President Barack Obama

I don't even know where to start. I can't get enough MSNBC Live. I can't read enough on CNN. I can't wait for tomorrow to get here. I'm like a little kid who can hardly wait for Santa to arrive. There will be no sleep. My behavior will be extra good...well....let's not take things too far. But I'm as giddy as a little kid waiting to open that shiny package.

The time between holidays was long. There has been no light and few moments to celebrate in the past 8 years. In fact, I can't think of any. Oh yes. Capturing Bin Laden. I mean, Sadam Hussein. On my 40th birthday, in fact. Yes, the Bush admininstration can have bragging rights to that one. But no more. The election four years ago severely divided this country between so called Godless Liberals and the Christian right wing. Both incorrect and devisive statements that did far more to divide a country than unify a party.

I can already feel those wounds start to heal. I haven't heard those terms thankfully in this election as I did in 2004. I think that is why Barack Obama had such a profound effect on so many of us during that speech at the DNC. He spoke of healing and reconciliation between the parties that had been so damaged in the last campaign. He spoke of hope and unity back then as he continues to do today.

I see very little change in the leader I saw that day in 2004 until now. In fact, the changes I do see are growth and maturity and a poise and composure to take the reigns and lead this country out of the dark abyss that has come to seem so normal to the American people. How wrong that we have come to expect that as normal. It's the only explanation I can find for those who still want to keep the dark as a normal way of life.

Yes, on the eve of this nation electing our first president of color, I stop to think about how far this country has come on subject of race. And how far it has to go. My own ethnic children (16 and 21) received a disturbing email from their own father yesterday full of ignorance and intolerance that made my stomach turn. Fortunatly, my children dismissed it for the bigotry that it was but it lefting me thinking about those who put some much energy to fill their hearts with hate and wrong that has no premise other than the color of one's skin, birthright or heritage. Amazing. And I continue to look for the day that we no longer have to consider whether it's the first African American, Native American, Hispanic, or fill in your own ethnic favorite first, we just know it's the best choice. And the day that we choose due to who is the best choice and the color of their skin in no longer a consideration.

Yes, tomorrow will be a wonderful day for so many reasons. It's checking off another first. Its the start of a new era. A new day and a new way of life and thinking. It's the beginning of new prosperity and possibilities the likes this country has not seen in a very long time. It's a day I can hardly wait to share with my children especially my daughter who is voting for a president for the first time in her young life. And for my son who wants to save the Obama/Biden sign we have in our front yard to show his own children one day that he remembers when he was elected and attended a rally where he spoke.

It won't happen over night. This, as all things, will take time. But progress is worth having. We may not recognize it right away because we aren't used to having it but it will feel wonderful. I can feel the change already. And it feels good. So here's to tomorrow night. To quote my dear friend who, upon mixing the happy hour drinks on Friday nights, toasts us all by stating, "Let the healing begin!"

I Can't Take It....

She learned about 3 things and she learned them well. In case you didn't notice, whenever Palin got in over her pretty little head she went back to what she knew and had engraved in to a T.

In watching the debate in comes down to one thing and it WAS asked. Who would you rather have in the White House if the unthinkable did indeed occur. Bringing up things such as "we need a little more of Wasilla Street in Washington DC "....uh....no. The first thing that came to my mind was flashing back to Jimmy Carter's only too public brother Billy. Relying on Reagan's old "there you go again" ... nothing about her is original. Nothing about what she had to say explained any plan by this Republican ticket. The entire election for the Republican party is based on what they can derogitorily say about the opposition rather than what this ticket stands for. Nothing changed in this debate.

If she said "soccer mom" or "maverick" one more time anyone could have put together a good drinking game with those buzz words. I am a soccer mom. I live in a rural community. I struggle to put food on the table from time to time. I do not make the income Sarah Palin makes. I will vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. If the unthinkable were to happen, I would grieve my heart out and then I would also rest assured knowing that my country had someone in the White House who had experience and integrity and the know how to run this country. With their respective ticket nominees in the house, they each have their own stances. But when you look at the VP candidacy, you have to look at not only what they bring to the table but what they are a heart beat away from.

I am so proud of Joe Biden for answering the questions and particularly for addressing Palin's repeated "maverick" statement. I don't capitalize that because it doesn't warrant it. He is not a maverick for the people and not for anything that has mattered to the American people. The smear campaign that the McCain Palin ticket runs on is a desperate cry for power and to continue with W politics that have gotten this country nowhere but further behind in the things that matter to the American people.

After than this debate more than any other time the lines have firmly been drawn. Based on the FACTS....the FACTS.....you have to vote for the change that will do the most good.