I spent most of the evening discussing politics and watching the news at a friend's house. I had to get home to get the kids to bed so I hear the announcement that Barack Obama is our president elect while sitting in my family room by myself. But not really by myself. Thanks to twitter I am receiving updates from colleagues and friends including one who is at Grant Park for the public Obama celebration. "@justinmassa #grantpark largest, most diverse crowd I have ever been a part of".
And really, I grinned through the announcement. I grinned because we had done it. I am proud of the work I did to assist Senator Obama, from the big items to the little items. A colleague emailed me after Ohio went to Obama and said "thanks for all your work in Ohio". As a volunteer, I feel part of the "we" and thanks to social media I always felt very aware of various efforts and communicated with some of them. The connectedness met me at many turns.
The kids at my friend's house felt the excitement. My 11 year old son asked to be woken up when I knew the results of the election. Wonder if he will remember what I told him when he wakes up.
At the friend's house this evening, I told the story of when I met Barack Obama over two years ago. I had not told that story much during the election season. I think my daughter brought it up more than I did the last few months. My initial view of Barack Obama was created at that time and it has only been refined since then.
The Obama campaign was just the right amount of helpful with 2.Ohio. We, the local organizers wanted the event to be heavy on the tech and light on the politics. The national campaign folks and the state campaign folks listened to us and agreed. They provided guidance and advice. And it worked. Worked to the tune of 200+ attendees plus traditional and new media.
I have high hopes for my country. We have such momentum at the moment, we cannot lose it.
