Final Thoughts (well not really final b/c they're still being counted): Now that Blogger seems done with its day-long meltdown, I can actually post something - although I've forgotten most of what I wanted to say. So, some rapid-fire points:

** As Eno alluded to, watching the coverage was the most fun. CBS was falling over itself to call states for Bush as fast as it dared, while FOX was showing incredible restraint and being very slow to call states for either side. Sheppard Smith was actually pretty funny at times and kept good control over the various "desks" and "centers" that all the networks deemed necessary (nothing more silly than NBC's quilt-like map showing the voting method each district in each state used -- Ohio had the highest concentration of punch ballots -- I think NBC was four years too late on this idea).

** If I see one more self-congratulatory message from the GOP about how Bush garnered the highest popular vote count in history, I'll...I'll...well, there's nothing I can do, but I'll be steaming mad, I can assure you. This is like saying Lord of the Rings made more money than Star Wars. Well, duh. Movie admission cost eighteen cents in 1978. You spend more on a "small" coke today than a ticket and a Volkswagen back in the 70s. Say it with me now: "There are more people in the US today than ever before."

** Exit polls -- they're history as of this election, don't you think? I mean, everyone was breathless about them at 3:00 in the afternoon, and the networks made great hay about how nervous the Bush camp was. Really? This from the side that won in 2000? I'd think anything short of Texas blowing up would result in a massive yawn from the GOP before you had at least 50% of the precincts reporting in. In any event, they bore little resemblance to reality, as we can clearly see.

** Indiana - staunchly Republican, yet continues to elect a Dem senator. Having been born in Indiana, I can attest to the Hoosier level-headedness. Good for them.

** On a personal note, I am only mildly disappointed. I'm more upset over the lack of substance in the Democratic party. As someone said yesterday, in the 90s, people voted for Clinton, not for the Party. Once he was gone, we're left with a rudderless ship. The Party chose to ignore the Senate and House races, and just blindly expect that there was support for the Party Plank. There wasn't. It was just Clinton doing what he does best - bamboozle and charm your pants off (no need for a "literally" tag there - it's presumed). He was a very centrist guy (universal healthcare notwithstanding). With the Civil Rights movement now part of our way of life, there's nothing left for the Dems to shout about. Abortion, while interesting, smacks of being evil, b/c let's face it, you're killing a life (reasons abound for it, but still). Kerry wasn't anti-war at all, even though there are plenty anti-war people in the Democratic party.

If 9/11 never happened, chances are Bush never got to act Presidential, and he would have stumbled along, getting everyone's names wrong, and losing jobs in the process. But, the terrorism issue gave him his voice. To his credit, he seized the day, although many thought he seized the better part of the week along with it.

Well, the ball's in his court. Control of the Senate, House and now a "mandate". No excuses W. No excuses.