Last night, I got Fiancé the sticker from the GOP dude at the entrance of the Crystal City metro, knowing he’d appreciate it despite the questionable looks I got from my coworker when I took it. When I handed it to him as we sat at the bar, he thought it was so cool. Politics aside, it’s bizarre that when we started dating, I was a hard core Democrat. I bowed down to Ted Kennedy (still do) and thought Nancy Pelosi was the shizzle when she was elected speaker. Well, Ted Kennedy is still a hero of his own sort, and I do love the way Nancy dresses but politics change, people change and despite the results of last night and how easy it would be for me to get so excited about all this, I’m glad that I voted the way I did.
I received a comment on my facebook status, I forget what i said but the comment was:
“Yes – it is 2008. I don’t think you have 6 heads Heidi, but I do think that you need to give Obama a chance.”
Now, I never said I wouldn’t. I believe what I said was that people need to stop treating Obama like the fucking Messiah. Which, many – not all, but many – of his supporters did/do. And kudos to them to finding a candidate that they can lift up and so righteously believe in, but lucky for us? In our country, we’re allowed to agree to disagree. Usually civilly, sometimes not so much. Regardless, I get a wee bit offended when people tell me who I should I believe in and support. Maybe I don’t want to give Obama a chance, maybe I want to be bitter, that’s not necessarily the case but so what if it was? 48% of the country is probably bitter and thinks he’s too inexperienced/liberal/whatever to be president. Respect that 48% and don’t force them to “give the guy a chance” if they don’t want to. For posterity’s sake and because I’m not a crazy bible thumper, I’ll give him a chance. Innocent until proven guilty right? Rather, Democrat until proven Socialist? I kid, I kid.
I may still be apprehensive (i account it to my post-2004 bitterness) and sad about yesterday, however I can still look at the historical context and think, that is pretty damn cool. And you know what, it is pretty damn cool that so many of my peers who, four years ago didn’t give a shit, are so motivated and inspired and driven for a cause. That’s pretty bad ass. I’m proud of my country. I’m proud that John McCain conceded so eloquently, with a speech that brought tears to my eyes. I’m proud that Obama respected John McCain in his speech, and proud that we have a nation that can put aside their differences and be proud of two very capable and respectable men who ran incredible campaigns.
I just hope, and I pray, and cross my fingers that our leaders – ALL OF THEM – not just Obama, but all of the people who sit up on Capitol Hill day in and day out and make decisions for all Americans make decisions that are for the best of the people (sometimes I don’t think they are) and steer our country back on track and back to earning the respect of the rest of the world.
So, congratulations President Elect Obama, you have made history, and I am grateful that I live in a country where my voice was heard. An electoral blow out? Sure. But popular vote wise, not quite as much (I’ve never been a huge fan of the Electoral College). 51%-48% isn’t that much of a difference and I pray that Obama CAN unite all Americans, and change our future. Now lets get back to our lives, 20 months of campaigning and campaign coverage left a sour taste in my mouth. I realized last night as I had to walk home in the rain sans umbrella that I haven’t checked the weather in days because I’ve been so engrossed in the news. 24/7. I finally checked the news, tonight I’ll do the dishes and clean the kitchen and do laundry and get back to life as I know it.
But one more thing, first things first Mr. President elect – go get your daughters a puppy so I can have another First Pet to moon over 
P.S. Who ever came up with the idea to have election day on a TUESDAY needs to be shot. I learned a long time ago that drinking heavily on a Tuesday is never a good thing, unfortunately, I keep learning that lesson. The hard way.
P.P.S. wedding wednesday? Maybe. Might be Wedding Thursday. We’ll see.
