I’m curious to see how I personally wind up responding to Obama in the long run. I’m not a political junkie at all, and after 8 years of feeling disengaged from my government because of an administration that scares the crap out of me, I’m totally taken aback by how completely starry-eyed hopeful I feel today. I have absolutely no experience with this level of raw patriotism.

I totally agree with Prodigal Son when he point out that we have a very very difficult road ahead of us and that in some respects, Obama is sure to disappoint; but I must say, I am so appreciative of the message he sent last night that we must hold ourselves personally accountable in order to create the change we want. In that way, I feel very empowered and motivated. All day long I’ve had the quote “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” on my mind. For the first time in my life (I’m 33) that statement is more than just a beautiful turn of a phrase. It’s ringing true.

I spent a few minute today reading comments left on the FoxNews website. While I had to wade through some scary shit, I was also moved by how many people expressed heartfelt disbelief and sorrow. That’s exactly how I felt in 2004. Reading some of the comments, I found myself feeling….empathy. There has GOT to be some way that both sides of the spectrum can remain constructively engaged in the political discourse. Whether or not Obama will be able to facilitate a healthy discourse remains to be seen, but I feel confident that he’s at least going to try. That alone is a massive change for the better.

I guess I drank the kool-aid! I don’t even know when it happened. I’m ready for Obamatopia!

I guess we’ll see…..

I voted for Obama despite the fact that I disagree with him on about 75% of major policy issues. I found his intelligence and decision making process more important than his position or plans, because the office moderates all men.

But I still am leery of the masses that do view him as a second coming. I don’t want to like any politician as much as some of his supporters, who swoon with tears in their eyes in Grant Park. I wish him well, but he is human. All that is hoped for will not be accomplished. All our problems did not go away overnight. The market dropped 500 points today. We are still in two wars, and they don’t end just because American troops leave. And (gasp) some people are still racist.

The media turns on all eventually. How do you think Obama will hold up when the press has fallen in love with someone else?