Tears in my eyes here. Thanks.

Wow. Nice. Recommended.

Great post.

My nine-year-old daughter filled out the presidential choice on my absentee ballot. We video-taped it and I think I'll put it on the utube and post a link on TPM.

This is one she'll remember her whole life. She made her own campaign posters and yard signs. Last night when I put her to bed we talked about how we hoped the world would change today.

This feels about a hundred times more important than any election in my life.

Don't leave your name. The R's will probably challenge your vote.

Nice.

All I can do is smile. Thanks.

Wow. Tears welling up here too. If I hadn't already voted, you would have spurred me to do it.

$20 says this post makes it Drudge by noon.

thanks for sharing

Truly touching. Thanks so much for that.

This is awesome. I brought my 7 year old and she "voted". She needed a little help for the Congressional race but got the Presidential.

I am in no way as eloquent as you but I felt pride and joy that my daughter witnessed the enthusiasm of this election. Her school "voted" and she handled the fact that McCain one well (we are in a very Red precinct in VA).

Anyway, tears are in my eyes. Thanks so much for this great story.

On behalf of my kids, thanks.

We all needed that this morning.

My wife still remembers being four years old and voting against Nixon with her mother, such is the power of voting. My five year old has been telling everyone that she would vote for Obama because he will end the war in Iraq. Last night she added "I don't McCain wants the war to end..." Creating a culture of voting is as important as voting itself. Nicely done!

Yes. Hell, yes.

This was a remarkable post but all the comments have also been uplifting. This was an election for the future and the generation who will have the opportunity to forge a brighter vision for our country in a time of incredible challenge. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Wingnuts will be all over you for voter fraud.

Beautiful. Thanks.

Beautiful and simply touching.

My five year old pressed the "Cast Vote" button, and checked that I was voting for I wanted to. He was awesome.

And yes, I'm voting for him and his 4 week old brother. I believe the world will be a better place because of my choice.

Keep it up, America. This Brit is finding himself incredibly moved by these voting tales. Remember: the rest of the world is watching as closely as you are, only we can't do anything to influence the result. After eight long, dark years, you - and the rest of the planet - are on the verge of something truly special.

Thanks. A truly touching intimate moment. A story like this will be embedded in our minds years from now as we remember how proud we felt--how proud I felt this morning being the 14th voter of Ward 09 to fill out my ballot--to vote this time.
I think of all the hype, anxiety, nailbiting, and tears over the past few months and know in my heart that that excitment will override all the lies, intimidation, hypocracy, and downright foolishness.
"It's a beautiful day!" - U2

Just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

I have to say that I was overwhelmed by emotion at the polling place this morning seeing the number of African Americans there with their children. My six year old voted with her father and I tried to explain how historic this election was and casting my own ballot felt very overwhelming, but watching those mothers and fathers with their children was too much....I just cannot imagine how powerful it must've been for those parents to share that experience with their kids.

After the past nightmarish eight years (with a hat tip to Andrew Sullivan): Know Hope.

You brought a tear to my eyes and not many can do that to this old man. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Thank you!

Oh there you go! You made me cry!

Thank you for including your child in our nation's voting process.

I will be dropping our ballots off this morning. I've already got roaring in my ears, and short choppy, breath. It's gonna be quite a day and night.

That nailed it for me. That is why we vote. Not for our own personal short term gain. That is it. Thanks for helping to clear out my tear ducts this a.m.

Yep, heartwarming. Impeccable logic too.

But the snarky side of my nature rebels just a little at the "purity and sanctity" of children - it's as if we believe all the wisdom and rationality in the world is concentrated in their little hands.

If that's so, why don't we let them vote?

I saw Obama working a rope line on TV. The camera picked up an ederly black man and black woman, perhaps husband and wife just behind the rope. I can't describe the look on their faces when Obama was right there in front of them, but maybe the shit they had to live through all their lives somehow disappeared with Obama there in front of them, and maybe their life will never be the same again.

I hope Obama is elected for all the people like that eledery couple.

Beautiful, beautiful post, tears in my eyes. I registered at TPM just so I could comment.

I'll definitely be thinking of my little one when I cast my vote for Obama after work, although I'm opting not to bring her along this year. (Have completely irrational fear that she'd accidentally flip the lever for McCain, and then open the curtain to lock it in. Yes, as far as I know we're still using old-style voting machines!)

If only my daughter had every reason to believe he, too, can grow up to be anything she wants...even President.

I have had the best conversations this year with my 12-yr old triplets. We've talked about the issues and we've talked about the electoral college. We've talked about what it means when a fellow student says that voting for Obama means that you're a baby killer. We've talked about what it means that voting for Obama means you want to give all of your money to poor people. We've talked about that it's OK that we might have to pay higher taxes if we vote for Obama. It's been great.

Nice try, Reed; but I'm not gonna... I said I'm not gonna... not... DAMMIT!!!

Yeah, OK, I got all teary-eyed, too....

