in the state. Years from now, I'll be able to tell my nieces and nephews that I saw the first African-American president speak in person two times -- once just six days before he was elected. (Though I'm so, so jealous of everyone who was at Grant Park last night. That speech was totally epic.) This is history.