Yes, GO VOTE NOW!!! Edition

The highest measure of democracy is neither the 'extent of freedom' nor the 'extent of equality', but rather the highest measure of participation."

--A. d. Benoist

IT'S TODAY!!!

A Special Edition 49th today, with a look back at the 48 editions of ME's Political Rant...In a funny numerical coincidence, when I publish tomorrow's 50th edition, we will know who our president is-- and that will seem like a good time to end my ranting...

So...I want a landslide, I want Obama to have 375 electoral votes. But it's not just because it would be great for Obama to have that mandate. It's because I'm one of those Democrats who feels that I've always been fated never to get what I want. THIS way, if Obama doesn't get 375 votes--if, say, he only gets 364-- I can still say I didn't get what I wanted and yet also be really, really happy.

This election has really messed with my brain.

A few last items

Obama's speech last night , at his last rally before the campaign draws to a close, he talked about his grandmother, who passed away yesterday. New York Mag's Daily Intel:

When Obama finally arrives in the field, the rain has stopped, the crowd is drenched, and they are ready for him. He steps to the podium and begins his speech with a remembrance of his grandma. He says, "She died peacefully in her sleep with my sister at her side and so, there's great joy as well as tears." He says, "She has gone home." He says, haltingly, "I'm not going to talk about it too long because it's hard to talk about." Even so, he says, he wants everyone to know a little about her, and tells her story briefly. He calls her a "quiet hero" — like a lot of quiet heroes in the crowd, in the country. "They're not famous. Their names aren't in the newspaper. But each and every day, they work hard. They watch out for their families. They sacrifice for their families... That's what America's about. That's what we're fighting for."

As Obama says all this, his voice is mostly steady, but tears are streaming down his right cheek — the first public tears he has shed, as far as I know, in his time on the national stage. When he finishes, he reaches inside his pocket, pulls out a white handkerchief, wipes his eyes, then carries on with his speech, returning a few times to the woman who shaped his character as much as anyone in the world.

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In another one of those odd numerical coincidences, Editor and Publisher shows Obama's endorsements at 273 as of Monday. (to McCain's 142).

And just so you can't say she didn't do it, Palin released her medical records ...late last night... when she figured no one cares anymore...

Jon Stewart had a roundup of last minute tactics last night on the Daily Show.

Also one of my favorite Obamacons, Andrew Sullivan was on Colbert Report last night. He's as impassioned in real life as he is on the blog. Watch here.

And for a full Comedy Central roundup, here's David Alan Grier's plea to black folks.on Chocolate News.