Seriously, thanks for a very moving post. I have two sons of my own, and I'd like for them to come of age in a much better America than I did. What I've seen of the generation just now starting to come into it's own gives me tremendous hope for the future. Keep up the good work....

Ah, vote fraud.

Well it was for a good cause!

This is the second time you have caused me to cry tears of hope for my fellow man, Eastside; the first was your $600 contribution to the people of the Gulf Coast. Your son has a fine father. And, whether or not he remembers this moment, we will.

I hope that the young boy one day looks back on this morning and realizes the power and innocence which all Americans have at that one instant. I dream we all feel this way...today

My neighbors' children were in line today, too. When a slightly cranky six year old arrived and I told his dad I'd been in line for half an hour, the dad said, "well, maybe we should come back." But the six-year old said, "No. I want to vote." When I left, they were still waiting in line -- the six-year old determined to vote for "high-speed rail." It's wonderful to see people that young already learning about what it means to vote.

(And yes, I also teared up.)

I cast my vote for Obama in Brooklyn today and wished I could have been there with my partner, my same-sex partner, now my husband who is from Croatia. He can’t vote in the USA. He has never voted, not once, in any election, anywhere in his entire adult life. He has been here in the USA for 15 years as a student through high school, university, and graduate school and then the past 6 years as a hard-working, tax-paying H1B visa holder. His visa will expire at the end of this year and he will have to leave the country before Obama takes office.

So as I cast that vote today I did so with a great amount of hope for the future. Hope that things will change so that I as a US citizen will have the right to sponsor my husband to obtain lawful permanent resident status just like any opposite-sex, married couple would be able to do. Hope that Obama will cast away DOMA and support UAFA. Hope that my vote today will pave the way for a future in which I will be treated equally among my fellow citizens. Hope that I will realize the civil right to extend that right to sponsor the individual with whom I intend to spend the rest of my life with. Hope that we will be able to return to this country with full, legal status sooner rather that later to live our lives without governments treating us as less-than-others.

And I hope I will be there someday to witness my husband cast his first vote.

Trite, obvious, sweet, wonderful, moving, and simply brought actual tears to my eyes. Yes, that is why we do this. Thank you.

My god, I feel so deeply truly wonderful today.

To the author of this post (EastSide93): That was the most amazing post I have read in months. Maybe years. I am an old white guy (61) who lived across the river for you for a year back in 1973. We seldom drove across the river back then -- it was too scary -- we only heard about the crime and such. And I apologize to you for my fear back then.

Like you, I have seen the world change in these many decades. I grew up in Joplin. I went to a Catholic elementary school. The only Catholic family in the city had 2 sons who were in my class for all 12 years. I considered myself to be friends with them, but we never did anything outside school together. And, looking back, I feel bad about that. They were very nice guys.

Muhammed Ali changed this country. The entire world (white and black) admired him. Michael Jordan changed this country. I remembered being pleased at the world years ago when I would see lots of pre-teen and teenaged white boys wearing Michael Jordan's #23 t-shirts. I knew that the world was changing.

I remember thinking that the "Black is Beautiful" slogan from decades ago was just "PR" -- but then along came Dianna Ross and Janet Jackson -- and I realized that truly, Black is Beautiful.

Honestly, I was for Hillary. I didn't think my fellow citizens were ready for Obama. But they (my fellow citizens) have truly stunned me. I was floored and delighted to see photos of 100,000 white folk at an Obama rally in Denver.

As much as JFK did, I believe that BHO will change the world in a very positive way. For the first time in decades, I see the possibility of Peace on Earth.

I could ramble more -- a person has a lot of memories and thoughts at 61 -- but I just wanted to let you know that your Post, here on this site, has truly moved me.

With your permission [let me know if it is not given], I am planning to print your post on parchment paper -- and frame it in an expensive frame for the wall in my living room.

There is only one other item on my wall -- a picture of Matthew Sheppard from the Sheppard Foundation on their "Vote For Me" poster from 2006. It has been on my wall for 2 years. And I just this minute recognized how that poster and your post are truly entertwined around the same topic. I have new hope for America.

I wish you well.

My eight year old son has watched this election with an interest that surprised me, through 4 nights of the convention and lots of questions about our local propositions. He not only just voted for Obama, he voted against Prop 8 here in California - which he refers to as "that law some people are trying to pass that means you can't marry the person you want to marry". I have never been more hopeful about our future.

Wow, this was amazing. This brought tears to my eyes. I've never seen so much unity, hope, and love as I have with my fellow Obama supporters this election.

Tears in my eyes too.

Here's a fun video of my 2 year old helping shape the future!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKiPNSKsS6Q

Now he will have a story to tell like mine.

When I was 4, my Dad took me into the voting booth with him. It was one of those old mechanical booths with the curtains that close behind you. He was pulling levers all down the Democratic side but he didn't pull the top one. He picked me up, pointed at the top lever, and said "Pull that lever down." So I did. Then Dad said "Now you can tell everybody that you voted for John F. Kennedy."

