Twittering

Living the Obama Rally

        Moments after 10 p.m., when the bell sounded indicating CNN was prepared to call another state, the people fell silent for just a brief instant, like the sliver of white line defining the horizon between the sea and the sky. In one fell swoop, Wolf Blitzer called California, Oregon, and Washington all solidly for Barack Obama, pushing his electoral college vote over the 270 he needed.
        The ground shook as the people exploding into cheers, tears, laughter, high-fives, strangers hugging strangers, and lovers embracing lovers. Thunderous ovation plundered.
        The jumbo-tron flashed to a live shot of Grant Park.
        Oprah was with the people.
        And Reverend Jessie Jackson stood silently somber, a lifetime of work come to fruition, tears running down his face. The people danced around him.
        A fallen war hero, Senetor John McCain appeared on the jumbo-tron.
        “My friends.” He hushed the people into silence as they watched and listened intently. He spoke of his admiration for Barack Obama, and his accomplishment not only as the first African-American to be elected to office, but as a man who persevered through the campaign while inspiring millions who felt they had no stake, or could make no difference.
        “I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.”

        The shadow of nearly eight years of fear, and terror, and war begin to melt away.
        “Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting the next First Family of the United States of America.”
        Michelle and Barack walked across the stage, a bounce in their step. Malia and Sasha ran forward. Their faces--the whole family--beamed of youth, energy, optimism, and hope.
        Obama approached the podium.
        “Change has come to America.”

        When Obama finished speaking, the people retreated back into the city. Spirits high, they yelled in the gullies of high rises, and danced on State Street. A mass of humanity from all walks of life, all backgrounds, all experiences, making its way through the city, high on hope. High on a common vision of optimism.
        The last time we felt that feeling was in 1996 on the streets of Atlanta during the Centennial Olympic Games.
        For a brief moment--an evening--we could feel how living in a diverse world is supposed to feel. Change is opportunity. Opportunity is challenge. Challenge makes us better people. Better people come together. Together, we can do it, yes we can.

More on the Obama Election Night Rally
        Tony’s Obama Rally Photoset
        Tim’s Obama Rally Photoset, Includes a few videos
        Tony’s Twitter Page
        Tim’s Twitter Page
        Chicagoist’s live-blogging report on the Obama Rally with Tim’s contributions
        Chicagoist’s Obama Rally Photo Galley I
        Chicagoist’s Obama Rally Photo Galley II
        Chicagoist’s Obama Rally Photo Galley III

Was that Tony on NBC?
        Yes, we bumped into Kevin Tibbles moments before he went live, and Tony jumped in the background. And the facial hair? Yeah, that’s new, too. Tim was busy snapping photos.

Special Thanks
        Special thanks to Jessica, a.k.a. Little Mary Sunshine, who was able to get us the tickets so that we could tag along as “+1.”