Even as I write this I think the reality of tonight has yet to set in. For some time, Obama had been the projected winner of this election, but there is a big difference between being the projected winner and becoming the presidential elect. I was convinced in 2000 that Gore would win. I was convinced in 2004 that Kerry would win. I was wrong both times, so even as Obama’s chances grew stronger, this year I was unable to let myself be convinced.
However, this election really has proved to be the year in which anything was possible, from its beginning to its end. The two front runners in the Democratic party both ran historic campaigns; one campaigning to be the first woman elected president, Senator Hillary Clinton, and the other the first African American elected president, Senator Barack Obama. Then, when Obama became the nominee, the very next day Governor Sara Palin became the Vice Presidential nominee of Senator John McCain.
Even here in Texas as the results came in, it remained close enough that I allowed myself to wonder if this state power house of 34 electoral votes might turn blue. At the time I write this, with 96% of precincts reporting the gap has widened to a more decisive McCain lead. Nevertheless, I have learned not to take anything for granted. If Obama is able to deliver even some of the change he has promised, it is quite possible that in 2012 Texas will join Colorado and New Mexico in continueing to rewrite the electoral map.

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