Post-Election Day Reflections
Sorry, but the wonk in me is still wide-awake. (The rest of me is dragging. In a good way).
First, I still can't get over the big fat hello-Christmas-came-early announcement of Rumsfeld's resignation. That is some of the best news EVAH! Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Rummy. Thanks for absolutely nothing.
Next, I spent a little time watching a fairly chastened President just now. One of my favorite bits was when he noted that many of the individual races were close (which is absolutely correct) but that the "cumulative effect amounted to a thumpin'". From a mandate to a thumpin'. I'd almost feel sorry for him but I so don't. Also, apparently he and Karl Rove have some sort of reading contest going on. Who knew?
Important point to note for the future: it's hard to steal elections when voter turnout is high. (Still looking for numbers nationwide and I won't have anything local until after 6pm tonight but I can tell you it was higher than expected. Even in the places that were flooded).
Other bits of punditry:
* I am hopeful today that we will see some action on various fronts in the next 2 years. Gridlock isn't really an option if a) the Dems want to keep building on their gains and 2) if any Republican wants to be elected President in '08. There absolutely MUST be movement, in a positive direction, in Iraq in the next two years or the albatross that is the war will drown the GOP candidate, just as it hurt GOP candidates yesterday.
* While this election was in fact a referendum on the President and the GOP congress, it was also a vindication of Howard Dean. Many people were skeptical when he became head of the DNC, even as it delighted Deaniacs such as myself. Gov. Dean had some fresh ideas, not the least being the "50 state strategy" which had the DNC putting field offices in every single state and running campaigns in places that have traditionally just been ceded to the GOP. He's not afraid to run strong candiates in red places and that strategy was key to Democratic success last night. Rahm Emmanual and Charles Schumer aren't too shabby, either.
* I kept noticing in speeches last night that while the Dems were consistently saying things like "the people have spoken", "the people voted for change", etc. etc. etc. I didn't hear anyone say "mandate". Somehow, I found that refreshing.
I think that's all.
So here's what I did yesterday:
I voted at 7:15am and my polling place was full. While I was voting a woman came in and announced, "I'm a first-time voter; I just became a citizen". That was inspiring. Behind her came a man who needed to vote on a provisional ballot. The pollworkers knew what to do. That was encouraging. Driving to the campaign office I passed a thicket of McGavick supporters waving signs at a very busy intersection. No one was honking in support. All this taken together put me in very good spirits.
Philip is the young man who has been coordinating volunteers for Maria's campaign. He is a fine, fine fellow. He asked me what it looked like out there and I told him about the McGavick crowd so he immediately directed our first influx of volunteers to hit the same intersection with signs. It was pouring rain, btw.
My job yesterday was to make sure people were eating, drinking and taking breaks. But after over a year of working together, Phil decided to deputize me, training me on what he was going to be doing so that I could handle volunteers without him.
Our canvassers were operating out of locations throughout the city. The main office was mostly doing GOTV phone calls. We had over 100 people calling throughout the day, with a max of about 30 at any given time. Callers ranged in age from 11 to 80. There was a gentleman in a wheelchair, a mom with a 3 year old in tow. There were about 5 high school students (who weren't strictly speaking skipping school as they were earning service hours). Those kids rocked my world. They were all so sweet and respectful and articulate. They worked for hours to get out the vote for an election they were too young to vote in. You have to love that. And that 6th grader? Sheesh, scary smart and articulate young man. It must have been adorable to get a call from him. Oh, and we also had the ex-wife of one of our representatives, a lovely, lovely woman. Great group of folks.
Every couple of hours I ran around checking with each volunteer, doing a tabulation of how many calls they'd made and how many actual humans they'd spoken to out of those calls. I have no idea what they were doing with this information but it was a nice diversion.
Because of massive flooding in parts of the county, we shifted some callers to a special phone bank, informing voters in affected areas how they could still vote. Again, I don't know the numbers but people were making a stellar effort to vote even as the floodwaters rose. If that doesn't bring a tear to one's patriotic eye, I don't know what will.
