Obama wins historic election
By Scott Helman and Michael Kranish, Globe Staff
CHICAGO — Senator Barack Obama of Illinois was elected the 44th president of the United States and the nation’s first black commander in chief Tuesday, his triumph ushering in an era of profound political and social realignment in America.
Obama’s decisive victory over Republican John McCain is a landmark in the country’s 232-year history, especially for the millions of African-Americans around the country energized and inspired by his improbable candidacy. It gives Democrats control of Congress and the White House for the first time in 16 years and it led to impromptu celebrations around the country.
Making good on his promise to draw his own electoral map, Obama captured Virginia, which last voted for a Democrat in 1964, and he beat McCain in key battlegrounds, including Florida, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, while holding on to Democratic-leaning states. He won in part on the support of new voters, African-Americans, and Hispanics, and as of early today he had 338 electoral votes, far more than the 270 needed to win the presidency, while McCain had 142.
In a grand celebration on a balmy fall night in Chicago’s Grant Park, 125,000 supporters gathered to toast the president-elect. When the networks called the race shortly after 10 p.m. local time, tears flowed, flashbulbs lighted up the night, fists pumped in the air, and the lakefront erupted into roars of relief and disbelief — ‘‘We did it!’’ and ‘‘Oh my God.’’
‘‘I am so proud to be black, so proud to be American,’’ said Alicia Thompson, a 45-year-old financial analyst from Chicago, tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘‘Anything is possible. Anything is possible.’’
Obama, the weight of his achievement reflected on his face, walked out on stage with his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, to thunderous applause.
"Because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment," he said, "change has come to America."
Obama said his victory proved the bottom-up power of American democracy, citing the hours-long lines to get into polling places. "This is your victory," he said.
Obama also sought to warn the country of the challenges ahead, saying his election was not, by itself, the "change we seek."
"It is only the chance for us to make that change," he said, adding: "There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree."
A much smaller and more muted crowd awaited the results at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix with McCain, the veteran senator from Arizona.
In conceding the election with a gracious and conciliatory speech, McCain recognized the historic significance of Obama’s achievement and offered his help. ‘‘Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country,’’ McCain said.
McCain quieted some supporters who booed when he announced that he had offered his congratulations to Obama. ‘‘The American people have spoken and they have spoken clearly,’’ the Republican said, while expressing his admiration of the way Obama inspired ‘‘the hopes of so many millions of Americans.’’ He urged his supporters to ‘‘find ways to come together’’ for the good of the country.
Obama’s win, which comes as Democrats also picked up seats in the House and Senate, sets the stage for significant shifts in the country’s domestic and foreign policy in the years ahead. It was a fitting final bend of the arc of a presidential race Obama has run largely on his own terms since winning the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3.
He set the fund-raising pace, bringing in a record $639 million through last month. He set out early to play offense by competing in ‘‘red states’’ such as Colorado, North Carolina, and Virginia, a strategy helped by independent demographic trends that favored the Democrats. The general election battle was fought almost exclusively over change, terrain that Obama seized early and never relinquished.
And his compelling narrative — his half-Kansan, half-Kenyan heritage, binational upbringing, and rousing call for a new dawn of politics — often sucked oxygen away from his opponents. Even McCain’s choice of Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate was designed in part to give the GOP ticket its own rising young, telegenic star with a unique story who could compete for the public imagination.
The election — the longest and most expensive presidential race in history and likely to attract a record turnout — came at a pivotal juncture for the country, which is fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffering the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. With the president’s approval rating at 26 percent, and only one in 10 Americans saying the country is moving in the right direction, the landscape favored Obama considerably.
Though the race was tight after the Republican convention and the initial enthusiasm for Palin, Obama began to pull away in national polls once the economic crisis exploded in mid-September, as voters came to see him as the more capable economic steward. In nationwide exit polls of voters yesterday, 62 percent said the economy was the top issue, compared with 10 percent who cited Iraq — a sweeping change from last year when McCain’s campaign believed that the election would center on foreign policy, his strong suit.
Obama, 47, first gained national exposure with his stirring speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, in which he issued his now-famous call for the country to move beyond the political and cultural divisions that had split America into ‘‘red states’’ and ‘‘blue states.’’ At the time he was a little-known state senator from Illinois, but that fall he was elected to the US Senate, becoming just the third African-American senator since Reconstruction.
Obama’s star only gained intensity once he arrived in Washington, and he began to seriously consider the entreaties from many Democrats to run this year. He formally launched his candidacy on a frigid day in Springfield, Ill. on Feb. 10, 2007, casting his unfamiliarity with Washington as a political benefit.
