Sticker shock

I know you've been DYING all day to hear what I thought about last night's election ... but first, this post I saved from yesterday...

*****

I am writing this post on Nov. 4, and if you are seeing this, it means Barack Obama was elected president of the United States.

Why am I writing this? It's a confession. It's to purge my embarrassment, my shame, my disappointment.

I didn't vote.

I've been reading blogs and news all day, facebook statuses telling me to go vote, who voted and who they voted for. And I can tell you this for sure -- as good as my friends and family undoubtedly felt voting for the next president of the US today, or in the days before this, is as equally bad as I feel.

I wish I could give you a good excuse, but I don't have one. I attempted to register in Mass., but found out I didn't have the appropriate documents. I held out hope that I could still vote in Rhode Island, the state I voted in 2004 and am licensed in ... and while I determined it was technically possible for me to do so, I'd have to submit an address I no longer lived at. I didn't want to risk voter fraud.

None of these are good excuses, because I could have resolved these issues if I wasn't so lazy sometimes. You would have thought my passion for this election would tip the scales, but ... I don't know what happened. I can only PROMISE that it didn't happen again ... and hope that I wasn't the one vote that mattered.

I want you to know that I wish I had voted in Massachusetts, as they had some really interesting questions on the ballot (Elimination of the state income tax (NO), Legalization of up to one ounce of marijuana (PROBABLY NO) and Elimination of the state's dog racing industry (PROBABLY YES). I would have voted for Barack, obviously, and am hoping at 3:20 p.m. on Nov. 4, that those who did get their shit together, did. 

I know there will be a lot of you who will be disappointed in me and I don't blame you.

But I'll be back to vote Obama in 2012.

*******

Clearly, I was in a pretty somber mood yesterday afternoon, feeling very guilty about not voting. As the day continued and the election results rolled in, and the good news was coming, I started to shake off some of the sadness. And then the official news was in ... Obama won!

I was tearing up during Obama's speech, thinking how proud I was for others picking up the slack for my wayward self. Now that we've put the silliness of the Bradley effect behind us, hopefully this victory can go a long way in healing old wounds.

I thought McCain's consolation speech was dignified and classy, qualities I admired about him before he got in over his head in this election. Hopefully, we'll still have that old John McCain when the dust settles.

Obama's victory speech -- well, that spoke for itself. What struck me was the quietness of it (I saw you, Howard Dean, in the audience), the calm, the even-temper. I love how he acknowledged those that didn't vote for him -- which was just a few of my 'friends' according to my facebook (And to you guys, I understand why you didn't vote for Obama, I do. I know some of you are staunchly pro-life and have family in the military. And I really don't feel that Obama will let you down.)

I am so glad to be soon saying goodbye to a president who has less than 30 percent approval rating and ushering in a president who had more than 65 million people believe in him. 

I was originally a Hilary supporter, and I understand how African Americans are feeling, because I would have been as equally proud to see a woman achieve this role. We still have time, but I'm fully behind Obama for the next four years.

Today, I've been soaking it all in (OK -- and Jeff and I saw a movie and got lunch) and am eager to see what Obama will do in the first 100 days.

As a quick aside -- I'm disappointed in what has happened in California, Arkansas, Florida and other states who, in California's case, awarded rights to chickens and took them away from humans. It really is sad.

Anyways -- that's enough seriousness from me!! I am no politico. Back to the regular Emily, who's a little happier, tomorrow.

From today's ridiculous comparisons file.

Found this in the Boston Herald today, in the letters to the editor. I'm 99.9% sure she's completely serious.

"Sarah Palin is like Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde” (Oct. 16). She didn’t set out to change the world. She studied hard to learn about the job she wanted. If life is about showing up, she was there.

Sadly, Sarah faced the same challenges as Elle. People couldn’t see past who she used to be. Why are people so quick to sit in the back of the class and criticize the people who try? Why have we let these people form the basis of our views? Yes, Tina Fey, I mean you.

Sarah is proof that anyone can become president. I can’t say she is completely prepared, but she can learn. She’s the character you cheer for at the end of the movie."

Barbara Daley, Tewksbury"

I don't think I need to elaborate much on this, but I sure am hopeful this person is a registered voter! (note heavy sarcasm).

Debate the III

(This video is Obama's actual conversation with Joe the Plumber. I only wish it included Joe's response! Did Obama's explanation convince him? Did he think it was BS? I'm sure they'll hunt this guy down and find out ... if they haven't already. UPDATE: From CNN.com: Although Wurzelbacher wouldn't say who he is voting for, he did say that Obama's tax plan doesn't sit well with him.

