Happy Thanksgiving!
We all have something to be thankful for and let's hope there's more down the road :)
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Thursday, November 06, 2008
a backstage pass
A must-read account of the campaigns! It’s definitely worth a look if you’re a behind-the-scenes junky or just curious about what was really going on behind closed doors. But much like the campaign it covered, it's a long slog with seven chapters! So better get the big jug of coffee and a comfy seat. You'll be reading for a while - but it's quite a page-turner. As described by Newsweek:
As in the previous editions, "How He Did It, 2008" is an inside, behind-the-scenes account of the presidential election produced by a special team of reporters working for more than a year on an embargoed basis and detached from the weekly magazine and Newsweek.com. Everything the project team learns is kept confidential until the day after the polls close.
Of the more hilarious highlights:
The debates unnerved both candidates. When he was preparing for them during the Democratic primaries, Obama was recorded saying, "I don't consider this to be a good format for me, which makes me more cautious. I often find myself trapped by the questions and thinking to myself, 'You know, this is a stupid question, but let me … answer it.' So when Brian Williams is asking me about what's a personal thing that you've done [that's green], and I say, you know, 'Well, I planted a bunch of trees.' And he says, 'I'm talking about personal.' What I'm thinking in my head is, 'Well, the truth is, Brian, we can't solve global warming because I f---ing changed light bulbs in my house. It's because of something collective'."And...
On May 20, the night of the primaries in Oregon (a satisfying win in a liberal state) and Kentucky (another discouraging blowout in Appalachia; he had lost West Virginia the week before by 41 points), he stood off-stage at the Des Moines Historical Society Museum in Iowa. He had wanted to go back to the state of his first great triumph to give a speech unofficially kicking off the fall campaign, even though Clinton officially was still in the race. "That's an interesting belt buckle," he said to Michelle, mischievously. She feigned offense and said, "I am interesting, next to you. Surprise, surprise, a blue suit, a white shirt and a tie." Obama grinned and bent down until he was almost at eye level with her waist. He jabbed a playful finger toward her belt buckle, and let loose his inner nerd. "The lithium crystals! Beam me up, Scotty!" Obama squeaked, laughing at his own lame joke as Michelle rolled her eyes.
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Wednesday, November 05, 2008
and the winds will blow
First, putting politics aside, what a truly memorable thing to witness. And how thankful I am to have been able to participate. What an incredible way to usher in the change this country desperately needs. I’ll spare you the overly sappy sentiments, but I will say I did weep joyously when the announcement was made and to hear president-elect Barack Obama address the nation. It wasn’t that his speech was overly stirring – though it hit on all the thoughts I had for the effort we face in the future as country but rather when I stopped to think about this moment in history… I don’t know, it just feels like, like grace.
And of graciousness, thank you Senator McCain for conceding respectfully.
So now my guy will be heading to the White House to set the direction of this country. And as he said, it’s going to be an arduous task to set the country back on track in fulfilling its promise to its citizens and to the world. In an attempt to temper the jubilation and nearly stratospheric expectations Obama soberly stated there will missteps, false starts and policy disagreements. And that is my concern when push comes to shove, will the missteps, false starts and policy disagreements be a net negative over course of his presidency? We’ll see in four years. But for now I have a faith in Obama carrying out what his campaign promised.
There will be cynics. There will be skeptics. There will remain the ignorant and relics unwilling to let go of the past. But I believe this election is a big step toward the progress of marginalizing those types.
As for me, I’ll revel in this joyous occasion and proud moment in American history. Then it’ll be back to work and preparing for the long road ahead.
Congratulations President Obama. Make us proud!
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Tuesday, November 04, 2008
t-minus 12 hrs and counting
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