He's Definitely Got Audacity!

He didn't even have my vote for a long time.

I read "The Audacity of Hope" and actually said, "I hope this man is my President some day."

But then he ran against Hillary in the primary. And my beliefs on my obligation there are well documented. And I'm so proud, by the way, of the role she's been given in this administration. Possibly even better for her, because she won't have to deal with as much media and public hatred while trying to enact good policies. And I rallied for her. And I voted for her. And I was sad when she bowed out. But I was okay, because I believed at that point that I still had two admirable men to choose from.

And then I had to choose between Obama and McCain. And I chose McCain, for a long time. Obama's lack of experience concerned me. As did his idealism. Perhaps his idealism scared my jaded heart even more! But I still, even now, believe that John McCain is a man of great character, a great leader and would have been an excellent Presdient. But then he chose Palin.

That woman is crazy. I'm sorry. Okay, in fairness, I think she got a bad rap. She's been an excellent governer of a challenging state. She got in over her head though, and she didn't know when to shut up, and she made a fool of herself. And of McCain. It made me question everything about what his administration would be like. And, quite frankly, I really didn't want four more years of an American leader who was the mockery of the world.

And so, basically, I felt lucky that from the beginning there were three people whom I admired that I was going to get to choose from, and in the end, probably the best candidate for the job really did rise to the surface. I believe that there are very few people who can enact change. But I believe he can. And I hope that everything else is aligned to support him in that.

I'd been having a swell of American pride even before election Tuesday. I'm loving me some Canada, don't get me wrong, even through the adjustment depression, of which there is much. But living anywhere that isn't the U.S. reminds you of all the good things about the U.S. I've never been the kind of traveler who pretends like I'm from Canada. My country's made some bad decisions. We've also hepled and aided and saved more people than any other country. Ever. And as I watched us make history, but more importantly *make a good decision*, it made me prouder. I believe in Barack. Not only in his philosophy, but in his ability to inspire people to get over the problems that have faced America - a sense of entitlement, a spoilt younger generation (though I suppose every old person says that), Wal Mart, unregulated banking controlled by greedy people, a lack of care for our own citizens.

I am open to the idea that our involvement in the Middle East will change that part of the world forever. To democracy is the hope, but I'd simply hope for a end to cruelty and bloodshed and the subjugation of women. I don't really care what political system they use. But I'm open to the idea that our intervention there could change the world, and therefore change GW's legacy. I just doubt that that will be the case. But I'll leave it to history to decide.

What I do think history will show is that the Bush administration didn't care about the plight of the American citizen. Forbes recently released its list of the best companies in the US to work for (and by the way, at least 5 of the top 15 were Silicon Valley based, which makes me miss San Fran). When interviewed about them, they said "These companies worried about the employee even before the shareholder or the customer - which is why they're succeeding and in most cases actually hiring." America needs to think of the plight of the citizen, its employee, first. That didn't happen for the last eight years. I think it will now, and I think that when people feel like they matter, they're willing to sacrifice more. And as has been been pointed out by President Obama, people will need to sacrifice.

We're in bad shape, and it's hard for me to watch my friends and family struggle. And I think of all the things the last administration destroyed, hope was the worst. And fear. Because the economy is so bad, so many of my friends who are ready to make changes in their life feel like they have to stay in bad situations for fear of things getting worse.

If Obama does nothing else, he will restore hope. The swelling pride of the nation when he was sworn in was unreal. I felt it from across the border. His bold first several days in office made me feel confident. He's a good man. Michelle is an AMAZING woman. I still think that her speech at the DNC was actually the best speech of the convention.

I think for the first time in a long time, we have a family I not only admire but believe in fully in the White House. I just hope and pray that nobody disassembles them for politicaly reasons. I'm not sure my country could stand the heartbreak.

When President Obama and the First Lady walked out on inaguration Tuesday, I cried. Not because he's the first Black president, though for the sake of my girls thats important to me, but because they believe so much that they can make not just America but the world a better place. And they make me believe it. And in a time when I think it would be hard for most Americans to believe that things can get better, they'll make them believe it. And because things will most likely get worse before they get better, that belief, that hope, will be more powerful than any bill that will be signed.

Good job, America. Stay the path.