If President Obama is too weak to preserve our civilian-military order, then Congress is obligated to enforce its Constitutional authority over the power of war.

Even as the war in Afghanistan becomes America’s Longest War, there is an end in sight.

After the DCCC pulled out of the special election in HI-01, most political observers turned their attentions elsewhere. The race, which features two major Democrats and one major Republican in a winner-take-all election, was essentially conceded to Charles Djou, the Republican. It is thought that Ed Case and Colleen Hanabusa will split the vote, and Djou will win easily. Facts on the ground may puncture this conventional wisdom, though.

Elections have consequences, we are always told. If Election Day 2008 doesn’t have more positive consequences for LGBT Americans by Election Day 2010, you can expect more passivity from us, Mr President. You will have earned it. See, elections do have consequences.

As I write, I’m lifting a mug o’ coffee and toast to Jane and the entire Firedoglake team who have done so much this election cycle to spotlight the perfidities of the McCain-Palin disaster and otherwise move forward a progressive vision our nation so desperately needs.

Sometime around 1 a.m., on Nov. 5, as I stood yelling in Lafayette Park along with thousands of my new best friends, the true meaning of solidarity—within the union movement and within the broader progressive movement—really hit home.

The election numbers are in and the winner is….

America’s working families.

Even before the Nov. 4 results are tallied, the nearly year-long election mobilization throughout the union movement is a victory for the thousands of union volunteers who have dedicated their scarce free time in get-out-the-vote efforts. Without them, we could not have reached the millions of union members critical to reversing the misery of the Bush years.