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Berkeley Parties for Obama

Is this it? Is this how it feels to be proud of your country? Not to go all Michelle Obama on you, but that's all I could think as I traversed three of the undoubtedly many Berkeley block parties that sprung up around town tonight. Don't get me wrong. I've loved U.S. and A. ever since learning about the revolution and founding fathers way back in first grade. But my first political memory is the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and I think it's safe to say things have pretty much gone downhill since then. Until now. I can't recall another moment like this, when I've felt so much joy over something my country did. In fact, just that phrase feels a little odd jostling around in my brain. "My country." Mine. At least 52% of the country agree with me that Obama is the man for the job. For the first time, I'm in the majority.

Sure, my first impulse is to take that lead and run with it, to pull the same bullshit conservatives have for the last six years or so. "You don't agree with President Obama? What, do you hate America?" Or, "Hey buddy, he's commander in chief of this country. You're with him or you're with the terrorists!" Maybe we could even get Toby Keith to write a new America-lovin' anthem for us that we can shove in dissenters' faces! I'm thinking "Birkenstock in Your Ass."

But the beauty of Obama--and also McCain in his concession speech--is that he ran on putting an end to that kind of bullshit. He single-handedly destroyed the power of Rove-ian politics by calling them out directly in his 2004 "Purple America" speech. No red states, no blue states, just United States of America. This is his most fundamental message, and one we should embrace. While I am proud of my country tonight, I recognize that it is not just mine. And that getting out of this mess depends on everyone finally coming together, to the extent possible in our democratic system.

I think that was the real source of euphoria on Telegraph Avenue tonight. Sure, Berkeley's candidate was backed by a majority of the nation. He won. That's enough to make any Democrat happy. But I think what elevated tonight from just another election victory to the kind of pure ecstasy I saw throughout town this evening is the possibility that Obama may just be the miracle he appears to be. He might be that rarest of politicians who actually brings people together. I'm too jaded at this point to count on it, but I think what I felt tonight was the acknowledgment of that possibility, that this country might not be yours or mine anymore, but ours.

Of course, with Prop 8 still ahead as I go to bed tonight, it's clear there are going to be issues that sharply divide us. They're worth fighting for, and I plan to fight. But Obama argues that what unites us is more powerful than what divides us. He might even be right.

I'm not sure what we're in for in the next four years, but for the first time I can remember, I'm optimistic. Here's hoping that feeling doesn't go away.

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Disclaimer: I recognize this blog was pretty self-indulgent, but such is my power. We're all feeling something tonight, and I figured I might as well share. Please do the same below.

Full post as published by Nuts & Boalts on November 05, 2008 (boomark / email).