All right, I wasn’t exactly planning to do this, but since there have been a few scattered election comments in various threads, I figured, why not just have a place for us to all play, spazz, and rejoice (hopefully???) together?
Have at it.
I’ll start. I may just be THISCLOSE to feeling honest-to-goodness genuine hope again — WITHOUT IRONY — in this country. Go go go go go. I may also be drinking on a caffeine high.
No tags for this post.
RECENTLY COMPLETED
My first time voting!! At first, I thought it was the Obama supporters boo-ing McCain, which would have been extremely low of us. McCain’s a good guy- but none of his issues fit me (I’m pretty liberal
) and I hate his VP pick.
~in CA waiting for the prop 8 stuff to be finished. losing by 52/48 with 91% of votes already counted. (http://vote.sos.ca.gov/Returns/props/map190000000008.htm)
=/ I might just head to sleep soon.
The good part is that people are becoming more open with gay marriage. Prop 22 only had like… around 38%(?) people for gay marriage and now it’s all the way to 48% :]. Change WILL come one day.
Didn’t really enjoy my coffee, but I got 2 scoops of BnJ’s icecream! Yum….
Congrats! Best concession and victory speeches in a long time, both reflect the things great about America.
Thank God! I hope he stays safe and has 8 years of good change in the White House. Now the rest of the world can see how really diversified we are here in the US and that we ARE united.
Thank you America! I truly think we got it right this time. I’m not expecting Obama to fix everything but I think it was just so powerful and reaffirming to see so many faces from so many facets of life together.
thank you america!!!
OMGNESSSSSSS
i couldn’t help but cry when i heard….honestly,i feel so happy
go obama…go obama
i finally respect my president
Amazing moment in time. Glad I was there to witness it. McCain’s speech was heartfelt and it finally seemed that he just shewed away all his advisors that have been leaking poison in his ear throughout this campaign and just spoke from the heart. He really is a great man(but ran an AWFUL campaign) and his status makes this moment that much more monumental. The crowd at his rally were nothing more that frat boys a college football game. Classless.
Obama looked and sounded GREAT as President. You listen to him speak and you’re captivated. He seems young and strong but kind and intellectual as well. The only small thing is I was hoping for a more powerful, iconic speech. It was a good speech but with that crowd and that moment I was really hoping to feely truly touched and moved by his speech but it fell a little short. Was still a great speech, but just a little short of iconic. Oh well, hopefully this will signify TRUE change and get this country back to being a world LEADER opposed of world bully.
I’m french and I stayed up all night long watching CNN.com and waiting for the results (they came up at 5 a.m)… and I have to say CONGRATULATIONS America. That day is historic, it IS history and, most of all, it is full of hope.
YES YOU CAN! we ALL can!
Thank you America! And congrats!
Reading the comments, I can’t help but feel how simmiliar it is to Malaysians’ when we had our very own groundbreaking elections on March 8. Like Americans today, Malaysians voted for change, and never in our lifetimes did we ever think the opposition could deny the government its 2/3 majority.
(By now you guys are probably going ??. Haha never mind)
To put it simply, I totally understand your elation.
You guys are luckier than us .. at least you have a system that is more accountable than ours … my country, in the meantime, is heading towards a dictatorship as the powers that be cling even more tightly to power by whatever means possible. (BIG SIGH.)
Obama’s election as US president gives a lot of hope not just to Americans but non-Americans in the world. As my British friend says, “When the US sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold”. The policies by the Bush administration has been damaging to say the least. Obama – with his multicultural and global upbringing – we hope to see a more understanding approach in foreign policy.
Also, he being an African American gives us in Malaysia something to aspire to. Malaysian politics is mired in racial politics. You’d be shocked at the things our politicians are spouting. (One race – the majority – would protest the election of an official from a minority race. it’s that bad!) A lot of editorials have sprung up after Obama’s win, asking: Can Malaysia do the same one day?
U guys inspire us. Keep up the good work.
Thank you America!
I woke up this morning and to my surprise I actually got teary eyed when I read the news. Needless to say I’m happy about the results.
wow, a lot of obama supporters in here.
