As I scrolled through the new headlines on the most magnificent Google Reader this morning, I didn't register the implications of a hasitly assembled profile of the new U.S. Secretary of Defense. You'll have to forgive me. You see, I hadn't yet had any coffee. It clicked a little while later. A new Secretary meant that there was now a new former Secretary. This meant no more Rumsfeld. No more Rumsfeld? The good news just kept pouring in. Now let's just hope Robert Gates isn't, you know, a fuck*.

Last night, some friends and I attended the official party of the Utah Democratic Party. Do I consider myself a Democrat? No. I dislike parties and I find the Democrats a little too right or moderate for my tastes. However, I know I live in a two-party country. When voting yesterday, I declined the option to vote "straight party" but did, individually, vote straight Democrat anyway. In a state where Jim Matheson wins Democratic primaries in the most liberal congressional district (which, incidentally, has had the shit gerrymandered out of it), I can't throw the Republicans anything, even to ease my mind about being "partisan."

I was worried about the election. Despite heartwarming polls showing significant-enough Democratic gains around the country, Karl Rove seemed unsettlingly confident. One person I don't want to see unsettlingly confident is Karl Rove. It's unsettling. On Sunday, I changed my Facebook status to read "foolishly optimistic about Election Day." I wouldn't let this be 2004 again, full of confidence about victory only to be deflated and let down by a country I thought knew better.

We attended the party last night with every intention of "commiserating" with our fellow Utah Democratic sympathizers (fun fact: there's actually more than 50!). Soon, we realized that the commiseration was turning into a celebration. Bitchin'.

I got to see my favorite local candidate, Pete Ashdown give his concession speech. It was expected. Taking down that bastard Orrin Hatch is - at this point at least - a pipe dream. We may as well have expected George Washington to claim victory. Hopefully, Ashdown remains a force here in Utah and nationally.

But the Democrats have the House (I'm actually looking forward to Pelosi's House). Good news about Montana came in. And I'm feeling positive about Virginia. The Senate could actually happen.

Don't get me wrong: a Democratic victory won't usher in Utopia. There are a number of Democrats who aren't so great. There's some discord in the party. They could still fuck things up, though I certainly expect less than the current Executive-Legislative teaming has managed in the past 6 years. As unlikely a prospect as it may be, the words "Gore-Obama '08" (I just want Barack Obama in there somewhere. Gore, too, though I doubt he will be.) make me tingle all over. It's a good tingle.

*The implication here, of course, is that Donald Rumsfeld is, indeed, a fuck. Word has it that Robert Gates may indeed be a fuck. Here's hoping.