This Was the Moment When I Remembered What it Means to Hope
January 4, 2008
In the earliest days of January four years ago, I sat demoralized in my dorm room as the press made a laughingstock of the man whose rhetoric and passion had sparked my political imagination. Howard Dean stood disgraced after a third place finish in Iowa and an ill-chosen and oft-repeated scream. That night, I cried as only a disappointed 20 year-old can.
In the fall, I voted for John Kerry because of everything he was not. Many joined me, but not enough. Kerry inspired no passion. His campaign was not about hope, it was about fear and divisiveness. November 2, 2004 was the day something very precious inside of me — hope for my country — died.
I woke up this morning feeling anxious and adrift, lost in an unfortunate personal situation. My workday consisted largely of getting lists in order for my company’s party at CES next week. The work was tedious, but just engaging enough that listening to a podcast or an audiobook would have been too distracting. It left me with plenty of room to stew.
By the time I left work for the climbing gym, I was in a pretty awful mood. Thankfully, a number of my dear friends decided to join me. I powered up a twisty, slabby 5.10a and then turned around and conquered a towering 5.10c/d on the third try. I felt alive. My body is truly strong and powerful.
Then I got the text message from my roomie:
Obama won!!!!!!!!! By a LARGE margin!!!!
Many pundits expected a three-way tie today. But Barack Obama drew new people to the political process. He brought first-time caucus goers to the table and blew both opponents out of the water. Tonight I stood in the parking lot of the Redmond Vertical World, hugging my friend Katie with tears in my eyes.
I feel as though I’ve been holding my breath for four years. No love affair gone to shambles has ever broken my heart as deeply as Howard Dean’s implosion four years ago. No scars have lasted longer on my soul. I had not dared to hope that Obama could win, but now I can finally exhale. This was the moment when America remembered what it means to hope.
Everything worth having takes work. Freedom is one of those things. So is self-respect. I got both in equal measure tonight.
If your spirits need lifting as much as mine did, watch this video:
Barack Obama sounds downright presidential. Tonight there is no doubt that someone who campaigns on a message of hope and American unity can win the presidency. Now it’s up to us.
As Andrew Sullivan so often writes, “know hope.”
Iowa is a silly state, and they proved it again last night: To reject Howard Dean in favor of Kerry ( a person inferior to John Edwards, even in ‘04) in favor of a celebrity candidate, then to have to “Christers” endorse Huckelberry for President, clearly a person almost as bad as the Little Shrub no lounging in the w.H., boggles the mind. Redeem your self Iowa, in 2012 have your little ‘cacuary’ about last –and keep it quiet. Thanks
[...] January 4, 2008 · No Comments Teresa’s narrative about Obama winning is quite captivating:She tells a really great story about what the Obama win means to her in terms of hope. Or in her words, “This is the moment when I remembered what it means to hope.“ [...]
When I read last night that Obama had won, I sat shocked, with goosebumps that lasted a good 5 minutes.
I’m sorry to say I’m one of those who believed this night could never come. They wouldn’t let it. But I was wrong.. and I’ve never been so glad to be wrong. Perhaps you’re right.. know hope.
I’ve never doubted Obama could win, or his poise. However, my track record of picking primary winners who became the nominee is poor. Tsongas, Bradley and Dean are crashed and burned.
There is still a long way to go, but Obama’s chances look better today then they did yesterday, and yesterday they looked pretty good nonetheless.
I was so excited last night!!! I had to call my boyfriend and mom right away, then bask in the glow of it all. OBAMA ‘08!
Do we really think this is possible? Have we finally matured as a people enough to let this happen? I’m 47 years old and have bent my head in sorrow many an election night. Dare I allow myself to get the chills again?
Know Hope? O.K. I’m in one more time!!
Wow. For me, the 1992 election was the last time I felt really energized and optimistic about politics in this country. Maybe this election will bring that back. At this point, I’m afraid to hope.
Wade: Just look up the list at all these comments. Clearly this post resonated with a lot of people, including first time commenters (welcome!). If you look at my blog as a micro of the national spirit, then perhaps you have reason to hope.
The worst thing that can happen if you dare to hope is a broken heart. The worst thing that can happen if you don’t is a life without hope.
Hope gives you drive. But hope alone gets you nowhere. What Obama needs is for those that hope to do the things necessary to turn that positive energy into something real and lasting. Iowa is an indication that’s happening, but there is a long way to go yet and those new to the process cannot relax and sit back satisfied that they’ve achieved something yet. That’s my fear: that the younger supporters take their foot off the pedal and start coasting. Politics is a rough and tumble contact sport, and Obama’s supporters need to be in for the fight to the end, which is November 4th.
