There are going to be people, even some long-time Democrats, who will never be able to find it in their hearts to elect a Black man as President. This is unfortunate, but reality. This is the only reason that this race is close. All the typical issues that divide us, abortion, taxes, gay marriage etc. would have been snowed under by the shear arrogant incompetence of the last eight years. McCain, while trying to play up his reputation as a maverick, has actually moved considerably to the right even after winning the nomination against more right leaning candidates. This shows doubt as to the turnout from the right wing of his own party on election day. In some ways Barack Obama is a riskier pick for the Dems in that a middle aged white man may have been a shoe-in. In my opinion it it a risk well worth taking. Senator Obama is a vibrant intelligent leader who surrounds himself with seasoned non-sycophantic advisors. He will do everything in his power to right our ship of state. Notice I said in his power, which in our system is absolutely not limitless, so I don't expect miracles. I do expect competence, rationality and better relations with the rest of the world. I don't expect our government to suddenly be independent of the corporate influence that has made it more of an oligarchy than a republic but, I do expect a government that hasn't been gift wrapped and placed under the corporate Christmas tree.
    Hopefully enough people will put aside their fears and prejudices and do the right thing. If so then we have a chance to see the dawn of a new era in this country. If not it will be the same old same old,
and life will go on, albeit much less happily.