Arrived back in London early this morning. It's grey and cold. But the warmth and the aura of Tuesday's stunning election result shine through as the newspapers publish pages and pages of Obama stories with front pages given over to record the historic victory.
Even The Sun headline reads: THE EARTH MOVED. We all feel moved by the last week's campaigning - the expectations are high, the enthusiasm and relief were tangible, and there are big lessons for us Brits in motivating volunteers and voters.
This is the final post for Virginia Real. Well, perhaps until we get closer to Inauguration Day on 20 January 2009. Bring on President Obama!
PS and just in case you missed the headlines, check this out: http://obama2008.s3.amazonaws.com/headlines.html
Thursday 6 November 2008
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Where were you when...
Barack Obama was elected President? None of us will forget this moment wherever we were when we heard the news.
After the partying last night in the Dogwood Tavern, it feels calm today. Strange even, as we pack up, say goodbyes and head off in different directions.
A great adventure and many thanks to my fellow Brits: Denise, Lisa, Siobhan and Liz, and to our hosts in Falls Church, Virginia - Bill and Virginia. Happy birthday Virginia - what a day to celebrate!
After the partying last night in the Dogwood Tavern, it feels calm today. Strange even, as we pack up, say goodbyes and head off in different directions.
A great adventure and many thanks to my fellow Brits: Denise, Lisa, Siobhan and Liz, and to our hosts in Falls Church, Virginia - Bill and Virginia. Happy birthday Virginia - what a day to celebrate!
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Yes we can, yes we did
Oh what a night! Who would have believed that Barack Obama would be able to deliver his victory address at midnight.
A new dawn and a new era has arrived for the UNITED States of America.
Welcome President Obama. The man has inspired a country, now he can change the world.
It has been a privilege to share the last few days with the people of northern Virginia. A special thanks to Virginia and Bill for all their hospitality.
We look forward to seeing them and other new friends in London. Bring on the election in the UK in 2010...
A new dawn and a new era has arrived for the UNITED States of America.
Welcome President Obama. The man has inspired a country, now he can change the world.
It has been a privilege to share the last few days with the people of northern Virginia. A special thanks to Virginia and Bill for all their hospitality.
We look forward to seeing them and other new friends in London. Bring on the election in the UK in 2010...
We have seen the future
Obama has galvanised political activism. There were hundreds and hundreds of young people volunteering in northern Virginia, even though many were too young to vote.
Imagine one 17 year old African American volunteer, who has been working for Obama since June in northern Virginia.
He says he wanted to be President of the USA at the age of three. His name is Jeff Thomson - don't forget that name!
Imagine one 17 year old African American volunteer, who has been working for Obama since June in northern Virginia.
He says he wanted to be President of the USA at the age of three. His name is Jeff Thomson - don't forget that name!
The polls close and the waiting starts
Polling closed here in Virginia almost an hour ago and it's tense as we wait for the results to come through.
It's been an amazing day. The enthusiasm and excitement for Obama has been evident everywhere. Voters queuing to vote from 4am this morning! Almost half of people voting by 10am! Hoots and cheering on the streets!
All despite rain in northern Virginia this afternoon. But not enough to stop people going to the polls en masse.
Today we've been out knocking on doors, leafleting and encouraging drivers to get out and vote.
The number and diversity of volunteers out for Obama has been astounding, as has the organisation of the Democrats on the ground in northern Virginia. All inspired by Barack Obama.
It feels like May 1997 when Tony Blair was elected in the UK.
The world waits...
It's been an amazing day. The enthusiasm and excitement for Obama has been evident everywhere. Voters queuing to vote from 4am this morning! Almost half of people voting by 10am! Hoots and cheering on the streets!
All despite rain in northern Virginia this afternoon. But not enough to stop people going to the polls en masse.
Today we've been out knocking on doors, leafleting and encouraging drivers to get out and vote.
The number and diversity of volunteers out for Obama has been astounding, as has the organisation of the Democrats on the ground in northern Virginia. All inspired by Barack Obama.
It feels like May 1997 when Tony Blair was elected in the UK.
The world waits...
Voting early
The excitement is mounting. As this story shows, people were lining up at 4am (!) to vote this morning. Imagine that happening in Britain!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/04/virginia-barack-obama-election-day
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/04/virginia-barack-obama-election-day
Monday 3 November 2008
Change we need
and change is coming, with polls closing at 7pm this evening in Virginia.
We are just back from five hours in Monassas where Barack Obama held the final rally of his two year campaign to be the next President of the USA.
Almost 100,000 people waited patiently for Obama, entertained by a music loop of Jackie Wilson, U2 and Springsteen, very familiar to Labour party conferences. The diverse crowd clearly have huge expectations of Barack Obama.
He didn't disappoint. Obama reminded people why McCain shouldn't be allowed to continue George Bush's failed polices and said how he would revive the economy, tax people earning over $250,000 more, and improve healthcare and education.
He ended with a story from a visit to South Carolina which enabled him to say how one voice can change a room and that can in turn change a city, state, nation and the world. Let's hope people do go out and vote and that this man is the next President tomorrow.
We all left 'fired up and ready to go'.
We are just back from five hours in Monassas where Barack Obama held the final rally of his two year campaign to be the next President of the USA.
Almost 100,000 people waited patiently for Obama, entertained by a music loop of Jackie Wilson, U2 and Springsteen, very familiar to Labour party conferences. The diverse crowd clearly have huge expectations of Barack Obama.
He didn't disappoint. Obama reminded people why McCain shouldn't be allowed to continue George Bush's failed polices and said how he would revive the economy, tax people earning over $250,000 more, and improve healthcare and education.
He ended with a story from a visit to South Carolina which enabled him to say how one voice can change a room and that can in turn change a city, state, nation and the world. Let's hope people do go out and vote and that this man is the next President tomorrow.
We all left 'fired up and ready to go'.
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