Yes we can!
I went this afternoon to cast my vote. I started following the results at 6 PM and followed then continuously up until about two minutes ago. I am so very happy with the way this election turned out, and so very hopeful for the next four years. Obama's victory speech was a masterful piece of speechwriting. When he was writing that speech, he can't have helping knowing that if he had a chance of deliver it, it was destined to become on of our country's historic speeches, and he did not disappoint. He reached out to everyone, even the people who didn't vote for him, inspiring hope for the future and never (in my opinion) striking a false note.
Likewise, McCain's concession speech was a class act. I'm still glad he didn't win, but I was impressed by the way he handled himself tonight. It was, I think, the most statesmanly he's looked through this whole process - nothing became him so much in this campaign as the conceding of it. (Of course, his supporters didn't seem to take too kindly to his calls for them not to boo Obama, and to be prepared to work with him, but I suppose one can't have everything.)
All in all, a most satisfying conclusion to a long and exhausting compaign. I'm not nearly so naive as to believe that tonight's result will magically solve all our problems, but I certainly think it's a step in the right direction. It's rare that I feel proud to be an American - tonight is one of those times.
That being said, I'm rather looking forward to talking about something other than the election for a while.
Likewise, McCain's concession speech was a class act. I'm still glad he didn't win, but I was impressed by the way he handled himself tonight. It was, I think, the most statesmanly he's looked through this whole process - nothing became him so much in this campaign as the conceding of it. (Of course, his supporters didn't seem to take too kindly to his calls for them not to boo Obama, and to be prepared to work with him, but I suppose one can't have everything.)
All in all, a most satisfying conclusion to a long and exhausting compaign. I'm not nearly so naive as to believe that tonight's result will magically solve all our problems, but I certainly think it's a step in the right direction. It's rare that I feel proud to be an American - tonight is one of those times.
That being said, I'm rather looking forward to talking about something other than the election for a while.