Politics

I just saw the yellow banner across the top of YME that says Clinton will effectively concede the race tonight. Yeehaw is all I have to say about that! Edit: Bummer. Another article now says she has no intention of conceding. Grrrr.

We are signed up to host any fellows from the Obama campaign that may need a place to stay for a few days in June. I would have signed up as a potential host for six weeks, but it overlaps with when my mom is here. You know, when Obama first started campaigning and talked about his work as a community organizer, that was not at all what drew me to him. I kind of thought community organizer was an embellished term that everyone applies to minor achievements. I was thoroughly and very wrong. In every aspect of his campaign, I see where this experience comes into play and I'm so impressed. His campaign's efficient use of technology, and willingness to ask people to do things outside of the box (like host a fellow in our home so those who travel in from out of town to do some organizing can afford to come and asking people to make calls from their home, rather than go into an office), have really solidified why I believe he'll be an amazing president. I donated money to John Kerry (wasn't a huge fan, but clearly, I was/am not a Bush fan, so that is why). His campaign was pathetic compared to the Obama campaign. I get clear communications. Some are emails that are just a few sentences, some are longer, but they always have a clear message. I've had numerous opportunities presented to me to get involved. I don't remember even getting emails from Kerry. And I also contrast this with the only two communications we've gotten thus far from McCain: two automated calls which, when answered, have nothing and no one on the other end. Maybe McCain's strategy is simply campaigning via Caller ID.

We watched Recount last night. It is an HBO movie starring Kevin Spacey about the Gore/Bush 2000 election; it has a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was a good movie, but got my blood boiling all over again. First, I'm pissed at the tactics used by the Bush teams, though not at all surprised considering how unethical he and his administration have proved to be. Second, I'm pissed that the Gore team didn't play just as hard (but it wouldn't have worked anyway, so it's more just a *sigh*, stupid Democrats feeling). The Bush folks had everything lined up in their favor and were willing to play dirty. Third, I do think Gore conceded at the right time. It was completely clear that it wouldn't have mattered if he fought longer. This makes me feel a little better because, after experiencing this debacle called the Bush administration, I was starting to think maybe Gore should have fought on. But I was reassured that with Jeb being the governor, Katherine Harris being the Attorney General, the legislature in Florida being in Republican control, and a Bush team willing to do anything to not count all the votes, there was no way Gore would have been able to fight effectively.