My First Diary... Thanks to the liberal media elite who got me through the ups and downs. We are all WINNERS!
When I first joined Daily Kos, I was not into blogging at all. I didn't know much about it despite my age (23 years-old) and I didn't care to find out what was out there in the blogosphere. I was just fine getting my daily news from CNN, but eventually I couldn't take it anymore. I need more information.
Around this time last year, I started to watch the race for the 2008 Presidential Election. I consider myself to be a democrat/liberal even though I only voted in one election which was 2004 Kerry vs. Bush. Exactly one year ago, my friend's grandmother asked me "So whatcha think about this guy Barack Obama?" I told her I don't know anything about him-Hillary would probably get my vote in the Georgia primary. He will not simply get my vote because he is Black.
As I started to watch the Democratic debates, the only person who really got my attention and all my Amens and headnods was Barack Obama. I remembered him from the 2004 convention-but this time I was really impressed. What can I say- I drank the Obama kool-aid, it was sweet and it gave me hope. When he won Iowa that's when I started to really feel like maybe he had a chance of going all the way. I think most African-Americans took notice when he won IOWA of all places. Those people were bold and courageous. THANKS IOWA! I voted in the Georgia primary for Barack Obama. Not because he was an African-American like myself-but I loved what he stood for and the inspiration he gave me. He demonstrated what we need in the United States to take this country forward. He is all about UNITY and I can totally respect that. He went on to win Georgia and I was so proud to have voted for him. It was an uphill battle to win the Democratic nomination but he did-he made history. I was in disbelief yet anxious to see what would be next.
I won't go into detail how I became obsessed with this election and unable to think about anything else-even while at work. I want to take time to document what has kept me sane throughout the ups and downs of this election season. From the debates to the campaign speeches to the breaking news. From the polls to the new smear tactics. From the pundits and commentators to the aides and surrogates this has been a rollercoaster ride. I actually cried, laughed, cheered, panicked, screamed, participated in local grassroot efforts to support Obama/Biden/Martin, but most importantly I voted.
I first heard about Daily Kos after McCain picked Sarah Palin and some liberal blog broke some wierd news about her family(I wont go into details). Once I discovered this new world of blogs that shared my views and concerns I started to dig deeper into what was out there for liberals within social media networking. Daily Kos helped me get through my election anxiety. Then there was Huffingtonpost.com that cut through the BS and got straight to the point. I was so thankful for their timeliness and small stories that made me feel better. Other than HuffPo it was commentary from James Carville and Paul Begala when they were on CNN that made me both laugh and feel happy because I felt someone was finally saying exactly what I felt. I had to watch The War Room a couple of times. Although newspaper circulations are declining because of the internet, I decided to subscribe to the New York Times-Sunday edition. I fell in love with columnists such as Bob Herbert who made me feel proud to be a liberal. Maureen Dowd who could somehow put a theatrical spin on the presidential campaigns. I love her. Also, Frank Rich who I did not always agree with but always had a thought provoking analysis. Another liberal media source that helped me get through this was MSNBC. Every show from Rachel Maddow, Keith Olbermann, and Chris Matthews, not to forget all of the commentators. All the blogging and sitting up late watching the Rachel Maddow Show's second run for the night was really exhausting but I was so addicted and I couldn't wait until the 4th of November. It is kind of interesting how I felt like these people were my distant family.
So as I sit here still in disbelief that Barack Hussein Obama just won the election to be the 44th President of the United States of America, I feel like I want to cry. I know now that there is nothing that I can't do. I can truly do whatever I set my mind to do. Obama WON despite the smears, personal attacks, racial code terms, fear tactics and surprises. I feel like I won too. I don't have to elaborate, but I contributed in my own small way and I know I've done my part to help him. I am so happy yet shocked and surprised. I don't think words can really express how proud I am. I am glad that this is over and I feel less anxious.
President Barack Obama...dang that sounds good. I will see you all at the Inaguaration Day Parade!!!!!