That narrows it; thanks. There must have been something---if not hope, what?---for the electorate to buy in at that critical juncture in the country's affairs. The pundits said it was the GOP's to lose. What did he have going for him other than expectations for something better? Which is a definition of hope to me.

I believe there was a lot more to sticking with Obama than measured triumphs in social welfare, stick-handling through the meltdown, pulling back outposts of an unwanted empire, telling allies they'll have to start pulling their weight---it's over for Americans dying and paying the bills as the world's policeman.

Using your lottery ticket analogy, what's wrong with a dream if the above is a tangible part of it, a promise of something better, a different way of looking at things? I kept faith in the US getting it right over time from years of reporting the good and the bad there. Electing Obama will last me all my life.