Election 2008: The Morning After

Above is a photo of my nephews Spencer and Sam, age 12 and 8, proudly holding their “Honored Guest” passes to the huge rally in Grant Park last night. They got to sit in the VIP section and witness history being made. I’m sure they will never forget it as long as they live, even if they didn’t get to bed until 2 am and had to go to school this morning on four hours of sleep. I never forgot the trip I made through Grant Park with my family when I was exactly Sammy’s age. We drove just a few feet from where Obama spoke last night to bear witness to the violence that had occurred hours earlier during the riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention. What a difference four decades makes and how great to see Chicago re-emerge in the national spotlight in such an incredibly positive way.

I picked Leah up at school yesterday to take her with us to vote. Leah goes to an extremely progressive middle school and when I arrived on the campus, I felt like I was walking into an Obama rally. As with any group of kids who largely ape their parents’ political views (in this case a cross-section of the kind of “elite” Hollywood liberals the Republicans love to rail against), there is a strong tendency toward rabid partisanship without a lot of facts to back up their points of view. I found myself grateful for Leah’s Republican Humanities teacher who tried to instill in his students a more sober attitude about the election that included educating themselves about the issues and avoiding a black-and-white “Democrats Are Good, Republicans Are Evil” stance. I was so proud of Leah when I heard that even though she herself is a huge supporter of Barack Obama, she vigorously defended a kid who had the guts to admit she was a McCain supporter from the verbal attack that followed by the rabid mob of Democratic students. Go, Leah!

At our polling place, I had tears in my eyes as I let Leah mark the Barack Obama circle on my ballot (she had a lot of questions about the other candidates who appeared on the ballot that none of us had ever heard of—Cynthia McKinney? Gloria LaRiva? Is there really still a Prohibition Party?). I insisted on casting my “No” vote for Proposition 8 myself and amidst all of today’s joyful news I am so deeply disappointed in California voters that this passed even if it was by a very narrow margin. So much for full equality for all citizens.

We watched  the returns for a few hours on a big screen set up in our neighbors’ backyard and I got increasingly nervous as the newscasters did everything they could to build up the suspense and try to make us believe that the race was much closer than it was. But with Pennsylvania turning blue on the map and then Ohio, even the hopeful Republican pundits had to admit that McCain was toast.

We then took Leah to the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown L.A. to see “Spring Awakening,” the Tony Award-winning rock musical based on the controversial 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind. I saw this show on Broadway last year and brought home the CD. Leah learned the entire score and couldn't wait to see the musical. The original play had been banned in Germany because of its depiction of masturbation,  homosexuality, abortion, rape, and suicide. (Let’s just say that Sarah Palin’s Wasilla church won’t be inquiring about group theatre tickets any time soon.) The musical’s theme of young people trying to find themselves during a time of great repression and conservatism seemed appropriate for this Election Day. 

Following a rousing song called “I Believe,” the lights came up for intermission and within seconds people started getting text messages that the election had been called for Obama. Screams of joy erupted first in the balcony and then spread to each part of the theatre. People were openly crying and hugging each other in the lobby,  in bathroom lines, and at the bar. I only saw one grim-faced elderly couple walking up the aisle. The man looked devastated as his wife said, “Honey, it’s not looking good.” I called my sister on her cell phone from the rally and heard Obama speaking live through her phone. What a thrill. The second act of the musical took on added meaning as the talented cast sang numbers called “The Guilty Ones,” “Those You’ve Known,” and “Totally Fucked.” We left the theatre in a throng of very happy Democrats and couldn’t believe how different this night had gone from 2000 and 2004 when we were up biting our nails until dawn.

Today I’ve been reading comments by conservatives on some political blogs who are dreading an avalanche of smugness from Democrats. I share this concern even though I’m often guilty of such smugness myself. Although I was horrified by the person John McCain seemed to become during the campaign, I thought his concession speech was one of the classiest ones I’ve ever heard. Of course politicians have to say those things after they lose, but McCain seemed sincere to me, as if he was finally free of the shackles of trying to win an election and could express himself more honestly. As people often say the day after, if only that McCain had been running for President, that’s the guy I used to respect! I’m not quite ready to be as magnanimous about Sarah Palin but I do vow that if she re-emerges on the national scene in a few years I will do my best to actually listen to what she’s saying and look at what she’s done instead of just treating her as the Poster Girl for everything liberals fear about conservatives. Not saying that I’d ever vote for her, but I can imagine a scenario where she is able to rehabilitate her image enough over the next few years to appear as a viable candidate for national office. Let’s see if she’s up to the challenge.

To end on an extremely self-serving note, it is beyond my comprehension that my family members not only know the President-Elect, they also know the actor who plays him on “Saturday Night Live” (Fred Armisen used to be my sister’s assistant). What are the chances?

