Well, I've taken at least 48 hours to let it soak in that we have a new president and that my win percentage for picking presidents is slightly up. Let me see now... I told you that I voted in a presidential election for the first time when I was 22 years old so, that would have been for Jimmy Carter over Ronald Reagan. And, the results? I lost 0-1. The next time I voted was in 1984 for Walter Mondale over Ronald Reagan. And, the results? I lost again 0-2. In 1988, I voted for Michael Dukakis over the first George Bush. And, the results? It was bad for me again, 0-3.
You might figure that by this point, I was getting a little pissed off and totally disillusioned with politics. I did. I don't know how many occasions I said the "game" was rigged and my vote didn't matter anyway so, I said that I was never going to vote again. I even said something crazy like I might change parties and become a registered Republican since they seem to be winning everything. Oh, I was pissed off.
By 1992, I was 34 years old, married, and had a family, when a most unlikely candidate from Arkansas named Bill Clinton emerged as the front runner in the Democratic primary. I had never heard of him but, something about him said that he just might have something going on. I cast my lot in with him since I hadn't made good on my threat to become a Republican or Independent. (I came very close to voting for Ross Perot that year.) This time, I was rolling sevens and I won for the first time. Okay, I didn't win anything... I picked the winning presidential candidate for the first time. And, the results? 1-3, me.
Despite his penchant for chasing women, Bill Clinton proved to be my kind of guy as far as governing goes so, I voted for him again in 1996 and whoopeeeeeee! I win again... uh, I picked the winning Presidential Candidate again. And, the results? 2-3. I was almost at .500 and fired up now, baby!
In 2000, with the economy doing well, the country not at war, interest rates at an all time low, and Al Gore running slightly ahead of Baby Bush, I just knew that my choice was going to even things up. Well, we all know what happened in that election! And, the results? 2-4 and I lost again. I was pissed and disillusioned to the point that in 2004, I wasn't going to bother to vote at all. I didn't feel as though I had anyone to vote for... I didn't care that much for Kerry and I certainly wasn't going to vote for George W. Bush. I was going to sit out that election all together. Then, a funny thing happened and I swear this is the truth. I'm not making this up...
I watched the 2004 Democratic National Convention and I saw a young Black man, a guy about my age, give a moving speech at the beginning that made me turn around and look and pay attention. I heard an announcer say, "You could be looking at the next president of the United States right there. That was the Junior Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama speaking." I took notice and said, "Wow, they really think that this guy could be the president? What's up
with this guy? Who is he?" That was my first sighting of Barack Obama and I began following his career from that time on. I remember saying, "I wish he was running... I'd vote for him." But, that was then. I voted for John Kerry and that was a losing cause too. And, the results? 2-5... I wasn't surprised or disappointed that time either.
In 2008, I was so angry at the state of affairs in this country that if the Dems didn't come up with a viable candidate, I was thinking about running myself. First I backed John Edwards, because I said that he was the second coming of Bill Clinton... a handsome, southern, charismatic white man with liberal sensibilities. He was a shoo-in (or, so I thought). Then, Barack won in Iowa, Vermont, and in John Edward's home state! There he is... the guy who I saw four years ago who I said I'd ride with and I rode with him from that time on. Of course, you know I won this one. Okay, Barack won. He was my candidate of choice. And, the results? 3-5.
I don't know how many more presidential elections I have left in my life but hopefully, enough to at least be .500 one day. (I guess you can tell that I'm a sports fan by the way this was written.)
You might figure that by this point, I was getting a little pissed off and totally disillusioned with politics. I did. I don't know how many occasions I said the "game" was rigged and my vote didn't matter anyway so, I said that I was never going to vote again. I even said something crazy like I might change parties and become a registered Republican since they seem to be winning everything. Oh, I was pissed off.
By 1992, I was 34 years old, married, and had a family, when a most unlikely candidate from Arkansas named Bill Clinton emerged as the front runner in the Democratic primary. I had never heard of him but, something about him said that he just might have something going on. I cast my lot in with him since I hadn't made good on my threat to become a Republican or Independent. (I came very close to voting for Ross Perot that year.) This time, I was rolling sevens and I won for the first time. Okay, I didn't win anything... I picked the winning presidential candidate for the first time. And, the results? 1-3, me.