‘‘I know I haven’t spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington,’’ Obama said in his announcement speech. ‘‘But I’ve been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change.’’
Obama went on to build his candidacy on that one simple word — change — while eventually fleshing out his soaring rhetoric with detailed proposals based on helping the middle class. He drew millions of new voters hungry for a new direction and fresh leadership, including record numbers of young people. Since defeating Hillary Clinton, who had the backing of much of the Democratic establishment, he expanded his coalition to include other party constituencies as well as independents and moderate Republicans.
Obama also built an unmatched grass-roots army of supporters and volunteers, in part through novel Internet networking and fund-raising tools that may have changed forever the way presidential campaigns will be run. Obama became the first presidential candidate to reject public financing, choosing instead to rely on his millions of donors — many of them giving $5 or $10 online.
He had financial dominance in both the primaries and in the general election, allowing him to open hundreds of campaign offices across the country, blanket television nationwide with ads, and put resources wherever he wanted, including many traditionally Republican states.
McCain, 72, whose father and grandfather were Navy admirals, was held for 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, an experience that brought him to national prominence.
McCain served in the US House for four years and then, in 1986, was elected to the US Senate. After becoming embroiled in the ‘‘Keating Five’’ savings and loan scandal, in which he was found to have used ‘‘poor judgment’’ for trying to help a major campaign donor, McCain cast himself as a maverick and a reformer, a role that often put him at odds with his party.
In 2000, McCain lost the Republican nomination to George W. Bush, and last year, pundits declared his second bid all but dead as he fired his top advisers and struggled to raise money. But a victory in the New Hampshire primary in January revived his campaign, and he outlasted well-financed opponents despite the misgiving of many conservatives.
McCain sought to separate himself from Bush, who mostly stayed on the sidelines during the campaign, and also tried to find his footing on the economy, which he admitted was not his strength.
In his victory speech, Obama issued a call for bipartisanship, speaking to the millions of voters who did not support him.
"I may not have won your vote tonight," he said. "But I hear your voices. I need your help. I will be your president, too."
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on the behalf of AMERICA
we love u obama and also proud of your success
A big night for America. I could not be any prouder of my country. Blowout.
i believe that 's a wonderful thing in usa
well ya got what ya wanted. don't go complaining when things aren't going the way you thought. Russia is happy, Iran is happy and Kenya is happy.They know who you voted in and now we are not any kind of threat to any of them. they will be walking all over us. Go read what Russia says.. what a joke.
Free at Last... Free at Last.... Thank God Almighty.... We are Free at Last!!!
it doesn't matter who the president is. it matters what they do. i plan on running 2024
Poor bitter Mike. Dennis Hopper, Oprah Winfrey, and Colin Powell voted for Barack Obama. Do you count them among "the lower class and Un-Educated?" Are they included amongst the ones who "have bad credit, and couldnt pay thier bills, causeing the bad debt that brought down WALL STREET, and drove the Economy into the ground?"
I am happy for the Obama win... but, there's still lots of work to be done in this country... for ALL of us.
Mirela -
As the old saying goes, if you are young and don't vote democrat, you don't have a heart. However, if you are old and you don't vote Republican (capitalization intentional for those watching closely), you don't have a mind.
Young and hopeful is great, but wait until you are paying $50K a year to fund someone else's baby mama, and then see where you stand - drop me a note in 30 years and let me know if you are still happy with tonight's results.
Hey! America how fabulous is this! Change we it is needed the most and it has to be a deep deep change in old thought processes! Congratulations America you have given the rest of the world exactly the right message!
Now lets all get on with it. We rejoice in your decision.
its amazing how brainwashed some people are. simply amazing. expect a terrorist attack in the near future and thank biden for it.
I agree JL... unity is not just magically going to happen tomorrow. I believe the 'American Dream' would have been closer to realization w/ McCain than Obama... but we'll never know I guess. If only we could get in a time machine four years from now and come back, and change the election, and see what the difference would be. I fear Obama is a big mistake....
I'm a 56 year old well educated white male. I voted for Barack because he makes sense. He's the best man for the job. I hope he can repair some of the damage that eight years of dubya and his criminal syndicate have wrought on this country.
i agree that "imminent change is coming", NEVER SAID IT WOULD BE GOOD CHANGE, i cant wait til this country get run into the ground by that man. All these poor people, who believe everything he says, i'm gonna love to say i told you so when this country goes to hell.
sounds like the voice of experience jl. for six years the republicans held congress and the white house and we are now reaping the rewards of their "trickle down"
policies. there is only one thing i know about that "trickles down" and it isn't economics.