"Redistributing the wealth, as far as my hard work, that upsets me," he said. "That's not right. That's not American." )

An unofficial poll of my facebook friends status messages showed that the numbers were significantly down for this debate. I'd say for the first debate, 80% of the messages had something to do with the election. Last night, I'd say maybe 10%.

What does this mean? Probably nothing, it's facebook statuses for goodness sake, but if I were to count them as a legitimate indicator of what my friends are thinking, I would say it means alot of them: 1. Didn't watch the debate or 2. Have made up their minds so they feel no need to comment further.

I do have a status lingering this morning from a facebook friend that says, "Finally! John McCain won a debate!" I don't know if this person is a supporter or not, but to that I say, 

"Que?"

The CNN.com poll (with 400,000 votes) has Obama winning 72% to McCain's 22%. Now you could argue CNN is a more liberal outfit, but a quick google news search confirms much of the same, even if by a smaller margin (50-30 and so on). Even the Boston Herald has Obama at a whopping 80%.

Meanwhile, in the Werschaible household there was a lot of exasperation ... towards McCain. A lot of "Is he serious?" and "Why is he yelling" and "What is that THING on the side of his face, and is it growing?!?!?!"

The last thought is a low-blow and it surely wouldn't have any impact on my vote (but side note: don't Michelle and Obama, when they were up on stage hugging each other, just look more AMERICAN than John and Cindy McCain? I feel the strong family love there, the middle class roots. Meanwhile, Cindy McCain is on the Michael Jackson skin tone plan and I'm afraid if the two touch each other, they'll crumble.)

But again, looks are not important! (Ha!)

The issues: I felt like McCain was directly lying into the camera about Obama's policies. I get this tax break scenario and it doesn't mean Obama wants to raise "your" taxes. My taxes will be cut, something like $1000 compared to McCain's plan of about $300. That sounds good to me!

Heath care: I was wavering a bit last night, pointing out to Jeff that I don't pay anywhere NEAR $12,000 a year for my heath coverage, and I pay it all out of pocket. So was the McCain tax credit really that awful for someone in my position (even though I'll jump on Jeff's insurance in a year when we get married)? Jeff pointed out (duh) that I pay so little because I'm young. Right. $5000 isn't going to cut it for those out of my age bracket.

Joe the Plumber: Again, like I said during the VP debates ... this is insulting. I am not Joe the plumber, in fact, why are all these idiot analogies focused on the middle class man? Maybe I'm reading into it a little much but aside from the Lilly Ledbetter example, I didn't feel like we spoke AT ALL about women's issues. And maybe you don't feel like women's issues should be a focus. But if we're talking about children, and we're talking about Joe the Plumber and Joe Six pack, shouldn't the equal pay issue be a little more in focus?!

Sure, Roe v. Wade is a women's issue. One that both candidates only feigned passion for. I could feel it on both sides that this was a "this is what we have to say issue" as opposed to a "this is what we really believe" issue. And maybe this is a good thing, maybe the government is slowly realizing women don't like it that much when men decide what they can do with their bodies. And since I still can't really decide where I fall, I'll leave this at that.

Affordable college education: This seems like one of those issues that comes up as "yeah, we DEFINITELY need to do something about this," but no one has a specific plan. This is a HUGE issue in my life. If you were to combine the college loan debt Jeff and I had, you could buy a house! They touched on it, I heard something about "in-state schools" which would have done me a whole lot of good. 

Other thoughts:

• CBS' Bob Schieffer did an AMAZING job with this debate. AMAZING. As disturbing as it was to once again watch three white men take the reigns AGAIN (was there not a woman qualified to moderate this debate?), Schieffer asked some fantastic questions that elicited the best responses of the three debates. I was very impressed. He asked a lot of the same questions, but the subtlety was in the phrasing. Kudos to him.
• Was it just me or was McCain playing the world's smallest violin on the rally stuff? Get over it, like Obama said, campaigns are tough. I won't argue that there are probably some not so nice things said about McCain along the way, but it was at least equally awful for Obama. Get over it. I didn't feel bad for you at all, and I think you made yourself look stupid.
• I was glad Obama got the William Ayers thing explained and, to me, squashed. I was more than satisfied with his answer.

My mom, an undecided voter, made a great point last night: "The qualities I used to admire in McCain aren't qualities I've seen him display recently."

One year ago, you probably would have found me saying something like "McCain wouldn't be that bad, he'd be WAY better than George Bush." McCain is a war hero, someone who does go against party lines, someone I honestly believe is a good person and four years ago he would have been a welcome change to Bush.

