Here's how I feel.

My guy didn't win, and I'm sad.  But, I am not sad that Obama won.  I'm sad that McCain lost.  He would have been a great President.  I think, if the Bush machine hadn't done its thing and derailed McCain in 2000, the country would be a lot better off.  Mr. President...I hope you are proud of yourself.

As far as Obama goes.  Well...I am still skeptical.  But...here is how I look at it.  He will be our new President.  I will respect him as such.  If he walks his talk...maybe (and that's a big maybe) we'll be fine.  If he remembers that a good chuck of the country disagrees with him and he remains open minded to them...great. 

If we get radical justices, abortion on demand, Socialism, etc...we'll be ready to vote him out in 2012.  But...until then, I love America, I love our process, and I will respect the will of the people and get behind my new President. While behind him, I may be screaming disagreements, as is my right...but, we need to be United as a country.

Now...what I hope is that the 52% of the population that voted for Obama doesn't go nuts.  This isn’t' the time to go all "Anything opposite of Bush."  The country has some real and serious problems, right now.  It's not going to be fixed by ignoring the wants of half the country simply because your guy won.  Newsweek had a great article recently that basically said it's in Obama's best interest to remember that the USA is still a "Center/Right" nation.  People want change from Bush.  Not radical liberalism.  Remember that. 

Now...on to Washington State.  Washington State voters...once again, I say to you..."You are stupid."  And, this year, I add..."You are stupid and hypocritical."   How can you scream about "Change!" and vote for Obama, but then ignore that line when voting for Gregoire?  You want new blood in that Washington, but you're content with a longtime Olympia politician who has done little except increase taxes and spending in this Washington?  How is that not hypocritical? 

And, on the Eastside...the race between Reichart and Burner is still too close to call?  You are kicking out a Republican who has shown that he can stand up to Bush in order to elect a "run of the mill" Democrat who has been caught lying (or at least greatly exaggerating) multiple times?  Come on, people!  Get off of the Anti-Republican bus.  Not all Republicans are Bush. 

I am slightly encouraged by the re-elections of Sam Reed and Rob McKenna...but, to me, those were non-brainers as those dudes are brilliant.  But, still.  Olympia needs change, too.  In a bad bad way. 

Prop 8, in California.  I haven't commented on this because I don't live in CA, so I don't really care what they do.  But, the latest news has me interested.  Those that know me know that I support gay rights.  I don't think the government has business telling people who they can or can't marry. 

The passing of Prop 8 essentially bans gay marriage in the California Constitution.  I think it's crap that this passed because I think it's a dumb amendment and I think Constitutions are declarations of rights, not declarations of restrictions of rights.  But...it is now in the state Constitution.  Therefore...I do not understand what is to be gained by taking the amendment to court.  What are the courts going to say?  That it's unconstitutional?  Because it's not?  I think the only chance they have of getting this prop overturned is to take it to Federal Court and somehow have the Feds determine it violates the US Constitution.

I also think it's WAY WAY WAY stupid that it only takes a simple majority to pass an Amendment in California.

So, those are my thoughts.  Take 'em or leave 'em.  I'm not going into 2009 pessimistic.  Just cautious.  And, I love this country no matter who the President is.  I'll give our new one the chance to impress me.  Or...piss me off.  His choice.