History! Victory!

After what seemed like a hundred thousand years, but only a few hours into actual Election Night, the television networks projected Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States and our first African-American president. History was made last night and I couldn't be more excited.

Maybe he won't be able to do everything he has promised, but change is already here--there is no way around that. I wasn't screaming in the streets or bawling my eyes out, but I may have gotten a little misty eyed listening to his speech and watching the new First Family onstage in Grant Park.

INSERT VIDEO OF SPEECH HERE

As much as I'd have liked to see a woman get it first, I am thrilled that history was made in the form of Barack Obama. Now only 90 more days and we'll see what he's gonna do with it.

The Immaculate Election

(A little Arrested Development throwback for you)

So here I sit, stomach in knots, yelling at the TV and cursing Kansas and its lousy conservatives.


I can only imagine McCain, sitting in one of his many (did his staff ever get back to us with how many?) homes in Arizona with Botox Barbie on one arm and Caribou Barbie on the other. Across the country, Joe Biden polishes his teeth and Obama marvels at the crazy college kids sprinting across Grant Park to get a spot as close to the stage as possible... even though nobody will speak there for many hours.

I count down the minutes between poll closings along with Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper on CNN, David Gregory on MSNBC, Charles Gibson on ABC and Brian Williams on NBC. I am undoubtedly a major channel flipper. I am also a multi-tasker--posting here, watching the minute-by-minute electoral map updates on MSNBC.com and checking Bloglines for other updates. Oh and I'm also texting friends and playing Quadrum on my phone.

Obama's electoral count is rising, but will it be enough to put him over the 270 mark?

Honestly? I wish it would just go ahead and happen cause I'm already yawning. Uh oh.

Election Bash: I'm Getting Nauseous

It's T-Minus 24 hours until we (might) know the results of the 2008 Presidential Election.

Finally.

Despite looking forward to the relief of the race actually being finished, I can't help but feel a little sick to my stomach thinking about what might happen--either way.

Rather than watch the CBS Election Special on tonight, I'm tuning in to SNL's Presidential Bash to revisit all the great sketches from this election season as well as years past. I'm sure to get my fill of Brian Williams, CNN Newsroom, George Stephanopolous and everyone else (and their brothers) covering Election Night 2008 tomorrow night, so I'm sticking with Will Ferrell, Darrell Hammond, Amy Poehler and other historic political impressionists.

That is, if I can keep my dinner down.

TOMORROW NIGHT: I'll join in the millions of blog reporters and live update during Election coverage. Let's hope I get any sleep tomorrow night!

It's Unfair and It's Wrong

I may not live in California, but I still feel passionate about the issue at hand.

Samuel L. Jackson narrates this video, urging voters to defeat Proposition 8 which would ban gay marriage in the state. It is so relevant and effective to compare this issue to a history of discrimination:



If you live in California, vote No on Prop 8. Defeat discrimination and injustice.

RIP Tim Russert

Today, renowned newsman Tim Russert died after suffering a heart attack at work at NBC.

He was only 58 years old.

What a sad, sad day for journalism, broadcast news and politics! Russert's death dominated national news coverage and local news coverage here in NYC (I'm loving every minute of my NYC vacation--pictures, etc. to come upon my return). The story even trumped the evacuation of flood victims in Iowa--this guy was obviously a big deal!

The presidential election in November will not be the same without Tim Russert coloring states in blue or red and analyzing everything. NBC says it will take at least four people to replace him and all the work he did. Plus, he seemed like he was just a really nice guy.

What a sad loss! RIP Tim Russert--you will be missed by many people. Here is Russert's colleague and amazing journalism Tom Brokaw making the sad announcement:

Hill's Still a Key Player

Well, she's officially done. Hillary finally conceded victory to Obama today in a (more than) 30 minute speech in which she threw her full support to his campaign. It was a great speech (not a surprise) and really showed her solidarity for the party. It must have been so hard for her to do that but it just illustrates what a classy lady she is.

Fortunately, even if she's not the choice for VP, Hillary will be very important to Obama in the months before the November presidential election. CNN posted a great article about how she is needed to reunite the party and no matter what, she may have a very key role in the election. No matter what, she's going to have to get her supporters to do what they have fought so hard not to do these last 16 months-- cheer for Obama.

Hillary to Call It Quits

Poor Hill.

ABC News and BBC News (and every other news) are all reporting that Hillary Clinton will call it quits as of Saturday and throw her support to Barack Obama.