But I just can't vote for him. This country needs a uniter. Someone who is eloquent and poised. Someone who represents CHANGE with such an exclamation point! from his issues to his skin color. I'm ready to completely shake off the last eight years. I don't want marginal change and a slightly better guy. And I don't want THAT WOMAN a heartbeat from the White House.

I'm ready to vote.

Debate Part Deux

Tonight I "reached across the aisle" to fellow online sports editor, Steve, of CBSSports.com. Steve (a fellow Cranstonite and Jeff's best man) is a bleeding heart liberal who, when he's not writing angry letters to the Bush campaign, enjoys coffee milk, Drew Bledsoe jerseys and 90s grunge.

Here are some highlights of our convo:

Emily: finally, a for realz journalist
Emily: f this pbs crap
Steve: and this means Brokaw impersonations on SNL which is fun

Emily: the question is: do you want your president to have a neck?
Emily: if so, you should vote for obama
Steve: haha
Emily: this audience doesnt look terribly diverse
Steve: what? lots of different types of white people

Emily: warren buffet as treasury secretary
Emily: hmmm
Steve: jeff Schaible as treasury secretary
Emily: Free electric guitars for everyone! To be bought for $800, then sold back for $200

Emily: wait, there's a minority in here -- what happened?!
Steve: sleek man
Emily: "I bet you've never even heard of wall street. So tough being from the inner-city, eh son?"
Steve: "DO you like basketball?"
Emily: "You've heard of regulators, I'm sure. You know Warren G. But he's a de-regulator."

Emily: This carpet is burning my retnas
Steve: true
Steve: and the blue background

Emily: I keep expecting McCain to put his leg up on his chair like bill kurtz
Steve: he'd rule at these debates
Steve: "Let me tell you a story when i was at the Marblehead Times"

Emily: I keep expecting mccain to jump over the bar and get in this lady's face
Emily: "You can trust me!!! Did you see this new spiffy tie I got. It's got stripes of pink. I'm really big softie!"
Steve: Did you know I'm a maverick?
Emily: is the theory that its better to not answer the question, even though that irritates people... than to answer the question and risk saying the "wrong" thing
Emily: ?
Emily: it's so transparent
Steve: saying the wrong thing is worse
Emily: of course one of those three things will take priority
Steve: that's just one person asking the question, they're speaking to the people on TV

Emily: I'm pretty sure McCain just turned around to talk to the empty wall
Steve: i didn't notice that
Steve: he hasn't walked this much in decades, i bet
Steve: 5000 dollars is not enough to buy health insurance, mccain
Emily: Our best days are ahead of us, John... Your final days are ahead of you...
Steve: ouch

Emily: we get it Brokaw... they're going long, it is what it is. this is important stuff.
Steve: Brokaw ANGRY!

As you can see, this isn't exactly blistering political commentary. Frankly, I blame Steve. But really, this debate was BORING. It got a little testy at the end. I don't think either candidate made major strides. I hope they can pull it together for October 15 to really give it something to think about.

Veep debate

Some live thoughts ... (Disclaimer: These are just thoughts that occurred to me off the top of my head, and despite my minor in Poli Sci, I'm definitely not an expert, nor do I claim to be, on political affairs. So ... yeah.)

9:00: Can I call you a hockey mom, is that ok? Good ta meetcha!

9:03: Sarah Palin's American flag pin is bigger than yours.

9:11: This is going to be a boring and pointless debate if Biden just recycles everything Obama said last Friday.

9:12: Sarah Palin thought she was dressing for a blackout. She's going to a f-in funeral! (that's a sports reference ma ;)

9:14: Oh boy, Biden just started laying the smackdown. Congrats to those with 14 minutes in the office pool. The moderator even cut her off to save herself.

9:17: I wish the candidates would treat it like they're in a team, rather than Palin citing McCain and Biden citing Obama... could we throw out a "we believe..." in there?

9:20: OK, I'll admit it. That's the third or fourth time I've heard the McCain $5000 heathcare credit plan explained, and it still confuses me. Maybe it's because I got a C in economics. Either way, it sounds bad.

9:27: We get it Sarah: Things are bad. How are you going to CHANGE it? We get it Joe: Obama pointed out the impending mortgage crisis two years ago.

9:31: Moderator: What are the causes of climate change? Palin: "I don't want to argue about it." Well then, thanks for coming ... to this DEBATE. Climate change is such a softball question to her anyway, given her area of expertise.  

