President Obama !!!!!

Lump in my throat.

Although I am not usually given to sentimentality, the cynicism is beginning to lift.

The cliche of  "an historic election" is old, but not tired.  We are living through history being made.   Jackie Robinson, move over.

Barack Obama is a good man and has all the makings of being a great president, and we need that now.  Sometimes I think it's okay to dream, this country is worth it.  If Senator Obama can deliver on just half the hope that he has inspired, he will indeed be the greatest president.

I realize that many on the other side are "worried" about socialism and terrorist threats.  These fears are, like most of their fears, unfounded.  They will always have fear, and I am proud that my country has stood up and said, "Enough!"  Barack Obama represents everything good about this nation and this world.  

He is a child of a new generation--my generation-- an idealistic soul welded to an elite intellect and a stellar work ethic, born of the an American immigrant tradition, raised by the fearless American optimism of his grandparents, trained in the greatest schools on the planet and elected by every demographic group in this wonderful country.

Not in my lifetime has the electorate seemed so positive-- people going to the polls to vote for someone as opposed to against someone else.  I admit that I supported Hillary Clinton during the primaries... in large part because I knew that her presidency would be a huge red-hot poker up the collective Republican asshole.  Sure, she is intelligent and would have been an estimable diplomat and capable bureaucrat but, alas, she would have continued the devisive politics of the past.

The President of the United State of America matters.  It's important to choose the right person... and we have.  Not someone to drink a beer with, but someone who will inspire and lead, who will make the right decisions.  Do I agree with everything Senator Obama proposes?  Hardly, but for the most part he will exercise careful judgment and surround himself with exemplary advisers... and I trust him to do the right thing.

Barack Obama, as Colin Powell has said, is a transformative figure.  As I see him speak tonight in my birthplace on the most beautiful lake in the world, I know I will choke up.  We need this man.  The world needs the United States to re-engage and be the leader again.  The poor need a president who considers their plight.  The middle class needs a government that promotes fairness and order.  In short, we do indeed need transformation.

This election has been exciting, as if new life has been breathed into this fearful bitter nation.  Fear and bitterness that we can overcome.

Something has died today:

My cynicism.