I guess I'll have to keep waiting for the day we have a female president. I really hope it is in my lifetime. This seemed like the best chance, at least for a while. Hillary, you put up a great fight and should be damn proud of yourself. I know I am!

Now that we FINALLY have our democratic nominee, it's time to focus on the VP. Will the dream ticket become a reality? It seems like a long-shot but I'll keep my fingers crossed. Beyond Hillary, there's Edwards (ugh), Dodd, Biden, Bill Richardson (I'd vote for him), etc. etc.

Over on ABC.com, they took a different route. Instead of listing a top 10 list of possible VP's, they created a video report of the BOTTOM 10 list of possible VP's. I can't embed it, so click here to watch the video.

Even though one chapter may be closed, this story is far from over.

Obama Takes the Nomination

Well, folks, it's all over. Obama has won the nomination.

And by it, I mean primary season. We've still got a crazy presidential campaign to go through before November 4th. I feel like this should be it--Hillary and Obama were the choices. I sort of forgot McCain was even a factor.

Maybe he isn't. Maybe it'll be all Obama from here on out. I'm okay with that. After all, originally I was all about Obama. Then I jumped on the Hillary train. Now that her train is, well, derailed (like the puns?) I guess I'll throw my support back to Obama. Above all, we need someone who will change how things are now. Barack Obama promises change; let's hope he can deliver.

In a strange move, Hillary has yet to concede Obama's victory. Honestly? I don't blame her. She has won more actual delegates (not counting superdelegates) and more of the popular vote. The CNN reporters (i.e. Obama Fanatics) are all over her lack of concession, questioning her loyalty to the party, etc. etc. Whatever. Let her bow out gracefully in her own way.

Now that we have a number 1, let's throw our thoughts to a potential number 2. I hear the dream ticket calling:

Primary Results Not So Hot for Hil

Is it the end for Hillary Clinton? God, I hope not.

Last night, she took the Indiana primary... but only by this much. Barack Obama won a landslide victory in North Carolina. Most people were saying Hillary needed two victories last night.

This morning on the Today Show, Tim Russert was shooting his mouth off, repeating his statement from last night and saying that every objective Democrat believes that Barack Obama has now won the nomination and that there is no way Hillary can come back.

CNN Analysis



Is this true? Could it really be the end for Hillary Clinton? Sad day.

Honest to Blog?

Here's a new deal I cooked up...

FROM THE BLOGS

News: Sam's Club, Costco limit rice purchases as prices rise
I saw this on the Today show this morning, too. Apparently we are so busy using grain for fuel that we kind of forgot it's for eating, too. And now people are paying the price!

Entertainment: Aliens in America's Raja Joins Nip/Tuck
I just love that they are already planning the next season of Nip/Tuck. Even though it's not coming until this fall, I am already waiting in anticipation. Plus who doesn't love a Doogie Howser-type?

Images: This Says It All

Life: I Swear This is a Happier Post
Just when I start to whittle down my big pile of books to read, Jen goes and throws another stack of must-reads in front of me. By the way, have I mentioned how much I love the Amazon Marketplace and their $0.01 books? I plan to read 27 hours a day this summer. Right.

Random: I don't getz it.

Oh-HI-Oooooh!

Hillary wins Ohio!


And the Clinton Comeback begins...

Slate Videos

Two awesome Slate videos about the Presidential campaign (well, kinda):

1) Life Imitates The West Wing
West Wing vs. Current Election--Take two! More Obama-is-Matt-Santos comparison and this time it's a video with--bestill my heart--actual West Wing footage! I even got a short shot of Josh... sigh.




2) Hillary's Inner Tracy Flick
I always forget how awesome the movie Election is. This video reminds me of that, and hello! Tracy Flick and Hillary Clinton are so in the same situation! Why does the popular guy always swoop in and take away what the hard-working girl had been planning on... Obama is a football jock who suddenly decides he wants to run for class president when he breaks his leg! Or something like that.

If Only We Were Coming Out of a Jed Bartlett Presidency...

How awesome would that be?

TV Squad posted this little commentary comparing the current election to the one at the end of The West Wing series.

You know what? There are a lot of similarities! Obama is totally like Santos. Except when I was watching West Wing, I honestly kind of thought "how nice Santos won, but this has been the most far-fetched storyline of the series." Santos winning was a nice thought, but not one I really bought. And Vinick = McCain 100%.

