I have been voting in presidential elections since 1972, and I don't think I've ever seen

[Poiuyt]

so much excitement. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen this much excitement for any human being. Perhaps the early days of Pope John Paul II. But for an American politician, there's just so much electricity and hope in the air.

Do you feel it too?

[Merlot]

1. Yes.

It''s a combination of "wow, what a terrific PE we have in Obama" mixed with a relief and exhaustion of the past 8 years reign of horror.

whew!

[firedupdem]

2. Yes! It's the first time I've had it! n/t

[merh]

3. I feel it too

sadly, there are some on DU that are trying to detract from it

that are keen on trying to crush the hope - I suppose that they are afraid to be disappointed.

[Captain Hilts]

4. Yes, but a lot of it is about the Bush Admin being O-V-E-R. nt

[TTUBatfan2008]

5. Yes, it is a combination of things...

First of all, getting rid of the Bush regime. Second of all, it is a historic moment for a country where only 45 years ago, racial segregation still existed. Third of all, Barack is a brilliant, charming person with a brilliant, charming wife and two adorable daughters...and he's a decent, serious person who won't smirk at the American people when he's talking about serious matters (cough...Bush and Cheney...cough). And I fully expect him to go through a thorough thought process for every decision he makes in office, which will be a big change from the Bush regime.

[Captain Hilts]

7. It's all good....nt

[liberalmuse]

6. I'm 45.

Nothing in my life time rivals this.

[Captain Hilts]

8. Walking on the moon was a pretty big moment. nt

[liberalmuse]

9. Yes it was!

I was 6. Every tv everywhere I went seemed to be tuned into that event. Thanks for the reminder. I remember having very high quality 8x10 glossies of all the astronauts hung on my bedroom walls when I was 7.

Still, I think the inauguration of President Obama will rival even that.

[TTUBatfan2008]

10. I think she means...

in politics. There's been quite a few moments that completely transcend politics. The moon is one of them.

[liberalmuse]

11. Thanks. You're right.

I'm thinking politics, but that moon landing sure was something.

[Rowdyboy]

12. I too have voted since 1972....this year is very different....I've never seen

anything like it. This is a truly unique time, an opportunity even greater than Reagan faced in 1980. Barack Obama may come to outdo Franklin Roosevelt. We should all be so lucky. We live in good times....

[LiberalFighter]

26. Voted when I was 18 in 1972. This is different.

Probably for two reasons. The mess that Bush got us into means Obama needs to accomplish more in the eyes of the public and they want him to succeed. He will be the first black President.

[Kaleko]

13. It's an enormous relief mixed with massive good will towards each other -

the will of the people all over the world.

Everyone will be watching this ritual that seals the deal.

We'll be connecting again that day, globally. For the second time since Nov. 4 2008.

I solemnly swear to enjoy every bit of it to the max. And then some.

[Number23]

14. I'm feeling it all the way across the Pacific, man!

The minute folks here my accent, all they want to talk about is Obama. So many people are so happy and excited. And I'm definitely one of them!

[AtomicKitten]

15. I agree. It's in the air. n/t

[Maru Kitteh]

16. It's so pervasive it's like the very air itself. We've been standing in the waste of the damned for

8 long years, and now it's like the door has been opened, the light is coming back in and we get to collectively cleanse ourselves and go sit on the nice soft grass and good earth of a fresh new garden - and a new time.

Yeah, I'm kinda excited.

[NancyG]

17. I also voted for the first time in 1972 and

every vote since. Most excited I've been voting FOR someone.

[HughMoran]

18. This is history unfolding before our eyes

I'm excited about it - it's not often that you realize that you are living through a historic event.

[leftstreet]

19. I can't think of a recent Prez who's had so much political capital

coming into office.

It's amazing.

[TTUBatfan2008]

21. Never mind the election results...

He has also given himself even MORE capital by being a gracious winner and treating the other side with respect. Even though he fundamentally disagrees with them, he is being civil towards them and letting them express their concerns to him. Bush barely won in 2004 and immediately began claiming he had some huge mandate to ram everything down the Democrats' throats. Barack is just a classy person.

[NYC_SKP]

20. I do, haven't felt anything like it since RFK...

I was a couple years too young to vote but the electricity was there.

[FrenchieCat]

22. It is very exciting!

A special American Moment forming, that will last forever more.

And no more Bush. We are saved.....even if we are in tatters!

[fortyfeetunder]

23. Yes indeed!

Though I hope I don't have any regrets for not going back to DC. I was reading the WaPo last month on the logistics and thought "hell no, I don't want to go through that". And decided right then, even with a free room and a potentially cheap flight I was not interested in being there.

I'm looking forward to four days from now in January 2013, when I board my plane to DC to see President Obama's swearing in for his second term.

[KT2000]

24. So true

and I don't think the time between the election and the inauguration has been so long.
Can't wait!
Letterman said last night that people around him were giddy!

[AwakeAtLast]

25. I felt a little of it when Clinton was elected

I was on a college campus, so the celebration was a little more - um - intoxicating!

[wyldwolf]

27. the most excitement up to now was '92

... in my experience.

[starroute]

28. John Kennedy's inauguration had a lot of that same energy

I don't know if it was nationwide or strongest for my generation. But Kennedy's transition had definitely been one where people hung on -- and were often bowled over by -- the announcement of every cabinet pick.

The inauguration itself was taken as a sign that Eisenhower-era mediocrity was being replaced by something far deeper and more thoughtful -- I can still visualize Robert Frost's white hair being blown about in the midwinter wind and shining in the hard January sunlight.

Even the small details were a matter of passionate interest. There was Kennedy's refusal to wear a top hat for the inauguration -- which was taken as a go-ahead sign for the baby boomers to break decisively with the past. There was the turmoil when Kennedy let it be known that once he was president he didn't think it was appropriate for the headline-writers to refer to him as "Jack" -- which led to them coming up with "JFK."

I would guess that the number of people who are emotionally involved on that level is far greater now than in 1960. But the nature of the electricity is very much the same.