There are a couple of different moods in the blogosphere, and indeed the world, these days. One is, of course, the euphoria and excitement of millions of people worldwide that saw Obama elected as president. The other is, quite obviously, the somber realization by others that McCain was not elected. The realization that he never really had a chance. As someone recently put it, McCain not only had Palin as a running mate, he had George Bush as a running mate. A failing economy, an unpopular war. And a movie-star candidate running against him.
I will not beat the proverbial dead horse. I will not continue to pick apart a campaign that lasted longer and cost more than it should have.
And I will no longer spend any time reading commentary by people that I can only describe as hateful and mean-spirited. One person made the comment to the effect of “finally, a real LADY as first lady.” Are you kidding me? Laura Bush, her daughters, and even her embattled husband do not deserve that. I’ve heard several people actually wish death on John McCain. Or laughing at his physical limitations (which came as a result of his honorable service to this country.) A has-been think-she’s-cool “comedian” (closest I can come to air quotes and eye-rolling while writing) suggesting the gang rape of Sarah Palin. Good God, people, this is a wife and mother of five children. The governor of a state. An up-and-comer whose time has not yet come.
I’m disgusted. And not only with those who considered McCain and Palin fair game. I’m disgusted with those that made jokes about Obama and Biden. I’m disgusted with those who voted against Obama for racial reasons. And I’m disgusted with those that voted for him for racial reasons.
This campaign put a terrible taste in my mouth. The gloves came off. As did the manners. This was the first campaign that both of my children were old enough to really appreciate. They were both taken aback that what they learned in Civics class about the election process did not play out the way it did in Chapter 9 of the textbook. For the first time, they debated the issues with friends and classmates. And they came home telling horror stories from both sides of the fence. Again, I’m disgusted.
For those of us who supported John McCain, we have four years to watch and hopefully be proven wrong. And for those who supported Obama, you have four years to prove yourselves right.
I pray that it is a peaceful and productive four years. And I pray that we have all learned something from this.
I know I have.
November 7, 2008 at 10:54 am
Some of my favorite bloggers voted for Obama. I did not. It’s been hard to read the gleeful posts for the past few days. I would like to think I would have been a bit more demure if McCain had won.
That said, I support Obama now. He deserves our support. I hope he and all his supporters are proven right in the next 4 years.
And the “real first lady” remark? Way out of line. Everyone who makes it personal, and particularly involves spouses and children, loses a bit of respect in my eyes.
November 7, 2008 at 10:59 am
I, too, am disgusted by all of the things you are. And, I too, hope that Obama does what so many of these people are hoping for because we need all of the help we can get.
I could have written this post word for word.
November 7, 2008 at 11:14 am
I admit, I poked fun at Palin. It was just too irresistible. However, folks went too far. I think she was worthy of mild scorn, but not some of the nastiness, as you have indicated. And McCain? Was so disappointing – I used to like him and was heartbroken when he lost in the primaries in 2000. I don’t think he ran a campaign that was worthy of him and what he has done for this country.
I am with you though on one thing: I am tired of all the hatred and vitriol. Let us move on, folks. We have a lot of work to do as a nation.
November 7, 2008 at 12:02 pm
As my husband reminded me: We’ve been playing defense for years. It’ll be fun to play offense for a while.
November 7, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I’ve been stunned by the whole 21 months of personal vitriol of the American public and the back stabbing even between Candidates. It amazed me that Obama and Clinton were so negative towards each other and they’re on the same side! I’m pro Democrat but as you say, we’ll see what unfolds next year. It’s no easy task bringing the US back from the brink and he’s the man who has to do it (with his team of course). I have commenters on both sides of the fence and some are still bitterly disappointed and still whining at McCain’s loss when really, I don’t think much will change despite the rhetoric. Clinton didn’t turn the country red now did he? Now I know I’m an Australian but a butterfly flaps its wings in the US and our economy collapses so vested interests all round. Good post.
November 7, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Amen. Running for office does not equate to Open Season on decency and humanity.
If a debate is in order, it should involve REAL issues, REAL concerns and REAL ideas for potential resolution.
The poo-slinging hatred, on the other hand, belongs in the dark ages.
November 7, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Thank you, my friend. I’m proud to be on the same team. And, unlike those hateful voters last time around, I’ll not refer to this president as anything other than “my president”. He’s off to a shaky start. Let’s all hope he finds his legs.
Country First.
November 7, 2008 at 10:59 pm
For what it’s worth, and as I recall, Obama kept it clean and issues-oriented until Hillary went negative, and even then he tried to keep it clean, but eventually had to hit back below the belt. And the same vs. McCain-Palin.
After my own personal euphoria, I’m most happy that it seemed like a fair election. That debacle in 2000 was fraught with too many elements that made it look, to my eyes, like a fraud, what with the interrupted recounts, the recount deadline, and the winner declared by Republican judges in a Republican state, the governor of which was the winner’s brother. Had 2008 gone the other way, but otherwise no differently, I’d be disappointed — okay, pissed off — but at least it would have felt fair.
People who throw epithets at the candidates or wish them harm or death are simply idiots. It’s obvious they have no business voting, but, unfortunately, it’s their right as American citizens to vote for anyone they choose for any reason.
And it’s my right to call them idiots.
November 8, 2008 at 7:46 am
Amen, sister. I voted republican for the first time in YEARS this year. I like Obama as a person, but I was a staunch McCain supporter. I’ve been feeling guilty about the anger I’ve felt because of the people voting that had no real idea of the political stance. They voted because Obama is, well, Obama.
Of course, I’m not including our friend Jennifer in that bunch. People like Jennifer amaze and inspire me, and I loved reading her take on things. If all people voted with the passion and knowledge that she did, then I’d not have one bit of anger.
My dad and I have been having long talks about the guilt I feel over my anger. So has my husband and I. I can’t quite wrap my mind around the anger I’m feeling, but in time I will.
November 8, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I pray for that too and am still very disgusted with how the election played out by the people who supported either side. It wasn’t pretty.
November 9, 2008 at 9:23 am
EXCELLENT post!
I would love to know which has-been made the comment about gang raping Sarah Palin. Sounds like she’s all class.
November 9, 2008 at 11:23 am
Laureneer, I have no problem telling you it was Sandra Bernhard — I doubt you were much of a fan to begin with since the woman has never, EVER been funny.
November 9, 2008 at 12:19 pm
And Wordnerd, you could take it to a personal level and say that not only is she a has been, she also is uglier than a bag of buttholes with all the pretty ones taken out. There, I just said it.
November 10, 2008 at 1:35 am
I was sadly disappointed in the tone of this election as well. I was heartened to see the McCain I knew in his concession speech, and also heartened by Obama’s acceptance speech, with it’s promise of a president who will listen to people who disagree with him.
This election is the end result of 40 years of negative campaigning and an US vs THEM mindset by the two parties. I am hoping that we can all get past that, and bring civility back into our public discourse.
And Sandra Bernhardt is a total ho-bag. Yeah, that felt GOOD.
November 11, 2008 at 4:36 pm
A-freaking-men. You really nailed it, here.
January 27, 2012 at 4:54 pm
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