Waking Up From a Nightmare, Walking Into a Dream

It's a new day in America. The end of the error that was George W. Bush has come, the Democrats are in power and it seems like the entire nation, the entire world, is celebrating this truly historic moment.I've not slept very much and am not ashamed to admit still being a bit hung over (the only reason I got out of bed was to attend a celebratory lunch, which was heavy on celebrating and light on lunch), followed by a similar dinner I've just returned from.

I thought about writing this after I got home from Grant Park at nearly 5 am, but decided against it. At the time I was thinking how I'd spent 2 previous nights getting home at this hour, but both times licking wounds after the crushing disappointment of Kerry in '04 and then equally tough to take Congressional races in '06. This time the body was feeling equally weary and the head was pounding (too much noise, too much alcohol, too little sleep), but mentally I was flying, we did it (and I'm not one to throw around "we").

There are so many reasons why this race is incredibly significant and could stand as a national turning point. Race is such a huge issue in the United States and yet we became the first G7 power to elect a minority. This doesn't solve America's original sin, but it goes a long way to healing it. There is also the nature of the Obama victory. In a country that spent 8 years harshly divided by the new language of "red" and "blue", we now look more like one. This was a call for the nation to be brought together, and the people have confidence in President Obama to do that. There is still reason to be concerned: exhibit a-the behavior of McCain's supporters, exhibit b-that it doesn't appear Plain is going away. However, despite those issues, reconciliation is achievable, President Obama appears ready to take the first step.

The election also brings to an end what, if it wasn't overwhelmingly obvious already, was the reign of the worst president in American history. President Obama is sure to be an improvement, but now its time to get to work and start the long hard process to delivering on those election promises.

Last night was about "yes we can", but soon it will be about making good and turning "can" to "did". President Obama, after 8 years of embarrassment, you've made us proud to be Americans again, now don't let us down!

It's a Race, It's a Race!

Its amazing to think about, but with the new condensed primary schedule that both US parties are planning for 2008, by this time next year, we will probably know who won both parties nominations. For the first time in 80 years, there will be no incumbents running in the 2008 race, making it truly wide open. For awhile, it seemed like everyone and his (or her) brother may be tossing their hat into the ring and running in 2008, though right now the field (especially on the Republican side) is still fairly small. The race also appears to be the most diverse ever, a real representation of the nation with an African American candidate, a woman candidate, a Mormon, (potentially) a Hispanic, and a sleaze ball (Mr. Guiliani, please stand up).

This week, with the Iowa caucuses, which kicks everything off, almost a full year away, there's already been some news. Mitt Romney, the Mormon in question and arguably the GOP front runner in the race right now (until McCain jumps in), has already started a media ad buy and put out commercials. His biggest problem is name recognition, though his being a Mormon Republican from Utah didn't hurt him in winning the governership of Massachusetts, he does have potential as a national candidate. Further, just today there was the announcement that Governor Tom Vilsack (D-Iowa) is dropping out of the race after realizing that he is incapable of raising the money needed to make a serious run.

With Vilsack out, that leaves Biden, Dodd, Edwards, Kucinich, and Obama in the race for the Dems. I may be wrong, but while Hillary has created an exploratory committee and announced she intends to run, she has yet to file with the FEC, which seems like only a formality at this point. For the Republicans, its Brownback, Romney, and Guiliani with McCain, much like Hillary, ready to jump in when the time is right.

I'm not a died in the wool Democrat, but to me it seems that the combination of Edwards, Obama, and Hillary are going to be the shining stars, with the nominee most likely to be Edwards or Obama. On the GOP side, its McCain and (grudgingly) Guiliani, though Romney has the potential to stir things up. I just don't see Guiliani as a serious candidate because of his personal life issues and the fact that, if not for the myth of Guiliani created post-9/11, he would go down in NYC history as being a mediocre mayor at best (and I still think that's all he was). Plus, the fact he's probably "not conservative enough" for the GOP in a campaign where no hopes like Brownback (and Tancredo if he runs) are bound to pull the debate to the right. As it appears right now, the Dems don't really have a candidate who goes that far left (except maybe Hillary) and thus should be better positioned for the general election.

Anyways, while its fun to play this game, at the end of the day, its pretty useless, but its going to be interesting to see how everything plays out.

Obama '08

Doors opened at 3:30 pm, but Barack didn't go on until around 5:45 pm. The "opening acts" were Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Luis Guitteriez, State Senator Emil Jones and a female UIC student. There were many others in the crowd, if you notice to the right of where Schakowsky is standing on the stage, in the sport coat and blue sweater, is Sen. Durbin. Schakowsky was introducing many of those in the audience and when she came to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, the boos were almost deafening. Most definitely the loudest moment of the night.

Obama was up there for awhile, though he was interrupted at one point when he mentioned Iraq by a group of people chanting something like "Cut the funds, bring our soldiers home" and at another point "no justice, no peace", they caused enough of a ruccus that they were ultimately lead out by Chicago's finest. A packed and energetic house today, Obama's the man, let's see what comes from this.