I was dismayed (but not surprised) when the crowd broke out in boos and derision when, during his concession speech, John McCain mentioned Barack Obama. I contrast that with the cheers (admittedly, more of the "golf clap" variety than the full-throated roar that greeted Obama when he walked out onto the stage in Grant Park) that came when President-Elect Obama mentioned McCain in his victory speech.
I can't help but think that those catcalls were a legacy of the mean-spirited campaign that McCain ran, and the politics of fear that has been the Republicans' mainstay for lo! these many years. I would love it if they were to be erased over the next four years. But I'm not betting on it.
I wasn't surprised either, unfortunately. I had heard some rumors in the blogosphere that some of the shouts during McSame's concession speach were of the same type as during the campaign. Nothing's been said in the press anywhere that I can find, but given the fact that there are shiny new baubles to be distracted by, I suppose that's not at all surprising.
We can hope that things will change in a well-run Obama administration. But considering how the Rethugs acted during Clinton's time, I guess that's hoping against hope.
Posted by: Charles2 | Thursday, 06 November 2008 at 09:45