I have spent many election nights in the Biltmore, waiting for returns and reaction. It is our most storied arena for what some consider our favorite sport.
But November 4, 2008 was such a sharp contrast. The word historic is too easy. The word different is not enough.
At one point, my photographer and I reflected on how we see some of the 'regulars' only once every 2 years or so. They are the organizers, the behind the scenes operatives and in a few cases, the 'king makers'. They are the brains and the money. Some, both. You may not know all their names but you are more than likely impacted by most of their work. Early on, those faces filled the room with smiles and hand shakes as they exchanged their opinions and perhaps a cold beverage or two.
But this night was. . .something.
The old guard of the democratic party was joined by a sea of unknown and in many cases young humanity. You could tell they were new to the election night game as they climbed on the stage when it wasn't ocupied and snapped pictures of each other at the podium reserved for the candidates' concessions or celebrations. They wore sweatshirts and long hair instead of ties and neat parts. They got louder throughout the night and by ten or so they sort of swallowed up and maybe even nudged the others away from the television. But a thunderous difference came with the first word that Barack Obama was the president-elect.
Suddenly, 'Oh---bom--uh' chants filled the room and tears filled many eyes. The emotion was something I've never seen in that stately room. The happiness, the glee, maybe some relief and more than anything, the unshadowed optimism.
We saw more of that in the streets, streaming down college hill and into Kennedy Plaza. Four to five people wide, walking forward, yelling with excitement and pounding the crisp midnight air with their fists. The chanting. . .Oh----bom----uh. . .continued as though they were in an arena, celebrating a cleanup hitter or a quarterback. I asked a few where they were going. They all said the same thing.
"I don't know."
And they don't. But there's no doubt they feel a strong connection to what happened on November 4, 2008. They feel important. They feel powerful. They feel maybe for the first time in their lives that they are a vital part of the process that's been celebrated for so many years without them.
Walt Buteau