After that, we as a nation need to continue the hard work needed to make the “change” we’re all supposedly after actually happen.
Daniel: Great point. Hard work is very necessary, which is why I plan to volunteer my time to the Obama campaign.
To be certain, although I can claim no direct prediction, I am not at all suprised to see Obama win, although I certainly share the joy that his winning by such a hefty margin brings so many. I knew several people, just like you Teresa, who were devestated by the Dean debacle. However, the new communities that were generated by the intensity that was involved that sad year didn’t go away. As you said, it was your first real involvement in the political arena. I believe those 20 somethings, if dissapointed in 2004, did not forget that excitement and sense of belonging. When the season came again, they remembered the sense of purpose that gave howard dean his initial edge in the first place, and this time, I feel highly confident in Mr. Obama and his ability to take it home.
I was not at all excited about Obama winning. I didn’t really care all that much Until I heard this speech. I’m still trying to remain skeptical and not make up my mind yet, but I got chills hearing him talk. Wow.
Andy:
I know. It’s the first time I’ve heard a politician speak, in a LONG, LONG time where they actually sounded human - sincere - honest. Where I was actually moved by what they say. One thing that really stands out in Obama’s speeches is how inclusive they are - he almost NEVER uses the word ‘I’, it’s always “we” and “our.” Teresa’s right when she describes his speech as “downright presidential.”
I didn’t watch his speech, either, after I learned he won; I watched it yesterday afternoon and I was very impressed.
Ian: Just as a point of clarification, the Dean Campaign wasn’t my first involvement in the political arena. I’ve been working on political campaigns with my dad since I was nine. And you wonder why I’m such an incurable political junkie!
Patrick, check out many of his speeches of late. They’re all just as compelling as his Iowa victory speech, often moreso. He’s an amazing communicator, leader, and inspiration creator.
Teresa, I felt exactly the same. I woke up smiling the next morning. Very, very happy. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping it carries through.
As far as Dean goes…. the guy was a train wreck as a candidate. I’m not going to venture feedback on his positions, just on his ability to campaign, and that was very weak. In the weeks before “The Scream”, he was collapsing. His organization was mishandled, the leadership inside his camp was divided, and many of their efforts were simply immature. The Scream gave the media a way to cap off what they saw coming for weeks.
Remember, this is the guy who, with his wife, said that she was going to continue to practice medicine, rather than being in the First Lady role. To me that was the summation of the problems with their campaign - they never seemed to believe they were more than the “annoyance factor” to get the rest of the candidates talking. Dean reminded me more of Robin Williams (without the win) in the movie where he becomes president. Either they didn’t understand the role (and value) of the First Lady as First Lady, or they had a relationship that wasn’t much of a partnership (”You go run the world, honey. I’ll go be a doctor. See you for dinner, good luck!”) and I’d had enough of that mindset with the Clintons.
Further, Dean has proven how incapable he really is through is work with the DNC. The Democratic Party is a joke at this point, incapable of doing anything other than rubber stamping Bush’s desires. Between Dean and Rahm Emmanuel leading “the party”, it’s a good thing that we have three frontrunner Dems that are all pretty good and a Rep field that’s an absolute joke. Otherwise, I’d wager another loss to the Reps.
Don’t mistake Dean’s timing for success. He came along at the perfect time for the Internet and a fresh message to excite an audience. Personally, I think that Obama, and the Obama campaign, is a smarter version of Dean and the Dean campaign. If you liked Dean, I’d be surprised if you’re not on board with Obama.
[...] Barack Obama has opened up a nine-point lead over Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire, while John McCain has opened up a six-point lead over Mitt Romney. These two candidates are my favorites from both parties (excluding longshot Dennis the Elf). What is particularly great about these two candidates is that they both reach across the aisle and truly want to re-unite an America whose divisions George W. Bush took advantage of in 2004. Barack Obama’s Iowa speech was a truly inspiring message of hope. [...]
Jake, I couldn’t agree with you more on the Democrats current leadership. They keep picking fights with Bush without having the stones to finish them. Bush is as stubborn as it gets. He refuses to compromise, and refuses to be stood up to. The Democrats have been playing veto-chicken with him for the past year, and losing everytime.
The Democrats also haven’t seemed to show any more respect for the National Deficit than the Republicans have. I hope Obama and McCain, if they win their parties nominations, will start talking about this problem in the general election.