The day after, reflections.

[Ellen]

I thought it would be nice to have a place to express our thoughts on things that stood out/impressed/moved us all about yesterday. I''d love to hear from you!


I''ll add more later, but one thing that stood out among the rest was Senator McCain''s concession speech. I can''t say I ever really admired him, until that moment. And that''s not because he lost, but because of the graciousness with which he did so. His speech was so eloquent and heart felt as he congratulated Obama and offered to reach out and work with him to heal this nation. I was truly moved by him, and I have much more respect for him now as a person.

 

[Lorelei]

Good idea Miss and marnin to you!!

I am just catching up now with it all.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/5/2008 7:05:50 AM
Author: Lorelei
Good idea Miss and marnin to you!!

I am just catching up now with it all.

Marnin you! What are the reactions across the pond?

 

[Lorelei]

I would say at the moment a heck of a lot of interest and a feeling of optimism on the election result! So very positive from what I can gather.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/5/2008 7:17:33 AM
Author: Lorelei
I would say at the moment a heck of a lot of interest and a feeling of optimism on the election result! So very positive from what I can gather.

Sounds about like here!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/5/2008 7:29:14 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/5/2008 7:17:33 AM
Author: Lorelei
I would say at the moment a heck of a lot of interest and a feeling of optimism on the election result! So very positive from what I can gather.

Sounds about like here!

Yep, there appears to be a festive atmosphere here!

 

[partgypsy]

Ellen I just wanted to post my husband I agree with you about his speech, it was a great speech, as one of the commentators said "vintage" McCain. It was a humble, heartfelt speech that almost moved me to tears and hopefully and healed many wounds.

I voted for Obama deciding on key issues (one of them ending the war) and always thought people should elect their leaders dispassionately. But last night I felt the excitement, passion, and yes pride of my country during this historic moment, what we can do when we come together and am glad I was part of it.

 

[Allisonfaye]

I am just so thrilled about the history making fact that we were able to elect our first African American president. I can''t wait to tell my 5 year old daughter. I was going to be really upset if I had to tell her we had our first woman VP. (Not because of it being a woman but who it was.)

 

[iheartscience]

I''m beyond stoked this morning. I started off not sold on Obama-I desperately wanted Hillary to win. Once she got beat in the primaries, though, I started listening to Obama and I realized that he really is the right choice for the time. His flawless campaign has given me a glimpse into how well-run an Obama White House will be.

I also love that it was basically a landslide, because it does show that the people have spoken, much more so than in the last two elections.

And most of all, I am beside myself that VIRGINIA WENT BLUE FOR OBAMA!

 

[Madam Bijoux]

That loud noise you may have heard was the planet breathing a huge sigh of relief.

 

[fieryred33143]

I''m so proud of Florida

 

[KimberlyH]

If the unity I sense is buzzing in the air is any indication of what the next four years will look like I am a happy human being. My husband was in Chicago over the weekend and said it just felt like a nice place to be. People from all walks of life were being kind to one another, the atmosphere was friendlier than usual (which is hard to do in Chicago, one of the friendliest cities I''ve ever been to). Both McCain''s and Obama''s speeches were positive, motivating, heartfelt and warm. Here''s hoping all of the devisiveness will fade away and people will begin to work toward the common good.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Ladies, I''m glad all of you have said it so well, because I just don''t have the words. I feel like my heart is going to burst right out of my chest and my eyes keep leaking! I love everyone today!!! LOL!

 

[sumbride]

I confess that I''ve been avoiding PS for several months because I found it oppressive, but as a Hopemonger from way back, I am SO HAPPY this morning! I am so relieved! I am just so completely overwhelmed with PEACE. I feel at ease. I feel like things are turning the way they need to turn. And for the first time in a long time, I had absolutely no trouble sleeping last night. Thank you America!

