Im starting this blog in hour 30 since I last slept. So forgive me if I nod off for a while.
Elections tend to do that to us newspaper folks. Theres a draw to the newsroom on election night, no matter how many or few contested races there are.
My night in the office didnt actually start until this morning. But after a full days work, and a flu shot, Tuesday, I went home and glued my eyeballs to the television set to watch the most historic election of my lifetime. Even more historic than the 2000 debacle. Then, after Grant Park began to clear, I headed into work to put together todays edition.
For a presidential campaign that was intensely interesting from the very beginning (OK, maybe not the beginning, because it started with former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack announcing his candidacy. Heres where I nod off.), the finish lived up to its billing. The vote itself wasnt particularly dramatic Tuesday. Obamas victory was apparent before the vote counting began.
But the moment when Obama officially became the winner ... man. I shed more than a few tears for the next couple of hours, Im not ashamed to admit. Im a sucker for these kinds of things, and I was tired. Even seeing Jesse Jackson cry made my own tears well up, and Ive never liked the guy politically.
For so many reasons you dont need me to recite, Tuesdays election was a moment in our nations time that will be chronicled for decades, probably centuries. It was a night that makes you feel supremely fortunate to be an American.
Here are a few other random observations from Tuesday, and the days leading up to it:
I really thought Brett Davis was in trouble in his 80th Assembly District race, and he wound up winning by his most comfortable margin in three elections. Agree with him or not, hes just a darned good public servant.
While Im sure John Waeltis disappointed today, I do look forward to his columns again.
Nathan Russell, who lost the 51st Assembly District race Tuesday, should run for public office again. The kid is bright, and would make a good lawmaker today or some other day in the future.
The Republican Party must find a better candidate in the 2nd Congressional District. Dave Magnum and Peter Theron cannot possibly be the best the GOP can offer against Rep. Tammy Baldwin. Please.
Speaking of the Republican Party, it has some real soul searching to do after Tuesdays defeats. Perhaps this will be the impetus for the real Republican Party to re-emerge. You know, the one that promotes a smaller government that stays out of peoples lives and practices fiscal responsibility. We need that party back.
I wonder what the Republican Party will do about Sarah Palin. Will it build her up for a presidential run in 2012, or tear her down to make sure she doesnt end up on the ticket again in four years?
I would not rule out Jeb Bush being the Republican Partys nominee in 2012.
While I checked to see if Fox News was running a test pattern Tuesday night, Obamas win will do for the cable news network what the Clinton presidency did for it when it raised to prominence. And what will MSNBCs pundits have to rail against now?
With Democrats firmly in control of both the federal and Wisconsin state governments, I wonder which one will institute universal health care first.
Thats it for now. What are your thoughts about this campaign season? Feel free to share ... but lets try to keep the tone civil. The elections over!
Elections tend to do that to us newspaper folks. Theres a draw to the newsroom on election night, no matter how many or few contested races there are.
My night in the office didnt actually start until this morning. But after a full days work, and a flu shot, Tuesday, I went home and glued my eyeballs to the television set to watch the most historic election of my lifetime. Even more historic than the 2000 debacle. Then, after Grant Park began to clear, I headed into work to put together todays edition.
For a presidential campaign that was intensely interesting from the very beginning (OK, maybe not the beginning, because it started with former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack announcing his candidacy. Heres where I nod off.), the finish lived up to its billing. The vote itself wasnt particularly dramatic Tuesday. Obamas victory was apparent before the vote counting began.
But the moment when Obama officially became the winner ... man. I shed more than a few tears for the next couple of hours, Im not ashamed to admit. Im a sucker for these kinds of things, and I was tired. Even seeing Jesse Jackson cry made my own tears well up, and Ive never liked the guy politically.
For so many reasons you dont need me to recite, Tuesdays election was a moment in our nations time that will be chronicled for decades, probably centuries. It was a night that makes you feel supremely fortunate to be an American.
Here are a few other random observations from Tuesday, and the days leading up to it:
I really thought Brett Davis was in trouble in his 80th Assembly District race, and he wound up winning by his most comfortable margin in three elections. Agree with him or not, hes just a darned good public servant.
While Im sure John Waeltis disappointed today, I do look forward to his columns again.
Nathan Russell, who lost the 51st Assembly District race Tuesday, should run for public office again. The kid is bright, and would make a good lawmaker today or some other day in the future.
The Republican Party must find a better candidate in the 2nd Congressional District. Dave Magnum and Peter Theron cannot possibly be the best the GOP can offer against Rep. Tammy Baldwin. Please.
Speaking of the Republican Party, it has some real soul searching to do after Tuesdays defeats. Perhaps this will be the impetus for the real Republican Party to re-emerge. You know, the one that promotes a smaller government that stays out of peoples lives and practices fiscal responsibility. We need that party back.
I wonder what the Republican Party will do about Sarah Palin. Will it build her up for a presidential run in 2012, or tear her down to make sure she doesnt end up on the ticket again in four years?
I would not rule out Jeb Bush being the Republican Partys nominee in 2012.
While I checked to see if Fox News was running a test pattern Tuesday night, Obamas win will do for the cable news network what the Clinton presidency did for it when it raised to prominence. And what will MSNBCs pundits have to rail against now?
With Democrats firmly in control of both the federal and Wisconsin state governments, I wonder which one will institute universal health care first.
Thats it for now. What are your thoughts about this campaign season? Feel free to share ... but lets try to keep the tone civil. The elections over!
