Four years (and two agencies ago) I was in Boston, Massachusetts, on the evening of the last presidential election. I had voted early that morning and hopped a flight to travel half a country away for a client meeting, pre-planning for an event that never happened. My client and I proceeded to have a pretty fat dinner that night, enjoying a number of drinks and a lively but friendly debate regarding our personal politics. We walked around Copley Square that evening and took in the sights and sounds of John Kerry’s watch party. The highlight was a performance by the Black Eyed Peas. After that, not much. My disappointment at the results that night were only outweighed by my hangover the next morning.
Tonight I’m speechless. In this historic moment, I find myself nervous for the future but optimistic on what it could bring. I voted for Barack Obama, yes. But in the process I also promised myself to take a more active role in my community moving forward, to give what I could on a personal level to make my chosen corner of the world a little better. That’s a promise I intend to keep.
So there’s a smile on my face and a bit of a knot in my stomach, but it’s a mixed feeling that I recognize.
This is what the beginnings of change feels likes. And it starts with me.
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I go to sleep tonight knowing that some very smart people will be running things soon.
Can we trick Bush into moving out early?
If you feel the need to participate, it’s understandable. Obama’s campaign is remeniscent of an Alinsky organizational strategy. Bottom-up politics. You involve people around issues, develop leadership while you develop support. Relatively small numbers who make big noises and affect results (change).
Bill Clinton talked about a 4-year campaign after his election and George Bush brought Karl Rove into day-to-day administration. Obama’s White House will continue to stress communication with voters and bypass some relations with Congress. Much like Ronald Reagan he will go directly “to the people” for help with issues as his staff develops people around issues. This is going to be an exciting administration but what is untested is Obama’s immediate response to crises and the degree to which he leans left of center.
His intelligence will never be in doubt!