This post is a bit out of chronological whack, but it's the first opportunity I've had to post some pictures. Videos will take a bit longer to upload, as I can't find a solid connection around here. But the videos are pretty hilarious. Anyways...
Last night, the mood in Grant Park was at first apprehensive. The crowd was very young and very energetic, but also on edge. It grew excited in spurts, wavered, and then cheered again. Every projected victory was cause to stand, but then the mass would settle again. It became clear that everyone was waiting for the killer blow.
And then CNN declared Obama the winner in Virginia. That made the result inevitable. Five minutes before the west coast polls closed, everybody stood for a final time. And then...
Euphoria.
CNN declared Obama the president-elect. Emotions exploded. Jubilation. Celebration. It's likely impossible to understate the overwhelming relief and raw emotion that lasted and lasted until cameras moved to Phoenix.
McCain delivered his concession speech -- gracious, I thought, maybe more gracious than anybody might have expected in the heat of the moment -- and the Obama faithful awkwardly booed and applauded in spurts. In the end, not an unexpected concession. McCain had spent a
A few minutes later, a miniature eternity to the happiest people in Chicago, Obama took the stage. His speech grabbed the crowd, and they didn't let go, well, probably until they fell asleep.
Critics can probably point holes in the speech. He implied that the United States became a country in 1787, when it ratified its constitution ("I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years"). I always thought they liked to start in 1776 (232 years ago). Perhaps I'm being petty.
The speech was pure rhetoric. But last night, tonight, and years from now, you will probably find more than a few commentators who will call it perfect.
Some post-game pictures. Sorry for the blur. I figure they're still worth posting.
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5 comments:
Fabulous, Nick! It's great to see photos taken by someone I know who was right there, right then.
By the way, several people have told me today that they saw you on CityTV last night. Thirty seconds of local fame for Thirty Days! Glad you found the link to the spot ...
It was a wonderful evening and a thrilling result!
Very exciting to have been in Chicago (the greatest city in the US, by the way) for this event I am sure. Its great to hear your first hand account.
The account captures the flavour of the evening. We heard similar but muted accounts on CBC radio. I was aghast when CNN declared Obama the winner, not giving the West Coast folks even time to have their votes recorded. But I guess that's how Br. Columbiners feel during our elections. Good writing and observations.
Great post Nick. I'm jealous of you, I would have loved to have been able to take something like that in.
The announcement came awfully quickly compared to 2004, didn't it? I (vaguely) remember holding out until midnight then. This year it was over a little after 10pm.
BTW, I think blurry photos are fitting. It must have been dizzying over there.
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