I won’t pretend to be happy about the outcome. I wanted McCain to be the Republican candidate in 2000 and I wanted him to win the presidency this year. But, I’m tremendously proud that this country elected its first African-American President. While the college student turnout, and their relative obnoxiousness, rubs me the wrong way — it gives me great hope for the future of this country that less and less people think race means anything. My grandmother — a minority herself as a non-racist, 70-year-old Irish woman — said something that stuck with me from the time I was a little kid: “Anyone who tells you someone can be judged by anything other than the content of their character is someone you shouldn’t listen to. People are just people.” She was different for her generation. I hope it’s the norm for this one.

Outcome aside, I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t moved by his speech. I think you’d have to be a robot to be unaffected by his story of the 106-year-old voter who remembers the utterly baffling situation in which people in this country were not allowed to vote based on gender and color. And if there’s one lasting image I’ll take from the speech, it was Biden, Obama, and their families standing on the stage together. I hope the image of the highest two offices in this country in a multiracial man-hug is a symbol that helps heal some of the nation’s 150-year-old scars. If the election helps a huge group of people to no longer feel marginalized — then maybe this is another case of the United States having the uncanny ability to choose the right person at the right time.

Regardless of any sarcastic posts that may or may appear in this space in the next four years, for this one, single moment… I’m happy for Barack Obama and proud of the country. I’m happy for all the people who feel this represents a new stage in the country’s history. And I hope that all the things he promises — a better United States, unity, compromise, an openness in government, and better lives for everyone — happens. Selfishly, I hope this kicks off a huge shift of power in the Republican party to remove the religious maniacs and conservatives in their own little holes.

I’ll end this before cynicism and sarcasm starts to creep in to what I want to be positive congratulatory post. I still believe there are too many people who believe government is the solution, not the problem… and Obama’s government wants to be the solution. The hero worship in the eyes of many people shown during his acceptance speech seem to indicate they’re in agreement. I find that terrifying. But, for now, congratulations President-Elect Obama. You earned it. And congratulations America for probably doing the right thing to heal the divisive wounds in this country. At the very least, I’ve been waiting for a Gen Xer to be in charge, and now one is. Maybe it is, in fact, our time.

And to the Secret Service and God if you’re up there — for the love of all that is good and holy — protect this man.

Last 5 posts by Thomas Daniels

• As If It Matters 2008: Gun Control - July 28th, 2008
• As If It Matters 2008: Supreme Court (Interlude) - July 10th, 2008
• As If It Matters 2008: Right To Choose - July 8th, 2008
• As If It Matters 2008: An Introduction - July 7th, 2008
• Hillary Clinton: I've Seen This Movie Before - March 5th, 2008