Dad didn't make it to this election, nor did my Mom. They were lifelong Democrats, raised by Democrats, in a family of Democrats. So this year, I returned the favor. This one was for you, Mom and Dad. I hope I made you proud.

Wow, what a load of crap.

Together, Yes We Can!
The transformation is OUR transformation. It starts with each and every one of US.

Cute story, but I am tired of reading these ironic "Gotcha" headlines here, at MyDD and Kos. Been going on for weeks now. Stop it with those everyone.

To those who have described the post as sentimental and crap...
What did you intend to accomplish by verbalizing that? Let the rest of us have a moment where we can enjoy the feeling that true change is in the air. Our feelings are valid.
And if you disagree with that sentiment, your feelings are valid, too, but go to a different blog site and commiserate with them.

I took my 14 year old daughter with me to vote as I've done since she was born. We realized, as we were standing in line, that she will be able to vote for Obama's reelection in 4 years. She was very excited.

One word.

Classy!

He taught us about Medgar Evers, Ralph Abernathy, John Lewis and many other civil rights figures who get lost in the shadow cast by Martin Luther King, Jr.

The oh-so-minor discordant point in a moving essay. Casting a shadow sounds ominous. Rather, their stars are less visible in King's brilliant sun.

I voted for Obama because I have a gay son and someday I have hope that all mothers of gay children can tell them that they too could be president.

Why do you want to make people cry?

yay! for your dear little boy!

Thank you. When Obama wins I WILL cry.

Then I have signs that say "Yes we did!!!" to put in my windows. I live on the 10th floor of a high rise and my windows are visible to everyone driving buy or waiting at a huge intersection near my building.

It's happening. It's happening.

What a letdown.

I was hoping to read about somebody else here who voted McKinney, both for voting outside the duopoly box and for doubly making history.

>sigh

Moving, beautifully written post. Bravo.

And just for the record, anyone who can't see the progress this election represents for this society should be pitied. You can be very realistic and still be moved by what's happening today.

Well, I did vote for Obama this morning. I used to take my kid, but there was no fargin way to separate a high school student from a bed before 11:00 am on her day off.

Even Barack can't work miracles..

Beautiful, eastside.

Very beautiful. When I voted I placed my 11 year old son's hand on top of mine as I marked my ballot. Someday he will be proud that his first vote was cast for the man who is going to change our world.

Here in Oregon we vote by mail, so I decided that my daughters (ages ten and eight) would fill in the oval beside Barack's name. They were well aware of the significance of this election, and realized that one day they would take pride in having marked this particular ballot.

This entire election cycle has enabled us to examine with them the responsibilities and obligations of active citizenship.

I remember going to vote with my Mother in our small rural western Pennsylvania town in the late sixties. We had just moved here after my Dad had finished his residency in Delaware. He was about to be drafted as 1A after being classified 4F before he finished his education (He had a cleft palate, punctured eardrum and other things that would not qualify him). Since he had worked at the Dover AFB they thought he would welcome being in the service. He had four children under 8..so no he would not. So my parents quickly found a postion that would qualify him as essential. We moved...very far from my Mother's sisters who had been her support and help as my Dad finished school. I remember going into the booth with my mother, holding my baby brother as she juggled her pocketbook, my baby sister and her umbrella. Finally she told me to pull the lever to register her vote. I remember the pride it gave me that I was her big girl helper. (My older sister was in school that day, so it was a big deal for me to be the 'big sister') As we came out of the booth, the poll worker asked her "how did you vote?". My Mother was shocked because no one had ever asked her in previously. Since it was a new town, small and obviously important to know where this new Doctor's wife stood, my Mom being the sarcastic joker that she was, said calmly: "I voted the for the Communist Party if it is any of your business!" That shut the old biddy up wonderfully, except that when the results were published, 1 person in our town had voted communist. So for the rest of our time in that town we were labeled as "Pinkos".
Every election since, I vote in the tradition of my mother. I vote with my heart, with an eye to the future and with my children there with me. Announcing who you voted for is not as important as showing up and voting. Each and every election is important. Each issue is your chance to make a difference. Teaching your children that with great gifts comes great responsibilities and that we have to accept our actions or inactions have consequences. So vote, tell your neighbors to vote, tell your family to vote, tell everyone to vote. Because when we stop accepting our role in our government, we deny our children their future.

Excellent, excellent post.

My parents are from Alabama and Texas. They're 84 years old, former fans of George Wallace. I remember as a child my father still referred to people he worked with as "Good Ni***r" and talked about the racial tensions in the south (and not in a good way, if you get my drift). I was a confused kid, frankly, because most of my teachers in grade school (until 6th grade, anyway)were incredibly kind, gifted, intelligent, loving, and Black. We moved when I was 11 (in 1973) to an all white rural area because the "wrong kind" of people were moving into our neighborhood.

I now live next door to the house I moved into when I started 6th grade. My 9 year old daughter goes to the same grade school, but now she has African American friends, latinos, asians, Arabs, persians, and still a lot of "white" folk, and exactly zero issues like the ones I dealt with at her age.

