Wait until Obama has been sworn in before you start trashing him, at least!

[I'm a Leftie -- but a nice, squishy one. I shudder at the upcoming "food fight."]

Part of the reason for the quiet last night was our respect for the fact that Obama had come to be with us in spite of his obvious grief over his obvious grief. And, though Senator Obama looked a bit sad -- his speech was stirring. He called on all of us to help him finish the election journey.

I was lucky enough to be 10 feet away from the podium but I could see the crowd all the way to the far edge of the field. Many of us had been there for 7 and 8 hours and had parked miles away from the Fair Grounds. Young African Americans stood next to rural Virginian red-heads. Yuppies from "Communist" Alexandria, Virginia held hands with Goths from Hampton Roads during the R&B version of "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand." Stangers shared French Fries with each other. It was almost sickeningly sweet! Too politically correct! We were 80,000+ cold, tired, shivering people, standing next to each other -- waiting to hear from our future president!

And, the second Obama's Lead car arrived, lights flashing -- the mood became electric! People started clapping, smiling; any previous annoyances (our toes were frozen, Obama was an hour late, we had to hear "Beautiful World" 10 times!) were forgotten!

As I mentioned, Obama looked a bit wan -- but he smiled and talked from his heart. He gave a wonderful -- end of campaign wrap-up speech. He menitoned his grand-mother and that McCain had sent condolences. He thanked us for ours. Afterward, he shook hands, and then came back on stage for a last, wistful good-bye wave. And was gone.

The crowd watched him closely till he disapeared and then left to get ready for one of the last messages Obama had given us -- TOMORROW. We were happy and content and smiled to ourselves as we made the long trek back to our cars and home. There was no horn-honking impatience.

The road ahead won't won't be easy...Obama said that several times last night and we in the crowd already knew it. But, having a leader who is optimistic, compassionate and who has a powerful intellect and who is inspiring will make it a bit easier.

Once a supporter is located, they are put onto a list, their "issues" are noted for future use/mailings -- whatever -- and then the campaign works hard to make sure they stay engaged, they volunteer, they vote early and/or they vote on election day.

It is also to identify those wrong numbers, those who have moved and those new immigrants who need to be called by someone who speaks Spanish. Every single bit of information is inputed for future use.

Calling isn't JUST one step. What the writer doesn't get is that it is a part of a PROCESS.

The writer helped the Republican Party in their future work. The now know NOT to waste time on the "Dems" in the future -- if they are doing their job right.

Oddly, my 22 year old son, in Virginia, who has voted Dem and is in a Dem voting household has gotten those VILE (and expensive!) mailings on Obama that pretty much say he is a terrorist and a socialist! He didn't get to see the mailings, however. He is a paid field staffer for Obama in Florida.

Idiots. The GOP is not having a good year.

But Sarah Palin called the "President" of France "Nicholas" without getting his permission...this woman doesn't show basic courtesy -- let alone protocol!

But, in the end, how could Sarah Palin -- or anyone on her staff -- believe that the leader of a country like France would insert him or herself into the US presidential race 3 days before the election? I suppose the Governor of a low-population State with a sports journalism degree might not know something like this -- but why in the hell wouldn't "presidential campaign staffers" know this?" Did they get these people from Liberty University or from some Wasilla temp agency?

This should mean the end of the McCain/Palin candidacy -- but, unfortunately, it won't.

Sorry Joan,

This kind of attitude is where we get the reputation for being "squishy liberals."

There is that old song about the girl and the rattlesnake. It is a cold, wintery night. The rattlesnake begs a sweet young girl to let it into her warm cottage to keep it from dying a terrible death. The snake promises not to bite her. The girl finally gives in, the rattlesnake comes in -- and -- of course -- it bites her. As the girl dies, the snake says, "I'm a rattlesnake -- silly girl! I bite people!"

Do not -- DO NOT EVER -- feel sorry for Sarah Palin. She is a rattlesnake.

To hope that Americans are racist enough to "break" for the old white guy at the last minute -- is the absolute rock bottom of what has been one of the lowest and most vulgar campaigns in recent history.

Ick. Yuk. I have to go take a metaphorical shower, now, Mr. G.

Take Palin seriously -- or overestimate her to your SHAME.