It was busy. I was rarely off my feet. I tripped over a phone cord and almost fell right in front of a television reporter. I looked at her and said, "Volunteer killed on site. Film at 11". She laughed. (Fortunately, the camera was elsewhere).
And then, somewhere around 5 or 6 (who knows) a shout of joy went up from Philip. It was the news that Rick Santorum was out of a job. Much high fiving, happy dancing and general gleefulness ensued. At that moment I truly believed that anything to come would be gravy.
And then the gravy started.
The few volunteers who were still around started being lured away from their phones. Which was fine as all the rest of us were crowding around televisions to watch returns. Sometimes my mom gene kicked in, I'd forage for sammies and water for the pack and then sit back down to enjoy the show.
Around 8:20 I gave Phil yet another high five and a hug and headed down to the Democrats party at the Sheraton. True confessions: part of the reason I volunteered was to get into that party. Seriously. I've watched so many election nights and always wondered what it would be like at one of those things. I'm shallow that way.
I had worn a Maria Cantwell tshirt all day, my hair pulled up in a ponytail. At the hotel I changed into a pretty black top (to go with my black skirt), took down my hair and generally szhooshed myself. Out in the grand ballroom I began encountering some of my volunteers. They didn't recognize me. I kinda liked that. I'm shallow that way, too.
The Neighbor gave me donkey earrings a few months ago. They were a big hit.
I bought a pricey glass of wine and cruised the room, chatting with folks. Unfortunately, I never spotted some of the people with whom I most wanted to share a victory hug. It was a crowded, crowded party. I found some of my favorite volunteers of the day and we hung for a while, watching CNN on the big screen and cheering when actual people took the podium. I was dying to hang in there until Maria came out but but by 10pm my legs were threatening mutiny.
The Neighbor's light was on when I drove by so we debriefed over a glass of wine. She was a very happy camper, too. And then I started to cry. Just a little. But it just felt sooooo good to win yesterday. Not only did Maria win but she won handily. Her race was called at 8:01. This was an important election and the fact that we'd done the job and I had a tiny part in that made me a smidge varklempt. What a sap.
The Spouse had waited up so we shared about our days. (He and The Child attended the funeral of one of his aunties yesterday. This was the second funeral on his side of the family in as many weeks. He was a little varklempt, too). He went to bed around midnight but I was too jazzed to sleep until about 2:30.
The Child was cute on the way to school, saying, "You should take a nap when you get home". I said I'd probably want to watch the news. She said, "Well, then watch the news in your bed and then you can sleep when you want to". I think I'm finally ready to take her advice.
I would like to thank my family for all their support and encouragement in the last 14 months of the campaign, but particularly the last few days when I've been fairly absentee. I pledge to them that there will be clean jeans and underwear by the end of the day. The house will be returned to order by tomorrow.
Thank you to all of you who voted yesterday, regardless of who you chose. That's the way it works.
(Oh holy moly, did Wolf just say that Hastert isn't going to run for minority leader? I. Can't. Stand. It!)
Thanks for reading all this. Thanks for voting. I'm going to bed.
First, I still can't get over the big fat hello-Christmas-came-early announcement of Rumsfeld's resignation. That is some of the best news EVAH! Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Rummy. Thanks for absolutely nothing.
Next, I spent a little time watching a fairly chastened President just now. One of my favorite bits was when he noted that many of the individual races were close (which is absolutely correct) but that the "cumulative effect amounted to a thumpin'". From a mandate to a thumpin'. I'd almost feel sorry for him but I so don't. Also, apparently he and Karl Rove have some sort of reading contest going on. Who knew?
Important point to note for the future: it's hard to steal elections when voter turnout is high. (Still looking for numbers nationwide and I won't have anything local until after 6pm tonight but I can tell you it was higher than expected. Even in the places that were flooded).
Other bits of punditry:
* I am hopeful today that we will see some action on various fronts in the next 2 years. Gridlock isn't really an option if a) the Dems want to keep building on their gains and 2) if any Republican wants to be elected President in '08. There absolutely MUST be movement, in a positive direction, in Iraq in the next two years or the albatross that is the war will drown the GOP candidate, just as it hurt GOP candidates yesterday.