My oldest daughter is now student teaching and lives in North Carolina and voted for Barack. My middle daughter blogs for him on Youtube.

And both parents just voted to help make a black man president.

I was worried for awhile but this is, in fact, still America.

Did it with my five-year-old this morning too. It was a reminder that what I do as a parent has an impact on the future of our society.

I don't understand you people at all. This story is full of cliches and probably just something that somebody made up. No wonder the country is in the mess it's in.

Thank you so much...beautiful post

That's beautiful.

I cast my first vote the same way: as a 7-year-old kid pulling the lever for my mom. Unfortunately, it was a vote for Bush the Elder, but it's something that stuck with me. Your son is going to remember this for the rest of his life. That's awesome.

Been waiting for the absolute proof our dream has come true, but you got me! Goose bumps & tears galore. I echo everyone here, beautiful!

Speaking with my mother this morning, it became clear to me why Barack Obama is special. Beyond his policies and speeches, he is the only presidential candidate I can remember, in my brief forty-nine years spent circling the sun, whose judgement supercedes his ego. I believe we can trust him to make choices which are in the best interests of our country and our planet. I find it ironic that McCain's slogan is "Country First." Should Republicans voting today truly wish to put country first, they should cast their votes for Senator Obama. Thank you, Mr. Reed, for touching my soul today.

Beautiful comment. I too teared up.

And I confess that I choked up when I voted in DC for Obama this morning. I realize that my vote doesn't really affect things, since DC will go Blue anyway. But as an upper income, middle aged white person who has enjoyed the benefits of American society, I felt compelled to stand in line for an hour to vote anyway. As I marked my ballot, I thought back to the images of my childhood of Bull Connor and the firehoses, of Schwerner, Goodman and Cheney of the Freedom Riders, of Viola Liuzzo, of Dr. King marching in Selma, of the time my family's house was targeted by vandals because we had Black friends. Little did I dream back then that I would one day vote proudly for a man as President who was Black.

Thank you.

Powerful. Simply Powerful.

My nine year old son watched me as I blocked out Obama's name. As we walked out I told him that this could possibly be the most important election of my lifetime.

Thank you for sharing. Thank you for moving me to tears.

Beautiful...i'm getting all chill bumpy....

I don’t want to be the LC; lone curmudgeon
But I had a different reaction to this post right to the end

• I think voting for political leaders is an incredible and rare privilege

• A lot of people have sacrificed a lot more than I have or the poster of the original note for the right to vote;the right of a black person or a female to vote and be considered for a vote

• I think adopting an air of cynicism because “your perfect and personal candidate” is not on the ticket is a horrendous cop out. All of those examples given were heroes but that does not qualify them as leaders of nations anymore than surviving a prison camp does.

• Leaving the final decision to vote to the vagaries of a child you love and asking them to go eeney meeney miny moe is attributing too much inherent wisdom to them and too little to yourself.

• Children should be children and not sages and adults should be adults and not vote dodgers

and for the record, the parental figure didn't vote. But he /she did give up their right to complain about what happens next with the economy or energy or killing innocent people. When you are not part of the solution, you are certainly part of the problem. And don't blame that on the child.

I've read this three times to myself and cried every time. I just read it out loud to my boys, ages 10 and 6, who are my reasons for voting for Barack.

As a student of politics from north of the border, I have watched the American political scene for almost 50 years, usually despairing that America was not living up to its ideals. I acknowledge, with tears, the incredible significance voting for Obama must have for Afro-Americans. I think, more importantly, that for so many caucasians to not only vote for Obama, but to volunteer their time to work for Obama is stunningly inspiring, and promises great hope. It leads me to say that for the first time in my adult life I am really (meaning extremely) proud of America!!!

Are you from Lansdowne, Aldan, Clifton Height...PA? I guess you're from Delaware county in PA. Your story is so moving... I cast my vote in Aldan, PA today.

Thanks Eastside. I cried when I read your post. I cried when I voted for Obama this morning and I cried when I ran into my daughter at the polls.

John McCain went to war to defend Our right to vote before he could vote. Respect for the law of America is what each Candidate should inspire-you not only committed fraud-you involved Your Baby-why? I am honestly asking you why can you not see that what you are inspiring here is illegal? Voting is a PRIVILEGE that should be appreciated. We should learn about it and what led to us having that privilege before we draw the line to Our chosen Candidate-Your Child is only 5 years old-not able to read enough to learn about voting and not old enough to understand what was done was against the law and not able to question the decision of a much older parent that should know better. Do you realize you have taught your child to follow wrongdoing from the highest authority in His life? His Beloved Mother-I fasted and prayed today that America becomes Senator John McCain's Hero-I am glad I made the right choice.////

What do you mean? I'm not a Republican-am I not allowed to post here? Or just not wanted here? Are there different boards here?////

What do you mean? I'm not a Republican-am I not allowed to post here? Or just not wanted here? Are there different boards here?////

I hope you savored the moment because it may be the last time your child will get to vote. By the time he's 18 we may be a socialist country.

