Election reflections.
I guess I should say campaign reflections.
Well, this is it. Today's the big day. This is historic. Barack Obama is very close to being the first African-American president. That's HUGE! And the implications of it are awesome. This would really open the door to anyone. Well, anyone with money. But, still. I'm really excited. I voted this morning (well, just before noon). There was A LOT of stuff on that ballot.
This campaign has been going on for what feels like forever. I could do without the onslaught of negativity here toward the end. I find it really incredible some of the things I've read during this campaign. The media is partly at fault for running with some of these incredulous stories ... but I mostly blame TV "news." That's another subject for another day.
I have really gone back and forth in this election. I don't think either Barack Obama or John McCain would be bad for the country. I also don't think either candidate is stellar. There are things I like about both; things I dislike about both. I was pretty upset when Obama backed out of the campaign finance deal that McCain got locked into. I think campaigns are out of control. Billions of dollars raised so that one of them can run another commercial. But everything costs money, I guess. Even through last night, I was struggling with who to vote for. In the end, I picked Obama. I wanted to be part of history; part of the group that elected the first black president. And, Sarah Palin scares me. Chances are, she wouldn't do anything if McCain was elected - VPs really aren't that important - but, there's a chance she could be president. And that frightens me. I'm sure she's a great hunting buddy ... or drinking buddy. But I just can't imagine a happy world with Sarah Palin as president. I think McCain made a really terrible choice by picking her. I have, however, quite enjoyed all the Palin spoofs. I've also been disappointed to see McCain pander to the religious right. I mean, he's doing everything in this election to get elected - but, looking at his record, campaign McCain looks a lot different than Sen. McCain. I want to think that, if elected, he would go back to the old McCain - the bi-partisan, for-the-good-of-the-people McCain.
Also, Barack is so inspiring. He really is like a rockstar - which is good and bad. But, when he talks, people really listen. And who could go wrong with those messages of hope? I saw Michelle Obama speak in Gainesville. After waiting for hours, feeling light-headed, almost leaving, a dozen lesser-known speakers, she finally came to the podium. I'm glad I stayed. It was my first political rally. She was very inspiring. And, it's so clear she loves her husband and really believes in him. After the speech, I wanted to kiss my husband, thank my parents and tell them I'm forever grateful, and of course, vote for Obama.
My only real wish for the election is that the record numbers of registered voters make their voices heard. It sounds a little naive, I'm sure. But, this is one of the most important things you can do. And it does feel a little like, I'm only one person, my vote doesn't really count - but it does.
I've gone through a whole slew of emotions in this election. It's been so in-my-face for the last two years, I'm a little ready for it to be over. But, I'm really excited to see the outcome tonight. And to work my first election night at the newspaper. It probably won't be as exciting as I'm picturing it, but I think it will still be fun.
Anyhow, make sure you VOTE! If you don't know where to vote, check here: http://www.voteforchange.com/
Well, this is it. Today's the big day. This is historic. Barack Obama is very close to being the first African-American president. That's HUGE! And the implications of it are awesome. This would really open the door to anyone. Well, anyone with money. But, still. I'm really excited. I voted this morning (well, just before noon). There was A LOT of stuff on that ballot.
This campaign has been going on for what feels like forever. I could do without the onslaught of negativity here toward the end. I find it really incredible some of the things I've read during this campaign. The media is partly at fault for running with some of these incredulous stories ... but I mostly blame TV "news." That's another subject for another day.
I have really gone back and forth in this election. I don't think either Barack Obama or John McCain would be bad for the country. I also don't think either candidate is stellar. There are things I like about both; things I dislike about both. I was pretty upset when Obama backed out of the campaign finance deal that McCain got locked into. I think campaigns are out of control. Billions of dollars raised so that one of them can run another commercial. But everything costs money, I guess. Even through last night, I was struggling with who to vote for. In the end, I picked Obama. I wanted to be part of history; part of the group that elected the first black president. And, Sarah Palin scares me. Chances are, she wouldn't do anything if McCain was elected - VPs really aren't that important - but, there's a chance she could be president. And that frightens me. I'm sure she's a great hunting buddy ... or drinking buddy. But I just can't imagine a happy world with Sarah Palin as president. I think McCain made a really terrible choice by picking her. I have, however, quite enjoyed all the Palin spoofs. I've also been disappointed to see McCain pander to the religious right. I mean, he's doing everything in this election to get elected - but, looking at his record, campaign McCain looks a lot different than Sen. McCain. I want to think that, if elected, he would go back to the old McCain - the bi-partisan, for-the-good-of-the-people McCain.
Also, Barack is so inspiring. He really is like a rockstar - which is good and bad. But, when he talks, people really listen. And who could go wrong with those messages of hope? I saw Michelle Obama speak in Gainesville. After waiting for hours, feeling light-headed, almost leaving, a dozen lesser-known speakers, she finally came to the podium. I'm glad I stayed. It was my first political rally. She was very inspiring. And, it's so clear she loves her husband and really believes in him. After the speech, I wanted to kiss my husband, thank my parents and tell them I'm forever grateful, and of course, vote for Obama.
My only real wish for the election is that the record numbers of registered voters make their voices heard. It sounds a little naive, I'm sure. But, this is one of the most important things you can do. And it does feel a little like, I'm only one person, my vote doesn't really count - but it does.
I've gone through a whole slew of emotions in this election. It's been so in-my-face for the last two years, I'm a little ready for it to be over. But, I'm really excited to see the outcome tonight. And to work my first election night at the newspaper. It probably won't be as exciting as I'm picturing it, but I think it will still be fun.
Anyhow, make sure you VOTE! If you don't know where to vote, check here: http://www.voteforchange.com/