It's all going to go down hill from here. My 9 year old even caught the bold face lies Obama has spoken. It's so sad none of you can see it. I think they both were not the right ones for the job but I would have taken the lesser of 2 eviles and Obama isn't the one you'll see, and his idiot sidekick? really? Bidon the poster child for missing a few marbles. now I know this is and always will be a rigged competition.
And stop calling him the first black president hes only half black!
Congratulations to the people of the USA for showing such maturity and hope. On the other side of the globe, I am more positive about our future too.
I didn't vote for Obama. I hope he does well. I am an Amercian first and he is the next President.
The whole world is laughing at us now.
did you really say "give to all, deny to none"??? isnt that called communism? if i remember correctly, the U.S. was founded as a consitutional republic, not a democracy, not a socialistic state and definately not a communistic state.
as for Obama, who wants to move to Australia?
Good on you Americans for voting for such a well spoken, cultured and smart candidate. Today you earn a lot of respect from the rest of the world. Look after him best you can.
Congratulations from Darwin, Australia.
I am as worried now as I was on the morning of September 12th, 2001...
Hopefully I'm wrong.
Do us right Barrack, our lives are in your hands now.
America was not founded as the "give to all, deny to none country" nor was it ever meant to be. It's the country where if you work hard enough you will be successful. Not only is the life of many young Americans changing, the life of all America is changing. and not for the good. Obama's empty words will ring in your ears for at least the next 4 years. It's not about race, it's about integrity and moral fiber. America is in for a rude awakening when Obama only talks the talk.
hey Obama, how many states are there?
Congratulations!
C'mon haters give the guy a chance - he just may turn out to be a great president. We have nowhere to go but up, anyways, right?
I don't mind to lose one battle ..I do mind to lose war.. ADIOS DEMOCRATS
hopfully for ever... praying to be soon than 4 years from now...
Everybody cheered when Hitler and his cronies were put into power..... all's I can say is to hope for the best, but expect the worst. Remember one thing, even the founding fathers didn't trust in any one person and especially not in the government.
I am so proud of my country right now. I am filled with hope after a long period of despair. He is a charismatic and inspiring leader. I stand behind him.
The bitter 48% of the posters: please do not act (write) like sore losers. Fortunately, the country will not be run by your petty logic :)
Ps: those debating the extent of Obama's African-Americanness: do you treat less-than-half-black janitors etc as white? Wake up race is a social construction! Again, I am glad that the country will not be run on your intellect.
This is a change! America woke up 2 day with hope!
Yae!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ignorance be damned!
Move to Alaska trolls! Your President and his fellow citizens rose above your scumbag rhetoric.
I personally am sick of the lack of fair and just media coverage during this election. I place the majority of the blame for Senator McCain's loss on the shoulders of journalists in both print and electronic media. You decided to show your support for Obama by not reporting the TRUTH. You decided it was better for the American public to hear half truths. You decided to make up stories just so your candidate got in. You decided to go poking around in Sarah Palin's life trying to dig up dirt that wasn't there. You had the nerve to dig up all you could about "Joe The Plummer" which I think is considered an invasion of privacy since he isn't a public official whose life is public knowledge. You have some nerve calling yourslef jouranlists.
I still don't understand what you nay-sayers want? After 8 years of George Bush and his failed policies, how could you even effing consider voting for a republican candidate?
It just doesn't make sense. First Reagan, than Bush 1, than Bush 2... three shitty Republican Presidents in a row, with the only good one being Clinton, the Democrat in between them. Is the idea of learning from your mistakes beyond you? Give the guy with a different plan a chance, seeing as the last plan was such a piece of shit.
Barack Obama embodies what is great about America. He embodies the Hope he has campaigned for, he IS the change that this country has sought and he has
brought a sense of optimism and possibility that we have needed for a very long time. Americans have sent a message to the world WE ARE THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA and tonight is the living proof of that.
IF RACE DIDNT MATTER THEN WHY DID ALL THE BLACKS RUSH LIKE IT WAS CHICKEN AND WATERMELON GIVEAWAY DAY TO VOTE FOR A BLACK MAN? RACE, RELIGION, MONEY, ALLLLLL MATTERS. THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON FREEDOM. I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY GET THE HELL OUT OF MY COUNTRY YOU STINKY ASS INDIAN, NIGERIAN, IMMIGRANT. BOTTOM LINE, CHANGE WILL HAPPEN, AND YOU WILL RUE THE DAY WHEN THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT CHANGE FOLLOW SOON THERE AFTER. THIS MINDLESS GENERATION HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED THE WRATH THAT IS MANKIND'S JUDGEMENT DAY.
