I asked on Monday what you thought would happen on Tuesday, not what you wanted to happen in the election. Fifteen percent thought there might be a McCain upset by a hair, but 84% thought Obama would win, and by which margin was split evenly.

It’s funny that even though I thought Obama would win, when he did, I was – like so many others – quite emotional. And I was not in the tank for him for most of this. He won by more than I guessed.

Even though “my guy” won, I have such sympathy for those that lost: McCain and Palin. Especially McCain, since he has been at it for so long and this was his LAST chance. When my dad lost his local elections, my whole family felt like we had been kicked in the gut.

We forget how vulnerable politicians make themselves.  It’s one long audition. You keep asking people to like you, believe in you, be inspired by you, trust you! And then when they don’t, it’s a slap. It must be especially hard when you get 50 million votes and still lose. Kerry and especially Gore had this. Now it’s the other team’s turn, but I don’t relish it. One day, surrounded by Secret Service and screaming crowds. Yesterday McCain climbed in his car and drove himself home, no entourage.

And enough with the Palin bashing. She’s back home. If anyone should be ridiculed or blamed for the GOP loss, that should go to Bush. I still think that there is a viciousness that people – and especially women – unleash on other women that they don’t on men. I didn’t vote for her, but it was good to see a woman on a major ticket. And you know, I like the husband: Todd didn’t seem to have any ‘tude about being the guy behind the throne, and I like that in a guy.  I can imagine why many would be brooding or sulking.

Anyway, we are free at last, free at last, from the longest election cycle ever… or so it seems.