I'll Address This Topic Again in Four Years

Today's the first day I've had my computer up and running, connected to the internet, and properly assembled in my new office, so... hi!  Did you miss me? 

At some point during the last week when putting this room all together you'd think I'd have noticed the windows in my office are like God shining a flashlight down on the earth, but I did not.  Now in order to actually sit here at my desk and not be blinded, I have cardboard boxes shoved in the windows to block the direct rays.  I'm sure my neighbors are super-pleased and I've thus again proved you can take me out of the ghetto, but...

Anyway, what to cover first?  I've gotten too many emails to ignore the elephant in the living room so I'm breaking my own rules and talking about the election. 

In short, my team did not win. 

And in theory, I'm partially at fault because I didn't work for the campaign like I normally do.  Worse yet (although it wouldn't have mattered because I not only live in a Blue State, but also the president-elect's HOMETOWN) I didn't even get to vote.  Our move was supposed to be complete around 2:00 PM last Tuesday at which point Fletch and I were to head to the polls.  Our movers didn't get done until almost 8:00 PM.  As we were tied up at both houses the whole time, we never got a chance to leave.  Argh.

So, here's where you might think I cry and moan and rend my garments. 

Not going to happen. 

My guy lost.  I accept that.  (And watching his concession speech, I wonder if he even really wanted it in the first place.) 

Although I'm not on board with many of the coming administration's views, I'm not going to spend the next four to eight years of my life despising Obama.  I'm not going to place "presidential countdown" tickers on the side of my blog.  I'm not going to cover my car with hateful bumper stickers. 

I don't want to waste that kind of energy. 

I'm not going to disrespect the office Obama's about to hold, regardless that it's well within my rights to do so.  I'm going to do my best to support him because I believe he's a good man with honorable intentions, even if I think he's way off on stuff like taxes and the Second Amendment. 

President-elect Obama and I are not on the same page politically, but this summer we were on the same page of the NYT bestselling list.  I guarantee he and I have common ground; I just need to find it.  I plan to read his memoirs because I think it's important to connect with him.  He seems like an awfully likable guy and I'm determined to find a way to do so.    

This election reminds me of a powerful speech I heard years ago.  A quick Google search reveals nothing about who said it (maybe Bush on the campaign trail?), but the gist of it was, "They had their chance to lead; they failed."  Kind of ironic that it now applies to the side who said it first, but it's true.  My team failed.  We didn't deserve another win.   

On his show, Dennis Miller talked about taking a car service somewhere the day after the election.  His driver was telling him how he cried when he saw the results.  Miller said that even though he spent the last year rallying against an Obama presidency, he could recognize the value of having someone lead who inspires that much hope.  I can't disagree.

I'll be rooting for Obama's policies to exact the positive changes for which everyone hopes.  Now his team has the chance to lead and, for the good of this country, I want them to be successful. 

Fortunately after the past eight years, the bar hasn't been set too high.

On the other hand, I keep quietly repeating something my friend Lisa wrote in my birthday card last week... "We'd never have had a Reagan without a Carter."

So I figure whatever happens, I eventually win.

(Am closing comments the minute anyone attacks anyone else.  Be respectful to each other, please.) 

Comments

[Danielle]

Not sure if anyone else commented on this cause I didn't take the time to read all of the comments but you might want to register absentee so you don't ever have to miss out again :)

[sunni]

Thanks Jen. My team didn't win, and I must admit I'm pretty scared about the next four years, but like you, I wish him the best. He is my President whether I voted for him or not. America is-and will always be-the greatest country on Earth no matter who holds the office. Now, promise me one thing...in the whole "spirit of change" era, don't you change and go all soft, sensitive and nice on us. Keep the laughs coming by being the bitchy, snarky, hilarious diva that you are.

You rock.

[Lisa Randall]

Amen, amen, amen, amen!! But I am leaving my McCain Palin bumper sticker on my car because I live in a red state and if somehow things get messed up I want it on the record that I voted Republican!

[Veronica]

I feel the same way about my vote, living in Nebraska as you about your vote and living in Illinois. Sigh. I have always thought Obama's public speaking to be a little too "Independence Day" for my liking, but I agree with you that having the ability to give so many people hope really is something that can't go unnoticed. Sorry your team didn't win. I still love your books.

[Brianna]

Very nicely said. I believe that Obama is going to have a very high expectation to live up to and that his presidency is going to be scrutinized more than any other before him.

The current administration set the bar low but everyone expects so much change out of Obama that all I can think is "dear god, don't let him screw this up".

