Obama: How he won, and what's next

On Tuesday night, Boston felt like Times Square on New Year's Eve. People celebrated the end of one era and the beginning of another, only this time it was the end of the George W. Bush years and the ascension of Sen. Barack Obama as the 44th US president.
The crowd at an election-eve party at the Fairmount Copley Plaza erupted when televised reports announced Obama's victory. People jumped up and down, cheered, and chanted. Later, they gathered on the steps of the Boston Public Library, high-fiving and playing musical instruments. Car horns honked on the surrounding streets, and it felt heartening to hear Boston drivers slam down on their steering wheels in joy instead of the usual anger.
Obama will enter office with several advantages: public support reflected in once-red states turning blue (like Ohio), a gift for communication, a reputation for diplomacy and bipartisanship. Yet he also has question marks -- he has only served two years as a US senator, and this inexperience has made him seem naive when discussing foreign policy.
Let us hope, however, that he will fulfill his promise as our 44th president, and that he will eventually turn doubts over his inexperience into praise for his achievements.

God endorses Obama

God Cartoon
Originally uploaded by rbtenorio

It's Election Day, and a process that started going into motion two years ago is approaching its end. For this historic occasion, I've brought together two experienced pundits -- namely, God and Satan -- to talk about the final stages of the campaign and, of course, which candidate they prefer. Find out more in the latest episode of "The Devil Made Me Blog It"!

Scary spells in Salem

Halloween Cartoon
Originally uploaded by rbtenorio

Happy Halloween, everyone! To celebrate, Mephistopheles and his liberal pal take a break from politics and go trick-or-treating in a most apropos locale -- Salem, Massachusetts -- in the latest episode of "The Devil Made Me Blog It"!

"The Devil Made Me Blog It" is now a comic book!

THE DEVIL DEBUTS IN BOSTON AREA!
 
Just in time for Halloween and Election Day, Rich Tenorio's Web comic "The Devil Made Me Blog It" has made its print debut as a comic book. "The Devil Made Me Blog It" has appeared in print form in five locations in the greater Boston area -- and potentially more! 
 A compilation of Tenorio's weekly blog postings plus heretofore-unseen samples from his sketchbooks, "The Devil Made Me Blog It" chronicles the 2008 presidential saga to date -- from Barack Obama and John McCain choosing their vice presidents to the subsequent presidential debates to the accompanying dramas of the Iraq War and the economic crisis.
 "The Devil Made Me Blog It" is currently sold at the following locations:
 Hub Comics, 19 Bow Street, Somerville, MA 02143 / (617) 718-0987 / hubcomics@gmail.com
Comicazi, 407 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02144 / (617) 666-2664 / thebadkidsinc@yahoo.com
The Million Year Picnic, 99 Mt. Auburn Street (downstairs), Cambridge, MA 02138 / (617) 492-6763
New England Comics, 14A Eliot Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 / (617) 354-5352
Harrison's Comics & Collectibles, 252 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970 / (978) 741-0786
 Read "The Devil Made Me Blog It" each week at http://richardtenorio.blogspot.com. For more info, please email rich.tenorio@gmail.com.

McCain's fix-it man

Joe the Plumber Cartoon
Originally uploaded by rbtenorio

John McCain has a new buddy, Joe the Plumber, whom the senator talked about so much at the last presidential debate with Barack Obama on Wednesday. Does Joe translate into working-class appeal for McCain? Find out in the latest episode of "The Devil Made Me Blog It"!

A red October for McCain

Foliage Cartoon
Originally uploaded by rbtenorio

Autumn is a season of change, and Lucifer likes the latest change in Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign. Yet is McCain's seeming abandonment of negative politics for real? After all, it was only a few days ago that he made his latest careless remark about Sen. Barack Obama. Find out more in a foliage-themed episode of "The Devil Made Me Blog It"!

McCain impresses on foreign policy

Sen. John McCain closed his presidential debate with Sen. Barack Obama Tuesday night on a strong note, sounding experienced, realistic, and occasionally witty on foreign policy.
"(You) have to temper your decisions with the ability to beneficially affect the situation and realize you're sending America's most precious asset, American blood, into harm's way," McCain said. "I know those situations. I've been in them all my life. And I can tell you right now the security of your young men and women who are serving in the military are my first priority right after our nation's security."
McCain preached pursuit of Osama bin Laden and congratulated himself for supporting the surge in Iraq -- neither a surprising stance. Yet he also showed thoughtfulness. When moderator Tom Brokaw asked whether he thought Russia under Vladimir Putin was an evil empire, McCain replied, "Maybe," then clarified: "Depends on how we respond to Russia and it depends on a lot of things. If I say yes, then that means that we're reigniting the old Cold War. If I say no, it ignores their behavior."
Humor and nuance, both welcome. Obama, by contrast, sounded naive at times, such as when he said, "I believe that we should have direct talks -- not just with our friends, but also with our enemies -- to deliver a tough, direct message to Iran that, if you don't change your behavior, then there will be dire consequences."
Economic issues are dominating the headlines lately. Yet if you think that foreign policy, and not ecomonic, issues will dominate the term of the next president, McCain looked like the better candidate on Tuesday night.

Sarah Palin and Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur Cartoon
Originally uploaded by rbtenorio

Starting on Wednesday evening, Jews across the world (including myself) will celebrate the holiday of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which lasts until Thursday night. This gives us a chance to start the New Year of 5769 by atoning for our sins before God ... including the political "sin" of liking a certain vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin! Read more in the latest episode of "The Devil Made Me Blog It"! Guest-starring God.

Liberals partying like it's 1929?

Crisis Cartoon
Originally uploaded by rbtenorio

The US economy is in financial freefall, with the Bush Administration trying to rescue it with a Brobdingnagian bailout. (The House of Representatives rejected it today.) Yet amid all the dire forecasts, are liberals secretly (or not-so-secretly) loving the sight of Wall Street laid low? Find out in "The Devil Made Me Blog It"!

McCain's Brain

Brain Cartoon
Originally uploaded by rbtenorio

New developments in the worlds of politics and science this week. The research community learned that 12 athletes had decided to donate their brains to science. Meanwhile, presidential-race watchers witnessed Sen. John McCain suspend his campaign due to his concern over the economy and desire to work toward a solution. McCain also requested that his debate tonight with rival Sen. Barack Obama be postponed. That didn't happen ... but Lucifer sure liked the way McCain's mind works. Read more in ... "The Devil Made Me Blog It"!