There is steady decline in graciousness in today's society. Take the Japanese scientist who recently accepted the Noble Prize for Physics by calling the award "mundane". Even worse, take Sarah Palin's fake graciousness in conceding the White House to the Democrats.

Daum’s column helps confirm that though graciousness may be on the decline, sanctimony is on the way up.

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Obama needs a strong, dynamic cabinet that signals a shift from old party politics in Washington. Who better to step in as Secretary of State than Al Gore, who has the right administrative and legislative experience, and who would set the right tone on climate change.

Cohen’s choice for Secretary of State is intriguing, but a little off the cuff.  We at NPI would prefer to hear pragmatic reasons for Gore to take the position, rather than the usual “Al Gore is the custodian of the planet and can do anything.”  Beyond this, Cohen lists some other choices for cabinet positions, all of which are also being circulated in other punditry circles.

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NYT columnist David Brooks flip-flopped all throughout the election on whether he liked McCain. Also, Republican ideals are still mainstream because anti-gay marriage amendments passed in the states where there was a Nov. 4 referendum.

As usual, Ann Coulter writes a rambling piece that hates on liberals.  Skip it.

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Krauthammer dissects three factors, two self-induced, one systematic, that flatlined McCain's White House run. His own flubs were suspending the campaign during the meltdown (undercutting his leadership ability advantage) and choosing Sarah Palin (undermining his experience advantage). The unprecedented financial meltdown was the final exogenous piece dooming McCain and stacking the odds in Obama's favor.

While the “autopsy” is fairly straightforward, Krauthammer does manage to steal the show with an unexpected line at the end: “With him (Obama) we get a presdident with the political intelligence of a Bill Clinton harnessed to the steely self-discipline of a Vladimir Putin. (I say this admiringly.) With these qualities, Obama will now bestride the political stage as largely as did Reagan.” Obama as the Democtraic Party’s Reagan? Quite a tantalizing thought offered by Krauthammer.

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While McCain was flying into incredibly strong headwinds, he still had a shot at the presidency. Judging by the success of socially conservative referendum on the ballot there was an opportunity for a socially conservative president that spoke to Americans economic fears. McCain missed this boat entirely.

Buchanan first runs through a tired laundry list of reasons that McCain lost–economy, Bush, Lehman, Obama’s politcal ability, etc, etc.  Buchanan’s reliance on three anti-gay marriage bills that passed throughout the country doesn’t necessarily add up though–peope don’t vote for President simply based on social issues, especially during a time of serious economic turmoil.  Additionally, had McCain pivoted far right on these social issues he would have both looked phony and Bush Part II (after Bush used gay marriage in 2004 as a wedge issue).  This was an election about big things and McCain camp played small ball.  Pat should stick to fighting Rachel Madow and stay out of the consulting game.

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