So why do I feel so underwhelmed by all this? Out of all the people I watched it with, I surely donated way more money to the campaign, and only one other person there did any canvassing like I did (though mine was a paltry two days’ worth right before the election). Shouldn’t I have been clapping and standing and misty-eyed and such?

Nah. I was willing to do a lot to get Barry elected, but the Hopey-McChange rhetoric can’t help us now that he’s in. I’m no pie-in-the-sky optimist. He’s facing some of the biggest difficulties any president has since FDR, and the lovefest will die out pretty fast when tough choices get made. And keep in mind that we elected a guy who’s a little too conservative for my tastes: note his opposition to gay marriage, willingness to sabre rattle with Pakistan, etc. I mean, douchebag-driven Rick Warren delivered the invocation, and I snickered when he said something about loving all the people on earth (you know, except those gays, the love for whom should be displayed by sending them to some place where reading the bible can cure them of their unnatural lusts).

Yeah, yeah, I know–he has to do these things to triangulate and get elected, but hey liberals: don’t be too sure that he doesn’t actually believe in some bearded, sandal-wearing, Caucasian god and hold other views that don’t match yours. Still, this doesn’t mean he’s not a damn far sight better than anyone we’ve had in that office since I’ve been alive. He is. But don’t let the ground hit you too hard the first time he legislates against something near and dear to you.

“WhiteHouse.gov and the rest of the Administration’s online programs will put citizens first.”

The new site’s priorities: Communication, Transparency, and Participation.

The executive branch has gone Web 2.0. Finally.

I plan to spend more time tonight exploring the new site, but a few things jump out at me right away:

1. The Agenda

This section lists in great detail Obama’s agenda for 24 major issues. And if you participated on the Change.gov site during the transition, you know that his agenda was shaped in part by ideas submitted by ordinary Americans — and extraordinary ones like my friends and me ; )

2. White House 101

Subtitled “Facts and Fun For All Ages,” this section includes a bunch of great stuff about presidential pets.

3. Office of Public Liaison

This “front door to the White House” is in its infancy, but promises great opportunity to interact with the Obama administration. Overseen by Obama’s longtime Chicago pal Valerie Jarrett.

I expect to have more to say later once I have a chance to review Obama’s inaugural address and digest its meaning.