Despite his penchant for chasing women, Bill Clinton proved to be my kind of guy as far as governing goes so, I voted for him again in 1996 and whoopeeeeeee! I win again... uh, I picked the winning Presidential Candidate again. And, the results? 2-3. I was almost at .500 and fired up now, baby!
In 2000, with the economy doing well, the country not at war, interest rates at an all time low, and Al Gore running slightly ahead of Baby Bush, I just knew that my choice was going to even things up. Well, we all know what happened in that election! And, the results? 2-4 and I lost again. I was pissed and disillusioned to the point that in 2004, I wasn't going to bother to vote at all. I didn't feel as though I had anyone to vote for... I didn't care that much for Kerry and I certainly wasn't going to vote for George W. Bush. I was going to sit out that election all together. Then, a funny thing happened and I swear this is the truth. I'm not making this up...
I watched the 2004 Democratic National Convention and I saw a young Black man, a guy about my age, give a moving speech at the beginning that made me turn around and look and pay attention. I heard an announcer say, "You could be looking at the next president of the United States right there. That was the Junior Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama speaking." I took notice and said, "Wow, they really think that this guy could be the president? What's up
with this guy? Who is he?" That was my first sighting of Barack Obama and I began following his career from that time on. I remember saying, "I wish he was running... I'd vote for him." But, that was then. I voted for John Kerry and that was a losing cause too. And, the results? 2-5... I wasn't surprised or disappointed that time either.
In 2008, I was so angry at the state of affairs in this country that if the Dems didn't come up with a viable candidate, I was thinking about running myself. First I backed John Edwards, because I said that he was the second coming of Bill Clinton... a handsome, southern, charismatic white man with liberal sensibilities. He was a shoo-in (or, so I thought). Then, Barack won in Iowa, Vermont, and in John Edward's home state! There he is... the guy who I saw four years ago who I said I'd ride with and I rode with him from that time on. Of course, you know I won this one. Okay, Barack won. He was my candidate of choice. And, the results? 3-5.
I don't know how many more presidential elections I have left in my life but hopefully, enough to at least be .500 one day. (I guess you can tell that I'm a sports fan by the way this was written.)
20 comments:
LMAO @ You.
Yeah Keith, we can tell you're a sports fan.lololol.
You're too funny, but I feel you though.It has been frustrating.
Good Morning Keith...You are so crazy...Good post.
They say that Politics is sport.lolololol.
Hey Keith...This was a funny post.
I see you're in great spirits ,as are we all.
What's Up Brother Keith? Good one.
Yeah, I could tell you were a sports fan ..lololololol
Very Humorous post, I understand how you must have felt.
You are off the hook man..lololol.
Funny!
I know exactly what you're talking about...I'm a little younger than you, but I'm 1-2 right now.lolol.
I stopped voting for at least two
elections before I once again voted
this last one...I was getting pissed off my self. I totally know what you were talking about.
u a fool folk
@Torrance- lololol, what up? I sure am, I've been told that my whole life...must be some truth to it.
lol!!!
Bill Clinton's election was the first year I was able to vote. I was happy he won...and even happier he won again! Using your method...at that point I was 2-0...weeeeeeeeeeeee! lol
Went downhill after that though.
Seeing Barack give his speech moved me to get his biography.
Yes I remember seeing Barack back on July of 2004. I remember discussing if he would run in 08 or do what was expected and wait his turn after Hillary. I remember discussing with a guy I was seeing if he could win and convincing him I thought it was possible, but saying it would be after the literal second coming of Clinton.
I was talking about him excited about him before he ever stood on those steps in IL. I was really excited when he won Iowa. I began to look at his campaign and how he was running it. It was different and he was FAR more special than I ever thought he was.
This moment was SO AWESOME I popped a bottle Tuesday with my friend and celebrated as we watched the first dance.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! My record is a little better than yours seeing as I'm a tad bit younger. Actually now I'm a winner now!
-OG
Great post Keith!! Love the humor you interject in most of your posts
Apologies for not replying sooner to a comment u left on mine. Been busy out "in the field" photoshooting.
Will be following U , time permitting.
When "Baby Bush" (nice name) took office for the first time I was disgusted. I wanted to rip up my voter registration card...like that would change something, but I didn't. I knew he wouldn't be in office forever...although it did seem like it. When he took the 2nd term...I was DONE!!! I'm not sure Kerry was the man for the job, but Bush should have never been an option.
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