Post Obama
It's a relief knowing that Obama will be taking the reigns come January.
On how much change he can bring is a different matter.
In the House & Senate, Republicans took a beating. Most of the senators who lost their seats were moderate republicans. The hard right & fundy conservatives are left standing. How this kind of vitriolic political party will play out in the future will likely damage whats left of the republican party, and polarise their supporters. As for the democrats, though not filibuster proof, they're enjoying a majority win in both house & senate. Lets hope the majority democrats in both house & senate don't turn to the dark side.
The results of the voting initiatives were vomitous in liberal California.
Resounding "YES" to reinstating a ban on gay marriage.
Resounding "NO" to a commitment to increase share of state power generation to come from renewable energy.
Surviving the tidal banning was pro-choice, though some concession went to 'notifying parents' should a minor request an abortion. Most other states with the same voter initiatives went the same way, with the exception of Michigan on renewable energy reform.
However, the shining light that an Obama presidency will bring to the conservative abyss is Science FTW.
Check out his science & research policy here. Stem cell research, renewable energy & space exploration/research are back on the agenda, with a tripling of resources going into student & small business support in science, engineering, research & development.
If the warm international welcome the world has given Obama is anything to go by, one of the most promising things to come of all this is the potential for renewed international co-operation. The U.S. has elected a mediator that has experience living outside his own sandbox. The guy is educated, charming, and can cross racial divides. He comes across as honest.
If he survives, politically & physically, he'll be the next Kennedy figure. Oh the irony :)