much like the challenger tragedy, the day princess diana died, and 9/11, the announcement that barack obama was elected the 44th president of the united states will always remain with me.
i was clearing the table from our fabulous all-american dinner (which turned out pretty well, let me tell you), when the graphic was displayed on the screen. and as a huge grin broke out on my face, brian williams came on and announced the news. the goosebumps came, and didn't leave until way after obama had already left the stage after his acceptance speech.
and that was one hell of a speech, let me say. the tears just rolled down my face as i listened, and just remembering it brings chills. i loved every word. as he said this:
"and to those americans whose support i have yet to earn, i may not have won your vote tonight, but i hear your voices. i need your help. and i will be your president, too."
i glanced over at the hub, a lifelong republican, and was excited and pleased to see that he, too, was transfixed. our votes may have cancelled each others' out, but i have hope that he'll be won over in the months and years to come.
i hear that mccain's concession speech was excellent as well, but i was giving the bean a bath and missed it. after the ugliness of the last few weeks leading up to the election, i really want to see/hear what he had to say, so i'm off to search for it.
such an amazing, historic time for our country. i'm so excited and hopeful for our future. obama's got one hell of a job in front of him, but i have faith.
yes, we will!
I thought McCain's concessions speech was very dignified. I thought it was respectful and kind. What more could one ask for from the guy that lost?
ReplyDeleteI really, really liked McCain's speech.
ReplyDeleteUntil the camera pointed to Sarah Palin's face.
My husband and I were in the same situation as your and your DH. He voted for McCain, I proudly voted for Obama. So we canceled out each others votes as well. Obama's speech was very inspirational and it brought tears to my eyes. I stayed up until 1:30 this morning (I live on the east coast) watching election coverage. I am proud to be an American!
ReplyDeletemccain's speech was very good - definitely worth searching for it.
ReplyDeletei'm so hopeful right now and excited to be an american. :)
I still tear up at the speech. I Tivo'd it so I can show it to Lil Man.
ReplyDeleteObama's speech was amazing, and I definitely appreciated McCain's gracious speech as well. It was such an amazing night, and I'm so proud!
ReplyDeleteI was pleased with the speech McCain gave. I was very disappointed by the Booing of the crowd.. it was so disrespectful.
ReplyDeleteUnlike those other events you mentioned, this one is POSITIVE. That's what I love so much.
ReplyDeleteMcCain truly did give a great speech. And aside from people in the audience booing at Obama's mention, I was impressed.
I was crying all night.
I think that had McCain stuck to the type of speaking he did last night he would have had a better shot at winning the whole thing. I think he ran a stupid, dirty campaign though, and I'm not over that. The people in the crowd scared me.... not cool. I think they scared McCain too!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud to be an American today. There was this woman, who is a junior minister of human rights in France--she is black--and she said that everyone wants to be an American today, to "take a bite" of our dream come true. I just loved that imagery.
Your votes didn't cancel each other out! Your husband's vote didn't count at all. We're in CALIFORNIA!
ReplyDeleteYa know, I had been so bummed that my stepdad became a citizen this year because he's a staunch Republican and lives in Nevada. However, I laughed with glee when I heard about McCain getting his ass kicked there :)
ReplyDeleteI'm proud to say that I converted Mr. P to vote for Obama. Not just that, but his DAD actually voted for Obama as well. His father, a lifelong Republican. That, I think, is a reflection on the kind of candidate Obama is. I told Mr. P that now I know what the RFK supporters felt like back in the late 1960s. He has that kind of magic to his being. I have so much more hope and faith in our country and government than I've had in a long time.
Naturally, this hope and faith is tempered by Prop H8, but it's still there :)
Like you, I will always remember that speech. What an incredible day!
ReplyDelete