I voted for Michael Dukakis when I was eighteen years old. Shortly after returning to my dorm room that afternoon, the college radio station announced that they were offering three potluck CDs to the first person who could name all three Beastie Boys. Obviously, I won the CDs. (Obviously!) To this day, I associate the 1988 election with the Beastie Boys.
In 1992 I voted for Bill Clinton. After voting, I drove to my part-time job at Olan Mills where one of my co-workers gave me an order of bread sticks from Pizza Hut, a big silly can of Foster’s, and a CD single of “I Will Always Love You.” This set of gifts was unexpected and strange, and I’m still a bit confused about it all.
In 1996 I voted for Bill Clinton. After work that evening, Jeff and I went over to my friend Carole’s house and watched a movie. Before leaving, I called home and was told that a pack of wild dogs had attacked and killed my neighbor’s dog in my parents’ front yard.
In 2000 I voted for Ralph Nader. And I had a migraine. And the production manager where I worked (in Nashville) made fun of the Ralph Nader thing so much that I actually used the migraine to go home early from work simply to avoid the maddening Green Party jokes.
In 2004, my mom came over to watch Meredith so that Jeff and I could go vote for John Kerry. And I’ve never felt so completely positive that my candidate would win. And when he didn’t? I got all lactational and weepy. I don’t want to talk about it.
So, here we are. 2008. I took my place in line at 5:10 this morning, and arrived home just in time to pass the voting baton to Jeff at 6:30. After he voted, he discovered that the battery in the car was dead. A very kind gentleman jumped the car, and Jeff drove it to McDonald’s to grab a coffee. While there, the car died again, and the girls and I were able to rescue him before my biscuit got cold. And by Biscuit, I mean Biscuit. Other noteworthy items of the day? Harper ordered a corn dog for lunch. She didn’t eat it, but she DID order it. (We’ll talk about her resistant eating some other day.) And the car doesn’t matter, and the eating doesn’t matter (today, at least), and the fact that I’m once again feeling the beginning of a migraine doesn’t matter. What matters? Today we’re making history. And I know you’ve heard that at least thirty times already. But, really. Something amazing is about to happen. And I’m feeling sort of giddy and hopeful. And I hope you’re feeling the same way.
Enjoy your evening. Really enjoy it. ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>
I left about ten minutes before six and didn’t get to vote until almost eight. It was totally worth it, though.
Dukakis was my first vote too. Too bad the candidate couldn’t have been a little more inspirational, but we’re getting our inspirational candidate now I guess.
I AM feeling giddy. For the first time in 8 years, I think my candidate might actually win. Please!!!
My first vote was for Bill Clinton’s second term. Then I voted for Al Gore, then John Kerry.
And today? I voted and didn’t get a sticker. But Obama got my vote.
My first political memory is of an election night party where everyone voted for Dukakis…I was 6 years old. My mother just sat staring at the TV holding me on her lap.
Standing in line to vote today I was thinking about that party, my parents were probably the same age I am now (maybe a little older) and now I get it, all I want to do is cuddle my son and hope.
My first vote for president was for Hubert Humphrey — so I’ve been disappointed more than I’ve been satisfied. But today when I saw Obama’s name on the screen, I took an extra 20 seconds, teared up, and thought WOW. This has to be right. And I was so excited and proud.
The Dukakis election was not the finest day for Democratic voters.
Let’s hope that things have changed.
I left my polling place satisfied that I’d taken part in a historic election. I’ve been voting for several decades, and this is the first time I feel that way.
i was so excited to vote for barack obama today!! and it looks like he may win missouri!!
it’s probably totally disrespectful to be almost completely focused on your sentence, ” a pack of wild dogs…attacked and killed my neighbor’s dog in my parents’ front yard.” (ahhh! the images, the fear; sigh.) wrong, yet totally indicative of my bleeding heart liberal stance on life, yes. plus, i wanna know what a biscuit with a capital B is (nosey!).
i am so blessed to have been born and raised in a country where i can vote for WHOMEVER i want without being shot at, ridiculed, harassed, or intimidated. above all things, today, for that i am REALLY, TRULY grateful. no matter which button you pushed, you did it because of YOUR beliefs, and no one else’s. whomever you chose, you did it because of our democracy, and i’m happy for your freedom to do so.
The magnitude of this election cannot be overstated. Or, I don’t think it can. Well, I haven’t really tried…
I AM ENJOYING TONIGHT! This is so exciting!
Lady-I will always love you for knowing the names of the Beastie Boys.
Corn dogs here are eaten if they are the mini variety and otherwise my offspring will become a chicken nugget. Or a fry. More likely a coke.
And 2004! Me too! I was preggos and on the Wednesday after at one point had to pull over to the side of the road I was sobbing uncontrollably.
Clinton was my first chance to vote — so glad to have had the chance to vote for Obama, even happier that he’s won.
Am hanging out with a glass of wine, thinking about having a Gen X president… wild!
& AFTER ALMOST 2 YEARS GOD RESTED…THEN GOD BLESSED AMERICA…
OZ (AUSTRALIA) IS HAPPY…I HOPE YOU ARE TOO…
PS…IT’S “FINSLIPPY’S” FAULT…I FOUND YOU THROUGH HER…GOD IS GOOD!!
My first vote was for Bill Clinton in 1992. I stood on my feet for six hours at a rally in Springfield, Missouri about three weeks prior to the election. He looked me right in the eye and shook my hand. Goosebumps.
I don’t even want to talk about the disappointment and disgrace surrounding the past two elections.
I was thrilled to vote Obama yesterday. And thrilled with the outcome of the election. I can finally exhale.
Took your suggestion to heart and enjoyed the evening. REALLY enjoyed it! Big optimistic yay for us all :-)
Was that the best nightg of TV ever?! OMG OMG OMG! We laughed, we cried, we danced.
Not your typical Tuesday night!
Whew!
Pearl