Life is in the Details

President Obama!

I did this layout almost a year ago, ironically, as my friend Beth pointed out to me today, on January 20, 2008. President Barack Obama will be inaugurated on January 20, 2009. Strange coincidence.  

I should preface this by saying that I am pretty much a moderate voter, I lean more right than left. I think I am actually more of a Libertarian.  But this year I was glued to the campaign coverage from day one, and I think a big part of that was because of Senator Barack Obama.  I was so inspired by this man from the start. He has a gift and although he is far more liberal than I will ever be, I have been so touched by how he has been able to unite people in the country, inspire people to pay attention to the political process and give our country hope after years of partisan divisiveness. 

I struggled with who to vote for almost right up to the end.  John McCain was the person I wanted to win in 2000, he has a strong record of moderate voting that I have always liked very much.  I think this campaign changed the public persona of him, he was not presenting himself as the same person I remembered.  But in the end, I did vote for John McCain.  I had faith that beyond this campaign, that had become pretty nasty at the end on his part, did not define who he is.  Last night, my faith in him was renewed when he gave his concession speech. It was a wonderful speech and he ended his campaign as the class act that I knew that he actually was. I hope that he makes good on his promise that he will work hard with President Obama to move this country beyond partisan politics.

But I am not upset by the outcome of this election.  I was moved to tears last night watching the coverage when President Elect Obama was announced.  No political views can take away from this historical moment. I am so happy for Obama supporters and particularly for African Americans who have waited so long for this day. I am happy for all Americans that we as a nation could elect a non-white-male leader.  It was time.  I loved Whoopi Goldberg saying today on The View that she feels like she can finally put her suitcase down.  Like she has finally come home. Just really great stuff! This is a turning point in our country and I am excited to be alive to witness it!  

God Bless America! 

Happy Election Day!

Make sure to vote today!! Regardless of who wins, this is such a historical election, either the first African American President or the first Female Vice President.  Very cool! Yay America!

Strange Coincidence???

I watched the Tim Russert memorial today on tivo and it was a wonderful service and there were many great eulogies done by journalists and friends and Luke Russert, his son.  But I thought the coolest thing was that at the end of the service, after a tribute with Bruce Springsteen, they played songs from Tim's ipod.  They played Somewhere over the Rainbow as the service was ending and then later tonight I saw a photo of Washington DC today, and a huge rainbow filled the sky right around the time the service ended! Coincidence? hmmm...

Tim Russert

Tim Russert, host of the Sunday morning political talk show, Meet the Press, passed away suddenly, this afternoon.  So very sad, only 58 years old.  I never watched Meet the Press, maybe once or twice, but not regularly.  I usually watch Face the Nation on CBS when his show airs, but I have seen him in other capacities on NBC.  I thought his moderation of the Democratic debate a few months ago was by far the best of all the moderators, just so professional and he kept control of the debate unlike many of the other correspondents that had tried to control Clinton and Obama during this primary season.  And he forced them to not skirt around the questions, he would not let them get away with a sound byte with no substance.  I actually remember commenting about that after the debate.

I'm watching Campbell Brown right now who's filling in for Anderson Cooper on 360 and she's having a hard time not crying as people recall their memories of Tim Russert.  She said he was her first boss in television network news, he gave her her big break. He sounds like he was a genuinely nice guy who found his way to his dream job through a whole lot of hard wor k and it seems like he loved every minute of it.  What a shame for his life to be cut short, but what a gift to be able to leave this earth having lived so well and so thoroughly.  Rest in peace Tim Russert.

History is being made tonight!

Photo taken from www.barackobama.com

Right Now, I am watching Barack Obama declare victory as the Democratic Nominee for President.  This is a moment I want to remember.  Sometimes you don't realize that you are watching history right before your eyes, but tonight you can be sure that this moment is a historical moment in American History.  The first African American nominee, who is also the most inspiring candidate that I can remember in my adult life. He tells us that change is possible, that we can take back our government and make it about the people again.  I want to believe him, I want to continue to be inspired by him.  I hope that he can really make these changes, that he can back up his inspiring speeches with action and with feasible plans.  I hope that he can surround himself with experienced people that can help him achieve his goals without squashing his spirit.  I hope that if he wins the Presidency he can work with Republicans and compromise.  I like McCain because he compromises to get things done.  I wonder if Obama would do that? And I really hope that he doesn't raise my taxes too much. lol

Hillary Clinton did not concede tonight.  There were reports today that she would, then there were reports that she wouldn't.  But Barack Obama thanked Hillary Clinton for her hard work in his speech and the tough race she fought. I think Obama's speech would have been so much more powerful though had Hillary conceded, I think it would have really rallied the Democrats together, but that didn't happen.

Regardless, it's a proud moment for America today. I'm so glad I am alive to witness it!

NH Primary

I'm completely hooked again on the political process.  Ana sent me a quiz today that told me which candidates most closely align with my beliefs.  Rudy won.  I figured he would.  Mitt came in second, Mc Cain third.  I'd take any of those 3. 

Hillary shed some tears yesterday, well at least choked up, and I started to think, wow, maybe this lady is human afterall.  But the quiz put her in last place for me, so I guess human or not, I'm not a liberal democrat.

Barack just won Iowa last week, and they were thinking he'd win NH.  But it seems that Hillary's humanizing herself yesterday worked because she's now in 1st. McCain won the Republican vote.  I like McCain, I don't agree with everything he says, but he seems genuine and experienced. I like that he has Military experience.

Barack is just so inspiring, I think he could  be an interesting choice if he won.  But like Andre says, middle America just may not be ready for Barack Obama.  And he was on the bottom of my quiz list too, inspiring or not.

Eloise is sick today, she was wiggling around at the back door at lunchtime and Ana said she had diarrhea in the house this afternoon.  So she got rice and pumpkin with dinner, and hopefully she'll be okay in the next couple days.  Or it's back to the vet for more flagyl.  I don't know what happens to her that she gets this colitis all the time.  Maybe she needs to go back to the holistic vet for more sulfur.

Anyway, I want to get back to CNN.  See what is going on with the election.