6:30 am Nov. 5th - Out Of Coffee

This morning's walk into work felt very different from yesterday.

At risk of gloating, I wore the same Obama buttons I've been wearing in anticipation of election day.

Picking up both the Wall Street Journal (my neighborhood paper) and the New York Times (my local paper) I scanned for news on Senate seats and other important votes from yesterday, but given their printing times I'd have to wait for the office and the computer for the most recent details. Those'll go into the memory box though.

There is a lot to contemplate from last night.

McCain's concession speech is what I had seen and respected in him from years past. How far he let his party and efforts stray. At the end of the day it was his leadership that lead to this failure and I still wait for a comprehensive history/analysis of the implosion the GOP has gone through. There is more going on here worth understanding.

Some commentators (PBS's Jim Lehrer's News Hour was our show of choice) pointed to the close elections in 2000 and 2004 as proof of the ground swell against the politics of hate, division and fear mongering. David Brooks (a conservative columnist I respect greatly) wasn't ready to label that sea change just yet. The important take away is that Obama and Democrats in general cannot assume too much. Diligence and hard work are still ahead and that is on top of the craps sandwich that Bushes is passing off.

Briefly on Palin, many Democrats will try and preemptive take her down. Such strength in the Democratic party should be encouraged especially since it has long been non-existent or subdued. That said, to me Palin represents the far Right of the Republican party and it is that portion that is splitting that party and contributed to this loss. The McCain / Palin ticket loosing so resoundingly risks making anyone who touched that campaign (even a Governor from Alaska) somewhat of a tainted product.

It is still too close to call 60 Senatorial seats yet and this battle may come down to runoffs in Georgia. This photo finish does point to the challenges ahead and should encourage those who won not to rest on their laurels. This will be unfolding.

No on Prop 8 in California looked to be struggling last night before I went to bed and a scan of LA Times confirms that a miracle is still needed to change this. It saddens me greatly that Prop 8 could pass in this day in age. But that battle will go on (fingers still crossed until it is official though).

Obama's victory speech last night was amazing. It was not rhetoric of a gloating victor. No arrogance could be found in his tone. There were some grumblings about the length though it was nothing like what Clinton was known for. Mentions of race and the achievements of Black America will definitely be picked on, but criticism on that point is open to labels of veiled racism. Put it another way, our country has waited a long time for this day and a few extra words on the topic seem wholly appropriate. Illusions and quotes from some America's finest moments could be found in this speech. FDR, JFK, and the not the least of which was another great President from Illinois.

It was obviously a late night in the office yesterday as evident by all the coffee beans having been used up by the revilers. I walked across the street to Chelsea Market where Ninth Street Espresso had just opened up. Putting a lid on my drink a security guard next to me seeing my Obama button said "We made history last night."

I agreed and mentioned that next year was the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. This just feels right.