"We choose to be inspired."

What a difference from four years ago, when Lieberman did all he could do to hamstring Gore following election night, and became pretty much persona non grata in the subsequent days and weeks.

A totally different vibe this afternoon as Kerry, graciously I think, gave Edwards a chance to shine even in defeat. And he did, making it clear that the battle for '06 and '08 has begun.

You can be disappointed, but you cannot walk away. This fight has just begun. (APPLAUSE) Together we will carry on and we will be with you every step of the way.

[...]

You stood for hours and hours to let your voices be heard. Well, we heard you. And I want you to hear me. This campaign may end today. But the battle for you and the hark-working [sic] Americans who built this country rages on. The battle rages for the factory worker and the mill worker who says, I want to work. I just want a job. The battle rages on for the mother who sits in the emergency room with her daughter and wonders how she is going to pay the bill. The battle rages on for the young person who's worked hard and wants to go to [college] but doesn't have the money to pay for it. It goes on for the young child who doesn't understand why they are treated differently just because of the color of their skin. And it rages on for the mother who wants to know why her son was sent over there and will not come home. This fight will continue in our homes and in our union halls, in our churches, and in our schools, in our offices and over the Internet.

Kerry's speech was less inspiring, but heartfelt. It's good to know that he'll be going back to the Senate to continue fighting for our values.

Meanwhile, Andrew Sullivan touches on something that is somewhat of a silver lining in all this. Actually, it's something I was thinking about even as I waited in line at the polls: Maybe the best thing is to re-elect the little chimp and force him to deal with the Perfect Storm of war, deficits, and cultural division that he's created.

But then I hear the Minister of Fear say this, and I forget all about silver linings.

This campaign has been a tremendously uplifting experience. We've carried the president's message of hope and optimism across the continent, even to the Aloha State. We've worked hard and gained many new friends, and the result is now clear: a record voter turnout and a broad, nationwide victory.

I guess I don't live in his nation.