While I decided long ago that I would write as I was moved to rather than on an arbitrary schedule, it's been decidedly longer than I intended before writing again. No excuses really. Frankly, life has taken me in different directions -- some expected, some not.

One of the things that took my time, unsurprisingly, is following the political roadshow since the conventions. I deliberately stepped away from writing about politics in the spring because I felt conflicted personally about what I wanted the outcome to be. Now, I'll take a bit of time to tell me perspective on it all.

The night before Super Tuesday my wife and I debated for several hours about who we wanted in the White House, what their chances were, etc. Each of us had some affection for McCain, his service to country, and his tendency to think country (not party) first. Because we disagreed with him on many issues and didn't like any of the other Republicans, we quickly turned our attention to the Democratic candidates. Each of us liked John Edwards for his populism, but neither of us felt he was electable due to his limited message and funding. To us, that left Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. We both agreed that Hillary had superior experience although not as an executive, that she was a skillful politician, and that we felt she could lead. On the other hand, we also felt that Hillary was an amazingly polarizing figure and that it might hurt her in the fall. Barack Obama was a tantalizing choice. An exqusitite orator, he seemed to be the charismatic leader the Democrats had been missing for so long. We worried though that his limited time in the Senate, foreign policy deficits, and yes his skin color might make him unelectable.

On the morning of the primary, we were still unsure what to do. Literally, minutes before leaving to vote, we both decided to vote for Hillary. To say our support was lukewarm is an understatement.

As the primary season unfolded and Barack became the nominee. We warmed up to him a little at a time. By the convention, we became full converts, gave our hard-earned money to the campaign, and began our association with his campaign as volunteers.

What happened? What put us over the top? What assuaged our fears? Simply, his message of a new day. His emphasis on hope, fairness, and equality bridged a gap between the world of the logical mind (where we so seriously deliberated those many months ago) and the deepest desire for a better world -- the realm of the heart. The blending of the message and the sheer belief in hope is a powerful one.

Beyond that, we saw a man who was adaptable, had a great capacity to learn, and truly could take a global view of problems. The stiff, professorial delivery of his earlier debates became more personable and everyman. His early mis-steps were addressed as he became deeper in his answers and provided more to "chew on." Lastly, as the financial crisis took hold his demeanor and coolness in the face of a major problem went miles to convince us that not only was he ready, he was ready to excel.

Somewhere along the way, the John McCain that we thought we knew became a different man as well. As the campaign became dirtier, as McCain unveiled his woeful choice as a running mate, as the Joe the Plumber (or the Dumb Down America campaign) unfolded, any doubts about what the right choice for America should be dissipated for us. We are as staunchly pro-Obama as anyone could be.

Barack Obama may or may not be elected president. Despite the outcome, I'm glad I've been witness to this transformation of the man and, I hope, America.

Note: The title is taken from my friend, Noah Earle's song, Better By Degrees. I believe that's where we're headed.