Mike Cohen

This is my final election post for 2008. North Carolina was finally called, bringing Obama’s electoral votes to 364. He did a lot better than I predicted (only 331 electoral votes), which was a very pleasant surprise.

I really did want to move to Vancouver, but with the country finally headed in the right direction, it doesn’t feel right to move out of the country at this time. I would still like to move there eventually (or maybe someplace else in the Pacific Northwest).

These pictures from Callie Shell’s wonderful gallery sum up what I like about Obama. He’s genuinely humble. He cleans up after himself. Instead of buying new shoes, he re-soles his old shoes. He doesn’t have his staff pampering him. He’s about as far as you can get from the “elitist” the Republicans labeled him.

More importantly, Obama is popular outside the US. We’re already starting to rebuild the world’s respect and support after George W. Bush alienated even our allies like France. We need to have most of the world on our side, as we did immediately following 9/11 before Bush blew it. Even enemies like Iran are softening towards us. We’re no longer seen as the world’s bully.

CNN has called the election for Obama! This is a historic moment for America. I’ve never felt this optimistic about our country before.

I did two shifts of canvassing today. This morning I went out alone on a route that covered a fairly small area just off 26th street. Most of the people weren’t home. Out of about 40 I only contacted 4 people. A lot of them seem to have moved & some of the houses looked abandoned.

This afternoon I went out with a few other people to cover a much larger area of over 100 houses. A lot of them weren’t home, but there was a lot of enthusiasm for Obama. Kids started chanting “Obama! Obama! Obama!” when they saw our t-shirts and door hangers.

Since everyone else is doing it, here’s my prediction for tomorrow from CNN’s electoral map calculator. This isn’t an especially optimistic prediction, since I’ve been looking at worst cases with my current gloomy attitude. Starting with the 2004 results, I added Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico, which seem likely to go to Obama. Even with only those states, Obama will win with 271 electoral votes. Add Virginia and he’s up to 284. Even without Florida & Ohio, which are most likely to have vote stealing shenanigans, he could still win, but with those states he’s up to 331.

Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch!

A really great video.

The Republicans’ politics of hate is toxic to this country. Saying that some parts of the country are un-patriotic and not “real” is not only hurtful, but comes dangerously close to inciting another civil war. When mentioning the name of an American city like San Francisco evokes boos from the crowd, something is very wrong with our country. We need someone who will bridge those divides, not purposely incite hate and divisiveness. That’s why I support Obama.

Madelyn Dunham didn’t live to see her grandson (hopefully) become president.

Dunham passed away peacefully at her home shortly before midnight Sunday night (5 a.m. ET) following a battle with cancer, according to a campaign spokeswoman. She was 86 (the same age my mother was when she died).

“She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility,” Obama said.

“She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.”

Obama and his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng asked that donations be made for the search for a cure for cancer in lieu of flowers. A small private ceremony will be held “at a later date.” (via CNN)