* While this election was in fact a referendum on the President and the GOP congress, it was also a vindication of Howard Dean. Many people were skeptical when he became head of the DNC, even as it delighted Deaniacs such as myself. Gov. Dean had some fresh ideas, not the least being the "50 state strategy" which had the DNC putting field offices in every single state and running campaigns in places that have traditionally just been ceded to the GOP. He's not afraid to run strong candiates in red places and that strategy was key to Democratic success last night. Rahm Emmanual and Charles Schumer aren't too shabby, either.
* I kept noticing in speeches last night that while the Dems were consistently saying things like "the people have spoken", "the people voted for change", etc. etc. etc. I didn't hear anyone say "mandate". Somehow, I found that refreshing.
I think that's all.
So here's what I did yesterday:
I voted at 7:15am and my polling place was full. While I was voting a woman came in and announced, "I'm a first-time voter; I just became a citizen". That was inspiring. Behind her came a man who needed to vote on a provisional ballot. The pollworkers knew what to do. That was encouraging. Driving to the campaign office I passed a thicket of McGavick supporters waving signs at a very busy intersection. No one was honking in support. All this taken together put me in very good spirits.
Philip is the young man who has been coordinating volunteers for Maria's campaign. He is a fine, fine fellow. He asked me what it looked like out there and I told him about the McGavick crowd so he immediately directed our first influx of volunteers to hit the same intersection with signs. It was pouring rain, btw.
My job yesterday was to make sure people were eating, drinking and taking breaks. But after over a year of working together, Phil decided to deputize me, training me on what he was going to be doing so that I could handle volunteers without him.
Our canvassers were operating out of locations throughout the city. The main office was mostly doing GOTV phone calls. We had over 100 people calling throughout the day, with a max of about 30 at any given time. Callers ranged in age from 11 to 80. There was a gentleman in a wheelchair, a mom with a 3 year old in tow. There were about 5 high school students (who weren't strictly speaking skipping school as they were earning service hours). Those kids rocked my world. They were all so sweet and respectful and articulate. They worked for hours to get out the vote for an election they were too young to vote in. You have to love that. And that 6th grader? Sheesh, scary smart and articulate young man. It must have been adorable to get a call from him. Oh, and we also had the ex-wife of one of our representatives, a lovely, lovely woman. Great group of folks.
Every couple of hours I ran around checking with each volunteer, doing a tabulation of how many calls they'd made and how many actual humans they'd spoken to out of those calls. I have no idea what they were doing with this information but it was a nice diversion.
Because of massive flooding in parts of the county, we shifted some callers to a special phone bank, informing voters in affected areas how they could still vote. Again, I don't know the numbers but people were making a stellar effort to vote even as the floodwaters rose. If that doesn't bring a tear to one's patriotic eye, I don't know what will.
It was busy. I was rarely off my feet. I tripped over a phone cord and almost fell right in front of a television reporter. I looked at her and said, "Volunteer killed on site. Film at 11". She laughed. (Fortunately, the camera was elsewhere).
And then, somewhere around 5 or 6 (who knows) a shout of joy went up from Philip. It was the news that Rick Santorum was out of a job. Much high fiving, happy dancing and general gleefulness ensued. At that moment I truly believed that anything to come would be gravy.
And then the gravy started.
The few volunteers who were still around started being lured away from their phones. Which was fine as all the rest of us were crowding around televisions to watch returns. Sometimes my mom gene kicked in, I'd forage for sammies and water for the pack and then sit back down to enjoy the show.
Around 8:20 I gave Phil yet another high five and a hug and headed down to the Democrats party at the Sheraton. True confessions: part of the reason I volunteered was to get into that party. Seriously. I've watched so many election nights and always wondered what it would be like at one of those things. I'm shallow that way.
I had worn a Maria Cantwell tshirt all day, my hair pulled up in a ponytail. At the hotel I changed into a pretty black top (to go with my black skirt), took down my hair and generally szhooshed myself. Out in the grand ballroom I began encountering some of my volunteers. They didn't recognize me. I kinda liked that. I'm shallow that way, too.
