Huh. I thought it was more than that. Learn something new every day.

That was my impression too, growing up. Of course, I had no personal experience to go on. This was all from watching American TV - which tended to be set in cities.

Nope, much to the dismay of people like Tom Tancredo, it's us Hispanics who are set to become a majority.

Yeah, 79.6% includes the Hispanics, so it's deceptive when looking for trends. I am a little surprised the Asian population % is that low, however.

It also means that he won North Carolina (I'm assuming it'll be called for him) with a drop in the African-American proportion of the vote.

Point 1: it will. I'm assuming that the press just isn't that interested in calling things until the board of elections certifies, but they counted about 40,000 provisional votes yesterday -- as that's the number of provisionals they expected to get, I'm guessing they stopped when they were done and didn't just knock off for a pizza and a beer.

Point 2: Black turnout was up by a whole lot in NC -- 23% in exit polls, compared to 21% of registered voters and 18% of the turnout in the last presidential election. It is a drop from the early vote period, of course, but since the majority of black voters (by registration) came out early, it couldn't but go down.

Omnis, cinnamon sticks are more for things like spiced hot cider and other liquids such as sauces and fruit compote. I do make a cookie recipe that calls for both a tea made from cinnamon sticks and rolling them in sugar and cinnamon sticks blended or food processed together. Yum. Now that I'm thinking about them, maybe this would be a good Christmas to make Pan de Polvos.

Obama has a marvelous opportunity - he's energized people, inspired people, and I think that by saying it will be hard work with the hope of something better in the future people are going to be willing to pitch in. This is the opportunity Shrub had after 9/11 - people were eager to help - and he threw it away to pursue his own agenda. The thought of what he COULD have done makes me sad - but today, coming in to work, I kept hearing this chant in my mind, "yes we can". There's an air of expectation in town.

I've had the same thought, Todd. I think it's another historic opportunity. I'm not sure I can stand it if this one gets squandered too.

I think it's another historic opportunity. I'm not sure I can stand it if this one gets squandered too.

Difference is, Obama is both intelligent and self-aware.

Two qualities which Shrubit is sadly lacking.

Obama also tends to accept that facts aren't always what he wants them to be. And, from what I've heard, he considers every possible outcome, various ways things could work out, before he acts. And, having asked Rahm Emanuel to be his chief of staff, he's not going to surround himself with yes men. Big difference.

I read/heard that the most Presidential think GWB has done in office was the bailout bill. Decisive action, compromise, accomplishment.

The pundit was asking where the hell *this* guy has been for eight years.

Made it sound like Bush had been released from one of Heinlein's puppet masters.

"The formerly hag-ridden President seems to be recovering well, we only regret we hadn't caught the parasite sooner."

Hmm, that explains this: [link]