9:33: On the other hand, Biden "If we don't know the cause, we don't know the solution." Well played.

9:35: Those Chinese and their damn dirty coal! 

9:36: Same-sex question. I'm excited and scared for Palin's answer. She keeps saying "choosing" ... it's not a choice!!! I wonder if her gay friend, who she constantly references, appreciates being a pawn in her little plan. 

Also, don't love how they just both said they agree that they don't support gay marriage, and then smiled. Glad you've made that "choice" for other people.

9:40: Where are the foreign policy questions? I want to get to the nitty-gritty.

9:42: I actually think Biden did a better job explaining Obama's Iraq War strategy than Obama did. 

9:44: Ohhhh Palin has been waiting 44 minutes to stick it to Biden about his conflicting and negative statements of/with Obama. And yeah, it still stings and is a fair point to make.

9:48: Score a few points for Palin pronouncing "Ahmadinejad" right. And yes, I did have to look up the spelling on that.

9:53: Biden is letting his passion for Israel get in the way of making a contrary point to Palin. He's attacking the Bush administration, which isn't the point right now. It's what the future administration will be. Get off the soapbox dude! I appreciate the fervor, but you're coming undone.

9:55: "I'm so excited to hear we both love Israel. Don't you love latkes and those funny little hats they wear?"

9:56: OK, he's bringing it back to the point by saying the policies are the same between Bush and McCain. But this debate is starting to level off. 

9:58: I could do without Biden referring to himself in the third person. It's confusing. 

10:00: I continue to be impressed by the mental endurance it takes to participate in one of these debates. No sips of water, no breaks. I give them both credit for that.

10:09: Palin needs to stop winking at me. Yeah, that's my only thought in the last nine minutes.

10:12: She did not just do a 'shout out' during a political debate. Is this a joke to her?

10:17: "Dick Cheney is the most dangerous VP in the history of the US." Here here.

10:21: Woah, Biden just summoned some tears. I felt that emotion. Goosebumps. They both have great family stories.

10:22: One of the only undecided voters I know, my mom, just said "If she says 'ya' one more time ... " Way to win 'em over with your sugar sweet accent!

10:23: Biden is bringing it home here. Yes, we're sick of hearing McCain being called a "Maverick." Finish strong Biden, Obama couldn't.

10:26: Did you know Palin's from Alaska? She's Curt Schilling's fantasy woman, eh?

10:29: I don't like being called average. I think when you call people "average" or "Joe Six Pack" (ugh), you fail to acknowledge the million different situations that people in this country have been in or will be in. It's insulting. You are not average, Gov. Palin, nor is Senator Biden. Don't assign us to a personality because of our income. Here are my issues, that have nothing to do with my salary: affordable heathcare, affordable college education, environmental solutions. Are any two people the same?

10:33: Well, that was interesting. Palin didn't flop as badly as I thought she might, but Biden was still a clear winner, bringing it home at the end. I'm sure I'll have more thoughts in the coming days. 

Tommy Lasorda's gotta relax...

Lookie here folks ... our own female VP candidate used to be a TV sports reporter in Alaska!

She's definitely not bad. She might even be a little good, especially for a 24-year-old. They're trying to appeal to me here, I can feel it. 

Not gonna work.

Obama's speech

OK, so I had to follow up that last post with something that mattered.

I missed the speech because I was at the company picnic. So I found it on Youtube and have been enjoying it.

I loved particularly when he said ...

• Questioning McCain's decisions, voting with Bush 90% of the time: "I don't want to count on a 10 percent change!"
• Saying it's not that McCain doesn't care, it's that he just doesn't know. Exactly.
• I liked where he talked about "affording a college education." I think this is such an important issue that is glazed over in politics. Jeff is swimming in debt, not because he went out and bought expensive clothes, cars, etc. It's because he wanted to go to college. How is this fair or beneficial to our country? The system (of calculating your parents income to determine how much you can pay to go to college, regardless if your parents will contribute or not) is flawed. So flawed. I want change here.
• "I want my daughters to have the exact same opportunities of your sons." 
• He is looking forward to the debates with John McCain. So am I.
• "All across America, something is stirring ... This election isn't about me, it's about you."
• I like how he didn't stick to the teleprompter all the time. When you watch Bush's speeches, he doesn't leave that thing for a second. And while I'm sure Barack had prompters on all sides, his speech just seemed so much more natural.

On the other side of the spectrum, I think it's a pretty shrewd move of McCain to chose a female VP. However, I vote with my head and not my ovaries.