Larry,

Congratulations on your accomplishment. I'm very pleased to hear it.

Congratulations, Larry!

Congratulations to you, Larry. I am happy to see a Democrat in office but sad to see Peggy go as she is much beloved by her staff and colleagues.

[Thanks, Laura. That's somehow comforting!]

Also, I made an egregious oversight in forgetting to mention Alma's fantastic victory (for us all) as one of the bright things.

No doubt several other bits of good news, was just so glum and shaken when I wrote earlier.

Olive,
I know the City Clerk in question and am pretty confident that the voices in her head instructed her to accept faxed applications. As much as I would like to chalk it up to dirty tricks, it was blatant incompetence in the sister city.

Congratulations, Larry. The Democrats will need wise people like you to put the party together again after last nights fiasco. I've spent the past week in seclusion in bed with a horrific chest and head cold. This is the first day I've been out, and I just read the news of Kerry's concession. I want to go home and crawl under the covers and hide for the next four years...........

Congratulations--seems your win and Obama's are the true bright spots. Otherwise, what a tough day.

I read the A2 News speculation that it was straight Dem ticket voting that helped you, and maybe that's so, but I very carefully and intentionally voted for you.

And against Peggy Haines.

There were a few creepy things going on before this election--including those empty envelopes that were supposed to contain a notice of the Freighthouse polling place change and the fact that a city clerk was told she could have people fax their absentee ballot applications (which they can't). Who can say where the bad instruction came from, but things were adding up that looked to some like pure incompetence, to others like dirty tricks. We have too many dirty tricks to deal with as it is, not to mention scowling "Election Challengers" bringing gloom to what could be an exhilarating voting experience.

Well, if I sound cranky, forgive me; it's a tough day.

But, bright spot: CONGRATULATIONS!

As I am sure you know, I am very happy that you have won this election. Yay! Congratulations too. I *know* you will do a good job.

Yes, and we expect you to be the 1st blogger elected Governor.

Since no one else has said it here yet, congratulations!

George H.