I'm here in Wisconsin, having just voted Obama.
It wasn't until this moment that that felt anything like historic.
It's been a long road, for me, to this vote. My first voting experience was-- as a Republican.
I voted for John McCain in the Republican Primary. I was proud to be a black man free of the constraints of party loyalty-- in my view, being so loyal to the Democrats meant they took our vote for granted, that we lessened our political power versus, say, the new Latino voting block so many now woo.
When McCain lost, I did my duty as a good Republican-- and voted Libertarian.
Best decision of my life.
In 2004, I voted for John Edwards and believed in him-- and was sorry to see him fade away, behind the hounddog faced Kerry whom I knew would not win.
And he didn't. But in the general election, I voted for him.
There are times to vote with principle and there are times to vote with strategy. My entire voting record reflects this.
With Edwards out of the race, I was left, once again, with strategy-- Obama is a winner, through and through and I don't believe Hillary (not her campaign style or her promises or her electability).
But I wonder, now, if I was wrong in thinking this is pure strategy-- because I find myself curiously proud of this vote.
This vote... feels like something I'll tell my kids about. And it isn't even the general election (which, to me, feels like a foregone conclusion).
I've listened to Obama's speeches, since he's come to Skonieland. I've look at his policies (all of which I agree with, save Health-care). And I've pieced what I could of his character.
I'm voting for a black man. A black man who isn't running black. A black man who is inspiring Republicans, whites, blacks, college kids-- a black man who is drawing independents, wooing officials; an undeniable force of charimas.
I'm voting for a black man who could actually fulfill what I've thought of, all my life, as a lie: I'm voting for a black man who damn well could be the President of the United States.
If he loses to Clinton, I will be heartbroken. I'll be left, once again, to vote for the cause of strategic Democracy... I will vote the vote of a cynic.
But for now, this morning, my vote meant something inspirational. I voted for someone I'd have never thought would be on the ballot, just two years ago....
I'm proud of that.