Chewing over the presidential election
Obama supporters weary but elated at historic victory
Thursday, November 6, 20081
2
3
4
5
NORTHAMPTON - Even after the people had spoken, there was still a lot to talk about.
The election was on everybody's lips Wednesday at the Miss Florence Diner, where brunch and lunch crowds digested the voting results along with their lasagna, chicken parmesan and scallops.
At one booth, a customer grumbled to his companions about the passing of "the old guard." Members of the group said they didn't want to talk to a reporter.
Between bites and sips of coffee, several others interviewed spoke enthusiastically about the hopes they have for President-elect Barack Obama.
"I'm so happy that he won," said Judy Bonafilia of Easthampton. "I was praying for him."
"It feels so good to be inspired by the government rather than feel disdain for it," said Diane Hildreth of Westfield.
Hildreth said the world already seems like a safer place with Obama poised to take office. She said he holds promise for patching up America's relationships with the rest of the world, as well as straightening out domestic issues like the economy.
"My 401k has turned into a 101k," said Sally Angers, also of Westfield.
Angers said her son has been successful in business and recently complained to her about the higher taxes he would face under an Obama administration.
"I told him, #Well let me put it to you this way: If Obama wins, you'll be supporting me.'"
Lisa Carroll of South Hadley said she hopes the economy will get a boost from Obama's victory. "A little optimism in the air will help everybody," she said.
Susan Roitman of Granby was a little bleary-eyed as she sat down to lunch with her father, George Puffer of Holyoke. She'd stayed up late to watch the election returns, McCain's concession and Obama's victory speech at midnight. All the excitement kept her awake even later.
"I didn't get to sleep till 3 a.m., but I'm definitely, extremely elated," she said.
Puffer said he didn't vote for Obama, but a touch of his daughter's enthusiasm evidently had rubbed off. "He'll do something good," he said.
A booth over sat Tom and Carolyn Quarles of Amherst, in town for a doctor's visit and lunch at a place they've been coming to since 1970.
Tom, 85, said he'd voted for every Republican presidential candidate - except Richard Nixon - since 1948.
This year was no different, but he said his vote for John McCain was "canceled out" by the Obama vote cast by his wife. Carolyn, 78, said she spent a long time on the fence, but made up her mind after watching a "Frontline" program on the Illinois senator.
Tom Quarles said he wasn't unhappy Obama won the election, but stressed the new president has a tough economic task ahead. "Our financial house has to be put back in order. Everything else depends on that."
Pat Lang of South Deerfield likened the presidential campaign to a popularity contest. But, he said, "The best thing that happened was getting new people involved in the process."
Peter and Joan Craig of Southampton stopped by Miss Flo's for a late omelette breakfast. Peter, who at 37 is old enough to have cast many votes, said this was the first time he felt inclined to did so. He said Obama's message inspired him.
"There's something about the way he talks," he said. "It's in his eyes. He wants to change things. It's not all false hopes."
Joan, 33, said she had voted every chance she had had since coming of age, and encouraged some of her co-workers who didn't think their votes would matter to head to the polls Tuesday. Wednesday morning at the office, she said, a co-worker was jumping up and down with excitement over the presidential race's outcome.
More reserved was Carolyn Gero, who was out on her weekly lunch and shopping trip with two neighbors from East Street in Southampton.
"It's just a wait-and-see attitude," she said. "I don't think he'll accomplish much in the first four years."
Across the table, Mickey Annis was more optimistic. "He can do it," she said simply.
As the lunchtime rush tapered off, plates were cleared and a few election edition newspapers left behind. Lingering at the counter, former local radio host Dennis Lee enjoyed a bowl of oatmeal while trading clever remarks with diner owner John Zantouliadis.
"So John, you moving to Canada?" Lee asked.
"No," replied Zantouliadis, "I'm moving to Chicago."
James F. Lowe can be reached at jlowe@gazettenet.com.
