Election Night

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

This election cycle has been, in a word, long.  Long.  Very.  Very.  Long.  Personally, it started as an observer's puzzle:  Who would do what?  Which party would put forth the most inspiring ticket?  How would the country embrace its first viable black candidate?  Would the parties fracture?  How long would Hillary hold out hope?  How many times would Bill Clinton use "I" statements when talking about his wife's candidacy?  How many times would I worry it would come down to style and not substance?

Then things got personal.  For those of you patient souls who have read this whole blog and journeyed through Stickerdom with me, it's not new information for you to learn this election cycle changed something deep within me.  Or maybe my head finally caught up with my convictions?

While the results roll in, I have a few thoughts about what will happen.  For the record, I will be deeply surprised, yet profoundly thankful if John McCain wins.  Should he win, I pray that our nation does not witness riots or outlandish behavior.  One of the incredible characteristics that makes our country great is our history of peaceful transfer of power.  I pray and I hope that nothing mars that legacy. 

Should Obama win, we will continue our slide into socialism.  My fervent prayer is that there are enough moderate Democrats in Congress to reign in what could easily be a Liberal Field Day.  Lest we frighten the children, I won't list all the possibilities of Liberal Carnival Acts.  Or is it Carnivorous Acts?

The upside, as William Kristol has already said brilliantly (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/opinion/03kristol.html) , it will give Republicans time to regroup.  After the debacle of Carter and the Democratic Congress, we got Reagan.  After Clinton and the Democratic Congress, we got Newt.  My prayer is that should we have the opportunity to rethink our position and grow stronger in purpose, we are better prepared to lead.  The Republicans who win the next round need - no, must - be better prepared to lead the country.  (Real Change Newt Gingrich)  We cannot lose the next race through lack of preparation.  I'm not talking about winning the White House.  It's imperative we win the hearts and minds and imaginations of Americans and instill in them the desire to work and strive for the American Dream and lead them to it.  We cannot win Congress and the White House and fail to lead.  That's the lesson of the last decade.

Thank you for taking this journey with me.  It's been illuminating. 

Day 41

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

7 Days to Election

Here we are, seven days to the general election.  I did write that each Sticker deserved a place in the sun and they have received it, just not in print.  Much of the same occurs each day and does not riveting reading make.  Tonight, however, I'm feeling reflective.  What have I learned over the last 41 days of wearing a McCain/Palin sticker?

I have learned I'm tougher than I thought.  Bravado encouraged me to order the 50 stickers and declare I would wear one a day until the election.  The first few days I felt like a cowering, nervous wimp wearing Sticker.  I've never publicly stood for anything, except my alma mater.  Wearing Sticker is personal and declarative.  There is no clever way to declare one is neutral when the current Republican badge clings to one's blouse.  Wearing a sticker means developing a spine and being willing (able) to talk to strangers about politics.  It means speaking about politics with knowledge and conviction.  It means being about to carry on a conversation without yelling, bursting into tears, or generally causing a scene in Target.

I've learned I can stand my ground, even at the possible expense of losing friends.  My entire life has been focused on being acceptable and pleasant.  I've wanted to be liked.  I've learned that it's better to have convictions than to be a agreeable.  I've learned I never felt comfortable as a "yes" girl.  Making a decision based on research works infinitely better for me than trying to fit in or not make waves. 

There are seven days to go.  Sticker and I will be out and about.  Somehow, in the final days of the election, when votes really matter, wearing Sticker doesn't feel like a big deal for me.  If feels like a big deal for John McCain and Sarah Palin.  It's no longer about me as a Sticker-wearer, but about me as a McCain/Palin supporter.