This time I had to produce a video, getting the voters hopes, fears or expectations. I asked the same exact question of people. "Are there any issues that brought you to vote, and what are your expectations in this election either on the national or local races?" I did pretty good with the first dozen people I asked the question to I got three responses. The reason for this is due to asking permission first instead of Bush-league guerilla journalism like on Fox.
Then I hit a bit of a dry spell, the next thirty or so people gave every excuse in the book. Some how I managed to get about 8 or 10 people finally, after what must have been nearly 100 people asked. People will burn up our blogs at the paper, but look to put someones face to an opinion, you might as well be trying to sell door to door. Very few were interested in being on camera.
Some made interesting comments that I would have liked in the video, discussing socialism and even racism. I expected the socialism cracks and the Palin adulation. But after a crotchety and disheveled kreaton of a man walked over to the exit of the room were voting was going on and muttered "Damn Scourage of the Earth" while shaking his head in disgust. Only to have two african-americans walk out after voting. That took me back for a moment. Sure I have heard the off color jokes leading up to the election, and ignored the foolish propaganda that the web churns out at a break-neck pace. I am sure the two people, likely didn't hear the comment.But the nerve and piety of him to say that, he certainly didn't appear to be an exceptional example of his race, a curmudgeon that only a barkeep could love. But I am not trying to judge meerly describe the scene, but he did have a small odd moustache and was a bit vertically challenged.....Hmmm
I took care of the daytime election coverage, then headed to the Republican Election Party head quarters the one locally.
There was about 100 to 150 people glad-handing with the local politicians, there were sandwiches and finger food, but no "lips stick pigs in a blanket". Which ironically was a finger food at the 2006 party that I attended and pardon the pun "pigged out at" There also was an air of concern about their main boy "Mac". I had watched the initial returns at home, then had to steal an occasional glance of the projection screen which of course was tuned into FOX with Shepperd and Carl in solumn disbelief. " and Ohio goes for....Barack Obama"
In a room full of republicans, I quietly enjoyed the news of red states being washed over by the blue wave of hope. Not a minute or two later, a person at the party bellows " Now all we need is a bomb for Chicago, or a nuclear accident, or something." Honest to good if I am lying , I'm dying.
I returned home to watch the tally, knowing full well it was over when the west coast polls closed. I had pretty good confidence that the outcome would be decisive. Then the announcemetn came, I flipped channels to see how it was announced over and over. Scenes from around our country and even other countries were jubilent and united, flashing from large masses to British pubs to third world countries then to the main event at Grant Park, that had its place in history during the civil rights era. Many were teary eyed, myself included a few times. This seemed like New Years in a way. Almost expecting "Auld Lang Syne" and Dick Clark. But instead we got Jesse Jackson, which a friend of mine mentioned that moment reminded him of the following photograph.
The night was about statesmen behaving in an honorable and noble fashion, like a page from a history book or a scene from the excellent mini series "John Adams" where Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney gave a fabulous performance. Sen. John McCain and Pres. George Bush gave heartfelt speeches that exposed a bit of their soles, and even made them seem more human instead of political puppets. The night had great speeches on both sides, and the concepts of respect and patriotism were on gracious display for all to learn from. I hope and wish things were more civilized, without the football-jock mentality to politics. To lessen the turmoil of the current American condition, they have to work together we all are depending on it.
In my imagination this must be something similar to what it felt like for some to have followed and elected Kennedy. Barack obviously conjures the spirit of MLK and JFK, let us pray for his success without their same tragic demise. My first voting experience was for Ross Perot, and I had such a belief in another party, more options. Since then elections have been either a lesser of two evils, or a conscienceous objector vote for a third party which had a snowballs chance. So finally my wote matched the majority of American, kind of feels nice, may even consider doing it again in a few years.
Originally back when there were two small football teams (8-8) running for their parties nomination. I liked Biden. He was always sharp on Meet the Press and other shows, but he was really there to stir the pot for the blue collor union workers. Then as things wore on and Biden dropped off, Edwards seemed like a better underdog to pull for. Thankfully he never became a candidate. I fully expected Hillary to make the final two on "Survivor- Politico Island" but Barack was steady and a great debater, yet still seemed like a long shot.I finally got on board when Iowa happened, and grew more certain of the selection as time went on. I only wish I would have followed my little nephews lead and worked on a campaign at the local level. They were pulling for the other guy.But I can wait a few years.
I am glad to see the day following his victory he went straight to meetings. No press conference in sight. It would have been way to easy being in Chicago, to go surprise Oprah and do a few other interviews. Right to work.
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