Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Political Party Hats

Super Tuesday has finally arrived! I don't talk about politics in my blog nearly as much as I do in my everyday life, but I am a political junkie. I didn't know Sunday was the Super Bowl until two days prior, but Super Tuesday has been on my calendar for months. I love this stuff. Being married to someone whose views clash with mine has only fueled my love. JP and I debate politics more than we discuss finances, future plans, or exchange general "How was your day?" type talk. It is not unusual for JP to walk in the door saying, "did you read X article today on CNN?!" He reads voraciously about politics and foreign affairs, I read as many internet articles as I can during class (I mean between classes), and I think we've made each other smarter, better informed, and more certain of what we believe in.

So in celebration of all things political, I'm throwing a Super Tuesday party tonight. The menu is classic American: big pots of chili (with special ranch style beans I had to order from Texas), trays of cornbread, a sheet cake courtesy of Citations, domestic beer, and Diet Coke. I dressed Landon in blue this morning and he is looking forward to showing everyone his toes and explaining the difference between regular and super-delegates (he reads Newsweek with his daddy at night). I have no idea how all my guests will fit in our living room- the response was more enthusiastic than I expected for a mid-week, last minute bash, but we'll find room. I wish I'd thought of my Super Tuesday Spectacular sooner- there are so many ideas I don't have time to implement. There could have been buttons, scarlet letter "R's", party hats, elephant noses, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, and so much more! The best I could do at the store last night was blue bowls, red plates, and white cups.

The grocery store shelves were still overloaded with Super Bowl decor and it made me think, wouldn't it be great if Americans got as excited about voting and elections as they do about football? Can you imagine a US where people throw election parties that are just as eagerly anticipated as Super Bowl parties? Where advertising spots on CNN tonight sold for as much as they did on FOX on Sunday? Politics is no more divisive than sports rivalries and can be just as approachable and fun, and though some die-hard fans may disagree, they're SO MUCH MORE important. I know many people who can recite ridiculously obscure football stats but have no clue about the basic positions of the presidential candidates. This is a sad thing. Presidents and legislators make enormously important decisions that affect your life whether you vote or not, don't you want a say in who is making them?

I think it is every citizen's duty to cast an informed vote, and one of the most exciting things about this election (besides the lack of a Bush on the ticket) has been seeing the huge increase in voting numbers- especially among women and the 18-29 age group. It's an exciting time in politics and I can't wait to start planning my November election party. Hopefully nine months will give me enough time to find donkey and elephant party hats...

15 comments:

  1. great party idea! only, here's a friendly reminder to texas.

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  2. Ranch Style Beans!!!! I made chili and I was so disappointed that I couldn't find them here in NC. I had to settle for kidney beans. Yay for Ranch Style Beans! Yay for Super Tuesday!

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  3. I am as excited about super tuesday as you are! I am already planning presidential debate and election parties for the fall! I read a book during the Super Bowl (I couldn't care less about football) but I've been obsessed with Super Tuesday. My husband and I are in agreement for this election (we are both Dems and are both supporting the same candidate) but we talk non-stop about articles we read and the debates! My parents are an inter-politics couple - my Mother is a Republican leaning independent and my Father is a Democrat. However, my Mother is hoping she can vote for Obama come November (shocking!) or McCain, if Hillary wins the nomination.

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  4. omg! how can you be married to someone with different political views!!(dont get me wrong, i love you and JP together!) idk, thats just one of my requirements in a guy - that we have similar political alignings!..think of you and JP as being open-minded towards each other!hehehe

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  5. My husband and I are the same way. We argue constantly about politics. He is as right wing as you can possibly get and I am just right of the middle. It makes for spirited discussions. I enjoy it though. Keeps me on my toes.

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  6. Thought you'd enjoy this article from the NY Times about this very thing

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/us/politics/05parties.html?ref=politics

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  7. My parents had election night parties (or went to them) back in the 60's and 70's. They aren't particularly political people and they aren't necessarily party people either, so I'm not sure if it was just an excuse to get together with their friends or if there was a lot more interest back then than there seems to be now. It is definitely one of my vivid childhood memories, though.

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  8. Super Tuesday party -- what a great idea!

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  9. I once threw a last-minute election party--I sent the email the afternoon of the 2000 presidential election. I had about 20 people show up, with beer, pizza, chips, and it was one of the better parties I've thrown. I think we all lost our political innocence that night, though--no one has wanted to do it again. I think a Super Tuesday party sounds like a terrific idea!

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  10. hope the party was a success! I stayed up way too late waiting for results. It's a double shot Starbucks kind of day...

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  11. Hear, hear! I wish people were as exited about the more important "super"- the elections, not the bowl!

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  12. That sounds like so much fun!

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  13. For some reason I had the boneheaded idea that I was in the minority being in a "mixed" marriage, where political affiliation is concerned. Yours is the second blog in a row I've read today that discusses this.

    (What I mean to say is: I feel like my Married to a Republican support system just expanded. Yay.)

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  14. Hey, I'm pinning the tail on the donkey. I tagged you for a MeMe

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  15. That sounds like it was a fun party! Too bad I'm in VA where we are lame and don't vote until the 12th. ;) And even though it was kind of funny to hear on the news, it was kind of nice to hear that the election offices out here got lots of calls from people trying to figure out why they couldn't vote on Super Tuesday.

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