We have taught our children that when someone has beat you in a race, it is very important to congratulate them.  I would have preferred a different outcome from this election but I had to put on the big girl pants last night when it was obvious very early on that my candidate was not going to win.  Not only did McCain lose the presidential bid, but Kay Hagan beat Elizabeth Dole for the senate AND Bev Perdue beat out Pat McCrory for the governor’s office.  A triple blow.  My only consolation is that if everything was decided by my county alone, it would have been a huge blowout for republicans.  It is what it is.  I am happy for my friend who campaigned tirelessly for Obama and spent all day yesterday driving people to the polls.  I am happy for this moment in history where America has overwhelmingly put their confidence in an African American candidate.  I am happy that we finally have proof that racism has no power over the general consciousness of the United States.  I am happy for Obama.  He overcame a lot to win this race.  Not his race, but his name.  Barak Hussein Obama.  Can you imagine what people would have thought on 9.12.2002 if someone predicted that our next president after George Bush was going to be Barak Hussein Obama?  I think that also says something good about America.  I wish Obama well, he’s got a mess on his hands and I sincerely hope that he is able to take this on and surprise us all with his leadership ability.  He’s got the congress and the senate on his side, so it shouldn’t be impossible.  The next four years should be interesting….