[Katherine]

I actually fall on the other side of the coin, but I live in a house full of Republicans (Pennsylvanians, no less), and they're not taking it quite as well as you are! (a lot of Obama bashing there). I too believe that regardless of your political opinions, this country needs to pull itself back together again.

[Kerry McCarville]

Jen - Thank you for taking the high road. My team lost, too! But like you I WILL NOT stoop to any commentary that is demeaning to the Office of the President. I may criticize and not agree with positions, etc but he is our President. I want him to succeed because then our country succeeds. I wish that others would have taken this stance in the previous 8 years.

The only thing that I am still sad about is that so many women that I know voted for Mr. Obama without being able to articulate one position that he held that they agreed with save maybe "pro-Choice". He is definitly a likeable and well-spoken, attractive person. However, I am not sure that is a reason to vote for someone for President. I am not saying everyone I know is uninformed, some are most definitly in agreement with his liberal positions. It is just sad to me that people will vote for "change" without even knowing what that is.

But here we are. I hope it is a prosperous 4 years for ALL Americians.

P.s. I am not feeling patriotic about paying more taxes than I already am!!!!!

[tina]

Its graceful, thoughtful dialogue like yours that I am so hopeful we see more of in the coming years. We need to come back together as a country, period. And I know that it wasn't always this partisan, this divided. I hate to say it, but Jenn you and your blonde Republican sister, Elizabeth Hasselback, have handed this with grace and it is not easy for me to say that. I hope that we all can work together to move this country forward.

[KTSB]

Jen,
You've summed it up nicely. The GOP did not deserve to win this elelction. We ran a piss-poor campaign, and for that we should not have won. I do hope that Pres-elect Obama does live up to the expectations he has set throughout the land. I disagree with many of the man's positions, but he is going to be the President and I can respect that.

I highly reccommend David Frum's columns and books.

[Linds]

oh jenn, you could preach to us about taxes and the second ammendment and ann coulter and elephants all day, im just glad youre back and posting again!

[Mrs.D]

You are one classy chick. I love your outlook. Maybe the new quote could be "we wouldn't have had an Obama without a Bush", lol.

[AJMick]

See... I totally knew you would figure out a solution to the window covering problem! Way to go, Jen!

Nice comments on the election, too. :)

[Jen]

I am so glad you came forward in a gracious way. I too am disappointed in the outcome, though I decided to take it better then my grandfather is, he refuses to put out his American Flag, he has been flying it in the front yard for some 50 years! I hope with all my heart that I am wrong and Obama does good things, (ok not all my heart, there have been quite a few rude Obama supporters that I have come across and would love to give them an "I told ya so" in 4 years). I know that no president is perfect and No president is ever going to be! But I would like to see the divide between the parties lessen and see us get back to what this country was founded for, unity!

As my grandmother says, "We always have more fun when democrats are in power! Cigar anyone?"

[Tricia]

Well said. It's funny, my team lost but I've spent almost a week now praising Obama in an attempt to save my mother from jumping off a large building.

[JellyBean]

I'd read that Obama said in the weeks leading up to the election that what kept him awake at night was not losing the election, but having to actually take office and lead the country with all the problems we are having right now. After hearing McCain's concession speech (it was very graceful) my husband and I both agreed that McCain must have voted for Obama - and with some relief!

[kristin]

Okay Jen - If you think the thought of Obama's White House tour is funny - you *have to check this out:

twitter.com/LameBush

it's tweets from "Bush" giving out White House Insider secrets - like, you don't have to bring your lunch, they 'll make anything you want, and funnier stuff.

[Lisa Johnson]

Forgot to say....WELCOME BACK!!!! I check your blog every day several times needing a good old laugh and your time away has caused me to up my mood enhancing meds and wine intake consideralbly!

[rebecca]

Lovely post, I appreciate the respectful words. My guy won (another heathen liberal here) and I couldn't be happier. But I was also highly impressed by McCain's concession speech... for me it was the classiest thing I'd heard from him - I really thought it was that good. (Hope that reads right - it's supposed to be a compliment!)

I just wish all the others could be as gracious as you're being... my son and I (who's TWELVE, btw) have been getting some crap from some bad losers and it's just nice to see open minds. I hope our guy ends up impressing you too.

[Lisa Johnson]

Amen Sista From Anotha Motha! My team lost but if we all remember that one man no matter his politics can not fix the entire country then maybe his fall from grace will not happen. Let's all hope he has the wisdom to appointment the best people to work in his administration. I'll admit right off the bat that he's 100 % better at "speechifying" then Bush ever was, though that always was good for laughs!

