Are any of you having this kind of stuff happening to you lately?

[mtnsnake]

With very little prodding, people all over are bringing up the change that's about to happen with hopeful anticipation. It doesn't matter if they're Democrats, Fatcats, Republicans, Hooligans, Independents, Neo-cons or ex-cons.

For example, the pizza delivery guy responded the other night with "One more week and things will be getting better!" after I wished him a happy new year. Don't know if he's a Dem or a Repub.

The lady at the Post Office desk asked me jokingly if I was going to the Inauguration next week, and then she piped in how she was looking soooo forward to the end of Bush. She practically whispered it so the guy down the counter couldn't hear her. We had never talked politics before.

A neo-conservative friend of mine admitted to being hopeful of having good times return again soon and admitted to looking forward to seeing what Obama could do.

Plus, any of the times I've brought up the subject myself with a perfect stranger or someone who I barely know, I haven't had a negative response yet. It seems to me that most people, regardless of political orentation are looking forward to the end of the dark ages under Bush and Cheney and the beginning of a new and better era ahead...under Obama.

Are any of you experiencing this same kind of optimistic small talk with strangers when you're out and about? Even when you're not talking about it, you can feel the anticipation in the air.

[PBS Poll-435]

1. Definitely has happened to me.

Clerk at the grocery store.

A former colleague e-mailed me out of the blue and expressed optimism. (She was a Huckabee backer)

Random mother of at least 2 acknowledged my Hillary and Obama/Biden bumper stickers.



Optimism is in the air.

[MadMaddie]

2. I have and it's refreshing!

Absolutely no one believes McCain and the Repugs would be capable of turning America around.

I took Tuesday off and I am going to sit and watch and hear everything.

[Ilsa]

3. Yep, and I'm one of those strangers of which you speak. And the reactions

I'm getting when I mention it are very positive.

[Clio the Leo]

4. One of my co-workers told the story...

... today of her four year old, while they were standing in line at Wal-Mart pointing at a picture of Barack and saying, "I know who that is mommy, that' is OUR President!"

I'm in the middle of red-state, Bible belt America.

That's saying something friends!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. At the repair shop today,

the owner told my husband, "I didn't vote for him, but I hope that he does really well." Not a word about Bush. In fact, I haven't heard a word about Bush in months. It's like he doesn't exist any more--or he's the nightmare everyone is trying to forget.

[IsItJustMe]

6. People need hope really bad right now.

[rufus dog]

7. I live in a fairly Red area

But have seen more optimism. Most comments have been from people who saw my Obama signs and said they supported him too and a lot of statements to the effect that they didn't know there were others like them.

My Mother in Law, a big time righty did call my wife this morning and said she has been very impressed at how Obama is stepping up then asked the wife to ask me what was wrong with W based on the press conference. I think she believes he is ill, don't have the heart to call her and let her know he was probably drunk and is just a bigger asshole when he is drunk.

[busybl]

8. yea

and from surprising people too. Had a long talk with a retired military guy today and he's with us. Little old ladies, young men. I like it!