I didn’t vote for Barack Obama – or any Democrat for that matter – and I feel no remorse about it. So, in terms of my personal win-loss record, yesterday certainly wasn’t one of my most successful election days.
But, I woke up this morning, after the longest presidential race in U.S. history, and feel a sense of “shock and awe.” President-elect Obama’s triumph last evening appears to have lifted a tremendous weight off everyone’s shoulders. I feel it and I know that my family, neighbors and work colleagues do too. People seem friendlier in Los Angeles this morning…more of a bounce and optimism in everyone’s step and stride. I walked down the street to grab a coffee and was amazed and energized to see strangers wearing Obama buttons, pins or shirts stop, hug and say, “We did it.” This should be what politics and political campaigns are all about.
In other countries, power doesn’t easily change hands. Yesterday, Administrations switched as routinely and non-controversially as showering, filling your car up with gasoline or grabbing a sandwich for lunch. As an aside, I relish the fact that Obama’s victory serves as a giant thumb in the eye to the “Old World,” who make great sport of doubting America and our ability to be both a good and great country.
I am surprised that I don’t feel the slightest bit of remorse or misgivings about Senator John McCain’s defeat or President-elect Obama’s resounding victory than I do. No, my Republican friends, I haven’t “drunk the Obama Kool Aid” and I’m not wearing my Barack-2012 button quite yet.
I imagine that my feelings are not unlike many Californians and Americans, so troubled by our country’s direction over the last 12 to 18 months. Change – any change – would be better than what we currently have or what one candidate promised. When a political party – from the chief executive on down – strays so far from the beaten path, it’s difficult to remain eternally optimistic. You can’t be a Maverick and essentially advocate the status quo.
In the coming days and weeks, much will be written about what Obama did right and McCain did wrong. I’ll certainly partake in this evaluation and criticism – it’s both my profession and hobby. But, today is not the time for finger-pointing or “Atta-boys.”
At its core, the Obama’s campaign’s ultimate success was in the candidate’s ability to transcend public policy and political differences. President-elect Obama’s messaging promised hope; his demeanor inspired confidence and steadiness; and, his entire aura made the campaign more about “us” than about “him.” He connected in ways that John McCain never could.
Today is a day for a gigantic exhale – a deep, soul-cleansing, calming breath to re-center ourselves and refocus our energies. Tomorrow, next week and next month, politics as usual will slowly, inevitably, creep back into the public mindset and the difficult task of governing our great but divided nation will fall squarely on President-elect Obama’s shoulders…but, I don’t feel so bad about that reality.