[Lisa]

Amen, Jen! I told my kids the same thing. You have to support your President. Let's at least give Obama a chance. He may surprise those of us who are Republicans. Like you, I disagree with his taxes and Second Amendment, but I think he is decent and this country is due for a little shot of fresh air in our leadership.
Could not have said it better myself.

[V]

My thoughts EXACTLY. While I generally enjoy saying "I told you so" - I hope to God I don't have to this time around.

[Mary]

As an avid Democrat, I like your style Jen! Thanks for being gracious, just like your nominee was. Even though Obama won, I just want to point out what Christopher Beam said on www.theroot.com (mostly cause it's f-ing hilarious like Jen).

Black people aren't the only ones worried about embarrassing themselves now that Obama is president-elect. Here are a few pointers for white people.

Don't use the phrase "white people" in any way that suggests it doesn't include you.

Contrary to popular belief, having voted for Obama does not make you even "semi-down." Sorry if there was any confusion there.

Jen,
Props again and glad that was NOT you on the airplane to Baltimore cause I would have had to tell you to lose the black pants/brown shoes combo (that biotch was out of her mind)! Can't wait for Pretty in Plaid!

[Amy the Coffee Gal]

Good to have you blogging again Jen! Hope you & the fam are settling in nicely in your new home. Though I am wild-woman busy trying to open a coffee shop, I like to read your blog b/c it uplifts me & gives me the giggle I need to keep on goin'. I am a lil' crazy cuz my dream job, um, requires me to be up at 4am & I have been a night owl for the past 10 years. So sorry if I just rambled on your comments about coffee. I only meant to say, You were missed & can't wait for the book.
k, will leave you alone now.

[Molly]

Happy Birthday!!! (Sorry it is belated!)

[Katie]

As always, eloquent as ever! I applaud you for saying what I feel but can not express!

[Molly]

Well said Jen. I feel the same.

[mickey]

Another excellent post and very well put.

I do think that McCain gave a good concession speech, and I hope Obama does well as President. I also recommend reading Obama's books, though I prefer the first one.

My best friend has been a royal pain in the butt since the election. He went into a funk since McCain lost and will not get over it. Even after I decided to be mature, not gloat, and not do naked cartwheels across his front yard.

Oh well.

[Ginny]

Welcome back, Jen! Hope the new house is fabulous! We missed you!!!

No matter which party everyone supported, I hope we can all come together now in support of our new President-elect. I could not have been happier about the outcome of the election, but my mom has not spoken to me for over a month now because I VERY politely and respectfully (not kidding!) asked her to PLEASE stop forwarding to me all the Obama Haterade emails. She remains convinced the outcome of this election signals we are nearing the end of days. Sigh ...

So I hope a time of healing has arrived when all of us can put this painful election cycle behind us and look toward the future -- hopefully a future which includes peace and prosperity for our great nation and its wonderful people!

[Erin]

I think that's very admirable of you to say that. My team did "win", however, I admired McCain's concession speech, and thought it was quite noble of him. That's for being honest, but respectful.

[Amy from Portland, OR]

As a person who supports President-elect Obama, I thank you for your gracious words and am grateful that you are willing to give the man a chance. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Your blog and books are great, keep up the good work and the laughs coming. :)

[Megan]

I have to say thank you for your classy comments on the election. It was unavoidable - you had to break your rule and comment - but I am one of your many readers who appreciates your rule to avoid the subject (primarily because I love and adore you but I am a hardcore bleeding heart liberal and am always scared you might say something that would dampen my love and adoration). That being said, my guy won and I am ecstatically happy - one of those people that shed tears Tuesday night, and a few times since. I hope that with your comments you have helped some people come to terms with their guy losing and helped to show that even if you disagree with Obama's politics, he needs everyone's support in order to make positive change happen. Thank you for yours.

[DGs World By Big D]

Jen,
As usual, well said. I just mailed two of your books to a girlfriend of mine...been telling her forever that she will laugh so hard she'll poop her pants, so she said "send 'em down to me."

In the meantime - yeah, my side lost too...but I never was sold on McCain. The amnesty bill he tried to push through in the dark of night sort of rubbed me the wrong way. That said, I liked him better than Obama.

I've got a fairly open mind about The O Man.

OK, that's complete shit, but I AM TRYING to have an open mind.

Of course, I'm the chick that drank half a bottle of vodka on election night and was drunk off her ass, to dull the pain.

I figure that Obama's tenure as Prez will give me (at the very least) some really good drinkin'...and that ain't necessarily a bad thing. So, CHEERS Dems! Prosit!

