The E Word . . . .
Random Thoughts From the Top of a Headache
Lights, cameras and lots of action beginning in the hot summer of June 2015, so long ago already, with the launching of Hillary Clinton’s election campaign on Roosevelt Island in NY. And that seemed to be that for Hillary. She disappeared from view or so it seemed here in NYC where Bernie became the poster boy for the brand new future of hope and let’s turn things around from the same old same old, get things done here people!
Summer soon became winter and Bernie went home to his old apartment block in Brooklyn where once again he made a rousing speech to the faithful except some of the Jewish faithful in the old neighbourhood weren’t having any of it. To them he was simply a repeat of Stalinist principles so they said, with a spit at the end.
Bernie was all over New York. Here, there and everywhere. Washington Square with flowers in their hair and grass in the air. I felt a little sad for Hillary, all that hard work and ambition but not a lot of Hillary love out here on the streets. It was all going Bernie’s way until it wasn’t and the quiet hordes came out and put Hillary back on top. And this was just the Primary.
Meanwhile in Red Country, well what a show that was. I tried, so hard, to get photos of this Primary round-up but they weren’t showing their faces here in New York what with their crazy value system. Even the man now at the top of the Republican ticket, with his name all over town in huge gold letters, has proved elusive. The closest I came was one day, again back in the long ago of summer, when he left his midtown HQ amongst heavy security, and with Newt Gingrich for company, for a flight to Ohio. Have to tell you, he had an excited crowd of well-wishers craning for a glimpse while delirious with the thought of being this close to “our future President!” but then that’s tourists for you.
I think this is enough for now, the headache’s back, and we have the longest two days ahead of us . . .
It’s almost over, Patti. Thankfully.
With you John. I just hope that when it’s over it’s seriously over and not the beginning of a new saga.
Hoo-boy, wouldn’t that be wonderful? Great shots, Patti. Thanks for pressing on in spite of the headache.
Fingers are crossed, and crossed again. Thank you Pierr!
These are all spectacular images Patti I love them 🙂 Although we think it will all be over after Tuesday I’m afraid with all the hatred people carried with them to the voting booths and whoever wins 50% of the American public wont respect the fact that their candidate lost. There is no civility anymore. People can’t agree to disagree or for that matter even listen to the opposing sides viewpoint. It is indeed a sad state of affairs in America. You know my views on the subject and who I am voting for because we have discussed the situation many times over a cold IPA. I don’t think the election will end this division because people refuse to respect the office of president if they are on the losing side. Wonderful work my friend and please say hello to my new buddy Mark 🙂
Tuesday night’s one thing but Wednesday’s a whole new thing and what that is …. who knows? Agree with you Joe about the decisiveness which, if you ask me and nobody has, has been brewing for the last eight years of the Obama Govt. I’m sick of sitting next to people on airplanes who talk in code (Fox talk etc) because I’m a foreigner and what would I know!
Here’s to the next round of IPA’s Joe and Mark says hi to you and Terri. So do I!
Very touching photographies, you have the right distance Patti, close enough to feel and far enough to understand… but the most sensitive ones are those of Bernie himself or his/her supporters, one wonders why …😁
Yes Didier, the vagaries of politics and the attraction to one leader or another! Personally I have always been on the sideline with a little scepticism as to just how much one person can deliver for so many. I am going to miss Obama dreadfully but with high hopes that Hillary does indeed forge ahead against the fear and loathing so prevailing here at the moment.
Very interesting images Patti! I’ve always been quite interested in politics in my home country, Italy, and I’m used to see the corollary of actions that precede, or follow, political activities there. Your photos depict pretty much the same situations (politicians getting ready for speeches, political activists, ways for people to show their support for this or that candidates) but they couldn’t be more different than back home!
On another note, dear Americans, whoever you elect today has an impact on the whole world, us included. Please, don’t f*ck it up!
Fabrizio
Wow Fabrizio, from one three-ringed political circus to another it never seems to stop, does it? We are now almost 24 hours from polls closing & fingers firmly crossed for positive outcome, 24 little hours ……
I read elsewhere that this is no longer an election of Democrat vs Republican, rather it is Democracy vs Demagogue.
The world awaits this result.
PS Thanks for the editorial coverage.
For sure Democrat against the Demagogue but it was slim pickings amongst the Republican lot, all sixteen of them. Ted Cruz anyone? Just as scary!
I hope the Bernie factor will do it. But, I have shivers down my spine. Great series of photos. Thank you Patti.
At least Bernie is supporting Hillary, let’s hope his fan base does the same. The alternative?
I was up close with Nixon, Reagan, Goldwater and McGovern and Carter. Wish I had some pics.
Wow Carl, I wish you had some pics!
i too will be happy to see this end…1.5 years is just too much parody 🙂 very cool post Patti….
Thanks Hedy. to tell you the truth I’ve had so much trouble seeing the funny side of any of this . . . ☹️
i appreciate that…for me it all seems surreal…i am also surprised by the entire American electoral system …the costs alone and the time…leaves me speechless…soon you will know Patti…
From the view out of Europe, it seemed to be a dirty election campaign, consisting of lies,allegations and high words. Are your glad, that it is over?
Great fotos, by the way!
Best regards
Werner
You mean it’s just another regular election campaign? I thought that’s how all elections were run with maybe just a degree of difference on how much of the dirty laundry gets aired. This one has been blowing more of a stink I suppose. Yes, I will be glad when it’s all over but even happier when Mitch McConnell and other obstructionists are out of the way. Obviously I could go on and on. Thank you so much Werner for your warm wishes.
Thanks Patti for showing us another side to the campaign. Thought provoking and insightful – as ever!
Thank you Zita. The things you do for love and loathing!
Patti great set of pictures, very interesting to see from your perspective what’s been totally dominating news here in UK and around the world. Love the black and white (as you me probably expect from me!! 😉
What a few days it has been since! Lovely to hear from you Peter and thank you so much!
A fascinating set of images!
Thank you so much Emily!
An excellent sequence – given the current context of events, it seems like a parallel universe. We watch from Canada in uneasy amazement. All the best.
A crazy ride for sure, thank you Elmediat!
Oh Patti, I am trying so hard to break out of my post election devastation by spending a little time here on WP.
Sigh ….
At least I’ll be in DC in January with thousands of other women.
These photos make such an excellent photo essay.
Sigh (again).
XOXO
We are certainly living in interesting times Laurie and all best to you for the march in January. Personally I can’t wait to stop feeling so tired from it all.
I really enjoyed this, but never got a chance to comment – now it’s got a different feeling! You make great choices when you’re out and about! I hope you keep posting.
Thank you Lyn for the encouragement. It was certainly a strange process to observe – the Hillary love was damned hard to find. I could go and on but we’re all exhausted!
😦 Great images though.
Shucks, thanks so much Richard!
Good Photo-journalism as always Patti 🙂
All seems so long ago now Martin, thank you!
Great pictures Patti. Notwithstanding the sorry final outcome.
(Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving, if you follow local customs)
Take care.
B.
Lovely to hear, thank you Brian. Thanksgiving passed me by this year – travelling out of the country and feeling very out of the loop. Look forward to catching up soon and all best wishes to you!
Well, look forward to your coming back into the loop. Be good.
Big thank you Brian, still limping my way back into the loop!
Limping? Figuratively speaking I hope?
Excellent “behind the scenes” shots. Scary outcome it is!
Don’t know how I missed this, but…. 😭
Seems so long ago now doesn’t it . . .
Sadly, yes…
It was a battle royale!
And the fight goes on!