The polls are open...

Okay, they're not really open up here for another six hours. But my election day insomnia has kept me awake long enough to watch the polls open in ten states, including a bunch of battleground states. By the way, if you are in one of those states and you waited in one of those horrendously long lines, the next time you make it to Alaska, I would like to buy you a drink!

I don't understand why there are still undecideds, but there seem to be. So I will both cast my (public) vote, and make a last ditch effort for both Alaskans and non-Alaskans alike.

President:

Barack Obama

For me personally, his Native American plans are pretty key, but if you're really wondeirng where he wants to take the country, his website is a big help. Early childhood education, the war in Iraq, health care and the environment - there are many, many issues that I agree with Obama about. I've previously covered some endorsements by major Native American leaders and organizations, and it really is because they see their future as best in the hands of Obama.

Senator:

Mark Begich

Much has been made of this election, as one of the senate seats that could very well switch parties. But outside of paty politics, I wish people could really take a look at Anchorage before Mark, and Anchorage after. It wasn't a cesspool before, so I think people don't get the contrast as much. But we're much improved, we have so much development, yet unprecedented measures taken for the environment. My household is now able to do curbside recycling! Add to this a great candidate to advocate for Native issues, education and early childhood plans that make sense, and finally someone who is looking at the social problems as problems to fix.

Congressman:

Ethan Berkowitz

To this, I hope I do not do a disservice to Berkowitz in acknowledging I don't know much about him except for his stated issues, and a few public appearances. I agree with most of the stands he takes on the issues, but hope to see him take some strong stands, and get work done, in the future for Rural Alaska and Alaska Native people, energy (not just oil, but real energy reform) and education. Everything I've seen points to a smart, energized candidate, and that is enough for me to give him a chance for the the next few years.


Now if you haven't voted yet - stop reading. Go vote.

I got the golden ticket...

I was sent this article from Media Shift about the Big Tent - the bloggers home away from home. I didn't realize 3,000 people had applied to be in the Tent - and only 300 got in. I feel like I've got a golden ticket now! Much more so because Celtic Diva is sharing her Pepsi Center blogging credential with me. The article discusses whether or not blogging from the Big Tent will make a difference (as opposed to just watching from home.)

Another convention note - although I try not to just shamelessly plug someone else's product, this is still a pretty cool idea: Rock the Vote and Xbox are teaming up to register voters via Xbox Live. As some from the generation that is occasionally called the "Nintendo Generation" (I would like to file my official protest on that one,) this is a pretty great idea.

"Xbox is a natural partner to help us reach out to youth voters," said Heather
Smith, executive director, Rock the Vote. "To realize our goal of registering 2
million young Americans by this fall, we need to go where young Americans are,
and there's no doubt in our minds that many are on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE."

This is especially good for Obama. Although McCain has a some of these "young voters" the "Millenial Generation" (this is my vote for a name) has gone overwhelmingly over to Obama's side.

Maybe they could create the game "Showdown 2008: Obama vs. McCain." They could verbally duke it out (whoever hits the most talking points wins a battle) with their sidekicks, Dinko the Donkey and Elton the Elephant. You win votes by kissing babies and shaking hands (a speed game, really,) but lose votes if you are caught "mispeaking" about your history (the memory game aspect.) Then, in an epic last battle, the candidates have to face Alex Trebek in the Ultimate Jeopardy Showdown - the true litmus test for any good President.

Okay. I'm going to bed.