I live in Maryland, which is so blue they call it cobalt, but I stood in line for almost an hour to vote yesterday. That has NEVER happened here. I''m so proud of my friends in VA and PA who worked tirelessly to bring their states home for Obama. I''m just full of jubilation! And compassion also for those who are disappointed this morning. I hope that you find peace eventually and that you will come to realize that we are not as divided as you think.

McCain''s speech was extremely classy. It was McCain the Man, not McCain the candidate. He redeemed himself with that speech.

There was never another candidate for me in this race. I''ve had my eye on Obama a long time. I argued with my DH when he said he thought Edwards had a shot. I said "No, I just don''t like Edwards." I wasn''t a huge fan of Hillary either, but I voted FOR Obama, not against anyone else. Last night DH admitted to me, in front of all our friends, that I was right the whole time when I said I thought it was time for Obama, that he had a chance, that he could win the whole thing. AND WIN IT HE DID! WOW.

My only fear now is that he stays safe and secure so that he can accomplish even more than winning this historic election!

YAY!

 

[Ellen]

*hands Irish some tissues*

Madam, no kidding. The world (except for a very small portion) is a happy place today.


fiery, I''m so proud of ALL of us!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/5/2008 8:54:48 AM
Author: sumbride
I confess that I''ve been avoiding PS for several months because I found it oppressive, but as a Hopemonger from way back, I am SO HAPPY this morning! I am so relieved! I am just so completely overwhelmed with PEACE. I feel at ease. I feel like things are turning the way they need to turn. And for the first time in a long time, I had absolutely no trouble sleeping last night. Thank you America!

I live in Maryland, which is so blue they call it cobalt, but I stood in line for almost an hour to vote yesterday. That has NEVER happened here. I''m so proud of my friends in VA and PA who worked tirelessly to bring their states home for Obama. I''m just full of jubilation! And compassion also for those who are disappointed this morning. I hope that you find peace eventually and that you will come to realize that we are not as divided as you think.

McCain''s speech was extremely classy. It was McCain the Man, not McCain the candidate. He redeemed himself with that speech.

There was never another candidate for me in this race. I''ve had my eye on Obama a long time. I argued with my DH when he said he thought Edwards had a shot. I said ''No, I just don''t like Edwards.'' I wasn''t a huge fan of Hillary either, but I voted FOR Obama, not against anyone else. Last night DH admitted to me, in front of all our friends, that I was right the whole time when I said I thought it was time for Obama, that he had a chance, that he could win the whole thing. AND WIN IT HE DID! WOW.

My only fear now is that he stays safe and secure so that he can accomplish even more than winning this historic election!

YAY!

Yes, I really, really worry about that.


And it''s good to see you, glad you''re back!

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 11/5/2008 8:58:51 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/5/2008 8:54:48 AM

Author: sumbride


My only fear now is that he stays safe and secure so that he can accomplish even more than winning this historic election!



YAY!

Yes, I really, really worry about that.



And it''s good to see you, glad you''re back!

Oh good, I thought I was the only one paranoid about his personal safety. This really is something, I''m anxious to see voter totals and what he does with the administration. I agree, McCain''s speech was very redeeming. I can''t wait to hear from the Chicagoans today. Obama wasn''t always my candidate of choice, but I trust him with my nation.

(hiya Sum

)

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 11/5/2008 8:55:57 AM
Author: Ellen
*hands Irish some tissues*

Madam, no kidding. The world (except for a very small portion) is a happy place today.


fiery, I''m so proud of ALL of us!

Thank you, Miss Ellen! You''d better pass me the whole box! LOL! OK, I think this has officially become my "emotie of the day":

(Yesterday''s was this one:

)

Sumbride, that was a wonderful post and I agree 100% with every word you said!!!

 

[sklingem]

This morning really makes up for the last two post-election hang-overs! And I agree: MCain was very gracious in defeat and it was (or sounded) heartfelt. Even Palin got emotional. Time to go back to Alaska I guess. I really teared up hearing Obama "in my own backyard"!

 

[MoonWater]

All I can say is wow.

