This is pretty much unedited. I have a major project I should be finishing tonight, but that does not seem important. The center of the universe tonight is Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois. By the miracle of television, I am sitting here in Washington state, watching history unfold.
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I knew I would be in tears tonight if this actually happened. No surprise there. But it might take until January 20, 2009, for me to really take it in.
President-Elect Obama is giving his acceptance speech, and told us that people all over the country said to themselves “that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.” I am feeling that. It had to be different. I wasn't sure I could abide a repeat of the last two election. It had to be that all of our votes would be counted. That we would have our democracy back. That the goal would no longer be a red victory or a blue victory, but rather it would be what we can accomplish together. Or as our next President just said, “That we are and always will be the United States of America,” echoing his landmark speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004. That we would regain our faith in a government by, for, and of the people.
Did he just say that “we as a people will get there”? At least he did not say “I might not get there with you.” And now he just invoked Kennedy - the spirit of sacrifice. But we’re in a new century now. President-Elect Obama (oh, I just can’t believe I’m saying that) just said that we rise and fall as one nation, one people. That’s the take-away for me tonight. Speaking to the loyal opposition, he said “and I will be your President, too.” All of the sudden it hits me - he will be our President.
I’m looking forward to The Government being “us,” not “them.” I’m looking forward to The Government being at least part of the solution. I’m looking forward to the words “I’m from the government and I’m here to help” being a good thing. I’m looking forward to accountability. To balance. To hope.
This evening, Obama recalled for us Ann Nixon Cooper, a 106 year old black woman, who was born into a world in which she could not vote because she was a woman and she was black. This year, she cast her vote for a President Obama. What a piece of history. But I sincerely hope tonight that we did not elect a black man as President. I hope we elected an honest man. An intelligent man. A curious man. A gracious man. It has been so long since I have felt we had any of those qualities in the Oval Office.
I was a child when so many of the stirring speeches of the 20th century were delivered. I did not watch them in real time with any awareness of their importance. But on June 3rd of this year, I remember listening to Obama’s speech when he cinched the Democratic nomination, and feeling that these words might be recalled along side “Ask not what your country can do for you” and “I have a dream” - his prediction that we would look back on that night and say that “this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals.” I remember thinking that he could be right - if he wins.
Well, he won. We have a little over two months to let it sink in. For some time now, I’ve been fearful that the election could be stolen. That the power of fear would win over hope. That there would be a catch. And I hasten to add - if only because I’ve become superstitions in my old age - that we have not yet had the inauguration. But for tonight, I’m allowing myself some relief and joy. We have accomplished incredible things. To quote the next President of the United States, “if there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible... tonight is your answer.” I’m still pinching myself.
