Republican voters have apparently warmed to Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and WikiLeaks in the wake of the 2016 presidential election, according to data from a new YouGov/Economist poll. President-elect Donald Trump's electoral win was followed by a dramatic spike in favorability for Putin by GOP participants in the poll. Democratic participants, meanwhile, now disapprove of him more than they did before November 8. In July 2014, Republicans viewed Putin with a -66 net favorability; and now, in December 2016, they view him with only a -10 negative favorability.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2016/12/14/gop-favorability-of-putin-spiked-during-election.html?via=desktop&source=copyurl

It's a Friday. I think I'm going to take a vacation day. Grateful to be able to do that. I know so many don't have even one day a year off that's paid.

I don't plan on watching the ceremony, but instead will focus on some quiet reflection at home, or if weather permits, a long walk somewhere nice.

It just doesn't feel right to let it pass as just another work day. And I suspect for me it will be a very emotional day. Not just because Trump won, but because a man who I think so highly of and admire so much is exiting stage left.

It just doesnt seem like 8 years since I stood inside a high school football stadium in Springfield, Mo. the Saturday night before the election.

I grew up in Oklahoma so it was the first time I had been around so many like minded people in my life. The line snaked through a residential area. We waited 4 hours to get in. My feet were shredded by the end of the night. It was magical.

I hope however fellow DUers choose to spend the day, they find at least a moment or two of peace.