I stayed up until NBC called Ohio for Bush. I think that was around 2:30, though it’s a bit fuzzy. I really didn’t expect Bush to win so easily. Most of the commentators agreed that “values” was the crucial issue, the thing that either swung people to Bush or kept them in his fold. I was glad to hear that. Values was certainly the deal-breaker with me.

Tom Brokaw mentioned twice–once in the early morning hours, then again on the Imus program this morning–that he had talked to a number of evangelical Christians who felt they were mocked by the Democratic party. But you just wait–in 2008, the Democrats will trot out the Hollywood celebs again, and Michael Moore will make another film, and Sean Penn and Ashton Kutcher and friends will become Democratic spokespersons. They just can’t help themselves. They get a lot of money from celebrities, and celebs love the spotlight. And it just turns off more people than they realize–certainly the people who vote on the basis of values.

I thought Republicans might gain a seat or two in the Senate, but they did better than that. And to unseat Tom Daschle? Wow. But I guess we are talking here about the Dakotas (North or South? I can’t remember. Seems like South.), which are not exactly bastions of liberalism. Whether or not Bush uses his majorities in the House and Senate to do something meaningful, like in health care–that’s the question. He has had majorities for the past two years, but hasn’t capitalized on them. I’m sure he’ll want to give the rich some more tax cuts and loopholes.

Now the stage is set for Hillary to run in 2008. Does anybody doubt that she will? I don’t think she stands a chance, but hey–give it a shot, lady.

John Edwards is now off of the political stage. He ran for President WAY too early. If he had spent at least a full term in the Senate, preferably two, and built a legislative resume and developed a network, and THEN run maybe in 2008–he would have been very formidable. But he wanted it NOW, he gave up his Senate seat, and now it’s back to the courtroom for the trial lawyer. He’s extremely talented. But he got impatient, and now he’s gone. It’s been nice knowing you, John.