Trite nonsense, you Americans are so damn sentimental it's ridiculous. If you were more dispassionate about politicians, like we are in Australia, you wouldn't have so many crooks, liars, charlatans and incompetents running your country.

TPmoma

I am politically independent but typically and certainly this time will vote democratic. But it is unfortunate that your republican opinion is not welcome or worse get assigned a generalization as a "ditto head".

On this particular set of blogs the story is a lot more significant than the act; and of course, pointing that out makes you a nay sayer.

It reminds me somewhat of the Charles Bronson /Jill Ireland movie about the outlaw and the lady. The story she spins about him during his absence takes on such a large life, that when he appears in the light of day, he is shorter and coarser than her story and she wants nothing to do with him. The story is better and larger than the truth.

I am retired Air Force, but still in the Environmental clean up business. I have spent my professional careers in and out of the military cleaning up and photographing the environment so I have a commitment. My military travels took me to countries where people do not take a flippant approach to political acts; my reaction to this story is not knee jerk.

I think McCain is a good man, but the wrong man for this job at this time. I think Obama is the right man at the right time. Those are my truths that I hold to be self evident.

I agree with you that holding a child up; encouraging him and then boasting when he does something wrong or trying to discourage free speech from an opposing party is NOT how I want Obama supporters perceived. They do him an injustice. I am not looking for another Kennedy (idealistic but with flexible morals). I am pinning my hopes on Obama as the improved version. But I certainly want to know that no matter who wins, the democratic process will continue to work.

Let freedom ring in all its forms.

Well done.

Of the many, many persons who gave their lives for the right to vote is Medgar Evers. In tribute, from Bob Dylan:

ONLY A PAWN IN THEIR GAME
(Words and Music by Bob Dylan)
1963, 1964 Warner Bros. Inc Renewed 1991 Special Rider Music

A bullet from the back of a bush took Medgar Evers' blood.
A finger fired the trigger to his name.
A handle hid out in the dark
A hand set the spark
Two eyes took the aim
Behind a man's brain
But he can't be blamed
He's only a pawn in their game.

The South politician preaches to the poor white man,
"You got more than the blacks, don't complain.
"You're better than them, you been born with white skin," they explain.

And the Negro's name
Is used it is plain
For the politician's gain
As he rises to fame
And the poor white remains
On the caboose of the train
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

The deputy sheriffs, the soldiers, the governors get paid,
And the marshals and cops get the same,
But the poor white man's used in the hands of them all like a tool.

He's taught in his school
From the start by the rule
That the laws are with him
To protect his white skin
To keep up his hate
So he never thinks straight
'Bout the shape that he's in

But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

From the poverty shacks, he looks from the cracks to the tracks,
And the hoof beats pound in his brain.
And he's taught how to walk in a pack
Shoot in the back
With his fist in a clinch
To hang and to lynch
To hide 'neath the hood
To kill with no pain
Like a dog on a chain
He ain't got no name
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

Today, Medgar Evers was buried from the bullet he caught.
They lowered him down as a king.
But when the shadowy sun sets on the one
That fired the gun
He'll see by his grave
On the stone that remains
Carved next to his name
His epitaph plain:
Only a pawn in their game.

I need to hurry home and join us all in waiting for the outcome.

But as i see the final "still doesn't get it" post i am reminded of Tricky Dick Nixon's response to Dick Cavett about Watergate.

"it's not illegal;if the president does it"

i don't know anymore. The overwhelming response to this blog is that some procedures are just "guidelines" or "it's not fraud if a five year old does it".

i told another respondent that i feel somewhat like the person in the scene from "Midnight Express" who was walking the wrong direction in the one way circle. Bit i will continue to vote for your right to all walk the same direction.

let's cross our fingers and hope the Hero and alaska lassie era has ended.

Just beautiful. You captured what this election meant to my wife and myself for our future, and our children. Really really well said.

Thank you.

Hi Boyd,

I just came by via facebook because your Clark Jr. High line caught my eye. Both my parents taught there when I was younger (and knew Mr. Woods apparently) so I was curious if you had either of them (the Norwoods). My mom says she does remember you and what a gifted student you were :)... And I just thought that was kind of neat and random.

Jennifer

Damn, you're good.

Eastside,
My 6 year old daughter went with my wife,mother,sister and niece to vote on the first day of early voting. It was my nieces' first election. I wanted to go, but it was just so cool to see them go together. It was a powerful thing. The divine feminine.
This one's for these children of ours.
Thank you for a fine post.
-Mark

I didn't vote for Obama today, and that's for real, neither did my 6 year old son, who voted at school, and this is why:
Why should I waste my vote on a man who will NOT say the pledge of Allegience? Who turns his back on our flag? Who says that this is not a Christian Nation anymore, but a Christian, Musleum, Etc. nation? This is a Christian nation, one Nation Under God, who Barrack Obama's pastor of Years says "God Dam America" You can NOT go to a church for years & years & NOT ever hear your pastor say that,
Race has nothing to do with this, it is time for a change, and if he would have respected our country then I would have voted for him, but I will not now, or ever vote for someone who does not support America to the fullest.
If you hate the flag, our flag, that many of my family members have fought to defend then it would all be different, my Poppa did not fight in the war for a non American like Obama to become president, nor did my dad, or my Uncles.
Talk crap about me for saying this I dont care because I will not check this again, I just stumbled accross it and I can not beleive that everyone is voting for this man,
even my son voted McCain, and we're democrtas and when i asked my son why he voted McCain, he said because Obama wasn't nice when he won't say the Pledge.
Out of the mouthes of babes,
I only hope that by the time my son grows into a man our country will not be destroyed because of this man who is becoming our president.

