Elections

During the writer's strike, Steven Colbert told a story a couple of days past the New Hampshire primary. It went something like this: Did you see who won last night? You know the woman with short blonde hair, the one who likes to wear pant suites? If your mind went where mine did, where Steven wanted it to go, then you were thinking Hillary Clinton. It's election time, of course that's the answer. Of course it was not. The answer was Ellen DeGeneres, following the People's Choice Awards.

It was Super Bowl Sunday, (Go Giants) and I was privileged to see Senator Barack Obama in Rodney Square in Wilmington. Emotions were flying high, the crowd loved every minute of it.
The election brought close to home.

I had expected to leave some of this hype behind when I traveled to Sudan. It was not to be. Every morning, every place, every newspaper, the world was following 0ur election. Mostly they were following the Democratic race, between Senators Obama and Clinton. And, everyone had an opinion. And, they voiced it. I was expected to voice mine as well. Political discussion without rancor. What fun.

However, that was not the election that deserved the most attention. Instead, it was the election to decide the new Archbishop of The Episcopal Church of the Sudan. I was excited to be labeled an "Observer" to this process which was similar but so different than the election that took place ten years ago in our diocese.

There was a Chancellor to preside, a secretary to the process, delegates with voice and vote, and those of us that watched. Same there, same here. In our process, the election took 16 votes and two days. In Sudan, one hour and one vote.

Seventy-five delegates were allowed to vote and the winner needed two-thirds or 50 votes. After the first ballot, the leader had 39 votes, the next two 21 and 15. Brief discussions and then, the other two removed their names from the process and threw their support behind the first place finisher. It was over. The Rt. Rev. Daniel Deng was now the Archbishop elect. Pandemonium.

Everyone rushed forward, eager to embrace and congratulate. Bishop Deng's wife came forward. Lots of pictures were taken, songs sung, cheers.