Erica’s News Note: The Final Countdown
(Duh’nah nah nah, duh’nah nah nah nah…)
Erica Hill
AC360° Correspondent
Election Eve and I swear I can feel the energy and excitement in the air, and not just from the CNN folks ready for a day off! NYC is always alive and thumping, but today I am noticing it even more, and I don’t think it’s all in my head. The “discussions” on the street today were more animated, the hand gestures more pronounced, and the voices a bit louder and more emphatic. When I took our dog out this morning, a neighbor had posted a notice with the location of our polling site and the districts we belong to on the front door of our building. No excuses! I’m ready for my “I voted” sticker. The ones in Georgia had peaches on them…wonder if I’ll have one with an apple in NYC?
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Would you like to have the option to vote early? Some experts say the strong turnout in states with early voting could put the pressure on the rest of the country to make it available. I wouldn’t mind having the option, though I’d prefer early voting without the crazy lines.
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If those lines make you crazy, a little help from the folks on CNN’s medical team: anger management for election day.
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While it may be easy to forget, there are several other races tomorrow – not just the one for the White House. In addition to all of our snazzy maps at CNNPolitics.com, there is a fun tool to help you track the races that matter to you most.
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In addition to taking a lot of pride in my right to vote, I also believe jury duty isn’t something to be ignored. I have only been picked for duty once, but I found it fascinating. I also feel it’s my part in the “right to a fair trial” we all have. I know it isn’t always convenient, and I admit, the trial I served for lasted two days, not two months. Still, I can’t believe anyone would skip out on jury duty to go to a horse race, especially after their tour is nearly over. But what really upsets me about the missing juror in the Ted Stevens trial is that she lied about her father dying. Death and illness are things you never joke about and certainly never lie about. To me it’s beyond bad taste, it is bad luck… and you know what they say about karma. Imagine you lied about your father’s death to sneak out of a meeting, and then he really did die? The guilt would be overwhelming…at least it would be for most of us.
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For those of you that may have missed Saturday morning with Erica. She did a nice report you on saying "no" to your children about money especially in the current economy.
Just want to pass on a little advice for the kids. I have always paid my children an allowance since they were 5 years old. Until then I told them they were in training for Mom.
It is a real simple system. You get paid $5 per week when you turn 5 and get your raise on the 1st Saturday of your birthday month. 10% goes to charity, 10% goes to their savings account and 80% they get to spend. (You have to use the 3 piggy bank system.) There is then no discussion about money and making all these purchases because they have their own funds they have to manage via wallets and purses. I usually run to the bank every six months and ask for so many 5's and so many 1's. If the children only knew where Mom stashed the cash.
Finally my last bit of unsolicted advice that works wonders with children I read in a parenting book years ago. When a child asks for money you don't want them to think you are too rich or too poor. It makes a child upset if you constantly say you are broke when you know you have a mortgage payments and other obligations. In lieu of a jumbo explanation, you simply say, "Today, we are choosing not to spend our money that way." I works wonders.
I have just been so deeply sadened by the news of Senator Obama's grandmother passing. May GOD bless keep and strenghthen his entire family
Erica,
I'm still amazed by people who refuse to register to vote because they don't want to be called for jury duty. That is so lame!! Voting (and jury duty) are rights/privileges that most of the world would love to have.
The campaign season is (thankfully) almost over. I've been pleasantly surprised by the Democrats – they've stayed on message with out all the negative vitriol and lies of the past. Too bad the Republicans didn't learn how to play nice. Maybe they will eventually realize that you "catch more flies with honey than with vinegar". In my long life I've found that people lie when they have nothing good to offer, and that says more about the Republicans than they would like.
I finally received my first "robocall" and it came to me over the weekend on my work telephone. I guess since I don't have a land line at home they had to get me somehow! Then today the DNC "called" to inform me of my polling place. Such effeciency!! LOL!!
I know everyone at CNN is excited about tomorrow – but also looking forward to a bit of a break. All of you have been involved in this election reporting in one way or another, and I'm sure it will be a relief to be able to catch your breath.
Take care!! It's (dare we say it?) almost over.
Deb
Wouldn't it be a nice gesture for Mrs. Obama to be by her husband's side tonight? She is a busy mom and not able to attend all of these rallys, we understand that and are grateful for the tastefullness of her selected appearances as oppossed to always standing there nodding and smiling at the camera. It would be very heart warming to see her tonight though. A steady hand on his shoulder would be even better. It's so sad that Mr. Obama's Grandmother died today. I didn't know her but am on the verge of tears for their family.
"Obama’s grandmom just passed away and that’s sad !"
What the?? Are you serious?? Are you?? I guess it wouldn't be true if you wouldn't have said it...
You know, sometimes I like to think that I know some asnwers but not all of them. But if you can control your own destiny, why not?? God has bigger plans...
I hate to play "Devil's Advocate" but let's turned the tables around...plus, after all, is the GOP's game...
You believe in ghosts GOP?? Maybe you better not...
My heart goes out to Sen. Obama at his grandmothers passing one day before the elections. This is just so sad.
McCain/Palin
Hi Erica, yeah, I’ve been thinking about the election all day. I shouldn’t, but I am. And yes, I’m for early voting. Some of us have other obligations (like traveling for work, etc.) that would make us unavailable on the actual day. On jury duty…it’s a civic duty, I know, but if I have to be out for several weeks for it, it would place a hardship where I work. Somehow there should be a way for all to participate without putting a hardship on anyone. See you later,
Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington
I honestly think that is because New Yorkers realize what undecided voters do not...we are in TROUBLE if McCain wins...serious trouble. Obama is not just our hope for the future but it's also a matter of how BAD McCain would be.
I feel horrible about Obama's grandmother...she came so close to living to see this amazing achievement RIP.
Obama's grandmom just passed away and that's sad !