last night west wing season republican national convention full tilt with clear party nomination vinick democrats other hand were disarray with three candidates still battling nomination today real time barack obama just announced he's raised over million beginning five city swing eastern iowa while hillary bill making tracks through west side same state president bush other hand whose approval ratings percent range commuted lewis libby's -month prison sentence what will think next this first time several years watching west wing during bush presidency that wouldn't have gladly traded political reality with whatever's happening with bartlet administration typically i've been watching show night before wake somewhat disoriented mornings hoping memories last night's episode reality news npr's morning edition remains dream it's strange thing when state country all-time this moment it's more exciting following barack watching current administration repeatedly shoot itself foot stressing bartlet hero there aren't characters capturing interest heart obama does distinctly remember first time heard name barack obama when getting ready vote illinois democratic primary election this candidate's name certainly caught attention everything read about remember telling michigan excited about this unknown candidate when gave keynote address democratic national convention suddenly everyone talking about turned obama only thing excited hopeful about election which made proud live illinois have helped send washington gets closer democratic presidential nomination than anyone just couple years thought might it's still very hope-inducing have most exciting democrat country from illinois have most exciting democrat african-american name barack hussein obama name many conservatives have kinds with sure barack osama laden osama-obama it's exciting thousands people pour their souls money into this kind hope young people like rock star friend ryan excited about barack therefore politics ryan first person know have barack-n-roll t-shirt enthusiasm don't want ignore slow backward country when comes race politics it's really downright wrong that only current senators black that he's just fifth african-american senator ever have start somewhere again again again bring unity show we're more alike than different obama exciting place start taste democratic national convention speech says pundits like slice-and-dice country into states blue states states republicans blue states democrats i've news them worship awesome blue states don't like federal agents poking around libraries states coach little league blue states some friends states there patriots opposed iraq patriots supported iraq people pledging allegiance stars stripes defending united states america amen illinois brother 