Today I feel ...
... Elated. Not yet jubilant. That state of nirvana won’t happen until 12:01 pm January 20. But elation about Joe Biden being elevated Saturday to president-elect is an achievement that gladdens the heart of all who cherish democracy while anguishing over the manner Donald Trump mistreated it over the last four years.
... Happier than I’ve been in a long time. Somewhat melancholy happiness that we were denied celebrating the ascension of the first female president four years ago. Back then we could only postulate how bad Trump could be. Now that we know he exceeded even our worst nightmares the happiness soothes the disappointment of 2016.
... Thankful that Blacks in Pennsylvania and Georgia, along with Hispanics in Arizona, voted for Joe Biden in sufficient numbers to push those states into the Democratic column.
... Eager for December 14 to arrive so the Electoral College can formally elect Biden as our 46th president.
.... Wondering how long it will take 70 million Trumpsters to see through Donald Trump’s lies and anti-democratic actions.
... Anxious about crazy stuff Trump could do till inauguration day to undermine Biden’s presidency.
... Uncertain that Trumpsters will remain calm and controlled and not initiate or provoke violence to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power that has been the hallmark of our democracy since George Washington voluntarily stepped away from the presidency in 1797.
... Unfulfilled because of ticket splitting which means Biden will not have a majority in the Senate (at least for now) to implement a progressive agenda. Democrats also failed to flip state legislatures.
... Wary about Mitch McConnell’s intentions should he remain Senate majority leader. Will he try to thwart Biden nominations and programs or will he be a statesman and act in a bi-partisan manner to heal our COVID-crushed economy, our pandemic health and our political discourse.
... Grateful to Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Trevor Noah, Samantha Bee, Saturday Night Live, James Cordon and even Jimmy Fallon for helping us get through the last four-plus years.
... Curious if during this pandemic period Biden will countenance a public swearing in ceremony with attendance on the National Mall that would likely dwarf Trump’s inauguration crowd four years ago. Biden avoided large rallies during the campaign but his elevation to the nation’s highest office might soften his disdain for a large public celebration.