Kren…i’m with you…that racist comment was pretty offensive to me too. i also voted for mccain not b/c he was black or white but b/c i also believed he was the better candidate…and yes, i followed both campaigns all year and did my research before i voted. so it makes me (and all the people i know who supported mccain) racist b/c we didn’t vote for obama? that’s a pretty ignorant statement. i’m not blind to the racism that’s apparent throughout this election but it’s on both sides. it’s also comments like this…”my faith and respect in the American people has been restored”…that are also so annoying. so just b/c i don’t necessarily agree with your views and voted for the other party, i’m less respected? so ignorant. i’m proud to be an american and will support whoever is in office but let’s see if obama can deliver the sun and the moon as he’s been promising all this time.
“I checked CNN continuously – it’s the most reliable domestic new site…”
….if you’re a democrat! yeah, CNN is just as bi-partisan and un-biased as FOX News is….
i’m not gonna say much since, like someone else already said, emotions are high and people are probably fighting more now than ever so i’m just gonna sayyy….
::happy::
Kren + bebo,
I get my news from the Daily show because it’s a whole lot better when reality is mocked for it’s absurdity, and McCain was a complete joke. I actually had respect for him….not so much anymore. And I won’t say I’m sorry about what I said because I’ve seen racist comments by those voting for McCain, stemming from calling him a terrorist, a fried chicken and watermelon man, and the reason why slavery should have never been abolished. If you’re not one of the racist villagers with a pitchfork and fire screaming “terrorist!” …..then you shouldn’t be offended because it doesn’t apply to you.
So it’s not ignorance, it’s personal experience and how insulting I found McCain’s campaign to be…for not only picking Palin, but saying that REAL AMERICANS are in small towns, not where 9-11 happened. I have many reasons for why I feel the way I do and made such a statement……but I decided to keep it short.
While I know not all people who supported McCain are morons, I think most of them are.
YES WE CAN! Today I’m proud to be an American!
I actually started to get “weepy” during McCain’s concession speech. It’s as if the man had been visited by three spirits in the night and actually got his soul back. Being dragged around by his nose by a corrupt, win-at-all costs, regime all came to an end when as he was able to break free from the spell of his captures and utter an unfettered, heart-felt statement of truth (for an abrupt change.) I also felt a sense of relief and compassion for a man having been saddled with such a huge burden while trying to remain loyal to a dark, malevolent power which felt no reciprocal loyalty to either him or to his core beliefs. Unlike the current, outgoing group of robber-barrons, I’m counting on McCain to be a trusted ally in the healing of wounds and the reuniting of our nation.
I’m also excited about the possibilities offered in the selection of cabinet appointments from the large pool of talented, well-meaning public servants (the Clintons, John Kerry, Al Gore…) that PRESIDENT OBAMA (!!!!!) will now have available to serve at his, and our own collective pleasure(s.)
We now have a great opportunity to rebuild our national conscience, to repair our standing in the world, and to once again become the beacon of shining light that represents freedom, justice, and equality in the hearts and minds of our citizens, and in the dreams of those, the world over, who remain hopeful (even in their darkest of hours), that America will find a way to ease their suffering and offer to them comfort, nourishment, and warmth so that they too may allowed taste the same sweetness in the air that we Americans have come to accept as a birth rite.
Our long (inter)national nightmare will soon be over. May the sun be shining brightly as we awake to greet the new day!
“While I know not all people who supported McCain are morons, I think most of them are.”
The whole platform that won Obama the presidency was his unwillingness to partake in mudslinging and to show his opponent respect. If you’re his supporter than let’s try and follow his lead and not throw broad insults against a pretty large population. It’s time for America to heal the scars from years of bi-partisan warring and come together to help resuscitate this struggling nation. As he said, we can disagree with a person’s views or opinions but to insult a person’s character or intelligence is counterproductive and not conducive to progress.
Hehe, I kept looking for you last night, you weren’t on MSN.
I cried during his acceptance speech. I’m not a religious person, but I just feel so profoundly thankful. Hope, indeed. I can’t wait to start hearing things coming out of Washington that I can be proud of.
I have some drama/a dilemma, now… I am getting married next year and had lined up a wedding photographer, was going to spend $8k flying him to India for my wedding. Since I made that decision, though, I’ve been having misgivings here and there after finding out that he is a very strong Christian, because our wedding will be Hindu. Then, last night, he started making really irritating comments on Twitter about the election (examples: “welcome to socialism” “McCain’s acceptance speech was so gracious, Obama’s supporters not as much”) . It’s kind of the last straw, and I’m thinking of firing him. Is that wrong?
