Nov 05 2008
Election Night SF Style
Being my age I’ve been through many an election night here in San Francisco but I’ve never seen anything like this. Sure there were the usual Democratic parties at the Westin St. Francis and the usual house parties but there were also the street parties. People pouring out in the streets in different areas, the Castro, Western Addition, South of Market etc… There were young people who voted for the first time who were so excited they took over the streets in Berkeley and Oakland, elated that their vote counted and their choice for president won. The police closed off streets to accommodate the revelers. It was like the 4th of July only more exciting. It was true happiness and excitement as I’ve never seen or experienced myself over an election. San Francisco being democratic and liberal, it was a given that Obama would win our votes here yet it was still a surreal scene. I was also so happy to see how many young people voted - that was historic in itself. We certainly know how to party here in SF and will again when he takes his oath of office.
I am new in this country and i was amazed by the outpouring of emotion last night. i choked up when they finally announce that Obama is the president-elect and i almost cried. I am not an american citizen yet and didnt get the chance to vote… but i am very much informed with what is going on in the political scene than my american husband. i even urge him to vote.
From where i came from… it is always more emotional and some people would even sacrifice there lives for the election and politicians would really kill just to get elected. we wont even have the result of the election the following day… it would take couple of weeks or a month to get the finally result that is why we know that there are lots of cheating going on. but here… i was amazed how they were able to know who is the next president right after the poll closed out.
btw… i came to drop my EC too. nice post.
was elated, excited, happy, joyful, hopeful, it was just really hard to describe the feeling lat night. i was in tears when mccain gave his concession speech, for coming from a different country, i don’t think i’ve heard that from our politicians when they concede, it was a gracious way of accepting defeat. i didn’t like mccain during the campaign but last night was his best speech i guess. and obama’s speech, brought so much hope and inspiration, so much unity, it was indeed a very joyful moment for america.
I was in tears as well. I’ve never been so ecstatic over an election. And, you are right, that speech from McCain was his best speech throughout the campaign. I am, after eight long years proud to be an American, I haven’t felt that in a long time.
timecapsule - thanks for dropping by and reading and commenting. It was an emotional night and a very happy one. Hopefully you can vote in the next election. Thanks.
Being the antique that I am, I’ve seen many elections come and go. I remember the last one, when my youngest son voted for the first time. He kept watching in amazement, hoping till the last minute, that Bush would not be elected to another term. The last four years have been difficult, seeing our country go through so much difficulty. Tuesday was so exciting, offering hope and endless possibilities for the future. I could not tear myself away from the television and, like so many others, I wept.
Growing up in Georgia, though not a person of color, I felt how much so many of my friends suffered. In nursing school in New Orleans from 1962 to 1965, there was so much racism, I chose not to live there after graduation. Living in the San Francisco area has been a whole different experience and I am glad I have been able to raise my sons in this environment.
How wonderful that we will have children in the White House again and enthusiasm and dreams. I applaud McCain for the beautiful speech he gave as he conceded the race for president, calling Obama, “my president.” I pray that all of us will give “our
president” our prayers and support as he makes this a better world for us.
Carmen, You are not an antique. I’ve seen many half your age who can’t keep up with you. I love the fact that those two little cuties will be in the white house and I hope life is easy for them. I agree McCain’s speech was gracious and one of his best. Since Obama was elected I have prayed every night for him. Thanks for the comment.