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COOL VIDEO: Madonna Celebrates Obama, But Not Prop 8

COOL VIDEO: President-Elect Barack Obama's Victory Speech

MORE PHOTOS: How Obama's Victory Night Looked From One Spot in San Antonio

Again, I am so glad that I got to be at El Tropicano with so many Obama supporters last night. The celebration was just amazing. It felt like we were all waking up again, somehow. It really is a new day, a new chapter in America.

PHOTOS: Supporters Celebrate at the Obama Victory Party Sponsored by State Rep Trey Martinez Fischer

Frank and I knew tonight would be best celebrated in a crowd, and how lucky we were to find ourselves at El Tropicano at the victory party sponsored by State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer.

Actually, it was several of the Obama volunteers we'd met earlier in the day who gave us a head's up on the location, and it was simply magical to be in that room when the news flashed that Obama had been elected president. People shouted, jumped, even danced. Tears flowed. And the hugs started.

Even after staring at polls and statistics for hours, for days, Frank and I had no idea what to expect from the night. Obama had taken most of the NE before we even left for the party. As we walked out the door, it was announced that Obama had claimed Pennsylvania. Florida looked like a strong possibility with the first reported numbers. And once at the party, we all started to cheer as Iowa, Ohio and Virginia followed.

It did start to sink in that the only coming bad news was for the Republican side. The side that had divided the country (and the globe) for the past 8 years, that had campaigned on the promise to continue, was losing big. Relief set in as McCain's hopes were dashed with each electoral vote. And the room started to transform.

People were on the dance floor, carefree even before the final projections of Obama's victory. But the best moment of this long, historical election season came as kind of a shock. And at least for us, it's only now starting to sink in what exactly had been accomplished across America tonight. I know it's just the beginning. But after 8 long years, it's enough for tonight.

For now, here are some shots of how it looked from where we were.

YES. WE. DID.: Barack Obama is Our Next President

The same country that elected Bush 8 years ago just elected Barack Obama. America has said ENOUGH.

UPDATE: San Antonio Obama/Biden Volunteers Overflow Headquarters, Spill into Radius

More photos of Obama volunteers working from Radius, after filling their downtown San Antonio headquarters.

UPDATE: San Antonio Obama/Biden Volunteers Overflow Headquarters, Spill into Radius

In this series of shots, San Antonio Obama volunteers use Radius as a second call center, after filling their headquarters located a block away.

ELECTION DAY WORDS TO REMEMBER FROM MOVEON.ORG: The Top 5 Reasons to Vote in Texas

Yeah, I've felt the frustration of voting in Texas, knowing that I wasn't going to change where our electoral votes were headed.  But along comes MoveOn.org to illustrate

Why It Still Means A Thing Even If It Ain't Got That Swing

1. Big margin = big mandate. The popular vote doesn't put anyone in the White House, but it affects what presidents can do when they get there. Want Obama to be able to actually do the stuff he's been talking about? Pass universal health care? End the war? Then we need a landslide.

2. The other things on the ballot matter! For example: Congress. Without more support in the House and Senate, Obama will have a hard time getting progressive laws passed. Plus, there are other important local races and ballot questions in some places.

3. If you don't vote, everyone can find out. Voting records are public. (Not who you voted for, just whether you voted.) Pretty soon, finding out whether you voted could be as easy as Googling you.

4. Help make history. You could cast one of the votes that elect the first African-American president. If we win, we'll tell our grandchildren about this election, and they'll tell their grandchildren. Do you really want to have to explain to your great-great-grandchildren that you were just too busy to vote in the most important election in your lifetime?

5. People died so you'd have the right to vote. Self-government—voting to choose our own leaders—is the original American dream. We are heir to a centuries-long struggle for freedom: the American revolution, and the battles to extend the franchise to those without property, to women, to people of color, and to young people. This year, many will still be denied their right to vote. For those of us who have that right, it's precious. If we waste it, we dishonor those who fought for it and those who fight still. 

Live your values. Love your country. Vote.

Anybody needing to find voting info can visit voteforchange.com 

NOVEMBER 4th: Election Day is FINALLY Here

Today's the day. Finally.

Voters in record numbers have already voted. But now it's up to the rest of America to participate in making history. Both campaigns have worked tirelessly up until the last minute, so doing whatever it takes to get out and vote isn't really asking for much.

 

BARACK OBAMA VIDEO: American Stories, American Solutions

"Extraordinary." 

(Casting my vote for this man won't exactly be turning my red state blue, but I have to say I was proud to do it. Please get out to vote. This is history in the making.)