Apparently it was more realistic than I could have ever imagined!

I don't agree with their comparison of Russell and Hillary, though. Russell was a worthless VP who did nothing in his years under Bartlett. Hillary did more as First Lady than he did as VP.

Who gets way too much entertainment and pleasure out of comparing West Wing to real life? [Raises hand] God I miss that show.

REALLY KANSAS?!?

Huckabee Wins Kansas
REALLY?!

Wow. The two states I live in are prrrrrretty dumb.

Ode to Super Tuesday

I have been reading blogs since I got done teaching today and I have seen a huge variety of opinions and commentary.

I guess I have been trying to figure out why I am such a Hillary fan when so many people don't like her and/or LOVE Obama. Then I found this beautiful picture AND beautiful speech on PerezHilton.com and it totally reaffirmed my support for her. Several of my best friends are gay and I just don't think Obama (even though he is dubbed "super liberal") would support them the way Hillary has and does.

And maybe Hillary isn't the ideal candidate. But I found this post on the She Just Walks Around With It blog and it pretty much sums it up for me:

"I did not believe I would ever get to vote for a woman for President in my lifetime. I do not know that I will ever get the chance again."

And THAT is why I am voting for Hillary Clinton.

Things I Wanted To Do Tonight...

But definitely did not do:

1. Watch the "recap" episode and Season 4 Premiere of Lost. I forgot to set it up to tape it and now I have to wait until tomorrow for it to go up on abc.com. Boo.

2. Watch The L Word from Sunday. It's still sitting there waiting for me to make time.

3. Start my observation reports for student teaching. They're due Tuesday so apparently that gives me license to procrastinate them until at least this weekend. Great.

4. Start reading The Other Boleyn Girl. I am pumped to read this before the movie comes out--and it comes out soon! I better get busy.

5. Watch all of the democratic debate on CNN. I watched like 45 minutes and then couldn't take any more. Isn't this like the 144-millionth debate of the campaign? I will make sure and read all about it tomorrow to make up for my lack of commitment tonight.

Let's hope the weekend is more productive than this evening was.

Super Tuesday

One week from today is a very exciting day!

First, and probably most important, is that it is the day for like a gazillion primaries and what could be the ultimate forecast for who will win the Hillary-Barack showdown. It should be wery wery interesting (think Elmer Fudd).

Tuesday is also the release date for about 6 movies on my Netflix queue that I have been waiting for! I only get three at a time so I have until next Monday to figure out which three I want to see the most. Here's the top of my queue:


I think I am pretty happy with the order right now, although I would really like to see Across the Universe again. Buuuut I should probably watch movies I haven't seen first. The possibility that I will change this multiple times before next week? Pretty darn good.

Too bad I have my student teaching seminar class and an area meeting that day, too, but hopefully that will all be overshadowed by the superness of Super Tuesday!

America Supports Hillary!

America Ferrera, that is. Here she is on the road supporting Hillary Clinton. Love it!

And That's All I Have to Say About That.

Gloria Steinem wrote this Op-Ed piece in the NYTimes today:

Women are Never Front-Runners

I don't want to incite a bunch of backlash (From whom? Not sure--I guess my like 4 readers) so I'm not going to say much about this piece except that I agree with everything she says and I'm glad she was able to put down in words what has been going through my head lately.

Maybe it's feminist and I'm sure my friend Valerie would be quick to denounce it as such, but I guess that makes me, as Steinem so smartly states, a you-know-what.

For God's Sake...

...Hillary did NOT cry!

The media is pissing me off today.

I have watched the footage of the alleged blubbering many times and SERIOUSLY there was not a single tear shed. Perhaps she got a bit choked up but come on people! First you say she's too tough and you don't like her. Now she's too emotional and people are playing the gender card.

Honestly? What do you want her to be?!

If I see the playback of the speech one more time on CNN or NBC or Fox News or wherever, I might cry myself. And not out of passion for my country.

This post on Slate discusses the evolution of "crying" in politics. Interesting, especially because it's always been seen as a good strategy and oh-so-nice when a male candidate cried.

And here's the Newsweek story about "Hillary's emotions"--why is the media so obsessed with this today? As I type this entry, there's Anderson Cooper (that silver fox) analyzing it for the gazillionth time again.

Plain and simple: I liked her speech and what she said. End of story.