Consolations and Congratulations (sort of)

Barack Obama’s Toot Doesn’t Make it to Election Day

Madelyn Payne Dunham, or Toot as Barack Obama called her, died Sunday night in Hawaii after a long battle with cancer. The woman who was so significant in shaping the gracious man was unable to stay in this world long enough to see him perhap be selected to the highest office in the land.

Payne herself was a pioneer, working her way up from secretary to one of the first female vice presidents of the Bank of Hawaii. She was known as a tough but fair boss, and Obama has frequently credited her for instilling in him his appreciation for education and hard work.

Senator Obama paused to pay tribute to her in Charlotte, N.C. on Monday, calling her, “one of those quiet heroes that we have all across America, they’re not famous, their names aren’t in the newspaper, but each and every day they work hard, they look after their families, they sacrifice for their children and their grandchildren.”

O ka Maluhia no me ‘oe.

When Darth Vader Endorses You

I keep forgetting to put this in my entries, but I know how absolutely delighted John McCain and company must be to have the endorsement of the most evil man on the planet, Dick Cheney. I notice that no ads went on the air. There was zero publicity on this one. No mentions at rallies? Why for are you not excited by this Senator? Is it because an endorsement by the evil one is akin to being asked to the dark side by Darth Vader?

(Cue music: Dum, dum, dum de de dum de de dum. Serious mouth breathing) McCain . . . I am your father. Join me, and together we can rule the world.

Well, I guess I can see why you wouldn’t want the word out there about this one.

It’s 5 a.m. and do you know where your parents are?

Yes, Corey and I were in line by 5:35, and yes, there was already a line. It’s raining here in Norfolk. It wasn’t coming down too hard early this morning, and it wasn’t very cold. We had voted by 7 a.m., and I have to tell you, I got all choked up when I was looking at my review page before I hit the button to cast my final ballot. It was just too cool.

That’s all for today. A lot of work on tap. If you haven’t already done so,