Lucia

de Vernai

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November 5, 2008

I’ll Gloat Later; Tonight, We Celebrate!

Awaiting the arrival of President Barack Obama on a bar television screen, a few miles east of the Biltmore hotel in Phoenix that was hosting the McCain election night party, a crowd of excited supporters gathered to finally hear his first words.

The first thought that came to mind as Michelle Obama and their two daughters walked on stage was “damn that is one stunning family.” And then, holding a Belgian beer in an Irish bar with Mexican American and Indian students, across the room people started tearing up as we watched the first African American president of the United States. Obama’s deep voice, clear delivery and perfect diction, and the bright glow that comes from his toothy smile as the crowd chanted “yes, we can” was the first time in months that skeptics, cynics, apathetic ignorants and Republicans that somehow ended up in the wrong bar were still nodding in spite of themselves.

His use of allusion and parallelism and a promise of the new dawn of leadership at hand made not for a speech but for an experience that left detached, snarky political commentators proud to be an American. Since my naturalization as a citizen two years ago, I have been looking forward to voting in the most important election of all. As anti-climactic as dropping my early ballot off at a church with a built-in Starbucks was that morning, watching Obama pick up and kiss his younger daughter gave life to the ‘338’ flashing at the bottom of the screen.

I made a note to make fun of Reverend Jesse Jackson for crying. Reviewing footage will surely show a run in Michelle’s stocking. And once the awe wears off I’ll mass text “Ha!” to every conservative I know. But before cabinet appointment dream teams get drafted in political chatrooms and speculation for what a black president will do differently, it’s time to celebrate the victory.

We have grown so used to throwing mud and pointing out the splinter in the opponent’s eye that we feel guilty or out of place celebrating. If there was ever time to do the happy dance and order another round of Guinness, or time to wear Obama gear out in a red state without fear of finding a loogie in your latte, this is it. My God, this is a historically election after all.

Maybe what makes it festive is that this kind of celebration among Democrats was last seen when Bill Clinton took office. It’s been a rough eight years, and as fun as it’s been, we’re all more than happy to put George W. Bush jokes to bed. Granted, the “Are you tired of seeing Sarah Palin naked?” bumper sticker I ordered for a Christmas present is no longer relevant and sadly non-refundable.

OK, I’ll put whining about that on my list of things to do later too. Now it’s time to drink to the House. And the Senate. And the White House!

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