I recently took the opportunity to canvass in Iowa for the Obama Campaign . . . .
This is the local union hall (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers FTW!) where we were given instructions, materials and sent on our merry way to convince undecided voters to support Barack.
My wonderful host family (with their son) and a fellow volunteer. They cooked for us every night and made us feel right at home. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Proof I was there!
Iowan Leaves!
Marion, IA.
The bus ride home on election eve.
The excitement was palpable and everyone was clamoring for information by calling spouses/significant others and demanding the latest vote tallies. The bus driver made the mistake of turning on a Sean Hannity radio show and hearing the entire bus boo in unison. The radio was quickly changed to NPR.
I made it back to Chicago in time to grab my wife and head down to Grant Park.
Once we got downtown it was just a sea of jubilantly expectant people. We eventually made our way over to the ticketholders area where we watched CNN on the giant Jumbotron. We weren't there for more than 15 minutes when Ohio was called for Barack. Just a few minutes later Virginia was called for Barack and then this (apologies for my shaky cam):
It was pretty awe-inspiring to be amongst so many joyful people who were so ecstatic about their new president. On the way home people were literally dancing in the streets and the crowds were filled with euphoria. It was a great end to a long and bruising political season and a far cry from the Chicago of 1968. We've come a long way.
