It's finally over

Almost two years since the long slog we called the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election started, it's finally ended, and Barack Obama is the President Elect. Other blogs can fill in the praise and the analysis, but I'll leave a few comments here.

First, I thought McCain delivered a conciliatory and gracious concession speech; kudos to him. Second, what the hell was wrong with the McCain crowd? Yes, your candidate lost, but come January 20th, there will be a new President. Booing the President Elect (more than once, no less) is not putting "country first".

Kudos to fivethirtyeight.com for being remarkably good at poll aggregation. With Alaska, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, and North Carolina still to be called, the electoral college breakdown is 338-156 for Obama, and the popular vote is 51.3%-47.4% for Obama. This is pretty much in line with fivethirtyeight.com's predictions of 348.6-189.4 for the electoral college and 52.3%-46.2% for the popular vote. Well done indeed.

Finally, to the Democratic Party. You now have control of the Presidency and both houses of Congress. Given the lackluster performance of this party over the last eight years, I ask of you now: please, please, don't screw this up.