Obama Pajama-rama

The 2008 Presidential Election was unique in many ways, but one of the most striking was how involved, invested and interested the general public became in the journey to electing the 44th president of the United States.

This interest led to many events being organized around the country– from the tried and true phone banks to concerts and rallies. On election eve I found myself wondering where I wanted to be when I found out the results of this historic election.

Inspired by a local (but sadly over 21 only) pajama party being thrown for Barack Obama at an East Village restaurant, I decided to throw one of my own.

Pajama parties usually invoke images of little girls in pigtails and nightgowns, eating junk food, gabbing about boys, and attempting to stay awake just one hour longer. 

This party was radically different– young adults clad in flannel pants, t-shirts, and socks, sitting in front of the television tuned to CNN, mapping out the country in red and blue on a home-made map, jumping with excitement every time an electoral vote projection flashed across the screen and well, eating junk food, too.

Liza Wu, a Northeastern University student who was in attendance at the Obama Pajama-rama, believed that events like these were indicative of just how important the election had become.

“I feel like no one, especially young people, has cared about a presidential race this much in a very long time. Throwing a pajama party in support of a Presidential candidate? It shows that people are excited by this race, that they want to spend a night in front of the television, because its like watching the world change before your eyes. Everyone wants to be a part of it.”