Ivuson,
I wanted Ron Paul, the reason why I voted Democrat was to hit the reset button. And sometimes, to get to point A….you just cut through all the bullcrap and tell people how you really feel.
I am so proud of Our Country this morning. There was a quote last night that described this election as a “non-violent revolution”. I hope we can work together to maintain this spirit of unity and change can be a reality.
Unfortunately, there has already been divisiveness at my daughter’s high school.
We live in a suburb of Houston, TX , so the majority of the population is McCain supporters. She called to let me know that there have been fights and that many of the students are wearing black. (in mourning) WTF!
I ‘ve been told that the definition of insanity is ” doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result”.
I am so ready to regain my SANITY!
“….if you’re a democrat! yeah, CNN is just as bi-partisan and un-biased as FOX News is….”
Nah, no news network is bi-partisan as Fox News is “bi-partisan.” Heh.
FWIW, I’ve heard many people say they mostly get their news from the Daily Show (fine show, but ENTERTAINMENT), and that just strikes me as kind of appalling too.
“i’m not blind to the racism that’s apparent throughout this election but it’s on both sides. it’s also comments like this…”my faith and respect in the American people has been restored”…that are also so annoying”
I kind of resented the Obama supporters during the nominations, because many of them were saying that the Clintons were really Republicans at heart or that Hillary was using low and racist personal tactics to attack Obama. I found them a bit self-righteous and well . . . young, realistically on most policy changes, there would have not been significant difference between the two candidates. However, I’m glad Obama was nominated because, as we can see, he was the best chance for the Democrats to get back into the office.
“but saying that REAL AMERICANS are in small towns, ”
How is that different from any other Republican message though?
“It’s kind of the last straw, and I’m thinking of firing him. Is that wrong?”
The sentiment isn’t pleasant (imagine the opposite situation), but realistically you’d want a photographer who’s agreeable with you and especially knowledgeable on shooting “Monsoon Weddings.” Because they’re REALLY different than a traditional American wedding.
Belleza,
I hardly think looking to the Daily Show for a “perspective” on the news is appalling….because unlike FOX, CNN, and MSNBC, it is “entertainment” and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Although, Olberman’s use of Stewie’s sound-byte is pretty dope. The thing people need to understand about comedy like the Daily Show and Colbert Report, it holds people accountable for what they say and points out it’s absurdity…especially when it’s a person as powerful as the president or Obama himself. Sure, Olbermann does it too, but he’s not that funny. FOX new’s Bill O’rielly is more of a gaffe machine than Obama and he reads the TelePrompTer. Besides, the information they share are the same content CBS, BBC, and KBS use….the only difference is that it’s not being regurgitated by a bunch of stuffy suits.
……….
“How is that different from any other Republican message though?”
It was a message that had high production value, that’s the difference.
@rocketfuel,
“it holds people accountable for what they say and points out it’s absurdity…especially when it’s a person as powerful as the president or Obama himself”
I feel the problem with pointing out absurdity for the sake of absurdity is that it gives the audience a false sense of true knowledge on the subject. It’s the equivalent of listening to Rush Limbaugh to get all of your news “perspectives.” Rush is entertaining to his base, and his base enjoys ridiculing the position positions of the left. But that doesn’t make them any more knowledgeable. Why does news have to be entertaining to be meaningful? That’s like me forming my views on Korea from Popseoul.
Also, I don’t really understand supporting Ron Paul and not supporting John McCain, at least philosophically. Ron Paul’s views on foreign policy are more isolationist, he opposes universal health care, OPPOSES Roe V. Wade, opposes gun control, etc. These are diametrically opposite the platform Obama ran. Ralph Nader is just as a straight shooter as Ron Paul, though obviously on the opposite side of the political stratum.
“It was a message that had high production value, that’s the difference”
That’s a core base for Republicans since Nixon, though. They always appeal to “small town America”, who make up a significant part of the Christian fundi vote as well as the “silent majority.”
