Today, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. The alarm didn't go off on time. The baby was already up and screaming for a diaper change. My commute was awful. The Wizards lost to the Pistons again. So naturally, when I settled in to drop the daily post, I was in the throes of a full scale fit of Niggativity.
I've championed Barack Obama for President since the beginning of this blog, waaay back in 2000 and Seven. For the first time, I believed in a candidate enough to write a massive
Basically, I was prepared to be let down.
Old black folks in the South (ok, really it's just my Mom and Grandma as far as I know) have an old saying called "N.L.". I will let your creative minds guess exactly what "N.L." stands for, but it's basically a black man's version of Murphy's Law. Essentially what it means is that as soon as it looks like a brotha is about to come up, something always has to happen to ruin it and allow Da' Man to maintain his reign of supremacy.
I watched the initial returns from Iowa and saw a three way tie between the Democratic frontrunners, and for a moment, I started getting excited [||] for Obama's chances. I knew it was about time for "N.L." to kick it. I couldn't stand the suspense, so naturally I did a black man's cop-out and started playing PS3 instead of watching more CNN. Hey, I could be doing far worse things.
A few minutes later, my phone starts ringing off the hook. Obama has been declared the winner. I peep CNN, and indeed, dude's won.
Break out the Capri Suns!
Now, before everyone starts getting all giddy and whatnot, lets just remember that this is only one caucus. Yes, this momentum is great, but in the grand scheme, it's more or less the same as a first quarter lead in an NBA game. Yeah, you'd rather be ahead than behind, but the game's far from over.
Nonetheless, I guess it's ok to celebrate for a minute. Iowa is a state that's only 3% black, but Obama won easily. He carried key demographics like the female vote, 18-29 voters, minorities.
That said, Barry better really make sure that closet is extra clean right about now, because after finishing 3rd, you know Hilary is about to shift into a whole n'other gear now. Clintons do not like losing.
I suppose we'll have a much better idea of Obama's chances after New Hamphire and the hardly discussed Michigan (a whopping 157 delegates) primaries over the next couple of weeks, but for now, enjoy history, however fleeting, while you can. And just in case you wanna jump on the bandwagon now, go ahead and break the brotha off with a donation while you're at it.
Shirley Chisolm is smiling inside.
And since we're talking about Chisolm, this makes me wonder: did we experience history in the making tonight? Part of me says we did. Whether or not Obama goes on to win the nomination and/or general election, at the very least, he showed that a black man could win the Iowa Caucus, which is no small accomplishment.
A few cable talking heads deemed the speech that follows as MLK-esque. I didn't necessarily feel incredibly moved by it, but then again, I'm just heartless like that. On the other hand, I doubt the people gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Monument that sunny day in 63' thought they were witnessing history in the making either.
Only time will tell, but I'm sure you guys will weigh in. Was last night historical or just a mere fleeting moment in time?
Obama wins Iowa's Democratic caucus: NBC [Reuters]
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I have been grinning like and idiot and calling all my friends for the last hour. This is some crazy stuff and I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm gonna run for school board next year, cuz apparently black folks can get elected to sh*t. Aw yeah.
Hi, I'm from the BBC World Service, www.worldhaveyoursay.com. We'll be debating the result of the Iowa caucus in our programme today, 6pm London time, 1pm Eastern time US. Would you like to join us? We'd like to hear from you. The question is: does Iowa change anything? What does it say about changes of attitude on race issues in the US? Email me on leonardo.rocha@bbc.co.uk or phone me on +442075570635.
Thanks, Leonardo
Giddy is the word of the day for me! It took me a while to get on board but I became a supporter a couple of months ago. So much so that my 3-yr-old shouts his name whenever he sees him. Last night was amazing. My husband expected tears from me when the media predicted the win. I didn't cry then because we were too busy dancing but they did come as soon as he uttered the first line of his speech. January 3, 2008. Mark it in the books.
I did the exact same thing while watching the results... Except I played with the Wii.... I got my bowl on.
As "giddy" as I am, I'm more paranoid. I am waiting for that "N.L." to come swoop through like I know it will. Moms & Grandmoms been here before... take heed to their warning.
Wizz, Nintendo wii is for pre-teens. Step your game up playa! xBox 360!
I am worried for this dude's safety now that he is presumed as a legitimate threat. They better triple his security detail pronto.
It's a great feeling knowing Obama made it this far. If he doesn't win for any reason I won't hold it against him. He has made a difference in the political arena for years to come- and @ least for now he's making history in a positive way.
This article mentioned Michigan... Hillary is going to win it easily, as none of the other major candidates are on the ballot. Michigan held its primary too early for the DNC's rules, which prohibit any state other than Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and S. Carolina from holding primaries before Feb. 5th. Therefore, the DNC is refusing to seat Michigan's delegates at the national convention, and several major contenders pulled out of the Primary in retaliation for Michigan Democrats ignoring the party leadership.
The only people on the ballot in Michigan are Hillary, Chris Dodd (dropped out of the race altogether), Mike Gravel (lol), or Kucinich (triple lol). Writing in a candidate invalidates the ballot, so no other options are available to voters in Michigan; obviously, Hillary wins.
Not that it'll matter, because the national convention is barring their delegates from joining the party. Florida is in the same boat, btw... their primary on Jan. 29th is also pointless in the race for the nomination.
One additional note - if you're looking for where your N.L. moment might be, look for the Clinton Machine, having won a couple hundred completely uncontested delegates in Florida and Michigan, to use their backroom influence to get these delegates included in the count once the convention begins.
http://bgdboom.blogspot.com/2008/01/kappa-alpha-psi-fraternity-inc-97-years.html
AB, I have to tell you I love your blog. Cudos to you! So efreshing to hear from an intellegent, informed black man.
Re: Barry--Godspeed to that brother. I'm on team Kucinich, and Dennis is taking alot of heat for telling his supporters to back team Barry. Despite the critics speculation as to why he did it, I'm going for it. I think the American people are smarter than the media and the pundits think. Edwards to me seems to be running on spite towards the Clintons, and Hillary, I don't trust. She seems very calculating and sends shivers down my spine every time I hear her speak. Did you see the look on Bill's face when he realized Obama won? Crushed.
My fellow black females were on Hill's bandwagon early on, but I had the feeling that female solidarity wouldn't be enough for Hill to pull Iowa off. I work with mostly white bread, pro-Bush, pro war caucasian males. I've often joked about how they're going to be surprised when their women vote in large numbers for "mandingo". Funny thing is that it seems they would more readily accept that as opposed to their wives, girlfriends, daughters and mothers voting for Hillary. The O'Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh crowd downright despise her and everything she stands for. I hold out hope that this will help Barry in a big way.
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