DH and I walked home after that party (good idea, we were trashed) and the entire way home people in cars were honking their horns and screaming Obama''s name. I have never seen so many people be so full of joy. It was an amazing feeling.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Oh what a beautiful morning. Oh what a beautiful day. That is the tune in my head this morning.

I am so happy. I am so proud of America.

My heart is smiling today.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/5/2008 9:12:02 AM
Author: rob09
This morning really makes up for the last two post-election hang-overs! And I agree: MCain was very gracious in defeat and it was (or sounded) heartfelt. Even Palin got emotional. Time to go back to Alaska I guess. I really teared up hearing Obama ''in my own backyard''!

You know, I really think it was. I''ve heard him sound that way one other time, where there was a softness to his voice, and sincerity. That was at the Alfred E. Smith dinner, when he said he couldn''t wish Obama good luck, but he did wish him well.

 

[movie zombie]

while Obama isn''t a progressive, i''m relieved that he was elected!

McCain gave a great concession speech: inclusive and moving forward. had he sounded like this during the campaign, he would have been harder to beat.

movie zombie

 

[Madam Bijoux]

He certainly has a megamess to clean up. He has to surround himself with the most intelligent, capable people in the U.S.

 

[PaulaW]

I was actually tearing up last night watching Obama''s speech. When the cameras panned to all of the hopeful faces of all walks of life and every demographic... I was so moved. It is so wonderful that the world is as hopeful as we are and I am excited to see what will come to fruition under his presidency.
I agree with you about McCain''s speech, it was eloquent and heartfelt and I admire him for being so gracious. It seemed almost the opposite of how he ran his campaign!

 

[mimzy]

truthfully i think what i am happiest about is not that Obama is in the white house and McCain isn''t, but that overall america didn''t fall for the fear-mongering tactics that both McCain and his supporters tried to use to deter people from him. I absolutely had (and still do obviously) a healthy respect for those who voted for McCain because of his experience, history of centrism, etc, and i appreciate how hard this defeat might be for them. but i can''t help but want to smile a little bit harder in the faces of all those who said that he was a terrorist, a muslim, a socialist, a fascist, an arab, anti-america, anti-isreal, or any other rumors that were attempts to make people fear or hate him. america proved it was smarter than that and that is what i''m most proud of. i don''t agree with everything obama says, and i certainly don''t consider him to be the messiah, but i really do believe that this election signals a huge shift, a positive shift, toward a new, more progressive era. and i hope that everyone, even those who didn''t ''win'' last night can appreciate and be excited about that.

 

[princesss]

My head is killing me. I barely slept.

I am so happy!

I feel like we''ve regained respect, safety, and credibility. I''m excited about the next four years, and seeing what kind of president this man makes. I truly believe he will be a great one. It''s going to be a long road, but I feel I can trust Obama to find the best way for this country to proceed, and it will be based less on ego and a desire to fight for the sake of fighting, and more on the desire to do what is right and what is best for the people in this country and all over the world.

I, too, was touched by McCain''s speech. I wish we''d seen more of that McCain during the campaign. That was the man I always hoped was underneath the image: a strong person with good character, who loves this country deeply and only wants the best for it, and who can put himself aside and focus on the country. I truly felt he put country first last night.

I cried again this morning, listening to clips from Obama''s speech on NPR.

Yes, we can, and yes, we did!

 

[Ellen]

I thought the same thing, McCain should have shown the side that gave that speech through the whole campaign. It definitely would have helped.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/5/2008 9:06:58 AM
Author: Irishgrrrl

Date: 11/5/2008 8:55:57 AM
Author: Ellen
*hands Irish some tissues*

Madam, no kidding. The world (except for a very small portion) is a happy place today.


fiery, I''m so proud of ALL of us!

Thank you, Miss Ellen! You''d better pass me the whole box! LOL! OK, I think this has officially become my ''emotie of the day'':

(Yesterday''s was this one:

)

Sumbride, that was a wonderful post and I agree 100% with every word you said!!!

bama

 

[Ellen]

lol!