Question of the Day | 11/19/2008 11:00 pm

Where were you the moment you heard Obama won the election?

Joan Ganz Cooney | 11/20/2008 12:00 am

Joan Ganz Cooney Takes a Quiet Moment With Jon Stewart

I realized at a party at 10 PM that I wanted to be alone when the announcement came. So I was in bed, watching Jon Stewart’s live coverage of the evening. He turned to the audience at 11 and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, it’s President Barack Obama." I raised my fists in the air, cried out "yes" and then wept.

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Marlo Thomas | 11/20/2008 12:00 am

Marlo Thomas and the Vision of Promise

At home, watching the coverage with my husband and a few friends. And, yes, all of us cried when it was announced that he had won. The most spectacular moment was when both families — the Obamas and Bidens — came out onstage together after McCain conceded. The sight of them was so inspiring. Black and white. Male and female. Young and old. Fulfilling the promise of what we believed this country to be about.

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Liz Smith | 11/20/2008 12:00 am

Liz Smith: In Bed With the Silent Type

I was in bed with my friend Sparky, a King Charles Spaniel. I was eating warmed-over chili and Sparky was chewing on a cow hoof. We were watching ABC coverage and we were so fascinated and happy about the entire evening. I had turned down on Election Night parties because I had been out every night for two weeks and I wanted to savor whatever would happen without other people talking to me. Sparky does not talk.

Click here on this text to read my New York Post column.

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Candice Bergen | 11/20/2008 12:00 am

Candice Bergen: It's Still Sinking In

We were working on the set of "Boston Legal" until late the night of the election but the crew had a little TV on in a corner and mine was on in my dressing room. I was on the phone with my husband in NYC and I am STILL trying to absorb it. And, of course, I cried and I cannot wait till Jan 20th!!

3 Comments

Judith Martin | 11/20/2008 12:00 am

Judith Martin Celebrates Obama in Venice (Photo)

Since we were living on the Grand Canal for the Election, we hung out a flag and, next to it, what looks like our laundry but was actually a perfectly clean T-shirt until Robert wrote on it, in blueberry jam because we didn’t have a magic marker, "Yes, we did!" (Not responsible for mirror at left, which is part of the Biennale Architettura.) All Venice was for Obama, and we accepted cheers, congratulations and free drinks.

2008_1120_judith_martin_venice.<span class="caps">JPG</span>

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Read more about: Barack Obama, Election 2008, History, John McCain, Politics

70 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I wish I could say all was well now, but unfortunately it appears it is just the beginning. I will have to live a life that is quite foreign to me, change how I eat, work, play, etc. etc. my entire life is now new to me. But my visit to the emergency room a couple weeks ago was a wake up call, and that was a blessing because it could have gone a different way and I wouldn’t be alive today. So, I’m hanging onto that thought and living each day as if it were my last. Thanks for the kind words Carmel…..you’re very thoughtful.

By Belinda Joy on 11/20/2008 6:04 pm

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I was alone in my den watching the results and when I realized there was no way he could lose I just started sobbing—I continued to cry everytime someone referred to him as “President Elect” for a week. The tears have subsided into a large goofy grin :)

By Caitlin Mitchell on 11/20/2008 7:28 pm

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Cried and cried and cried and cried…I never thought it was a given…I mean, I was scared that it wouldn’t happen…no matter what the pollsters said…….Just scared…..like what is going to happen if NOT? It’s only in retrospect that I can see how fearful I was….. Didn’t know how to do real time talk with all y’all, but I did keep up with the telephone and the e-mails that I knew how to do…..and I waited to hear the news from the West Coast…….. With the benefit of a child’s portion of Kentucky Reserve bourbon and a neighbor with a little bit of Maker’s Mark….. So ashamed of Kentucky…so happy about Virginia and North Carolina…..Just wanted to see somebody in these really old mountains get with the program….They are so mistaken and misguided….and misled…..i.e., not lead…no leader…. Still, I haff ze gooze bomps…….. In short…I sat up with you all….all y’all…. So I think that I am still feeling like a very weary midwife…..tired, tired, tired and joyful and inexpressably happy with the outcome……and exhausted…….exhausted……..can’t get very excited about who’s wearing what or who’s dissolving a crappy marriage……sorry, wow staff…….. For an old white broad who picked up on this confict/discussion as a four year old …..it’s so not about me…..The water fountains were never off limits to me….. neither was the glass ceiling……….just never had to even try to go there……..I just can’t imagine what it must mean to children of the planet……all god’s chillin’…… Long journey….. Here we all are….. Sorry, Lily…I just can’t keep up with all y’all and I can’t remember how to go to your blog…….Never mind…it’s in the bookmarks maybe……

By georgia fatwood on 11/21/2008 1:04 am

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I was on my sofa watching the returns and had dosed off for a bit ………. awakening to the live video feeds of Chicagoans celebrating.

By Linda Clark on 11/20/2008 11:29 pm

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I was at home watching TV and got to hear his acceptance speach. I am a McCain supporter and believe that McCain was a better choice. With that said, we must all rally behind the President Elect and hopefully our country will do everything it can to put our ‘Country First’ My other hope is that we realize that the social issues are well behind the economy and should not be a factor in this administration.

By miss margaret on 11/21/2008 1:00 pm

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In bed, without even a dog or cat, listening to my youngest in Houston yelling into the phone, with a great din in the background, “We did it, Mama we won! WE WON! HE Won! We did it … “ I was in shock - I’d just heard the first news report on PBS and watching a favorite site in Chicago as the people were so calmly waiting … but I had no idea that my youngest had been stomping for Obama - (I’d given up on all but 1 of my offspring who’ve moved into the higher echelons of “The Hedge’s Empire” and one SIL planning last February to “go to work for Bush” to help with an oncoming economic crash, from Abu Dhabi no less!!! At that point, I plumb gave up. On November 4th “Joy” was mine - to know I had so impressed 1 of my kids! “Impressed? Mama, I’ve told everyone here how you used to drag me to THESE THINGS!” That I did and she had to always wear yellow (to be a true Yellow Dog). When I finally let out a rather loud shout of gratitude, I knew my neighbors had once again heard me, not my classical music, and they would be at my door, knowing for certain that I had done the unforgivable - voted for Obama! (Four times in this voting life of mine, a great person has become president!) Then: Standing ready to volunteer! and today: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081121/bs_nm/us_usa_obama

By C jay on 11/21/2008 5:09 pm

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I just finished my kickboxing class when my husband texted me at 8:02 “IA, CA, WA, VA. 297” I hugged my daughter and got home as fast as I could.

By Kami W on 11/22/2008 9:48 pm

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I was at home folding the laundry and watching history unfold on the TV. My heart caught in my throat and I cried. I still cry - its so hard to believe that “this country” elected a black man for president - I only wish my sister was here to see this. I miss seeing the joy this would have brought to her.

By Leanette T on 11/24/2008 11:29 pm