How did we do?

While Scott begins the post-election analysis, I thought I'd provide a little bit of commentary on Enduring America itself. The site's been up for little over a week and last night was our 'official' launch, but we're already seeing a great response from our readers. Yesterday (that is, between midnight and 23.59 GMT on November 4) we received over 1200 hits. Today we'd received another 1000 hits by the time the networks began calling the election for Obama, and at the time of writing we're enjoying our busiest day ever, with over 1500 hits already. We also received over 100 great comments during the election liveblog, and they're continuing to come in. The updates should ease off a little as the excitement of the election wanes but we're still planning on blogging here every day, so be sure to keep reading.

[Image by Patrick Moberg, via Wrestlevania and [mRg]]

The Media Highlight of the Day

I've done interviews for BRMB Radio, Smooth Radio, BBC WM Radio, LBC Radio of London, and Kerrang! Radio today but these are all preludes to my big event.

I'll be filming an item with Ryan Lucas, of the website The State of the United States, on political blogging and the elections for BBC Television's Midlands Today. It should be out at 6:30 p.m. British Time.

Just a Thought: Where are Those Riots?

As a follow-up to our item highlighting the scare story in the British and Irish Press, "If Obama Loses, Blacks Riot", just wondering if any of those intrepid reporters have found, "When Obama Wins, Blacks Riot".

I understand that Oprah may have caused a bit of trouble at the Obama rally in Chicago, but I don't think that counts.

This story is not prompted in any way by the discovery that "If Obama, Blacks Riot" has been our top-viewed story since our launch.

When the Honeymoon is Over (Part 2)

Over a cup of tea, I finally hear Obama's victory speech. Is it my sleep-deprived imagination or does it sound an awful lot like John F. Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural? And is it out of order to remember that Kennedy's sweeping proclamation ("Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.") was not a message of international concilation, but a sharp warning to enemies and a commitment that America would lead its allies?

Live Blog: When the Honeymoon is Over (Part 1)

My soundbite from the British-American Business Council this morning: "Amidst talk of a President Obama as a symbol of American unity, I think it's important to remember that a significant minority of Americans are not only sceptical of but hostile to him. A lot of this arises from the polarisation of American politics in outlets like talk radio, certain television stations, and 'pundits'. I expect the sniping to begin within days."

Hours actually. I've just returned from media work and the Business Council to flip on CNN, where they ponder, "Barack Obama talks of a bridge across the aisle. But, as conservatives ponder their defeat, is such a bridge possible?"

Their Exhibit A? A talk show host, Doc Thompson, of WRVA in Richmond, Virginia. "It's not time to talk of a bridge. We have to talk ourselves down from the ledge....Barack Obama is awful, awful for conservatives, John McCain a little less so."

Meanwhile Fox News puts on an African-American pundit to establish that Obama will raises taxes and asks, "How far left will Barack Obama go?"

Footnote: That fella who hosts Fox and Friends adds, "I think we are going to see the rehabilitation of George Bush." Nice dynamic this: talk Dubya up while taking his successor down.