It’s been a rough few days if you live on the conservative side of life in this country. Battered and bruised from the battle, I’ll pick up my sword and head to my knees.

While the Democrats revel in their victory and look forward to four years of wedded bliss with President-Elect Obama and Congressional control, I will be doing the most powerful thing I can for our new president: Pray.

It’s an amazing thing that’s happening in our country right now. We’ve elected our first African-American president, who will be sworn in on the steps his forefathers worked and perspired to build.

I wonder if those slaves who mixed and poured that concrete ever thought they would be creating a platform for one of their own ethnicity? Or were they so oppressed that they couldn’t see past the drops of sweat on the end of their noses to realize that one day, someone’s dream would come true?

Have you also realized that a revolution has taken place? We have completely turned over the power from one party to another. It was done peacefully and the former leader won’t be sent into exile. Instead, we will have a smooth transition of influence and the former president will head home to live out a peaceful life enjoying the freedoms in a nation of the brave. Only in America.

Throughout the country, the passion of this election was palpable in not only the small township halls scattered throughout the flyover zone, but in the city precincts, school districts and downtown venues.

Voters turned out in record numbers to voice their preferences. I was amazed at the long line in my little country town hall. We had three times the voting booths, and yet we still stood in line to vote.
Not only were the voting booths busy, but the youth of our country were as involved as I’ve ever noted. I heard of kids getting into debates and arguments over who should be elected and why, taking place on a daily basis on the days leading up the election.
From high school students down through the elementary grades, students were stating their opinions and repeating what they’d heard around the supper table.

Why? Was it because this election was filled with history-makers? Was it because the comedic consortium couldn’t figure out how to make certain candidates funny? Or was it because we had a variety of unknown characters on each ticket that created many love-hate relationships?

Let’s face it, the new faces were easy to identify. President-Elect Obama certainly doesn’t look like a member of the good ol’ boys club. Sarah Palin doesn’t have a hint of looking like a member of the man-eating feminist club. These two individuals were different and thus, made this whole campaign come alive.

Obama is someone you could pick out in a crowd with his charismatic smile and commanding demeanor. Palin was smart enough to use her femininity to her advantage, worming her way into the hearts of countless American males over the age of 40 and the hardworking women with children who instinctively knew she was as transparent and humble as any politician could be in front of the barracudas we call the press. (After all, any woman with five kids knows the meaning of humility.)

To the lukewarm voter, the one who glanced at the paper and caught sound bites of election buzz but wanted to perform their duty, this contest was between one man and one woman. The two gray-haired good ol’ boys stood in the shadows of history in progress.

For one party this was good, and for the other it was bad. You see, Barack Obama’s name was first on the Democrat side – but on the Republican side, Sarah Palin’s was still listed second.

Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.