Belleza,
Unlike Popseoul and Rush Limbaugh, Jon Stewart isn’t looking to “spin” information for entertainment. That was his problem with CNN’s crossfire and that’s why he’s more honest than Popseoul and Rush. He just point at the news, mostly unedited except for something like an IPOD product placement…and makes a funny face. He uses reality and “wtf” expressions as his punch line. Compared to Popseoul and Rush, he’s actually honest about sharing the news because he doesn’t rewrite it. Besides, just because people get their News from FOX doesn’t mean they have a true knowledge of the subject either.
Actually, FOX NEWS = Popseoul.
Ron Paul is an intellectual, which is why I would have voted for him. McCain, not so much..especially when you see the two debate with each other and you can see how completely different they are.
And like I said….I voted for Obama because I wanted the government to reset itself on both sides.
—–
“That’s a core base for Republicans since Nixon, though. They always appeal to “small town America”, who make up a significant part of the Christian fundi vote as well as the “silent majority.”
appealing to them is one thing…saying that anything else is less American, is another.
Wow, it was my first time voting, and …Obama won yay! Hope there will be Change in America!
I have voted in many presidential elections ( I know… old) and this was one of the rare opportunities when I didn’t feel as though I was voting for the lesser of two evils. I hope that he will lead the U.S. the way he lead his campaign with grace, inclusiveness, organization and a steady hand. It is the most hope I have had in a long time.
And I promised the powers that be if Obama won I would listen to all of his speeches since I have taken most of the past 8 years off and read them only. I am glad not to have to listen to Bush string his words together a moment longer and am looking forward to having a thoughtful intelligent president.
“Actually, FOX NEWS = Popseoul.”
Daily Show = Dramabeans
anyone catch nader’s comment about uncle tom?? seriously, wtf nader?!?!?
“anyone catch nader’s comment about uncle tom?? ”
Taken out of context, it seems awful, but I do partially agree with Ralph Nader’s argument. It’s also, BTW, arguments that have been also made by activists in the African American community, who nevertheless support Obama. (Of course, a white guy wasn’t say these things.) That’s not meant as a strike about Obama — it’s just the reality of politics in 2008 America, which is a helluva further along than in 1988, when Bush Sr. ran those Willie Horton ads to defeat Dukakis. For Obama to win, he has to seem non-threatening to the majority of America, which is still white America. And, unlike a Republican nominee (though that may have changed too), a Democrat must adopt a centrist message in order to win.
It’s also a good thing in that the African American political community has now a wider range of voices recognized by the political mainstream. Or to put it another way, Jesse Jackson and Rev Sharpton are important voices, but they do not speak FOR black America.
“Nah, no news network is bi-partisan as Fox News is “bi-partisan.”
i meant…NON-partisan…!
“While I know not all people who supported McCain are morons, I think most of them are.”
so..what’s that old saying again…something about a pot calling the kettle black? um, yea…you know that one….no racial pun intended though.
oh man, i’ve got some things to say about ron paul, rush and the daily show but…belleza, you’re doing a pretty good job!
“The whole platform that won Obama the presidency was his unwillingness to partake in mudslinging and to show his opponent respect.”
if only this was true…i sure saw and heard a lot of mudslinging back and forth! ok, i’m done with my political ranting for a while. now that the man has been elected, let’s see what’s in store for america in the coming year(s)!
I’m so happy Obama won — believe me, I was in tears due to the moment of it all. It was 8PM PST here in Los Angeles yesterday and I looked up from my computer to the TV screen to see people cheering. I thought it was nothing until I saw, “Sen. Barack Obama Elected President.” Wow. That just had me so moved.
History was made yesterday and we were all lucky to be a part of it.
However, it was sad to see that Prop. 8 won over CA. I still can’t believe it. Gays & Lesbians are humans — they’re people! They should have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the human race.
“oh man, i’ve got some things to say about ron paul, rush and the daily show but…belleza, you’re doing a pretty good job!”
I actually like the Daily Show a lot, but I take in news from the BBC and used to watch Charlie Rose a lot. Fox News is entertainment to me; usually I watch it to gauge where the Republican/conservative viewpoints are going. I actually like Ron Paul, but his libertarian viewpoints are incompletely incompatible with mine own. Like I said, I wouldn’t want the president to revoke Roe v Wade. I don’t especially like Ralph Nader, but his viewpoints are pretty close with mine.
