Barack Obama

Clearly the buzz is all about Barack Obama, and for damn good reason.  If you haven't heard/seen his speech, don't miss it.  Also, here is a transcript of it.  A staggeringly concise and effective speech that may be one of the most straightforwardly all-inclusive speeches I've ever heard from a politician, all the more amazing for having been entirely self-written (unusual to say the least for the majority of politicians).  His leveling of red states and blue states was a brilliant little stroke of E Pluribus Unum genius.  Even a Republican would have been hard pressed to take issue with such a speech (though I'm sure they're doing their damnedest today).  It's been a long long long time since I've seen someone inspire such genuine hope in the prospects for American politics, and even genuine pride in what it means to be an American.  I know that's a lot to throw on to one person, but he seems ready and willing to take on the burden.  And, yes, after just one speech and before he's even served as a U.S. Senator, already everyone is buzzing about the chances of his becoming the first African-American President.   Hell, he's already got my vote...