Well no one ever said this was going to be easy. As much as it sucks that Obama lost last night, I have to say that I kind of like the idea of a primary fight. I can't come out against the idea of a candidate chosen after 3 primaries like in 2004 and then celebrate it had it happened last night.

Some general thoughts:

- HRC says that she "found her voice." I still don't think she has. I think her saying that is a bit of political spin. She's still the same boring candidate she was before New Hampshire. She's still a part of the Clinton political machine and still had to go negative (via Bill Clinton) to win the primary. So I think her saying that she "found her voice" means that the 24-hour news cycle is going to have something to talk about for the next few weeks.

- John Edwards says he's sticking in the race, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some of his supporters jumping ship. Where they end up is anyone's guess, but I have a gut feeling that they'd lean towards Obama. Even though South Carolina is his home state, I think a third place finish is in the cards for Edwards.

- Although I think her tears were authentic, they don't sit well with me. I can't believe that a candidate's outward showing of emotion would be enough to sway a voter one way or another.

- Can we officially put polling numbers to bed? How can the polling be so off?

- Last night's speeches by Obama and HRC reenforced why I'm supporting Barack. She talked about what "she's" going to do and how "she's" going to fight for us. Barack talked about what "we" can all do. It seems more inclusive.

- Per the comment that NotShyChiRev made on my journal a couple of days ago: I agree with you about Obama's sketchy record on LGBT issues. He seems to be doing a little fence sitting. They all are, unfortunately. Wish Kucinich was leading. He's by far the candidate that best matches my beliefs.

- I guess it's on to Nevada and South Carolina now. How those states will fare is anyone's guess. I'd say that HRC will win Nevada and BO will win SC, but judging by how easily people are swayed by a primary win, a win by BO or HRC in Nevada will ensure a SC win, IMO.

- I just wish there were an election cycle where the first primaries weren't Iowa, NH, Nevada, and SC. Can't we have a rotating schedule? Is that so damn difficult? Or why don't they all do it on the same day? I hate this one at a time thing. I don't think it's really all that fair to any of the candidates.

- I want to talk about this later, but I find it very demeaning towards African Americans when Bill Clinton is spoken of as "the first black president." I never really got that. More on that in a different post...or in the comment section should anyone want to talk about it.

That's all for now, folks.

- Matt