Where Were You Last Night When You Heard The News?

Symarip

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Wed Jun-04-08 09:23 AM
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Where Were You Last Night When You Heard The News?

Tuesday nights, I play downtown DC. On the drive into town, I was listening to Sirius radio, tuned to CNN, saying that Obama was 4 delegates away from clenching the nomination. There was a horrible accident on I-66 that shut down two lanes heading East bound into DC (the route I was heading) and completely shutting down West bound traffic. I turned down the radio to concentrate on the drivers bobbing and weaving through the congestion. At times, the rain was coming down so hard it bounce a foot or two off the concrete.

I pulled into the North West district of DC around 8:45. Parking? Horrible. I parked my car 5 blocks from the club and loaded out my trombone (ie, The Mancannon) and walked to the club. There was a break in the rain, thank god. Me being from San Diego, I hate rain with great fervor. I entered the nearly empty bar, set my horn down, grabbed a National Bohemian (think Pabst Blue Ribbon, but cheaper!) and around 9:00 pm, my phone blew the fuck up.

Text messages started coming in from all my friends across the country, mostly from back home, all saying the same thing: It's over! The nomination is now officially clenched by Senator Obama. I walked outside to pretend to have a cigarette (I quit last week). I guess nothing had really prepared me for the moment even though I knew it was inevitable. I guess I've become desensitized a little bit by the onslaught of media and debate and the constant up and down rollercoaster the last 5 months have been. My bandmates were still loading in through the front door, and I gave them the news. Everyone seemed to light up and expel a sigh of relief all at once. As GD: P can attest, this has been a long haul for anyone remotely involved with the Democratic Party.

Shortly thereafter, it started to rain again. Outside, under a steel tarp protecting the patio, I watched people in the streets of DC hugging each other: Blacks and whites and latinos, men and women, everyone. People rolling by with their windows down shouting "OBAMA" and "WE DID IT" in what I can only describe as a verbal drive-by. It was amazing - something out of a movie. DC bars and clubs are intertwined with buildings where people live. Co-habitants were mingling outside, smoking their cigarettes, talking on their phones to loved ones and friends. Everyone had a smile on their face. Complete strangers would come up and ask, "what's happening" to those who were cheering and gleeming. Upon hearing the news, there were handshakes and more hugs. Imagine that? Strangers embracing each other and sharing a moment of joy.

So, in short, it was the best National Bohemian beer I've ever had.

Sometime during the drive home, I thought about Clinton supporters. And I was perplexed where my feelings should lie. I decided that every contest has a winner and a loser. There's no shame in winning or losing. The real test is how you conduct yourself in those times of victory or defeat. I urge Democrats to unite so we may go forward and field more victories. Not just with this particular contest, but also in the House and the Senate. We really can have it all this year, even if the face on the stamp isn't the one you hoped it would be. The ball's in our court and I urge everyone to do what's right.

But back to the subject at hand: we now have the Democratic Party presidential nominee. His name is Barrack Obama and he will be the next President of the United States.

Cheers!