I'm tempted to say, "We Won," but that's not quite correct...

...I firmly believe that tonight, after years of painful division, America Finally Won.

Approaching The End

One last time...I have to say it...

This is the most important election of our lifetime...for all of us. We all have a stake in this.

In the past eight years, we have seen an explicit and unimaginably hurtful division of this country brought about by an unnecessary and disastrous "narrowing" of the Republican party (to borrow a very appropriate word used by Colin Powell). The middle class has been ignored and discriminated against. Only the wealthiest, most powerful Americans have been favored. Our economy is in its worst state since the 1930s. Our foreign policy has alienated us from the rest of the world. The damage done over the past eight years cannot easily be reversed.

We need a leader who understands how to guide this country out of this horrific state...not one who wants to continue down the same disastrous path.

Barack Obama is the right person to lead this country. It is just that simple.

I could continue on, trying to write something with rhetorical flourish, filled with powerful talking points, but I can't. I will level with all our readers...I am a wreck. My stomach is in knots. That's how important this is--to me, to the country.

I have fear. There is evidence that Republicans stole elections in the past. What if they do it again? Or what if the polls are off?

...Or, worse--what if this country just isn't ready for true, powerful change?

Lots of things to worry about. Lots of things to fear. But that's not what this election cycle has been about...not for Barack Obama and not for loyal Obama supporters like me.

This campaign has been exhausting. But it has also been amazingly powerful. A message of transformational hope and change swept over citizens in every corner of this country. It has been an amazing moment...and I hope this moment lasts for the next four years, and beyond.

And you...all of you who connect and communicate over this vast blogosphere, all of you who have discussed, jousted, and outright duked it out with me or K over this past 11 months...all of you who shared in the joy and the pain of this election...all of you faceless enigmas who we've never actually "met," but with whom we've become inextricably linked through this beautiful, agonizing experience....I cherish you all. Vigilante, that old curmudgeon, undeniably knowledgeable and unwaveringly confident in his own views...Mad Mike, the Big Dog, a kinder, gentler curmudgeon (if that's possible) whose dedication over the past several months has been unparalleled...Stella, ever the optimist, a true uniter amid a sea of dividers...The Wizard, always one to analyze issues from every angle (many times to a fault), even though he recently jumped off the Deep End...I even have to acknowledge Lee, who lives in the Deep End...and of course, Utah Savage, who started it all...

...you all hold a special place in my Blogging Heart.

To K: Our first election together! Let's hope the stars aligned for this one, just as they aligned to bring us together. I love you...I am so glad I have your hand to hold as we approach the end of this experience (and as we hopefully enter a New Era together).

So...I argued politics endlessly over the past year. Got in plenty of fights, but hopefully made as many friends as I have enemies. I'll be a nervous wreck for at least the next 24 hours, so in case I'm M.I.A. until the result is finally announced...much love to you all.

And one last time...

OBAMA '08!

A Very Sad Moment During a Very Hopeful Time

Just saw this one...with only one day left in this election...

Barack Obama's Grandmother has passed away.

I've read both Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope. I know how imporant "Toot" was to this man. I will let the news story and, most importantly, the Obama statement, speak for themselves.

What a strange moment for this to happen. I will not even begin to turn this into a "what does this mean for the election" type of ridiculousness.

My only statement is this: I wish Barack Obama and his family comfort during this time.