According to The Book of Revelations the anti-christ is: The anti-christ will be a man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal....the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, will destroy everything

I took my 8-year old son in also, and I let him push the "select this" button right after I selected Barack Obama. He proudly wore his sticker for the rest of the day.

I realize I'm post 215, and no one will probably read this, but I wanted to take some time to sign up (to post a comment).

I am a parent, and like many others that will read this I'm sitting here in tears, and I wanted to thank you for that beautiful post.

This letter brought tears to my eyes.Well written.Im so glad you gave your grandbaby the chance to make that vote.Lovely.....

MiMi

Beautiful story about why voting is so important. My faith in humanity was beginning to wane, but now I feel energized, hopeful, and more alive than I have felt in the last eight years.

I want to say how disapointed I am with the "American" public. They (You) all have just shown how ignorant they are as a society. I used to laugh when people compared the U.S to the Great Roman Empire, but now I see it. We will fall from within, and it starts this upcoming 4 years. "We the People" just voted for a man merley for color, just to make history. Well you all got it, you made history and we are now going to be the laughing stock of the world. You all wanted a "softer" leader, not so aggressive, as the world leaders around us have definetely moved on the offensive side of the court, you all wanted to step back and soften our world stances. Well with Obama you got it....I sincerely hopes he does pull out all the trops from Iraq/Afghanistan and the countless other regions (Muslim regions) in the world and brings them home...Cause I count the days now when the ticker tape we all quickly glance at proudly scrolled on the Communist News Network better known as CNN, show the dreadful roadside bombs going off in America...The proud the weak America.

You all are so damn blind to the fact Obama can not and will not better America. It takes the avergage Joe to do this. Obama and his sheep were out for one thing and one thing only, HE wanted to make history for himself, not for our naion but for his "Afican American Brotherhood". That's funny I thought America was built on family traditions, Christianity and the hope of equality. When Mark my words, with this time in history, I hate to say it, BUT I bet "hate crimes" will be at an all time high. I hope I am proven wrong, but I doubt it.

And "YOU" fellow (sad to call you Americans) Americans better brace yourself for a huge terorist attack on our own blessed soil again, and good ol'Obama, will embrace it from his "brotherhood" or do nothing at all, since he has NO idea what the military or homeland security is about...Hell he wants to open our borders up more. Just like Clinton, we had more terrorist attacks against US interests then any other President before him or after him UNTIL NOW.

Good one, who are you all going to call upon to help you then, Starbucks and your hybrids...Good luck.

May God be with us, we need his protection more then EVER!!!!

Boyd,

Such a great post. So don't feel disappointed that many many many people are motivated by fear, and anger, or just haven't seen enough of the world or been exposed to enough views to see why you feel the way you do. You just have to reach the people who do. And there are lots and lots of us who do appreciate this poignant moment you so perfectly described. I've forwarded your post to many friends and family, to include some friends of mine who voted for the Republican ticket this time around...and the response from these thoughtful people was resoundingly positive.

Like I said....such a good post. Turn off your computer and enjoy the day.

That was as good as Obama's speech!

I now look at my nephew & nieces - same biracial makeup as Barack Obama - and realize that one more barrier has been taken down for them. A barrier that should have never been there in the first place.

What a historic and exhilarating election is was!

I can't believe it. You all make me want to throw up this morning. You (the writer) telling your child to find 'Obama' and hit the button is EXACTLY what's wrong with all you liberal sheep. You say it's about democracy, and then you dictate 'choice'. This election was a huge failure!! Do any of you weepy "oh, you made me cry it was so moving" bunch of intellectual homeless care to realize you just elected the son of a radical Muslim and an Atheist to the most powerful position of the free world?? So what does that make Obama? He’s a Muslim too. How are children raised? They are taught as their parents believe. The same holds true for you. How quickly you all forget 9-11. Hello!! Wake up! Stop wanting to be the first to jump on the "I voted for an African-American" bandwagon, and realize that this country is headed to hell so fast it's making my head spin. Where have family values gone? Where have the protection of my rights as an individual gone (does anyone even KNOW what the 2nd Amendment is anymore)? Where has my protection to keep what I make as a hard-working American and not give it to a lazy-ass freeloader waiting for the next government handout gone?

