Some Random Thoughts on The Day After

No “Daily” today as Scott and I offer up some post-election thoughts…

• President-elect Obama looked like he was in a bit of a daze last night… which is perfectly understandable considering what he had just accomplished. Having said that, his speech last night was, as usual, eloquent, poetic, and inspiring. And the bit about his kids deserving that new puppy was perfectly placed and showed just how much of a family man he is…
• As I briefly mentioned last night, Sen. McCain’s concession speech was eloquent, gracious, and extended an olive branch to President-elect Obama (GOD I love writing that). This was the McCain that I admired years and years ago and, had he run his entire campaign in this manner rather than sucking at the teat of his party, he might very well have won…
• This was definitely a campaign built on change as more than 130 million people (an estimated 64% of the electorate) voted yesterday, shattering any and all previous turnout records and making the 2008 election the highest percentage turnout in generations…
• I give it a week, at the most two, before the McCain campaign throws Gov. Palin under the bus and puts the onus of losing onto her. Witness his less-than-friendly ‘embrace’ of her last night after his concession speech.
• It was a very good night for Democrats as we raised our majority levels in both the House and Senate. Though the fact that a convicted felon won re-election in Alaska is rather sad and tells me a LOT about the voters in that state…
• Now that the election is over, it’s time for transition and filling of White House positions. I foresee John Kerry, Colin Powell, Chuck Hagel and even Sen. McCain as possible targets for President elect Obama. And , if one wants to believe ABC News, offering the COS job to Rep. Rahm Emanuel is astute as Emanuel knows his way around DC AND the White House.
  The site of seeing people cheering, singing and chanting outside the White House after the race was called was inspiring.
• Obama’s plea to McCain that “I need your help, you’re a leader on so many important issues” is a true olive branch to McCain.
• Moments after winning, "President" Bush called President-elect Obama and said to him; "What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters. [...] You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself.” Immediately followed by Bush breaking out in sobs while begging Obama to take office now... hey, one can dream can't he?
• I think, since this is the final time that McCain will run for president, that we will see McCain revert back to his former self (AKA the 2000 version). Think about it; he doesn’t have to worry anymore about kowtowing to the republican base… he doesn’t have to worry about his running mate saying something stupid… he doesn’t have to worry about re-election for a while… it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he does indeed go back to the way he was. Stay tuned.
• My Final Thought: this was a campaign built on change… built on honesty… and built on character. For all the negativity elicited by BOTH campaigns, the end result was quick and gives credence to Obama and his hope for changing the way things are done. With the landslide victory, it’s also clear that Obama has a mandate by the people… now it’s up to him to use that mandate for the people…