It was 302 this morning, while standing in our dark bedroom, staring at the clock that has MPR whispering things to me, that I found out who won that little election thingy last night. MPR was trumped by my lovely wife, when she whispered in her “I’m not awake, but I can talk and still be cute doing so” voice: “Obama won”.
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I let that sink in for a moment before I responded and said good morning. I checked in on dd, then stumbled towards the magical caffeine dispenser, located somewhere in the northwest corner of the kitchen, past the booby traps Mr. B and Ms. B have left for me.
Senator Barack Hussein Obama from Illinois (my old stomping grounds) was elected the 44th President of the United States. 143 years after the 13th Amendment was adopted, a black man is elected president. I couldn’t help but think of the scene in Robin Hood, Men in Tights, when Blinken finds out Ah Choo was black….
Last nights election has marked a change. It has empowered some, while scaring others. All across the country today, moms and dads have replaced “if” to “when”. “Yes we can” has become “yes we did”.
At the same time, the markets tumbled a bit after opening (I believe historically, they’ve done that) as people, uncertain of their futures, sell off what they can. I’m sure gun and safe sales have gone up too.
Regardless of who you voted for (or against); your personal views on race, religion and politics; and your views on the man himself… lets all take a moment and congratulate Mr. Obama for this historic event.
I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what Mr. Obama can do.
Congratulations, President Obama! You said “yes, we can”. More than half the country said “yes, you should”.
Now lets see you do it.
2 years of campaigning. Endless miles on planes, trains and buses. The stumping. The glad-handing. The long nights and even longer days. The buildup as election time draws near. The waiting and anticipation as the polls close. The victories and defeats as each state is announced. And then the payoff.
You went to bed this morning, knowing you won. I wonder how you felt this morning when you woke up.

