crossposted at BlogHer.com

A week from today Barack Obama will make history and BlogHer will be there.

I’m headed to DC to give BlogHer’s a look at what is going on in and around the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States.

As a democrat I am thrilled, but as a women I must admit I’m over the moon. Working with both campaigns throughout the election I gained some insight into our President-elect that I believe makes the new Ms. magazine cover true:

An Obama campaign staffer shared with me a very telling tidbit one day long ago during the election. I was pushing staff to get me an interview with Michelle Obama, I wanted to discuss women’s issues. I wanted to discuss motherhood and working, balance, family leave, Roe, affordable daycare…all those things women tend to deal with.

Of course I assumed Michelle was a perfect fit for this interview, seeing as she has dealt with all these issues on a personal basis and on a practical basis with her husband dealing directly in policy. A natural fit for Michelle to talk to BlogHer…made sense.

But what I got back from the staffer was something I wasn’t expecting. To paraphrase, I was told Michelle did not want to be the face of “Women for Obama” or it’s spokeswoman….why? Because her husband was just a big a feminist as she was, and just as involved in the day to day struggles as she was, and HE should champion these causes as the man running for office, while she did her part as well.

It seems Michelle firmly believed she was not alone in her balance and family issues and entirely believed her husband understood and was on top of it. He needed to be a feminist and should be one.

Of course it was then BlogHer got it’s interview, not with the First Lady to be, but with our President-Elect.

As Eleanor Smeal writes,

“…he ran on the strongest platform for women’s rights of any major party in American history. Feminist Karen Kornbluh, the platform’s principle author, ensured women’s rights, opportunities, advancement, and issues were addressed throughout the historic document.”

And with women in mind, I head to DC.

While in there I plan on attending as many women focused events as I can muster and bring you reaction, feelings, and expectations. I’ll be talking to women at the Emily’s List luncheon on Sunday, January 18th. I’ll sit down with Progressive women at the NetRoots Nation party on Monday, January 19th, and I’ll bring you this BlogHer’s reaction from Capitol Hill on Tuesday, January 20th as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

There are events all over to celebrate this historic event from a day of service as described by Michelle Obama

to “un”official concerts, parties, and neighborhood balls.

Join me here at BlogHer as I report back on everything I see and hear. I’ll take on those crowds and broadcast live when possible. I’ll blog with YOU in mind and with women at the center of one of the most historic events in our lifetime.

I keep writing and deleting.

I sum up 2008 and then I realize I’ve forgotten something and I start over.

Because I just can’t seem to put into words what 2008 was for me…I’ll will let the videos speak for themselves:

I started the year with Super Tuesday and sitting down with Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

The spring brought me the interview of a lifetime.

And then it was on to both conventions. First the DNC in Denver:

And then the RNC in St. Paul

I was lucky enough to make appearances on CNN and speak with about a gazillion other media outlets.

I also sat on some great panels with some AMAZING women

Yes, 2008 has been a hell of a year. Here’s to 2009 and much more to come.

It’s true. President-elect Barack Obama really DOES bring people together and can heal this nation.

How do I know? Because sitting down to write my ‘What the Left has to be Thankful for’ holiday post, I realized fellow BlogHer Contributor EM Zanotti and I agree on a very serious political issue. ONLY Obama has the power to pull something like that off. Only our Commander-in-Chief can bring the Right and Left sides of BlogHer together to give thanks.

What is it we agree and are giving thanks for?

Naked Soccer players.

Don’t look at me like that. As it turns out both the wonderful and fabulous American Princess and Queen of Spain agree the big bank bailouts suck and the only redeeming quality is the chance it will bring us one step closer to Naked Soccer players.

It’s a Thanksgiving miracle.

So aside from the obvious, what does the ‘Left’ have to be thankful for in the Year of Our Lord Obama 2008?

Truckloads.

I am thankful the primaries saw that long-time feminist (eye roll) Rudy Guiliani get his ass handed to him.

I am thankful we only had to endure Mike Huckabee’s ‘folksy’ talks for a handful of months.

I am thankful just the act of Senators Clinton and Obama and Governor Palin running brought race and gender discussions to the forefront of our national conversation.

I am thankful the President-elect’s cabinet is shaping up with many women I admire.

I am thankful organizations like the White House project and WomenCount continue to push female candidates.

But you know what I am most thankful for?

I’m thankful BlogHer had a strong voice in shaping this country’s path. By featuring posts from our future First Lady, to Carly Fiorina, to enabling other women to VOTE, to inspiring nonPolitical bloggers to speak their minds, THIS community directly affected the election.

Alright maybe that’s not the most ‘left’ leaning thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. But perhaps that’s how we move forward.

Attempting to find ways to agree with each other and get away from ‘left,’ ‘right,’ or ‘fringe, extreme party whacko.’ Attempting to take what we have learned after months upon months of arguing and fighting and deleting nasty comments and posting nasty comments and sincerely wondering if others in your sacred BlogHer community were entirely insane.

I am thankful we’re all still here. And we’re all still standing.

I am also thankful my conservative sisters haven’t turned away, but instead have continued the dialogue.

Sure that’s easy to say from the chick who’s candidate won. But if EM and I can agree on naked soccer players, who knows what might be possible.

Heck, I bet you most of us can even agree we’re thankful to NOT be one of Sarah Palin’s ‘pardoned’ turkeys… tee hee hee.

Crossposted at BlogHer

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