Obama and his sister are huge Wilco fans and I’m crossing my fingers that my brother-in-law will be invited to play at the Inauguration. Adding to their chances is Obama’s selection this morning of Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel as his new White House Chief of Staff. Emanuel is also a big Wilco fan and when he ran into Sue and Jeff last night he joked to them that Jeff “owed him a concert.” Okay, Mr. Emanuel, I’ve checked Wilco’s schedule and they have an opening on January 20, 2009. I don’t kid myself that this means I’d ever get into the White House but I’m gunning for at least a video iChat from the Lincoln Bedroom. Do my delusions of grandeur count as Democratic smugness?

Comments

[Jane]

Danny,

Smug has been the smirk on Bush's face for 8 years.

Smug has been Halliburton getting away with millions, despite DNC hearings showing massive abuse.

Smug has been this administration's attempt to smother the freedom of the press -- unless it's the right-wing press.

The lies, corruption, closed doors, and ethical stink of Bush's administration has been smug. The right-wing media, hawking the liberal media myth, and the right wing religious nuts, seeking power through politics, have been SMUG.

We are not smug. We are freed, redeemed, released, and full of hope and hope for justice.

If we be called smug, then smug on -- rational America deserved this victory, and the entire world will benefit.

[Gordon]

Dear Danny,
The fat lady has not sung.............yet.
This morning, the NO-on-8 people were waiting on the steps of the California Supreme Court building here in San Francisco. As soon as the doors opened, they filed a challenge to the Proposition 8 results, alleging that it was in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the California State Constitution. And, that was the very reason why they allowed gay marriage in the first place. So, there remains a glimmer of hope.

I think that the entire country was bowled over by the Obama win. Even the most staunch Republican had to know that, during the past 8 years, they really blew it. I see a President Obama bringing in the best and the brightest of young minds to tackle all the challenges that face our country. It's bound to be an exciting time.

[Kris]

We're crossing our fingers too!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47461683912&ref=nf

[Elaine Soloway]

As always, loved the post Danny. Your description of Leah's school was likely mirrored in my grandson's. He's been an Barak supporter since I was still in Hillary's corner. Of course, I quickly switched over and celebrated with everyone in the Chicago neighborhood you revere and visit. I'm wondering if because I'm the fake mom to your family, I can claim some association with our President Elect. Not fake, though, real pride.
Best,

[Mary]

Danny - I would point out to Spencer & Sam that Malia & Sasha, although somewhat younger, are awfully cute...

[churlita]

The Democrats I know aren't smug as much as hopeful and relieved. That's one beautiful thing Obama has done for this country - given us hope. I don't believe one man can change all the things that need to be changed, but I do think he can inspire people to work together on that change. I don't know if I remember seeing this many people that excited about an election in my lifetime. I hope we can all hold onto this feeling.

[Judy]

Yesterday morning walking to NYC subway, my mind wandered thinking that it's been just about 44 yrs since the murders of Goodman, Schwerner, and Chaney whose crimes were working for voter registrations in Mississippi. Who would have guessed that 44yrs later, our 44th President would be Barack Obama. It felt so good to vote for a winner. I told the people in my daughter's job, they needed their heads examined to vote for McCain/Palin. I truly believe that. She is a vile woman, bitchy as the day is long, and a true Welfare/Pork Barrel Queen. Now the news is out, she even insisted campaign workers use their credit cards to buy clothes for her family. "Wasilla Hillbillies looted Neiman Marcus coast to coast" I wouldn't vote for her to be dog catcher, especially after her shooting wolves and offering cash for their forelimbs. She couldn't even tell you the countries in North America? Maybe she'll write a tell-all book...wouldn't even take it home from the library.

[Special Needs Mama]

While I can't believe you weren't at home watching the results, I forgive you after having read this beautiful post. And a Wilco show at the inauguration sounds just about right!

[Heather]

I think Tuesday night at 11:01 eastern time was one of the happiest moments of my life thus far. I sincerely doubt I've ever felt this proud to be an American. I am so very happy that so many people are ready for real change.

Good for Leah, standing up for her McCain-supporting classmate. Of course, middle school is the place where I can kind of excuse that sort of behavior, because they're still learning. It's the adults who act that way that make me angry. You should have seen some of the dirty looks I got yesterday with my Obama pin and "I voted" sticker on my jacket.

The photo of Spencer and Sam is adorable. What cuties.

[Heather]

Oh, I forgot -- the anti-gay legislation that has been passed in CA, AZ, FL, and Arkansas makes me ill. It's really too bad such great news had to be mixed with vile hatred.

[Otir]

You atom feed has been dead for a while, so I have been forced to manually check why you would not have celebrated a historical victory that has pleased so many (including me).

I don't regret I did.
I replaced it with a rss feed, showing that I am always ready to cross the aisle with grace :-)