Election Reactions, Part II

Noted on November 10, 2008 by Natanya in

From Leah Severino, UO intern at the IIE. The people I interacted with from co-workers (U.S. gov't employees), Mexican gov't employees, house mates to taxi drivers were all excited, engaged and talking about the election. Mexicans are never shy to ask you what you think and who you are voting for...many of them are Obama supporters. When I asked them why they support Obama they all had the same answer, hopes for a stronger economy, immigration legislation that was just and equitable and a foreign policy in Latin America that was less violent.

I though for sure I would eventually met a Mexican McCain supporter, however no luck so far - I'm convinced they don't exist.

Election night I participated in the U.S. Embassy events at a swanky hotel. The room was decorated with the red, whites and blue. U.N., World Bank, U.S. and Mexican officials all rubbed elbows and watched the numbers roll in from multiple large screens that aired CNN. The shared feeling was that history was taking place before our eyes and we were living a historical event. A renewed sense of hope in country, in government, and the possibility of how a vision for such an influential nation can join other countries around the World. I think we all said, "finally!"

With all the joy and election excitement that night these were not the only emotions. Early in the same evening about 8pm a plane caring three top presidential cabinet secretaries died in a highly suspicious plane crash. The plane went down in a financial neighborhood on one of the busiest streets at rush hour. The city became instantly crazy! So our joy and excitement was tempered with the reality of the World we live in today. It was a sad and scary few days for Mexico.

Even though I am living abroad the election fervor was as strong here as any placed I've lived in the U.S. The World is watching America, what will she do next?!