The decor is reminiscent of a better time in politics.  A time before hard-core partisan rhetoric divided the country.  A time when politicians worked to improve the country despite their affiliation, rather than pushing their party’s agenda first and foremost.

A time that I hope President Barack Obama can resurrect.

Joseph Biden is sworn in, as jokes roll about Cheney not being able to stand.  Cheney allegedly injured his back while packing, and attends the inauguration in a wheel chair.  No gaffs by Biden as he is sworn in, although there is a bit of a stumble.

A musical interlude has us worried.  Isn’t the incoming president supposed to be sworn in by noon?  It’s 11:59 a.m. eastern.  Our editor informs us that as long as it’s started by then, we’re ok.

No technicality to grant Bush four more years.

Katie Couric points out that Biden is officially President right now since it’s after noon and Obama has not been sworn in yet.  Say it ain’t so, Joe.

Obama is a bit nervous during the presidential oath.  Stumbling over his words a bit,  makes it through.

It’s official, we have our 44th President – Barack Obama.

“My fellow citizens,” begins Obama.  “I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.”

Random highlights from an incredible Obama speech:

“That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.”

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.”

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”

“And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.”

“This is the price and the promise of citizenship.”

The truth is that sales of cheap booze should be regulated. It is unlikely that Verveer’s proposal will address every social ill or challenge associated with such sales, but it is the beginning of a rational response — a response that can be tinkered with, extended or otherwise altered as evidence suggests is wise.

I’m sorry, I thought prohibition was overturned in 1933.

For a city that is supposed to be open and liberal, an ordinance governing what types of alcohol can and cannot be sold seems extremely hypocritical.

Verveer’s proposal limits choice – the choice of everyone of legal drinking age. Some may enjoy the cheap goodness of Mountain Creek, or want a six pack of it to boil brats.

A city should not treat its residents like 12 year olds. Anyone that can purchase alcohol is an adult, and this law undermines the decision making ability of adults. Just because Mr. Verveer has a government job where he can afford to drink the more expensive beer that would be “legal” in Madison does not mean he should dictate what others can buy.

We are adults. While some are more responsible than others, we live in a country where we are free to choose and live with our choices. The Capital Times recommendation and Verveer’s proposal goes against everything our country stands for, and therefor should not be imposed.

As I entered to cast my vote, a woman who was leaving said “Vote Obama!”

“You can’t do that in here’” informed an official.

The other woman did not seem to care.  As I was undecided, and I feel strongly about campainging at the polls, her actions may have cost her candidate a vote.

Law prohibits campaigning within a certain distance of polling places.  This is to keep voters from feeling intimidated.  When I worked on campaigns, it was made very clear this line should never be crossed.

Some people are very vocal about the candidates they support.  Others prefer to keep their vote private.  My top two candidates  are out of the election, and my third choice has yet to enter.  Still, I would never have the gall to profess “Vote Richardson” while leaving a voting area, even if he was still in the race.  It is one thing to support a candidate, and quite another to be obnoxious in a polling place.

For the record, Richardson was still on the ballot in Wisconsin, and thanks to one woman’s actions might have received a vote.

Here are my personal thoughts on each candidate, with a link to my article on Dane.

Barack Obama. I decided to fight my way to see him with friends rather than take a press pass for his speech. Apparently about 18,000 other people had the same idea. The entire experience was a bit surreal, like Elvis coming back from the dead to give a performance. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed in his speech. He came off as charismatic and intelligent, but I guess after all the hype I just expected more.

Mike Huckabee. A small intimate crowd made this rally fun. Great speaker and storyteller. If he ever decided to be a minister at a local church, I would start attending in a heartbeat. If you completely ignore his political views, he is probably my favorite candidate. However, with him running for president, that’s a bit of a problem.

Bill Clinton. Doing the dirty work for his wife (and I do mean dirty, as his speech was held in a barn with the smell of manure lingering in the air), Billy Bob made his way to town. About 10 minutes into his hour-long speech I made up my mind – he was my candidate for 2008. One small problem…

Bill has to be one of the most charismatic and best public speakers on the earth today. He has the seamless ability to weave important statistics in with personal stories throughout his talk. You ride a roller coaster when you attend a Bill Clinton speech, and once you’re done, you’re ready to hop right back on. Another just great storyteller.

I know the high of being a journalist will leave again next week once the candidates move on to the next states, but at least this week has been a blast.

“I’ll vote for Hillary because I don’t think an african-american can be elected, even in this day and age.”

“A vote for Mike Huckabee is like throwing your vote away. He’ll never be embraced by the country as a whole.”

It’s Super Tuesday, the day where the citizens from 24 states head to the polls to cast a ballot for their favorite candidate. Well, at least that is what is should be. The “who is most electable” variable is already in play, as people right of candidates they do not think they can win the general election in November.

What the hell is wrong with our country?

When did we as a country stop voting for who we believe would be the best candidate to lead our country for four years, and become lemmings that vote for a candidate that “we think can win?” This year started with one of the deepest field of candidates on both sides; yet on the democratic side we are already down to the two that sound most alike.

Iowa had the privilege of leading off the primary season. Rather then follow the latest Zogby poll, they voted for two of the most “unelectable” candidates in the race.

They voted with their hearts, not their minds. They voted for who they believe in, not who has the best chance to win. We saw what happened for years ago when “the most electable” person won the democratic nomination, no one gave a damn about him and he lost to an unpopular president.

As voters in 24 states go to the polls today, all I ask is that you do the same as Iowa voters did. Don’t over-think your vote. Don’t vote for someone because they are the lesser evil, vote for who you see as the best candidate.  If everyone does, the best candidate will win.

However, this year’s Internet darling is Senator Barack Obama.

Obama pulled in $4 million from Internet donation this weekend. He dominates the MySpace “friends” categories, and has over 200,000 more supporters than Hillary on Facebook. He now has his own YouTube-style site dedicated to videos supporting his candidacy – YouBama. The site’s top videos include George Clooney, a five year old girl, Charles Barkely, and a 20-something named Chris.

There is still a long way to go in the 2008 campaign, but if Internet support is a measure of popularity and votes, Obama has a healthy lead.

Then again, so did Howard Dean.

The second recourse involves hitting the employee where it hurts most – in the wallet. If they were hired to do a specific job, refuse payment until the job is completed. Suspend pay, and they will respond.

Over 100 days have passed since the Wisconsin State Legislature should have passed a two-year budget. During that time, the members of the Senate and Assembly collectively made over $1.2 million. That seems like quite a bit of money to waste on people that are not doing their job. Personally, I believe each member of the legislature should donate their income to the new budget, as the addition of $1.2 million would solve the current deadlock, and allow Wisconsin to move forward.

Since it would be near impossible to make legislators accountable for their actions by fining them, I vote we recall them all.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, unlike his Republican colleague President Bush refuses to let the terrorists win. Bloomberg was asked Monday about the possibility of terrorists at JFK airport in New York. Bloomberg responded,

There are lots of threats to you in the world. There’s the threat of a heart attack for genetic reasons. You can’t sit there and worry about everything. Get a life.

Bush and a handful of Republicans have used the threat of terrorists to change national laws and limit individual rights since the attacks of 9/11. By doing so, the terrorists have been winning by shaping the agenda of our country. It’s about time a major politician steps up against and really fights terrorism.