Jake P knows what the truth is. Infidel knows the truth. Arrogantb knows the truth. That is because they are not sheep like the rest of you – blindly willing to go with the masses as the slightest prodding. Me? I'm a wolf. I hunt, and fight, and am territorial as hell. Come try and take something from me. I earned it – not you. You want it, get a job.

Hey, imaconservative!
"Me? I'm a wolf. I hunt, and fight, and am territorial as hell. Come try and take something from me. I earned it – not you. You want it, get a job."
You should have run on the Rebulican ticket. This is the spirit we needed on the ticket this year...not Mr. Stumblestammer.
Thanks for making me want to fight back!

I did not vote for Obama and I'm still glad I did not. I am a Christian and I actually believe that as one, I had to vote R this time. Thankful that we can voice our feelings and thoughts. I can't say O is Islamic. But I do know one thing, he can't say he's a Christian. The media has been really crappy again. Crapping on the president, having nothing good to say. They are just very biased. Like I just heard on a newscast, you can not call it the main stream media. Well atleast we still have the freedom to vote. But have you noticed who terrorists and communists wanted to win? The answer is-Mr. O. All that smooth talkin' tell em what they want one. What if he was not brown, many people who have not given a crap, would not have gotten off their ignorant butts to vote. God Bless our free society, and hope people will not be so biased and racist next election.

Enough of the fraud discussion. The right man one. i am a lot more concerned about the bitter rhetoric being lobbed on this new day.

McCain made a wonderful concession speech and of course President Elect Obama was spot on.

What is troubling in the comments in oppossition to his new status is how they remind me of what i heard in the 70's. I was just assigned to Eglin AFB in Florida and the Equal Rights Amendment was being voted on (a long time ago). And all my wife and i heard was how men and woman were going to have to use the same bathrooms. And this from intelligent people. Sad to say that there are still many people who don't believe that when you help one person, you help us all. But of course, hand-up not hand-outs.

Obama is not going to give away the country and we are not going to turn into communist china although i think we could use a cultural revolution.

Cool. It's me again. We can legislate immorality. But, many say we can't legislate morality. Yes, we all have beleifs (blue in a red state) and the freedom we have here mostly has it's roots in the bible. As in that book that many right wingers respect. So critisizing people because they are "religious" or "spiritual" is stupid in my view. Yes I am a radical. I want God's love and blessings to freely flow in this nation. There is corruption in both parties, but in my view John McCain was a much better choice. If a democrat beleived in true democracy, Christian values and not socialist stands, then I would vote for them. God bless the darker colored people in this country, but beleive it or not their were many of those types who are Christians and did not vote for Obama. Also the bible says to judge people by their fruit. Pretty much, their actions.

I just almost cried as i read that . Its so beautiful thanks for sharing

NO WAY DID I VOTE FOR OBAMA

Never in ten trillion years would I have voted for him, he reminds me of a slick talking car sales men!!

I never wish harm to any one but I have this bad gut feeling some extremist groups like the KKK or Neo Nazis may try to assassinate him before he even starts office or not long into it, he might make history as first black president and also shortest term!!

I don't wish him any harm but I DID not vote for him and now plan to move out of the country until he s out of Office.

Hey Iqbal Yusaf,
What you intellectually bankrupt hoards on the Obamma side don't realize is that GIFT could very well be a BOMB, for all of us, even the ones smart enough to see through all the Koom-by-ya words from the "anoited one" and NOT vote for him.
See, we knew that he really wasn't saying ANYTHING!

Wow, the wingnut freeper-redstaters are foaming and gnashing today. Never seen such volume of idiocy on TPM. Did y'all get your marching orders from Rushbo or something to flood the reality-based blogs? How many times can you repeat, "Yer sheep! Yer sheep! U libz r sheep!" before you collapse into a puddle?

Well, sorry, nutballs. You lost, and lost big. The country has repudiated your brand of division, hatred, baseless smear, guilt by association, and Nixonian-Rovian "Southern Strategies." Get used to it. Hiding under your bridges might be the best place to do that.

I voted Republican this time, as I have for 25 years. That's where my values are, and I don't regret it. But I can't help but feel pride in our system and our people that brought democratic party back and placed a historic candidate into the highest office of the land.

Having your son touch that screen for Obama was the right thing to do. Your son participated in bringing about a historic moment, something he's sure to remember. That's an incredible gift you've given your son. Well written!

Congratulations and best wishes for the coming years!

Dear Boyd,

I'm not sure if you will be returning to this blog of yours to read any more comments. But I just want to tell you that I recall your pristine blog when comments and recommends were both at 0. After me, the comments and recommends were 1 and 1. And I wanted so much for your blog to be widely read!

It left me so moved I could hardly write much, like the hush after a moving piece of music, where the audience waits for a few breathless moments before applauding.

I want you to know that I returned to your post again and again throughout the day. What a joy it was for me to see it not only rocket to the top of the rec list, but to be flagged on the front page. I must say, I felt almost like a midwife to have been the first one to comment and the first to recommend. And I came back again this morning just to see the final total - at this moment.

