It is over. Change is coming to America. Last night, Americans turned their backs on the eight years of republican misrule. They elected Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States. The country drew breath and stepped back from the edge.
Senator John McCain conceded last night in Phoenix, defeated by overwhelming odds. The appallingly partisan tactics of the McCain campaign failed to move the American public. In his concession speech in McCain said, “My friends, we have — we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clear.” McCain recognized the significance of the result, “this is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.”
At midnight last night, President elect Barack Obama strode onto the stage in Chicago, in front of an estimated one hundred thousand ecstatic supporters, and no doubt, millions across the world. In his acceptance speech, Obama honored this historic moment in American history. “If there is anyone out there who still doubts America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our fathers is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” he said.
After sweeping away the partisan politics of the last eight years, in a single bound, Obama was pragmatic about American’s problems, “And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.”
Obama promised change and that change was evident on my journey home on the ‘A’ train last night in New York. At 1.30 a.m., I was waiting for the ‘A’ train at 59th Street Station at Columbus Circle; as the train pulled into the station and the doors opened a spontaneous roar of ‘Obama’, ‘Obama’ came from the carriage full of twenty somethings. There followed spontaneous clapping and fist pumping in the air. One young woman shouted, “America has won.” The noise died down as the train left the station. Then as we pulled into 50th Street station, the roar started again, but this time people in the carriages behind joined in the cheers. I left the train at 34th Street as the uproarious choir sang on.
Senator John McCain conceded last night in Phoenix, defeated by overwhelming odds. The appallingly partisan tactics of the McCain campaign failed to move the American public. In his concession speech in McCain said, “My friends, we have — we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clear.” McCain recognized the significance of the result, “this is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.”
At midnight last night, President elect Barack Obama strode onto the stage in Chicago, in front of an estimated one hundred thousand ecstatic supporters, and no doubt, millions across the world. In his acceptance speech, Obama honored this historic moment in American history. “If there is anyone out there who still doubts America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our fathers is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” he said.
After sweeping away the partisan politics of the last eight years, in a single bound, Obama was pragmatic about American’s problems, “And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.”
Obama promised change and that change was evident on my journey home on the ‘A’ train last night in New York. At 1.30 a.m., I was waiting for the ‘A’ train at 59th Street Station at Columbus Circle; as the train pulled into the station and the doors opened a spontaneous roar of ‘Obama’, ‘Obama’ came from the carriage full of twenty somethings. There followed spontaneous clapping and fist pumping in the air. One young woman shouted, “America has won.” The noise died down as the train left the station. Then as we pulled into 50th Street station, the roar started again, but this time people in the carriages behind joined in the cheers. I left the train at 34th Street as the uproarious choir sang on.
