And to be fair she is a HUGE part of this victory. Without her tenacity I don’t think Obama would have been prepared for the mudslinging. By the time McCain started using them, we already knew about Wright. We already knew about Ayers. Hillary’s perseverance made Obama a stronger candidate and changed the game entirely because of those things coming out early. I don’t imagine that was her intention because I believe she wanted to be President just as badly as Obama did and was trying to win, but that was the end result nonetheless.

I hope she and her supporters see and understand that without Hillary Clinton, Obama’s story may not even be possible this election cycle.

As for the partying last night, between the absolute breakdown I had after the speech and the revelry outside the White House, I feel like a new man. I feel like 8 years of doubt and pain and anger has been cleaned off of me and I’m ready to get to work on doing everything I can to help the new President make the next 8 years fantastic.

I started out not liking Obama because my #1 candidate was Hillary (and I still love her and she still is in my heart of hearts my candidate). But he has inspired and motivated me, and towards the last months of the election I felt very passionate about his campaign and also protective of him.

And yes, that image of Jesse Jackson crying was immensely moving. I was deeply touched just watching him standing there alone… his emotions… his weariness from a long struggle followed by a final immense triumph and victory that has come after a huge sacrifice for his people. Frankly I wanted to hug him!

I put a bunch of blue & white balloons outside my house close to my Obama lawn sign. I would have loved to be in the crowds especially in my dear NYC… but I lept and jumped and yelled OBAMA joyously inside my little duplex here in Del Ray. :)