I try to keep this relatively non-political (god knows we see enough of that everywhere else), but I need to remark on the energy last night. I don't know that I've seen this sort of energy anywhere. Certainly not over a political victory in ironic hipster Seattle. And yet: people shouting "USA!" and singing patriotic songs ("God Bless America", "America the Beautiful", "Star Spangled Banner"). Waving flags. Dancing in the streets.

Clinton-Dole didn't really drive this much excitement. Nor did Mondale-Reagan. How far back do you have to go to with this many people responding this strongly?

Photos from the corner of Broadway & Pike, about midnight on the morning of November 5, 2008, in a crowd of a thousand or so people.

The sign on the mailbox says "Last pickup is over. Take your ballot to local polling location! Your vote counts!"