Election Night 2008

Anxiety Drove Me to Make Brownies

by Lillian Darr

We asked writers from Iowa and beyond to share their stories of where they were, what they saw, and what they felt on November 4, 2008. Links to more stories are below.

On election night 2008, when CNN began reporting returns, Obama was a couple of points behind McCain. Anxiety compelled me to sublimate: I started making chocolate brownies.

Scores of grown men have admitted they cried at the election results. In addition to the world’s populations, I exult in the monumental event—a reward for all my 50 years’ service in the causes of civil rights and humanism.

Anyone want to buy a hug from these arms that embraced the future president Obama when he spoke in our town square of Fairfield, Iowa?

Impressions of pertinent past events that moved me have flooded into my awareness—not necessarily in proper sequence.

On the day FDR died, I recall walking in New York City, over which a terrible pall hung. I felt a connection with every inhabitant of the city.

Since Eleanor Roosevelt lived in the apartment building on Washington Square where my parents dwelt, Franklin stayed there when in town. I never saw him, but it was exciting to know his wheelchair had traversed my territory.

When candidate Dwight Eisenhower rode down 5th Avenue in an open car, I ran the two blocks from where I worked for the War Department to try to catch a glimpse of the genial, smiling general. Actually, when he was elected, I thought it was the end of the world. As his tenure unfolded, in addition to some egregious and dangerous policies, he provided the Peace Movement with a couple of effective slogans: warning about “the military-industrial complex” and bringing to our attention that “guns and butter” are incompatible.

When Jimmy Carter announced his candidacy for president, John and I each sent him $3 to show support for the campaign of the first liberal Southerner to seek that exalted post.

Well, here we are in 2008, a historically significant moment, to say the least—a climactic outcome of a long and torturous journey.

And I have lived to see it!

"I drove to Grant Park, Chicago, on Nov. 4 ..." by Mo Ellis

"I was born in 1968..." by Catarina Titus

"I was so nervous I could barely walk straight..." by Neil Fauerso

"I was where many were—at home..." by Thomas Dean

"My account is a simple one..." by Tracy Chipman

"I was on vacation with my sister in Paris..." by Donna Schill

"I did NOTHING on election night..." by Shane Brown

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