Is this New Hampshire?
I think I am finally getting just a glimpse into what it would be like to live in New Hampshire or Iowa during the primary season in presidential election years.
Being in Oregon we rarely get much attention from presidential candidates in the primary. Our primary is coming up on May 20th (the only other ones left after us are Republican primaries in Idaho & New Mexico, a Democratic primary in Montana, and both parties primaries in South Dakota and Puerto Rico): the airwaves are congested in with political ads, the phone is ringing with pollsters on the other end of the line, and the candidates are actually visiting cities all across the state (and not just stopping in Portland).
Senator Obama was here in Eugene on Friday night speaking to a crowd of about 8000 at the University of Oregon. I just heard on the radio that he will be back to Oregon again this weekend. Senator McCain is here today. Senator Clinton was in Central Point on Thursday and in Portland at OHSU on Friday. President Clinton was in Pendleton last night and is traveling all over the state today promoting a "Bring Your Ballot" events (Oregon is the only state with a complete vote-by-mail system.). We are still hoping for the chance to see Senator Clinton here in town.
For our little family who is interested in the political process, government, public service, current events, history, etc, this is really quite exciting.
Before Senator Obama spoke on Friday night we had a chance to go behind the scenes with a small group and welcome him to Eugene.
Chris got his book signed.
Simon got to shake hands.
I got a blurred shot to go along with my collection of blurred favorites.
And Simon's favorite part of the night was acquiring this flag that he was able to wave like crazy (thanks Emily). He was super serious about his job as a flag waver and made sure that we were all cheering at the appropriate times.
It's a pretty amazing time in the history of our country.
On another note, I hope you all had a fantastic Mother's Day. We got to have lunch with my parents on the coast and dinner with Chris' here in town. We are pretty darn lucky: both our Mother's still love us and listen to us talk politics even though we are on opposite ends of the political spectrum (they definitely don't sit quietly though - lots of lively, interesting discussions).
Love you Mom!
I love seeing Simon enjoying your passions! That's life to me...passing on your enthusiasm in being a responsible citizen of the world to your children. I'm with you on your views 100%. Being involved in the choices we have to make at the polls is the best way to walk-the-walk with our children. Our girls (now 31 & 29) have 'voted' since they were born and even vote 'absentee' when necessary. With your entry you have brought so many thoughts to mind. What a great event for you to be able to participate in as a family. How great is that!!! Thanks for the inspiration as always!
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What an exciting time for your family. Simon made an awesome flag waver and is looking very grown up these days! I'm glad you enjoyed celebrating Mother's Day with your parents and in-laws.
Sue
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Wow! I'm jealous! Wish I could have met Barack Obama. You are soo lucky!
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Ali,
What an experience for all of you, but my comment is really to tell you that the picture of you with Simon on your shoulders is an awesome picture . . . because you're actually in the pic instead of taking the photo yourself and it's just a great picture of Simon. Love that he was so enthusiastic about the flag.
Jenell
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you know ali.. after living in nh most of my life and then coming to ma, which isnt far.... but it is completely different.. not as many signs on EVERY corner, not as many calls.. not as big a focus on the 6 o'clock news..... this year was the first primary where i didnt live in nh... i missed it :(.... love the photos ;) esp. the blurry ones!
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That last photo of you and Simon is beautiful!
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What an amazing experiance that had to have been. Senator Obama is wonderful.
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Can you imagine that signature on future bills and Presidential memo's? .. .I do hear they have a machine that copies the signature for the mundane items ... bet that will be a challenge for the guy who has to duplicate that signature!
Here in Arizona .. there was very little campaigning ... it was the first year where I saw LESS than 100 signs total for all candidates!
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Ali, those are great photos. Your comment about your moms made me smile. My FIL remarried a woman whose political affiliations are opposite of ours... she was mayor of our city when I started dating dh, and she is still active in the political arena, campaigning for a right-wing candidate whenever she can. We all get along great by *not* discussing politics at the table. ;)
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Fabulous photos ali. Even the blury one...
Simon looks so grown up.
Thanks for sharing.
K
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What a fantastic experience. I love how you included Simon. Altho, I am not a supporter of Obama as of yet...I think it is incredibly important to expose our children to the political process. I see our respect eroding away for the Nation's highest office, which is a shame(but then again look what did it!). The Cinton's have visited our small town twice when Mrs. Clinton was running for NY Senate and the whole town turned out to see them. Our town is small, white and Republican...but that didn't matter on those days. The President was in town! Since then Senator Clinton has visited often. I can't wait to see how you journal your experience!
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What an amazing experience!
YES WE CAN!!!!
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What an amazing experience! I'm sure he's as fabulous in person as he is on tv.
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What a great experience for you, Chris and Simon. Who cares about the blurry photos, it is still a treasured memory for you!! LOVE the photo of you and Simon!!!
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What an exciting time - and pictures to prove it!
Thanks for sharing. :)
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What an amazing experience. I am so very pleased to see your post today. It reminds me all things are possible for all. My husband and I are of two different minds about involving our sons in politics... I am all for it and am grateful that my mother always involved me. That is why I am a politically active person, whether it is national politics or local. My husband only recently started to be active... mind you he and I are cut from the same left leaning cloth :-)
Great memories, glad you shared.
Anne
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Wow! Congratualtions on such an amazing experience. It is times like these, when our little ones have an experience that has little meaning other than fun at the time, that makes me proud to be the memory keeper for my family. How Simon will cherish this memory that you will keep for him!
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I know how you feel about "Is this Vermont"? we had the same experience in Virginia! What a lucky duck Chris is to have his book signed!
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Such great shots of Simon-- shaking hands, waving the flag. Love it!
Hopefully you and other Oregonians will be part of history as I would like to see it written!
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Wow! What a super experience, plus some great photos!
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Ali, if you multiply that by a thousand and extend it over numerous months, that is NH. I live here, and while I am politically educated and take my civic duty seriously...it gets old after awhile.
Glad you enjoyed yourself.
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WOW... what an awesome exprience for all of you. I am so jealous.. and I live in Iowa and it it like that here but usually during chilly months so everyone is stuffed inside a big building.. squished and HOT!
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Wow! This is awesome! Can't believe you got to meet AND get your picture taken with our next President!! ;-)
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So Lucky! You actually looked inspiration in the eye when you met Senator Obama. What a thrill. I hope our country is ready
for the change he aspires to bring about.
Simon should be very proud of his Dad and the public service that he has chosen as a career. Bravo to the Edwards family...for being involved in the process and for just being a cool threesome!
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What wonderful photos! I can totally relate to this post - past elections haven't been very interesting or exciting for Democrats here in TX either! But this year has been amazing!! Here's me and my pumpkin at a rally:
http://stampinlibby.blogspot.com/2008/01/obama-top-ten.html
BTW I so admire you for being so open on your blog about your political choices!!
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