President Bush hasn't always been our favorite person, but the politico warmed our hearts a bit today when he addressed the nation to publicly congratulate Barack Obama on his White House win. Said Bush:

It will be a stirring sight to watch President Obama, his wife Michelle, and their beautiful girls step through the doors of the White House. I know millions of Americans will be overcome with pride at this inspiring moment that so many have awaited so long. I know Senator Obama’s beloved mother and grandparents would have been thrilled to watch the child they raised ascend the steps of the Capitol - and take his oath to uphold the Constitution of the greatest nation on the face of the earth.

What a gent - and we actually mean that!

Anderson Cooper is rapidly becoming the one person, living or dead, with whom we would choose to have dinner.

Not only is he hilariously sarcastic when it comes to politics — telling Ellen Degeneres, "I'm not sure I existed before [the election]" — he also focuses on what really matters: Reality television.

The former Living Lohan critic revealed his current obsession with The Real Housewives of Atlanta, most notably resident crazy NeNe. When Ellen admits she hasn't watched, Anderson asks incredulously, "What have you been doing?" before giving the show the hard sell: "It's good … or something." Swoon.

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From The Editor: Editorial director David just sent me a link to the Los Angeles Times and a note: "The faces of those celebrating Prop 8." I was afraid to click through, and told him so, to which he replied: "You'll want to punch them."

He was right.

Barack Obama's wasting no time assembling his White House team. ABC News reports this morning that the President-Elect has asked Congressman Rahm Emanuel to be his Chief of Staff:

Emanuel, a knowledgeable source tells ABC News, has not yet given his answer. The sharp-tongued, sharp-elbowed, keenly intelligent veteran of the Clinton White House is said to have ambitions to some day be Speaker of the House. But he also has a keen sense of "duty."

Today on "Good Morning America" ABC's George Stephanopoulos reported Obama likes the fact that Emanuel "knows policy, knows politics, knows Capitol Hill" and has told associates that Emanuel would "have his back."

Rumor has it the men will make the announcement later this week.

We're generally fans of Michelle Obama's fashion sense, but we really must wag a finger at the future first lady's dress from last night. What's going on with that? Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if she didn't have that black silk cutting across the red, but we're not sure.

Michelle, when you're packing up for the White House, leave that number behind…

Regardless, that's one good looking first family!

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So, it's official - gay marriage has been banned in Florida:

Florida voters have narrowly approved adding language to the state constitution that bans same-sex marriage.

The constitution will define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Florida already has a prohibition against gay marriage in state law, but supporters say the new definition was important to prevent court rulings allowing same-sex marriage like those in Massachusetts, California and Connecticut.

With 99 percent of the expected vote counted early Wednesday, the amendment had just over 62 percent support. It needed 60 percent to pass.

Meanwhile, in John McCain's home state of Arizona, voters also decided to prohibit same-sex nuptials. Change may have come to America, but perhaps not for all of us. Shame…

Nearly two years after announcing his candidacy, Senator Barack Obama has been elected as the 44th President of the United States. And, unlike years past, Obama's victory was clear-cut: the Senator won 349 electoral votes. He needed 270 to clinch the office.

Taking the state a bit after midnight last night in Chicago, Obama opened his acceptance speech with some of the most inspiring words ever uttered in our nation's history:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
…
Its the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

The politico went on to declare that "change has come to America," before concluding:

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids. To restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace. To reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth that out of many we are one.

Obama's rival, Senator John McCain, offered an exceptionally gracious and teary concession speech. Though his supporters in Arizona booed at the mention of Obama's name, McCain urged them to rally behind their new president:

These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight that I will do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face. I urge all Americans who supported me to join not only in congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and honest effort to find the necessary compromises to bridge our difference.

Watching the results last night, we were in a bit of shock when Obama was announced the winner - had we done it? Had our nation really elected a black president? Yes. Sitting here, this morning, a bit hung over and exhausted, we're getting a bit misty as the reality set in - hundreds of years of oppression and racism were stomped. Surely division will continue to plague this great nation, but never before have the American ideals been as clear, vibrant and promising.

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