It's sad, Boyd, that some felt it necessary to foul this thread. But that only shows us how much work is left undone.

Having been saddened by the negative comments (which always seem to arrive on the best posts which are most recommended), I decided to post this bookend comment, here at the tail end of this thread - to match the one I was proud to put at the beginning.

I think this one post has garnered more recommends than any other post at TPM. That, itself, tells us something about this historic moment we're a part of. And how touched so many were by your beautiful story. My initial comment was one of tears. But this one ends with a congratulatory smile:

:)

Nice Blog, very touching.

Nice to know a five yr old boy of any race can dream of becoming President and achieve that dream, because it obvious a 5 yr old girl will not.

You want to bring race into this election how about sexism?

How about during the tears someone have the nerve talk about sexism.

How the Obama campaign with the help of the Media shredded 2 women and the women of this country did nothing. Glass Ceiling ladies lets hear it.

At the end of the day I am going to show YOUR President the same respect MINE was shown the last 8 years.

I live in the Liberal community of Austin Texas and I have 8 years of PAYBACK.

As a vet at this moment for the first time in my life I am ashamed of this Country. I am cheering for the other guys and joining the Blame America first crowd.

On the Surface we seem so tolerant....peel back the layers its all a facade.

It was BRO's B4 HOEs

Your celebration will be short-lived when you see how fast Obamma forgets what color he is and you who voted for his skin color.
He will be too busy paying back a whole lotta people who don't look like you or talk like you while the first lady is eatin' Iranian Caviar.
Now get back to work - theys a whole lotta taxes a comin'!

Though a nice post I fail to see how you didn't vote for him. You told your child who to pick, how is that not you picking? I have kids around the same age and they would vote for whoever I told them to vote for too. They know more about toys and cartoons than about politics. I mean if your child had hit the McCain button, would you have pressed the vote button or changed it? You voted for Obama, you just had your child hit the button. Don't try and glorify it. Sheesh get over yourself.

I can't stop shedding tears either...from laughing at all the Obamma (aka Jim Jones) koolaid drinking - racist - mushheads sobbing over this poser headed for the white (or is it the black...?)house.

Boyd,

Your blog is absolutely beautiful! Having been the recipient of some of the very same benefits (I attended Crossroads, A.M. Jackson, and Clark Jr. High), I understand and share your gratitude.

I am so disgusted by those who thought it necessary to desecrate your blog with their ignorance, but as usual, we continue to rise above them.

I decided to early vote, and YES, I cast my vote for Barack Obama.

It's amazing to hear all of this talk about voting for him simply because he is black is WRONG. I didn't vote for him simply because he's black.....but why not?!

Our ancestors were lynched.....just because they were black.

They had to use seperate restrooms and drink from seperate fountains.....just because they were black.

We are racially profiled and jailed......just because we are black.

So, with all of the negative things that have been forced upon us.....just for being black, we deserve the opportunity to vote for Obama.....just because he's black.

Let me clarify.....

I didn't vote for Obama because of his skin color.

I voted for him because I believe he is working for me and people just like me, regardless of our color.

I voted for him because I agree with his ideals on how our country can be turned around.

In no way do I think he is or will ever be our savior, but he deserves a chance to help fix America. He can only do so much to even "attempt" to fix all that the Bush administration has done to our country. Anything is better than what we've been going through, and I believe that it's safe to say that McCain wouldn't have changed much.

On a side note, I remember you from when I was a little girl. You all lived across from my kinfolks (the McKinney's), I'm a member of Mt. Zion (your grandmother, with her keen memory, still remembers me), and you used to tutor my cousin and brother in math (the Hunts) years ago. You were always a brilliant mind, and it's great to share a similar background with someone who recognizes the importance of sharing this historic moment with our children. Your son will never forget this.

God Bless,
Kim H.

Kim H
"He can only do so much to even "attempt" to fix all that the Bush administration has done to our country. Anything is better than what we've been going through..."
I am a conservative. Bush did not preside as one, he had to deal with 9/11! Remember?
Bush was a little too wishy-washy, too much reaching across the aisle to Dems only to get crapped on, much like the black community by Dems. Why they continued to vote Democratic is a mystery.
Your Democratically controlled Congress has to own up to their part for the mess we are in...I, for one, don't believe everything the talking heads on Obammavision* regurgitate as facts. You shouldn't completely craft your show from the talking points of the Democratic Party Headquarters.
*(MSNBC, CNN, Headline News, PBS, Charlie Rose, The View, SNL, Comedy Central, Larry King, Jay Leno, David Letterman, not to mention all the print media glued to Obamma's ass...should I keep going? Where is the Fairness Doctrine when you need it?) Too much white guilt! Too little personal responsibility in the voting block for Obamma.
If Bill Cosby were to run I would vote for him in a heartbeat over any republican.
He shoots straight and he doesn't dodge the media and tough questions the way Obamma did, does and will continue to do with your help.
If you want to continue to fool yourself about the Republicans being solely at fault, be my guest...the tide also goes out in washington.