Election post 3

The national results are basically in – McCain has conceded, and Obama has given his first speech since being elected. Now, on the local level, California is at just 17% of statewide precints reporting. The Castro is thronged with people cheering Obama’s win, and waiting for more results on Prop 8 – the ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage. I’m listening to the news helicopters overhead, and friends are texting me from the crowd. Castro Street is blocked off, and it looks like people are getting ready for a night of waiting for results.

Prop 8 is now leading, and we’re all just hoping its the Bay Area and LA counties which are lagging in reporting. But no one knows – the Secretary of State real-time results website for stats by county is not responding. Either it’s swamped, or having some other breakdown.

Election post 2

Now that Obama has won enough of the toss-up states to be declared the President-elect, it’s fun watching the CNN and FoxNews talking heads spin how despite winning the Presidency as well as picking up House and Senate seats, this election does not represent a progressive mandate.

What can one say but ‘We had a fool for a leader, and we followed him foolishly’ about the last eight years? Too long, but we’re correcting course at last.

Election day

I’m blogging this from Bernie’s “a local girl’s coffee” on 24th Street. I’m eschewing my normal early morning ritual of news reading. No New York Times (online, ‘natch), Huffington Post, Daily Dish or Politico this morning. Let’s face it – until at least 5pm Pacific today, all the news is recycled polls, recycled pundits and other stuff that will be outdated once real votes are being counted.

Rick sent his ballot in a week ago. I will drop mine off in a few minutes. I’m not sure but I think all the mail-in and drop-off ballots get counted after all the votes that are cast at the polling places. As long as they all get counted. Let’s hope those areas that have historically had, shall we say problems, getting all votes counted have gotten their acts together so that the people can democratically express their will – cough OHIO cough FLORIDA. And perhaps here in Queeristan all the ballot boxes may safely find their ways to City Hall for the official count – rather than turn up in the odd warehouse corner months from now.

Rick and I will be at friends tonight watching the election results. Which biased mainstream media will we watch? Okay – FoxNews we may switch too for laughs – but only when MSNBC has commercial breaks. I hope Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann are covering tonight.

Despite the fact that eastern state polls begin closing at 5pm here, we’ll be in suspense. CA Prop 8 (a.k.a the Mormons H8 Queers Initiative) at least will keep us on the edge of our seats, even if the national election gets called early. Not that the Presidential race is any shoo-in. I don’t trust polls much – do you really tell an anonymous phone caller what your political views are? So the Obama – McCain race might be a nail biter, too. And we’ll be looking closely at how many seats change hands from R to D in Congress. Go Kay Hagan! (NC) Go Al Franken! (MN) Go Jim Martin! (GA) Go Bruce Lunsford! (KY)

I am most anxious about Prop 8. Well, that has the most direct impact on me and my family. I would be as nervous about the prospect of Sarah Palin winning high office except it seems so unlikely. There’s nothing to do at this point except wait.

A final few personal notes and sentiments:
Prop 8 supporters – Please consider whether you want someone else voting on your marriage before you vote on mine.
Everyone – can we get past the “Real America” and “The others” and “That one” stuff?
Sen. Obama – You’ve changed the country for the better no matter the outcome of the race.
Sen. McCain – You crazy old coot! You had everyone fooled, until 2008.
Sen. Dole – He will judge you.