It's no secret to TPMCafe readers that I believe that -- in addition to all his other qualities that make Barack Obama the best Democratic nominee in the party's history -- Obama's racial background is of incredible significance. My wife, a public school teacher and counselor, reports that, for months now, she has seen the inspirational effect on African-American children (especially the boys). But she also notes the excitement among kids in general, telling me about one white kindergarten kid with Down syndrome, who hardly talks, but when he happened to see the young tall slender gym fair-complexioned gym teacher, started shouting "OBAMA." Nothing else, just the name. And then a big smile.

We will know later tonight just how transformational this moment is. I am glad the media gets it, with crews stationed tonight at both the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and the Dexter Avenue Church in Montgomery. Anyway I first wrote about this in December 2006. That was about the time I was accosting Obama on the street (I'm on Capitol Hill) and in the Russell Building to tell him to run for President. I was, I'm sure, one of hundreds of random folks doing this to the guy. The last time I did it, he told me to "give it a rest, will ya." So I knew there was hope.

And here we are. Off to temple to pray (and, no, I'm not religious. But sometimes....)