The Neighbor gave me donkey earrings a few months ago. They were a big hit.
I bought a pricey glass of wine and cruised the room, chatting with folks. Unfortunately, I never spotted some of the people with whom I most wanted to share a victory hug. It was a crowded, crowded party. I found some of my favorite volunteers of the day and we hung for a while, watching CNN on the big screen and cheering when actual people took the podium. I was dying to hang in there until Maria came out but but by 10pm my legs were threatening mutiny.
The Neighbor's light was on when I drove by so we debriefed over a glass of wine. She was a very happy camper, too. And then I started to cry. Just a little. But it just felt sooooo good to win yesterday. Not only did Maria win but she won handily. Her race was called at 8:01. This was an important election and the fact that we'd done the job and I had a tiny part in that made me a smidge varklempt. What a sap.
The Spouse had waited up so we shared about our days. (He and The Child attended the funeral of one of his aunties yesterday. This was the second funeral on his side of the family in as many weeks. He was a little varklempt, too). He went to bed around midnight but I was too jazzed to sleep until about 2:30.
The Child was cute on the way to school, saying, "You should take a nap when you get home". I said I'd probably want to watch the news. She said, "Well, then watch the news in your bed and then you can sleep when you want to". I think I'm finally ready to take her advice.
I would like to thank my family for all their support and encouragement in the last 14 months of the campaign, but particularly the last few days when I've been fairly absentee. I pledge to them that there will be clean jeans and underwear by the end of the day. The house will be returned to order by tomorrow.
Thank you to all of you who voted yesterday, regardless of who you chose. That's the way it works.
(Oh holy moly, did Wolf just say that Hastert isn't going to run for minority leader? I. Can't. Stand. It!)
Thanks for reading all this. Thanks for voting. I'm going to bed.
Labels: Karl Rove is guilty of something, political theater, The Neighbor
cobbled together by Moi at 10:51 AM
12 Comments:
It really is hard to absorb, isn't it? Dems sweep the House, and maybe take the Senate. Rumsfeld's out. Bush is bitter and reeling.
Can't wait to see the first committee subpoenas.
"Bush is bitter." He gives bad backrubs too. Hee.
And Lorraine is my hero. When her name appears on a ballot I will have to seriously reconsider my state of residency.
Hee. And don't worry, you won't have to move. I have too many skeletons to be a viable candidate. But you're cute anyway.
Honey we are all very proud of you. You put your money where your mouth was and made a difference. good girl.
Thanks, Pookie. You're cute, too.
But you have to admit one thing... I have yet to hear a single Republican, even in the closest races, sound all whiny and accuse anyone of stealing the election. So far, all the losers have been very gracious. So far. I hope they keep it up. I'm tired of all the bickering.
Lorraine, what a day!
I don't care if it's DARK CLOUDS AND pouring rain... the sun is shining EVERYWHERE!
As an American, I want to thank you for your part in all of this.
Gina, A lot of graciousness in defeat and good sportsman ship was displayed last night, on all sides. It's going to be fine. I promise.
And as a grateful American, I want to thank you right back, Mr. Iwanski. (And after all our horrendous rain and flooding, the sun actually DID shine today. Not that I personally needed it but still).
Lorraine, I am BUSTING!! First the House, then Rumsfeld resigning, and now the Senate, too?!?! It's just too good to be true!!!! *BIG SMILES* I also want to thank you for your part in all of this!!
Hey, it was good talking to you tonight! We'll have to have a big party with lots of wine if you decide to come to Chicago someday!! *smiles*
Miss Healthypants (A.K.A. Carla *smiles*)
I thank you, Charlie. And I've been informed that the proper response to most of your comments is "Pfttt". I do so hope that is not offensive.
MHP: Oh, my darling Hag/MHP/Mrs. Iwanksi/Whatever: So fun to talk to you, too...it's a beautiful day and The Spouse and I are already in research mode for this summer's vacation. Chicago is most definately involved. I suggest you start preparing now.
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