US Election special - QuirksBlog

I’m usually not much given to political posts, but in view of the earth-shaking things that will take place in the US tomorrow I’m gladly breaking that rule. In this post I’d like to personally thank all US politicians and mainstream media talking heads who’ve offered me countless hours of enjoyable browsing, reading, learning, and laughing.

Nonetheless I’m glad it’s over. I’m starting to suffer from Obama Overload, and I’m way behind on my work. (Please don’t ask me about adding Chrome to the Tables; I know, I will, as soon as all this is out of the way.)

I’m also going to give a small inpromptu presentation on the US elections tomorrow in Amsterdam. If you don’t know what to do with yourself, join me.

I’ve been hooked on the US elections ever since early January. Back then I cursorily glanced at the political news, assuming I’d find out pretty soon who the Democratic and Republican candidates for the presidency were. Instead, it turned out that neither party had a clear front-runner yet. Ah well, I thought, it’ll probably be Hillary vs. Romney. Then came the Iowa caucus which unexpectedly promoted Obama and Huckabee, relegating my theory to the trash can. And then I saw Obama’s victory speech, and I was hooked. I felt (this may sound cheesy but I’m serious) that we’d come to a truly historical moment, one of those who occur only once per generation, if that.

Since then I spent far too many hours glued to my computer screen to keep up with everything that was happening, and I learned a lot about US politics. Besides, it was genuinely fun, especially because it became clearer and clearer that the Good Guys were going to win.

So I’d like to extend a personal word of thanks to all those who’ve made this political season possible; in no particular order Our Friend John McCain, Joe Biden, Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, John Edwards, Mike Huckabee, Michelle Bachmann for her unabashedly stupid remarks, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, and yes, even Pat Buchanan, ~~Bob the Builder~~ Joe the Plumber as well as the entire Republican party for boldly redefining the meaning of "ridiculous", Bill Clinton, the vetting committee of the Republican party for not being aware of what vetting means, Bill Burton for not only pointing out the ridiculousness of Fox News on Fox News, but clearly loving every second of it, Dick Cheney for giving the worst timed endorsement in recent history, Howard Dean for involving the netroots in the political process, Karl Rove for failing epically, John Kerry for being such a happy warrior, Ted Stevens for getting convicted with such impeccable timing, Ron Paul, the people of North Carolina for not being able to make up their minds, and the many unsung heroes of the campaign trail who worked so hard without ever appearing in the news.

The best thing is that the Good Guys are actually going to win tomorrow. (OK, I know I’m not supposed to jinx the election, but I couldn’t resist. Flaming me for it is acceptable.)

Anyway, tomorrow a good friend of mine has organised a US Election party, featuring American food and wine, and I’m going to give a presentation there so that people over here know which races in which states are important.

The party is at Proef (Overtoom) and starts at 18:00. It features American snacks and wines, and costs € 15. My presentation will likely start around 21:00. Hope to see some of you there.

Comments

1 Posted by Lynn on 3 November 2008 | Permalink

I've been reading your excellent javascript entries for a couple years now and they rock. Now I know you rock too! If it weren't for the whole excitement and being a poll watcher here in Collin County, Texas, on Election Day (Republicans rule here but Democrats are making a very strong showing in early voting), I'd gladly make your party.

2 Posted by BARTdG on 3 November 2008 | Permalink

Yeah, I'm hooked too. Fortunately my brother (who lived in DC back then) told me to look out for Obama, so I was prepared a little bit. But for me too it was the Speech that turned me into a fan.

For some time I liked McCain as well (thinking, whoever wins this, we 're going to be better off anyway), but since he chose Palin as his running mate, I have been shocked over and over again by her incompetence and plain stupidity. The appearance of Palin made the results of these elections even more important. There's more than 25% chance that McCain dies within four years. Palin instead of Bush: out of the frying pan, into the fire.

I am glad it'll soon be over. I'm just not confident that Obama will win, so the last week has been quite stressful. And like you I've been spending too much time surfing around, reading blogs and analysing polls (like I could be better at it than the pros).

It's time to get back to work again.

3 Posted by Steven on 3 November 2008 | Permalink

I'm kind of glad I'm in Idaho, and not a battleground state, so I can tune out a little if need be.

Even if I did like McCain - and actually, my impression of him before he started running in the primaries was a good one - I would vote against the Republicans because they have not denounced Bush and Cheney, et al. If they can't admit those huge mistakes, then they won't get my vote. And just ignoring the President during election season isn't enough.

Oh, and you forgot to thank the "Sticker lady" who made up the story about being beat up for her McCain bumper sticker.

Bob the Builder! Hilarious!

4 Posted by Steven on 3 November 2008 | Permalink

I just realized I said "vote against". That implies we only have a 2-party system, which technically we don't. You can't really "vote against" a candidate.

I meant to say I wouldn't vote for the Republicans.

5 Posted by Convert on 3 November 2008 | Permalink

Good on you PPK! I've been hooked on the USA elections as well and madly so. Especially this one. It became somewhat very important to me and I know I am not alone, from listening to the media -even here down under it's been watched by many. I would go to vote; I am not disclosing in public though because it's my democratic right :)!

6 Posted by Dan on 4 November 2008 | Permalink

Good on you!
America has one last chance to redeem themselves to the rest of the world. I wish I shared your enthusiasm about the outcome though.

7 Posted by documentary24 on 4 November 2008 | Permalink

I just posted a documentary about how George W. Bush stole the white house in 2000 and how they manipulated the elections.
Maybe we can learn something out of this ....
http://www.documentary24.com/presidential-election-2000-how-bush-stole-the-white-house--161/

8 Posted by Lapalazala on 4 November 2008 | Permalink

Don't forget to thank John Stewart and Stephen Colbert and their teams, for making election coverage even more enjoyable. At least for me they did.

9 Posted by joseph on 4 November 2008 | Permalink

I especially enjoyed the youtube clip of Sean Hannity and an Obama campaign member about the logic in calling Obama a terrorist due to his assocations with Ayers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjWnpeH31ds

10 Posted by Richard York on 6 November 2008 | Permalink

I've been ridiculously addicted to the political process this election season as well. I'm proud to have been able to cast my ballot for Barack Obama, in the unlikely battleground state of Indiana, going blue for the first time since 1964, even if by a very slim margin.

Having watched the returns with white knuckles, and having been furious at my own fiance being disenfranchised and denied her right to vote. And listening to Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy and Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow for days on end, anxious that they were going to steal the election again I breathed a happy sigh of relief when the state of Indiana was too close to call, and shortly thereafter Ohio and Pennsylvania quickly fell into the blue column. At last sensibility reigns.

And I've been happily gloating obnoxiously about the win ever since.

I'm glad to hear so many other people felt the same way.

11 Posted by Dave on 13 November 2008 | Permalink

I am glad you have found interest in US politics during this election season, but am disappointed in your reasoning for following a particular candidate after a speech. This is where things have become fuzzy here in the states, and people have not made the distinction between words and actions. Do not get me wrong Obama can give a speech with the best of them, but is that all he has? We will see in the coming months and years as too who Barrack Obama really is...