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I’m a little in awe this morning. After the 2000 and 2004 elections, I was honestly expecting another letdown. I live in a county that typically votes 95-98% Republican across the ticket. This year it was 76% McCain to 23% Obama. So it seems change truly is on the way! Though it’s looking like a third-party candidate did not garner the much-needed 5% of the general population vote for support in the next election. Balls.

Some highlights from the evening are in order. From McCain’s concession speech, which I thought he handled gracefully. Truly restored my respect for him.

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.

…

Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.

And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history. Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America.

And from President Elect Obama’s victory speech (wow, kind of stunning to see that written by my own hand…):

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

…

To those — to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That’s the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we’ve already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

…

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves — if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

And for the icing on the cake, take a look at this screen capture of newsstand.com, where you can see samples of headlines from around the world today.

Update 11/6/08: links to transcripts

• McCain’s speech
• Obama’s speech

I’ve been an Obama fan ever since he spoke at the 2004 DNC, and I’ve been a supporter since he announced his candidacy for President of the United States. The only blip was Bill Richardson’s short candidacy–and darn it, I was really hoping for an Obama-Richardson ticket! But despite those years of fandom and support (both philosophical and financial), I voted third party this year.

It was a hard decision, and even as I cast my ballot, I felt a little guilty for not voting with my conscience. This year, logic ruled my voting decision. You see, I live in Texas, a winner-takes-all state in the Electoral College. And, of course, a state that is so red there’s no hint of blue in the final tally, except in a few small pockets of urban diversity.

More than anything else, Obama has made me believe that change is possible and hope is not foolish. One of the things I fervently wish for the US is a shake-up in our party system. Both of our major parties have been failing us for years. They are so caught up in politics-as-usual and petty arguments that very little of true importance is accomplished.  The final outcome of the presidential decision isn’t based on a flat general vote, and my vote for Obama here in Texas isn’t going to change the outcome of our state’s electoral vote.  But I realized that my vote for the third-party candidate could potentially help pave the way for a viable third-party candidacy in the future. My individual vote does help the third party because they need 5% of the national popular vote in order to receive federal campaign funding and participation in debates.

For what it’s worth, I truly, deeply hope that Obama wins this election. If I lived somewhere like New Mexico, Virginia, or MIssouri, where the outcome is close and unknown, I would unreservedly vote for Obama. But voting third-party this year is the way I can influence change and hope for a better future.

Two gems for you today. The first one is one of the many reasons why I hope you’re out there casting your vote this year. The second video is just some fun from Ron Howard.