President Elect Obama is apparently receiving high approval ratings, even from people who didn't vote for him. Vermonter Steve Benen, who blogs for Washington Monthly, expressed surprise about this the other day.

But after spending Christmas with my family in North Carolina, I'm not surprised. I had some interesting conversations with my conservative relatives — including my 89-year-old, World-War-II-vet, Catholic grandfather — all of whom supported McCain.

All of them were ready to give Obama a chance — even my uncle who loves Rush Limbaugh. My grandfather actually told me he was "hopeful" that Obama could bring about "real change," because "we sure need it."

These are people who mocked me mercilessly when I supported Bill Clinton as a teenager. People who loathe Al Gore and John Kerry. 

I'm not sure why they've changed their minds, but I know that something has definitely changed. Honest to God, I never thought I'd see the day that we'd both look at the same politician and see the same thing. But here we are. I wonder how long it can last?

Anybody else have unusual Obama approval anecdotes?