the day after

I didn't work on any explicit campaigns this year, but the day after election day never gets easier. I try not to watch the news the day of the election because they just like to show numbers and predictions to make the audience's hopes rise and fall. Who gives you just the facts anymore?

The election says alot about the nature of the United States, how indeed this is a divided nation when it comes down to various social and political topics. The map of blue and red was basically identical to 2000. And it shows that the west coast and northeast have very different opinions from much of the south and midwest. And to really influence the country on a national scale you've got to understand where folks are coming from. How religion is playing a greater and greater role in influencing voters, etc.

What I find more disappointing is that the Republicans got a stronger hold of Congress which means that it will be difficult to challenge legislation going through Congress. It makes it less likely for the president to want to be more "inclusive" and to create bipartisanship. He has no reason to want to compromise.

But let's look at the bright side...

-we've only got 4 more years left. there is a reason for 2 term limits.

-in West Oakland, there was an 84% voter turnout. West Oakland is a predominantly African American, low income neighborhood with crime and high unemployment, etc, but THEY turned out to vote. A population that in the past has felt disenfranchised by the voting system, came out to VOTE! How many more West Oakland precincts are out there?

-professor from Harvard government studies said that the 30 and under population increased from 42% to 51% of that age bracket voting. most voted for Kerry. This means that you have a 20-something year old population who is now engaged and watching politics and issues. If you vote in your 20s you will most likely vote the rest of your life. I saw this on KTVU Channel 2, and the professor's statements are contrary to the AP article that's out there saying they didn't vote as much as they did.

-like over a million more people voted yesterday than 4 years ago. people are paying attention.

-Barack Obama wins the senate seat in Illinois and becomes the 5th African American senator in history.

There is hope. We just have to keep on going.