I have to say it was odd being in New York City on election day. Tuesday night after dinner I had a craving for frozen yogurt. I dropped my work bag off at the hotel and took a walk. It was a beautiful night for a stroll in The Big Apple. I remembered the NBC Election Plaza madness from the night before... so I steered clear of Rockefeller Center. Instead, I headed to Times Square for yogurt and a trip to Sephora. I like to think I am smarter than the average bear. Tuesday night, I was the dumbest bear in the woods. As I got closer to Times Square the policemen in full riot gear and ARs should have been my first clue.
What I witnessed in Times Square was nothing like I've ever seen before. CNN and ABC both had their election watch parties there. CNN had bleachers built in the middle of Times Square and they were jam-packed (even Santa was there). I could barely get down the sidewalk. Times Square being packed with people didn't bother me, it was the mood in the air. I can't describe it. To call it Obama-madness would be an under-statement. People screaming and going nuts each time his name was mentioned. I wondered if this hysteria was comparable to The Beatles or Elvis Presley. I still cannot comprehend this kind of hysteria over a politician. Did any other politician create this kind of madness? (Side note: The question is actually rhetorical, but those of you that know history know the real answer.)
As I was taking in the craziness, I managed to observe other madness:
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I saw a young girl scream at an elderly gentlemen, then she resorted to pushing and shoving. The police pounced all over her. It was disturbing.
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I saw several street vendors selling Obama condoms. They were mobbed with tourists buying their goods and taking pictures. Almost a week later, I still don't get it.
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I watched a young lady wearing a Palin T-shirt get verbally abused by three men as she walked by. She was minding her own business and did not deserve the harassment. It warmed my heart when she mouthed back.
I was so dazed and confused over the rock-star mayhem I didn't realize that it was not the safest place to be. I never got my frozen yogurt, but I did manage to piddle in Sephora for a while. Needless to say, I didn't walk through Times Square to get back to the hotel. I took 6th Avenue and ended up by the Fox News watch party. There stood the only Republicans in Manhattan. All 85 of them.