I became a true fan of Barack Obama through the Jeremiah Wright scandal, or more specifically, his response to it. I had been following the Senator a bit here and there, but when I watched his speech entitled 'A More Perfect Union,' it resurrected the swell in my chest—the one I used to feel when I was first taught about the great presidents (I myself had once dressed as Teddy Roosevelt, carrying a 'big stick' that was taller than me). It is no surprise, then, that Obama's first speech as the President Elect brought back those same emotions

But somehow, it was John McCain's concession that truly got to me. I've always liked McCain. I don't believe he would have destroyed the world or the country or even the wainscoting on the white house walls. I sincerely believe that he would have done his best as President, tried to do what was right. And while we may hope for more from a nominee, a lot of us have come to expect less.

What struck me last night was not his speech itself. It was the manner in which he said it. The past two elections, the candidates have conceded grudgingly, like children led forward to apologize. When McCain spoke, I believed that, if possible, he and Obama would have shaken hands, might even have hugged. There was disappointment to his voice, but also the slight hum of relief. I think John McCain is essentially a unifier (not a maverick as he so often claims), that it causes him pain to drive stakes between himself and others, as he has had to do in this campaign.

The great tragedy of this race, from my viewpoint at least, is that we were given two candidates better qualified to run the US than any we've had in the past 8 years. Much as I disliked Bush, I cannot claim that I supported Kerry or Gore with my full heart (though I did vote for Kerry, and probably would have for Gore if I had been eighteen). But more than that, these two candidates were perhaps the best suited to cooperation we have ever had—Obama because of his thoughtful manner and deference to good ideas, and McCain because of his geniality, and his desire to serve his country (not that any of these traits are relegated solely to either candidate). But the campaign became ugly, vicious, and cruel. The divides widened, until I had to remind myself that apocalypse was not fast approaching and that I liked both men.

John McCain did more to close that gap with his speech than I thought possible. He became gracious, friendly, almost fatherly again—sincerely proud of Obama's achievement, and grateful for the support he had received.

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