I’m pretty liberal, but one of the (non-political) forum I visit are run by Fundies. One thing I noticed about Fundies is most of them are really good at debate and especially in controlling talking points and keeping on mesage. That kind of speaks to the level of organization that the Christian Right have maintained in order to be not only a consistent political force, but an extremely strong voice within Internet grassroots culture. It’s a consistent mistake by Democrats to characterize Fundies as intellectually inferior, racist, whatever. They underestimate their opponent and they have no idea why they’ve lost.
Obama didn’t do that. Obama engaged the “enemy” and, tempted by the threat of white guilt, he sidestepped it and told people that “we can agree to disagree, but I respect you.” That was huge, because Obama was able to do this without selling out the Democrat platform. That doesn’t make Obama heroic; it makes him a MASTER politician. Obama didn’t turn it into a “black vs. white” issue; he essentialy told America “white America: I am your feel good vote. You can pat yourself on the back if you vote for me. black America: you can engage with white America as a whole without pointing a finger.” Because Obama didn’t fully bite, McCain couldn’t call him on it. And it only alienated other voters when Fox tried to press him on his name and so on. It made them to look not only racist, but also petty.
This was perhaps the best run campaign in our history. Not in just the grassroots campaign or ability to control the sphere of influence, but in the way he was able to raise and distribute an incredible amount of money, so that it seemed Obama was campaigning everywhere. His campaign rewrote the book.
bebo
could the cauldron prove it?
Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk
Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run
Obama’s running so we all can fly.
-Hov
Yay, we get to kill babies now and we won’t be punished for it ! Yay!!!
Jojo, now that’s a horribly ignorant statement that makes me afraid for our future. there are ways to express an intelligent pro-life argument without being narrow-minded about the issue.
Javabeans, I’ve been reading your site for quite some time now but I’ve only ever posted one comment (and that was just 4 minutes ago) but I just wanted to say that you almost always speak my exact sentiments when it comes to this election.
Unfortunately while I believe we made the right choice for president, it saddens me to read about prop 8 in California and the ban of foster parents in Arkansas.
Jojo, you’re probably just trolling the comments in order to cause ruckus but your statement truly shows the ignorance of some people in this country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ
Particularly starting at 2:45:
We could do this till the cows come home, so I’ll just say: Frankly the argument is too complex to simplify it into “all pro-choicers = abortion lovers and baby killers.” I agree that pro-lifers have some compelling arguments, but that kind of blind hate-spewing does nobody good, not even the pro-lifers.
jon stewart 2012!
Sooo elated!! All the NYT are sold out so we ordered a copy for tomorrow.
Awesome win for Democrats all over, but I hope they can live up to the world’s expectations. And I respect McCain for stopping the boos at his concession speech- clearly, he’s regaining his good ol’ former self which he lost somewhere along the blazing campaign trail.
About the “historic victory”, my cousin gave this analogy:
“It kinda feels like the Yankees won the World Series..” LOL
I’m very disappointed that the American voters lost the chance to elect a great 44th president after 8 years of George W. Bush. Sadly, we will have four more years under a man with no experience, who will be controlled by an experienced and worldly-wise VP. Too bad!
silly jenny,
Trix is for kids…and McCain is Bush. Why else would McCain use Bush’s own campaign manager.
That video was hilarious and you’re absolutely right. Just because I’m pro-choice doesn’t mean I love killing babies. WTF.
I really appreciate all the support that we Americans receive from other people from different countries. Truly, america has to fix its image and once again earn the respect of other nations. I believe President Obama will take us there. Mccain, I truly respect him for his speech, a very gallant man. I saw a lot of youth turnout this time around and its about time we young ones start caring for our country and receive the reponsibility from the baby boomers who were mostly the shapers of today’s America. Thank u all.
i join the rest of the (net)izens in rejoicing Obama’s win.It’s one big step, one admirable feat. ..Here’s to hoping for a better and more peaceful world with Obama in the White House.
I’m sad about proposition too. I am all for Gay and lesbian rights.
You know, I wonder how many Office fans voted for the Obama-Biden ticket just because the Veep is from Scranton, Pennsylvania?
But yeah, hecka happy with the results. President Obama!
Voted for McCain ^__^ but still I am happy that everyone else is so happy about Obama. It’s nice to see that.
California conservatives at least got prop 8! yay !!