hidden deep within an essay by a conservative columnist is this gem:

In 2008... Democrats will be trying to erase the Republicans' 2004 popular vote winning margin of 2.9 percentage points. That was the smallest margin ever for a president's re-election.

i know we're doing a lot of handwringing these days about how we didn't 'win,' but we didn't lose either. we worked hard and nearly took down an incumbent-- something incredibly hard to do regardless. we have much to proud of, even if it seems lost in our depression and sadness over the election results. we rocked!