Kentuck and Oregon vote today.  Let's celebrate the Democratic Party's allocation of convention delegates among candidates.  The GOP favors a winner-take-all system.  Their system is efficient -- but its efficiency is directed toward excluding candidates as quickly as possible.  The Democratic system of allocating delegates is directed toward including candidate for as long as possible.  It prolongs the primary season but gives each viable candidate a full and fair opportunity to take his or her case to the voters.  The result has been wonderful.

Both Obama and Clinton have taken their campaigns to almost every state.  The voters have had the opportunity to learn about each candidate and to cast their ballots.  The candidates have had the opportunity to speak with, and learn about, the voters in each state. 

The voters have been heard and two historic candidates are still standing.  The GOP's should be green with envy.  Early victories gave McCain an insurmountable lead but deprived McCain of the advantage of having heard from the voters in many states. 

Regardless who receives the nomination, the Democratic nominee will have been tempered by her or his experience with voters across the country. 

I have been concerned about whether this campaign has been too long and perhaps too devisive.  But as the campaign draws to a close, my confidence in the Democratic system has been renewed.  Let's celebrate and move on.

November harkens.