I Believe!!!

Hello, World. We're back!

Sometimes it takes plunging to the lowest depths to raise us to the highest heights. But the American people have spoken. We got it right this time. The message is a clarion call for change. Obama reached across the spectrum of voters to win his landslide. Rove and his thugs couldn't hornswoggle this one. For the first time in 12 years I'm excited on Election Night.

I am ecstatic, though I'm not sure I've fully internalized this inflection point in history. This is a giant step towards living up to our promise. We have just reinstilled the belief in the ideals of the United States--our belief in ourselves, and I assume the belief of people around the world in us. (I'm particularly interested in how my friends across the globe feel.)

I was impressed with McCain's gracious, thoughtful, forward-looking concession speech. That's precisely the attitude we need to move forward. He showed signs of who he was before he was brainwashed by the Far Right, and I do believe that he will work to move this country forward. (I don't think Sarah Palin will even be on his Christmas card list. You remember Sarah Palin, right? You'll need to if you hope to win Trivial Pursuit: 2010 Edition. She's done on the national stage because the Far Right is done on the national stage for the foreseeable future. And good riddance. Please excuse the pettiness, but she epitomized so many things wrong about where politics had been for the past eight years. Bobby Jindal, Gov. of Louisiana, is more likely to emerge on the national scene in the coming years as part of true conservatism's effort to remake itself.)

Obama's speech was remarkable. Inspirational as always, yet measured. He reveled in victory but did not gloat. He recognized the historical impact of the moment, yet he reset our focus onto the works that lay ahead. He again called on us to be our better selves. He has reinvigorated the people. He is a new generation of leader, and we have officially entered a new era of politics. We again have a leader with vision. He beautifully shared the story of the 106-year-old daughter of a slave a device by which to illustrate our history, and then asked us to imagine what life would be life 100 years hence. We can certainly believe again.

Tonight is a victory for all of us, a demonstration that opportunity in America is not just an illusion but a reality. I'm as excited and proud of Obama's victory as if he were my own brother or father, uncle or cousin. I consider myself good at empathizing and putting myself in someone else's shoes, but I think I can only imagine the full extent of the thrill and pride my friends who are African-American must be feeling today.

Seeing the beautiful new First Family, I saw my family. I imagine millions of families across America who might not have related to previous First Families will see themselves in the Obamas, too.

Yet, the battle for equality is not done. Various anti-gay marriage initiatives across the country seem to be passing. We still have work to do to ensure that everyone enjoys the same rights. But I am hopeful that the new spirit of the nation will help set us on the right course.

We face monumental problems that can be solved only with unity, hard work and tough decisions, but for now we should all celebrate this incredible moment...