[Barbs]

Jen, you have made my day. My husband and I have been reading your books together, and I am going to print this post and show it to him this evening. Our nineteen-year-old daughter voted for Obama and he's just broken-hearted over it. They aren't even speaking to each other right now. Hopefully after reading your post, he'll at least be able to start a dialogue with her.

[Francesca]

I'm a big fan of your books and blog, Jenn, and now I'm an even bigger fan. You are very classy and gracious. Even though my guy did win I hope that he will be able to form an administration that hears voices from all political views.

[Becca]

Great post Jen. Republicans will get their chance again. We just have to wait for the Democrats to mess up. Which they will. :)

[andie]

Your post is exactly how I feel, Jen.

[the governor of jennsylvania]

BTW, is anyone else amused by the thought of the tour the Bushes are giving the Obamas right now?

"And this toilet in here runs a little so you have to jiggle the handle. Trash day is Thursday and if you put styrofoam in the recycle bin they won't pick it up. Break down your cardboard moving boxes or they won't take them, either."

[Operation Pink Herring]

This was the most refreshing post I've ever read on politics. Three cheers!

[cat]

Amen, Jen. Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Katie]

amazing post. exactly how i feel about the impending administration.

[Toots]

Thank you for this post. I understand why you don't like to discuss politics, but hearing the tone of hope and consolation in your words--I'm inspired.

[Patsgirl]

Jen,
I'm a new fan in the middle of your second book. I've read a bit out of order, am sad it's my last book of yours to read for a bit.

Thank you for inspiring me to be a better person regarding this election. I have not been a fan of Obama's and I've been dreading this election as the winner seemed to be predetermined some time ago. You are absolutely right, the bar has been set low, so the country (HOPEFULLY) can only go up from here.

Thanks for being level headed, when I wanted to whine and turn my TV off for 4 years.

Glad you're back, missed you!

[Cheryl]

Great post.

And i have to say i'm kicking myself--was in Chicago on Oct 10th and would have loved to come to the bookstore for your appearance. That's what i get for being too busy and not checking your site regularly last month! UGH!!! My husband ran the marathon on the 12th. Have you ever been to the Chicago Pizza Oven & Grinder? Mmmmm... sooo good! We capped off our stay at Gino's East for the requisite Deep Dish. Congrats on the house!! Very cool. I always enjoy your books and your site--been a reader for a couple yrs now. Looking forward to Pretty in Plaid!

[Heather]

I only want to say: Thank you. Well written and exactly how I feel.

[Kim B.]

Jen

Just wanted to say I felt like my team lost too. And I kept waiting for the proverbial slap in the face and the "YOU WERE WRONG" from my friends, and it hasn't come. I'm glad that my friends haven't rubbed my nose in it and I'm glad some I respect as much as I do is being so cool and classy. Can't wait to hear about your asethetic choices being made in the near future for the new house. I know moving and decorating with a boy can be hard and therefore hilarious!

[cynmothorn]

Great to have you back! Your post was as gracious as Mr. McCain's speech. And I have to agree with you, I am also not sure he expected or wanted to win! We are facing a very interesting future as a country.....and if one more person says that this election is the starting point for the END OF TIMES...I may puke. But I digress, thanks for the post and keep 'em comin'!

[Vicki]

Hey Jen,
I missed you!!! I just recently read all 3 of your books and had just started to read your blog when "THE MOVE" began. Made me sad. I'm glad you're back.

My guy didn't win either and I've had to listen to the other side here in my office for months. It's amazing how eloquent they can be when they speak of their guy and how undignified they are when it comes to our guy.

Anyway, I'm with you. There's nothing to be gained by complaining. Mr. Obama needs our support. His is not an easy job and I hope he enjoys this time with his girls once he gets in office I'm sure all bets will be off.

Thanks for expressing dignity and compassion in our defeat.

I'm glad you're back.

[Jeannie B.]

I feel very much the same way as you about the election and its results. It's nice to see my feelings mirrored in your words. Politics aside, weren't you glad when that skanktacular Megan was sent packing from Rock of Love Charm School?

[Kim M.]

I love it that I'm response post # 69. I've thought of nothing but the election for months. It's nice that my thoughts now turn to.... something not as perverted as our election process and all the money involved. My team won, I'm happy & hopeful, but we could have bailed out more that a few failing businesses with what was spent - not that I support that. I don't think Obama bought the campaign, but I think there's got to be a better, less expensive way... Ok, my thoughts were turned to being # 69 and trying to make something of it even less time that it takes to "get things done"! :)

[MZA]

If you are trying to be the next Bill O'Reilly. . . UR doin it wrong! LOL

hehe jk!