I hope you’ll all indulge me for a moment.  Those who know me in real life know that I’m quite the US history geek, which makes what’s happening today so overwhelming for me.  People in my generation grew up as relatively colorblind so sometimes we forget how far this country has come in such a short period of time.  All most people my age have to do is talk to our parents or grandparents for a first-hand account of what it was like when segregation was legally endorsed.  Political correctness oftentimes prevents us from acknowledging what an amazing accomplishment it is for a black man to not only receive the nomination of a major party, but to also have a better-than-even chance of winning it all.  Think about where this country was fifty years ago, and what a short time period fifty years is in the grand scheme of things.   

I became familiar with Barack Obama when most of you did - when he made his amazing speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention.  I remember being hopeful at that point that he would run for president, but was very aware that it may be wishful thinking.  When he did enter the race, I hoped that he would be able to pull off an upset against Hillary, but again, thinking that might be wishful thinking.  With about two years of campaigning its almost hard to believe that it’ll all be over and done with tonight and when I cast my vote for Obama later today, I think it will probably be one of the most meaningful votes I cast in my lifetime (when a woman finally gets the nomination, that might outrank it!)  

Even though you guys know who I’m going to vote for, please get out and vote today even if you’re voting for the other guy.  Throughout this campaign, I’ve come across a lot of people who think that its cool not to vote and to not care about the process.  I just have to shake my head in frustration.  It’s not cool to not care what happens in your country.  The ability to cast a vote and have your voice heard is one of the few true American traditions - hell, we even fought a revolution over it.  So get out there, wait in line if you have to and vote!  

I’ll be up late tonight following the results before flying out tomorrow for St. Petes and the Stamats Conference.