Election Edition

This afternoon, while walking to a boutique down theroad from the training center, a Senegalese man greeted me, I responded, and then he automatically asked if I voted, I responded, and then he went on lecturing how he hopes I voted for Obama blahblahblah. I walked away, letting him yell after me in Wolof.

Senegal (and most of Africa and the Peace Corps for that matter) has caught Obama fever. In my true fashion as an Independent, I usually play devil's advocate no matter which side the other person supports and I do the same here. That, and I refuse to tell anyone in my village who I voted for. While I know that most Senegalese would give me their undying support if I told them that I voted for Obama (which I did), I also dont want to fuel their fanaticism for him. Most people here support Obama not for his political views but because he is part black. Simple as that. Most people ask me, if Obama doesnt win, is it because he's black? It is very frustrating that almost every conversation about Obama here is fueled because of his skin color. People also do not seem to understand that people vote for McCain not because he is white, but because they like him and his policies. There is obviously more behind both of these men (and their running mates) than skin color or even gender. They are peoplewith ideas and policies, and none of them are perfect. It is very frustrating. However, it is good to know that if Obama wins, he will have a lot of international support, but I have to constantly tell people here that he wont be the President of the World but the President of the USA. Most do not get that, especially those in the village.

I will also say that I remember, 4 years ago, watching the last election in the 7th floor McD suite and making the prediction with a few others that in 2008, it would be Obama on the Democratic ticket. While we predicted Edwards as his running mate and that obviously didnt happen, it's still cool to see the prediction come around.

SO I am inThies, watching the election on CNN via satelite with other PCVs and trainees at a hotel in Thies. People areplanning on being here all night. I am not since I have a nasty cold or something and like sleep, however I hope Obama pulls ahead significantly before I head back to the training center. One of the teachers from my village did, however, promise to call and tell me the results at 4am or whenever things are figured out (6am or later...). I said I would probably hang up (not true if you do call me and let me know).

And that is all I will say about the candidates and whom I support. I am not a political analyst nor do I want this blog to be of a political nature. My only political message is to love each other. That, and don't be stupid.

Our Peace Corps Senegal Country Director, Chris, was just on tv, being interviewed at the Obama Viewing Party in Dakar. We were channel surfing and came across RFS, the national radio station, and were all "wait a second! we know that guy!" Yay Chris!

Going back a little, even though I did vote, I am one in the population of disenfranchised voters. 1, I'm registered in IL, a state that always goesdemocrat plus Obama is our Senator, so it's really no contest. 2, Absentee ballots are only counted if the election is close, so yet again, my vote doesn't really count. 3, The absentee ballot arrived in the mail in late September,at the end of the Rainy Season and at the height of humidity. That being said, the envelope I was supposed to return my ballot in had self-glued itself shut before I could put my ballot in. I pried it open and attempted to reseal it shut, however it looks pretty obviously tampered with and would thus be thrown out even if my vote was otherwise going to be counted. Meh, still voted, but it would be nice if those of us American citizens working for the government in tropical climates had more reliable and effective ways of absentee voting.

Ok, that is all for now. We'll see what happens overnight.