Editor's note. Please send your thoughts to daveandrusko@hotmail.com. They are important feedback.

Starting in a preliminary way in Part Two, over the next few days we'll talk about a very difficult Tuesday night. President-elect Barack Obama ran a disciplined campaign, as slick and error-free as it was misleading and disingenuous. A hero to the most militantly anti-life forces,

Obama will be a formidable foe over the next four years.

But that can wait. Right now is the time to say thank you.

Let me begin with a thank you to my wife and kids. Without their unfailing love and unconditional support, I couldn't possible do what a job like this requires. Thank you Lisa, Emily, David, Joanna, and Louisa.

Thanks to the staff of National Right to Life. You would have to work in Washington, D.C. to appreciate how outgunned we are financially and how much the anti-life side benefits from a nourishing, adoring media.

None of that fazes any of the NRLC crew. We consider our underdog status a badge of honor. My colleagues' dedication, determination, and defiance are a model of grace under pressure.

But most of all my thanks go out to all of you. I cannot begin to tell you how much your letters, phone calls, and especially your e-mails have buoyed my spirits.

I have greatly admired your diligent work, how with patience and persistence you worked to pull back the curtain so that the American people could see the real Barack Obama. Clearly, "Slick Willie" has nothing on Barack Obama.

But you went beyond that to lift up all of us here at NRLC with your words of encouragement. And countless numbers of you wrote to tell me you were surrounding the pro-life team of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin with prayer.

This is the kind of personal attention and deep affection that we will treasure in our hearts forever. We are so lucky to be able to call you friend.

The women and men, boys and girls who make up our Movement are as noble as the cause for which they labor is crucial. Thank you, for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you will do for the littlest Americans.

Part Two -- "I Guess I Should Have Known Better"