Party politics, politics party: bittersweet election memories

This is the moment after. You know the one: your eyes have been focused on the path below your feet, each step is your only purpose in life... You stopped counting long ago; the scenery grew stale. Up, up, up you go, your back about to break and your lungs on the verge of collapse. But you focus your energy to make one more step.

Only, there's no step to take; you've reached the top.

There is a moment of precious amazement... and then the cartoon bubble of "What now?" pops up, with a cartoon version of you scratching your head.

The American election has defined me as an American in Cardiff since my first day here. Before that, the election dominated life at home. Dwindling newspapers pried into politicians' lives to dig up stories that would throw a curve ball in the campaign's course and resurrect ratings. Magazines sold comedy about the campaign's players, from satire to slander to caricature.

So, what now?

Welcome to the next era of American politics.

Last night, I was glued to the TV in Ty Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru's headquarters, which hosted an American-themed Obamafest party, complete with hot dogs, salsa, apple pie, Corona with lime and wine. Lots of wine.

Two Plaid people played McCain and Obama in mock debates. "McCain" focused on his war wounds and age; "Obama" used the words "change" and "hope" about 30 times in three minutes. Both tied the American election with U.K. politics; "Obama" compared Dafydd Iwan to extremist enemies, highlighting the American seemingly McCarthyist fear of terrorists and Muslims and individual thinkers, which is hilarious if you understand the carefree nature of the Welsh. He also mentioned a One American coalition, poking at the Plaid-Labour deal here.

Laughs were abundant as I sat with a group of students from Cardiff University. I planned to stay until 12 a.m. (7 p.m. in Ohio). Before I knew it, 12 turned into 5, and my heart turned into cement as McCain conceded.

My new-found Uni friends couldn't seem to understand why I was so sad. Was it the wine? I had been supporting Obama, after all, even if it was by default; I should be overjoyed.

No, sirs, it was not the wine.

No candidate has bowed out with such dignity, grace and class as McCain did last night. (Here's an AP transcript of his speech: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hmJfimrZW3jBur_BmaFtqj7mfFgQD948JFJG5)

The election is over. Obama won. By a landslide: he needed 270 electoral votes, he got 338.

Game over.

I keep lifting my foot to continue hiking toward something, but there is only open air. I look around me and wonder, what now?

an imminent flurry of blogs

I recently returned from a fairy-tale-esque trip to Amsterdam, Paris, Prague, Vienna and Budapest, and I promise to write multiple blogs about my experiences there.

For now, though, let me change the subject to one that's being overly covered (but necessarily so): the election. We all know what's at stake; I'm not going to hound you about our place in the rest of the world, about our flailing economy, about our laws and freedoms... I cannot begin to lecture, because it's not my place. My personal convictions in this election are just that- personal.

I am neither an Obama nor a McCain fan, but Palin tips the scales for me. I will not attack this poor women; she's been attacked by too many people already.

I don't agree with her views on just about anything, but that's me.

I wondered what people here in Wales thought, and here is the response I got from people working with Plaid Cymru.

"She's a nutcase," one colleague said, "but she's hot."

Another said she disliked Palin as much as I did.

One passed me an article from the Guardian, which contained an edited transcript of the prank call. Here's the only transcript I can find Online: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081101/entertainment/palin_transcript (thanks to Yahoo news for this).

There is no doubt in my mind that the media is slanted against Palin and that my view of her has been slanted by all the articles I've read (particularly those from my favorite magazine, The New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2008/09/15/080915ta_talk_lizza, http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2008/09/22/080922sh_shouts_saunders, among others).

Still, I would rather have an enthusiastic, intelligent man as president who has a sturdy VP than one who has a VP with the demeanor of a flaky cheerleader. I like McCain; I like Obama. I'm not crazy about Biden; I can't stand Palin. So, by default, I suppose I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an Obama win.

P.S.- On a side note, I'd like to comment about my last blog. Matt Wardman did not exactly "reveal" that Wardman is his pen name; he unveiled that information on his blog a long time ago. I, however, had no idea that was the case. And, based on the numerous people who called him "Matt" at the conference, I don't think I'm alone. Either way, he's a fantastic blogger, and both he and Betsan Powys helped me adjust to Welsh politics.