Pam and I got to the polls about 6:15, and the line was already very long. Took us an hour, I believe.

I noticed only five blacks in our polling place. We live in a decidedly white section of town. A young black woman and her daughter–maybe fourth grade, somewhere around there–stood in front of us. For all I know, she could have been a McCain supporter. But I let my imagination run.

This election is hugely meaningful to the black community, in a way I cannot possibly fathom. I imagined that woman wanting her daughter to come with her, so she could experience history being made. That’s what I imagined. If that wasn’t the case with that woman, I’m sure that story does play out among millions of black Americans across the country. It doesn’t mean Obama is the better candidate. It just means his candidacy carries deep meaning to the country. We’ve come a long way.

I voted for Obama. In every other case (except with one councilwoman) I voted for Republicans. Including Mark Sauder, our Congressman. I believe we need to hold Congressmen accountable to their promises. He ran, in 1994, partly on term limits–three terms and you’re out. Now he’s running for his eighth term. On principle, I intended to vote against him (even though he’s a genuine Christian and even a member of my denomination). But the Democrats need to help me out here by running someone who is at least halfway credible. I couldn’t send Sauder’s idiot opponent to Washington, so instead, I voted to send a very good man back to Washington…even though it means not holding him accountable. Oh well. Life is complicated.

Although I voted for Obama, convinced that he is what our country needs right now, I retain these reservations:

• He’s woefully lacking in experience.
• He’s lacking in the knowledge and wisdom that life experience brings (though he’s obviously a very quick study, as is Sarah Palin).
• When Michelle said she was proud of America for the first time, I think that’s what she actually meant. They’ve spun her words this way and that, but I’m not sure this is a woman who, deep in her heart, at a visceral level, loves my country the same way I do.
• I wish Obama’s voting record was less liberal.
• I’m concerned about the appointment of judges, not just to the Supreme Court, but to other courts.
• I believe strongly in divided government, and dislike the idea of one party controlling the White House plus both houses of Congress.

But in weighing everything out, I opted for Obama. Tonight, we’ll see what happens. If Indiana goes for Obama…it’ll be a long night (or short) for Republicans.