Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America

Barack Obama was announced to be the 44th President of the United States of America at about 8pm PST! I am SO SO SO proud of my country right now! I'm actually crying. I am SO hopeful for the future!!! This is AMAZING!

The emotions are so overwhelming right now. America has voted a black man to be president! I have no other words. I'm just overwhelmed.

Peace and love.
J

Edited to add: I just saw that this is my 44th post. Interesting... the 44th president is announced in my 44th blog post.

I just had to post this

John McCain 'endorsed by al-Qaeda supporters'

DON'T VOTE!!!

I know who I am NOT voting for

Last night I watched "One Night. Two Parties. The New Hampshire Debates." I was kind of excited because I have not yet had time (or energy, or desire for that matter) to research the presidential candidates. So, here I was sick, lying on the couch with nothing better to do when up pops my opportunity to hear the positions of ALL the candidates! Lucky me! Unfortunately I caught the last 5 seconds of the Republican debates. While I am registered to vote under a specific party, which I will not specify here in the public arena, I don't let that dictate who I vote for. So, even though I hear the Republican debate wasn't as successful or "focused on Presidential issues" as the Dem debate (per Senator Clinton), I wanted to hear what they had to say. But there are always other debates to tune into.

Excuse me for a minute while I complain. If there is anything I hate more than tomatoes and mushrooms, it's mudslinging and politicians arguing. That makes for a very cranky Julie for, well, all of 2008 I'm guessing. A lot of the presidential candidates are guilty of it, but last night Clinton was all about making Obama out to be the bad guy. (Being a hater is never becoming on a lady, Hillary.)

Hillary Clinton's voice is so grating and obnoxious, and her demeanor doesn't do anything for her either. She seemed like a snarky little child last night, "But Obama said X and then he did Y, and then he said this, but did that..." I felt like shouting out, "SHUT UP, woman!!" and I think Edwards and Obama felt the same way.

Here's an excerpt from Edwards' comments following Obama's response to Hillary's attack:

"It's fine to have a disagreement about health care. To say that Senator Obama is having a debate with himself from some Associated Press story I think is just not -- that's not the kind of discussion we should be having.

I think that every time this happens, what will occur -- every time he speaks out for change, every time I fight for change, the forces of status quo are going to attack -- every single time.

And what we have to remember -- and this is the overarching issue here, because what we really need in New Hampshire and in future state primaries, is we need an unfiltered debate between the agents of change about how we bring about that change. Because we have differences about that.

But the one thing I do not argue with him about is he believes deeply in change. And I believe deeply in change.

And any time you're fighting for that -- I mean, I didn't hear these kind of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead. Now that she's not, we hear them.

And any time you speak out -- any time you speak out for change, this is what happens."

OOOHHH, in your face, Hillary!!

After Hillary had her opportunity to rebut, Bill Richardson said, "I've been in hostage negotiations that were more civil than this." Richardson, Obama, and Edwards all looked far more appealing than Clinton last night.

Second to Edwards siding with Obama to argue Clinton, my favorite part of the night was when Scott Spradling, political director in Manchester, New Hampshire asked Clinton, "What can you say to the voters of New Hampshire on this stage tonight who see a resume and like it, but are hesitating on the likability issue, where they seem to like Barack Obama more?"

And she responded, "Well, that hurts my feelings... He's very likable. I agree with that. I don't think I'm that bad."

And then Obama interjected in an annoyed tone, "You're likable enough, Hillary." hahaha.

Hey, I'm not the only one who finds her unlikable!

Listening to the debate was humorous at times, but often made me want to claw my ears off. At least I was able to cross one candidate off my list.

Julie