If all Americans thought as critically as bloggers (it’s part of the gig – to defend yourself from all the skeptical comments and emails), then there would be no question as to who will win today’s presidential election. As Neo-Con David Brooks points out, conservative and liberal blogs alike have all come out in support of Kerry.

This presidential election has been radical in its amount of civic engagement. Of course, I realize how far we still have to go, but despite the absurdity of debating without actually speaking to each other, all three debates (especially the Town Hall format) surpassed by expectations and should have served as lucid proof to any semi-consciouss person why not too vote for Bush. Not only that, but the media has been kept more honest as a result of hundreds of thousands bloggers turned watchdogs who have now it seems become co-opted into the process.

Today’s NY Times Op-Ed page included a section titled The Revolution will be Posted that offered small abstracts/insights from some of the blogosphere’s biggest hitters with (importantly) links to their blogs.

The Washington Post recently announced the winners of their Reader’s Choice Best Political Blogs. And more and more frequently big name (and well paid) columnists are tipping their hats to bloggers for inspiring their columns.

What it means is we’re all engaged. I mean, that’s why we blog in the first place right? To be part of the process. So here’s a run-down of what some of the bloggers we read (excluding the big names that everyone links to anyway) are saying about today’s election:

Daily Texican:

Ya prendi la vela and I’ve said a prayer. I voted this morning. The guy that runs our office came out and told everyone to quit what they were doing and go vote. I was impressed. It’s a good idea because he gets everyone out of the office at the same time and also, because he encouraged everyone to go vote. I only know of one person in our office who won’t vote. We’ve all given him hell for it and I hope he realizes why it’s so important to us.

Today might also be the first time my Mother casts a ballot as a U.S. citizen. I need to call and check to see if she went through with it. She was a bit apprehensive. She doesn’t read very well and is intimidated by things like that. I told just to go and try it out. We’ll see.

Woojay:

Thanks for playing, George, but it’s time for you to go.

Myke:

A few things to take in mind on such a day. No matter who wins, the world is not going to end. Laws will not change harshly in either direction. If the incumbant loses, there will be a peaceful transfer of power between two highly divergent political parties as has happened over and over again over the last hundred years. Think about it. It’s really quite remarkable. We know our nation is deeply divided on many important issues ranging from the war in Iraq to abortion to gay rights to the separation of church and state. Even so, such things never truly tear the nation apart and won’t this time either.

Xolo:

If you already voted, go make sure all the people you know vote. And then make sure all the people they know vote.

Then come back tomorrow so we can all celebrate or cry together (if it is not decided that will be a different reason to cry).

Thivai:

(I voted in my area at 12:20 PM, there are 825 people registered in our district, and the election official told me so far 375 had voted, making it at that early time a huge turnout)

Antonio:

You want a mopey, sullen endorsement for Kerry? You’re an asexual vegetarian who is still undecided? You’re so XHardCoreX that you tough guy image can withstand any attack so you put a pink Morrissey sticker on your laptop? Then here is the election analysis you’ve been waiting for! It might also cause you to hum Shoplifters of the World for the rest of the day.

Mari:

Last night on the local news, I learned that six voters in Contra Costa County had to sue just to be able to vote because their Voter Registration forms had been lost by DMV and the voters didn’t find out until after the October 18th registration deadline.

Elena:

My mother became a citizen this year and the first thing she did was register to vote. She has been very excited. She has been passing out campaign literature, and offering to drive people to the polls on election day “Unless they are voting for Bush then they can walk”. She has gotten fiery about the election. Last night she came looking for me at the Columbus ACT office where I was working. She had received phone calls last night telling her to be prepared to be challenged at the polls. The Republicans are trying to place “Challengers” at every polling place to challenge anyone they don’t think should be voting.

Andrew:

Across the states, America waits. We are tense and hopeful. The rest of the world watches. The final hours tick away.

Something big is going to happen, no matter what it is.

Pagan:

Okay. We are tired of being eloquent about it. Just get the f*** out and vote.

CJ:

Tonight I’ll be sitting in front of the tv, flipping through the channels, watching Gilmore Girls and Sponge Bob. Oh yeah, probably be checking the news also, wonder if we’ll know who our next president will be by tomorrow?

Liza:

The kids and I painted t-shirts with the word VOTE. Once I get someone to take a pic, I’ll post it. Thing 2s is classic 4 year-old twirly world writing. Thing 1s has sparkles. Mine has a peace sign in the O.

We walked around the neighborhood a bit and everyone was looking at the shirts. I’d ask, “Did you vote”, in that classic NYC “talk-to-stangers” style.

Anna:

I’m beginning to have faith in my generation. We’re online, we’re informed, and we’re active. For the first time in a long time, the future of America is actually taking a stand to affect the future of America.

Cul:

I’ve been to 7 different polls in Polk country, Florida today and aside from one glitch very early in the morning with dead phone lines at one polling station which was remedied in less than an hour, the voting has been heavy but has gone smoothly and voter attitude from both sides has been friendly and excited.

Reza:

here is where the oddsmakers stand. Bush is favored.

Jennifer:

I woke up this morning itchy to go vote! It’s like Christmas! Santa Claus is going to bring us a new President today!

Joe:

On the eve of a national election here in the United States, I feel as though all things are changing.

Joelle: (PS – go wish her a happy bday)

In honor of election day, I waxed my Bush.

Now you know.

Paul:

If you’re voting for Bush, stop and ask yourself if you’re really as smart as you think you are. There’s a very good chance you’re not.

Beckie:

VOTE VOTE VOTE! One of the reasons I have put this uniform on everyday for the past 21 years is so we can continue to live in the society we enjoy today. Good or bad, it’s our country and it is your duty as a citizen to exercise your right to vote. EVERY VOTE COUNTS! Do not let some TV personality lull you into a false sense of apathy by telling you that your vote does not matter and only the electoral votes count. This is your country, alot of blood has been spilled and continues to be spilled overseas for what we stand for and for our right to vote.
Make sure your voice is heard and if the person you voted for does not win, so be it. You mattered and you did the right thing.

Meanwhile, Paul is with Moreno in Brooklyn (check out pics of Moreno’s pad), Abogado is in Pennsylvania protecting democracy (Mari and I had intended to do the same in Nevada, but it didn’t work out). Inder does a great job covering the Martian perspective of today’s elections.Chris Nelson just got married and is soon off to Peru. As I write this Washington Post reloads in my browser every two minutes filling me in on the race. I’m filled with optimism and a little anxiety. I’m gonna go for a bike ride and then head down to PB to get glued to the TV with Raman and Eli.

Damn it Ohio – Elena – I have faith in you – I know those four points are gonna close because of you and yo momma.