Mike,
I went to a top university and graduated with honors.
I'm white and voted for Obama.
The Bush Administration enforced the Trinkle Down Effect, giving rich guys tax breaks and middle class the weight of the economy to bare. If it's not clear to you whos policies are at fault for this economic crisis, then you're too stubborn and thick to ever get it.
Stop talking about things you wont give yourself the chance to understand and start playing table tennis or some other hobby.
Hey you Obama supporters. Watch your wallets when the Democrats raise all our taxes to add all their new social programs. Plus get use to getting up a dawn to pray when our terrorists supporting President surrenders to the terrorists. Watch the stock market FALL even further since Democrats are anti business.
What a cheap victory. He isn't REALLY an African American. He is AT LEAST 1/2 white and was raised ENTIRELY by whites in HAWAII!?! I don't really care if he is PURPLE, but let's be honest. Soon the NAACP will be stressing his "whiteness" to keep their quotas in place. Just wait and see. They will NEVER be happy - too many jobs rely on "inequality." It is an industry. As for "change," does ANYONE really know what that will mean? Change CAN be a bad thing. Name one BIG or NEW idea that he has. I miss Hillary and feel badly for her.
Is liberty or equality more important?
Oh my God I am so happy tonight. I will no longer have to worry about paying my mortgage. I won't have to worry about putting gas in my car. The messiah has arrived to take care of all of my needs.
The messiah will take all the money from all the big bad corporations and rich people and give it to me....yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I won't need to keep my job I will let the chosen one and his government take care of me. I am so happy.
Did you see Jesse Jackson crying ?? It was so touching...he is such a great man. Along with other great men like Bill Ayers, Louis Farrakahn and Reverend Wright. I am so proud of the messiah and all his wonderful friends.
I am a brainwashed moron and I approved this message.
History has been made, the best man won, God bless America, God bless Barack Hussien Obama! Now go earn what we gave you!
OBAMA!!!
My daughter and I support you all the time.You are inspiring.I¡¡AM SURE YOU WILL INSPIRE USA to a higher level in terms of economy,education and democracy.
Congratulation!
Barack Obama is a man we all can believe in, and, being nineteen, I have never had the feeling of believing in my president. It's amazing, I feel like, yes, we can. It makes me want to volunteer, it makes me want to work, because I believe it is what Barack Obama wants to do himself. I look up to Barack Obama, I ridiculed George Bush. I can believe in Obama as my authority, as my leader, and as my friend and fellow citizen.
When did we live in a country where politicians where so honest and special. Barracks and McCain are both liars. The last time there was real change is when the French used the guillotine. Wake up, these are people that live off you and I, we pay their wages, we give them the best health insurance in the world for free, have ANY of them personally thanked you. The fact that electrical collage still is being used in 2008 is a crime, it prevents the real winners from winning (both the democrats and republicans). Wake Up we need real change.
A Union, by the people, for the people,all men created equally. These are the tenets of our great nation!! Tonight we have proven as a country that we can work towards common goals, no matter our race, religion, gender, And we did it together. A dream deferred for many of us. We have shown how great America is, so please, we need to all work towards the good of our country and our people, our children and families to restore our country to greatness and prosperity. We need to put aside our differences and unify for the great United States. After 55 years I have seen something I never thought would happen. Thank John McCain for his patriotism and honor. God Bless America!!
I wonder how safe our country will be under Obama.
Are we going to have to suffer through listening to another poem read by Maya Angelo on inauguration day?
good luck to you all! watever your comments, just remember that the almighty is the one who guides all the proceedings!
Happy clown - THANK YOU.
The job doesn't just lie within Obama, it lies within all of us. Have we no pride in America? If you don't like the way things are run, get off your behind and try to make a difference. Even if you don’t get the results you had hoped, at least at the end of the day you made a difference. Many people in this world can only dream of living in such a place where they can voice their opinions and get involved.
And to the old bloke who cranks about paying *so* much money in taxes. Don't forget where you came from. Be happy you had those opportunities and share them with others who aren’t as fortunate.
We're never going to rise up and be the best unless we all give it our best shot. THAT is Obama's message. And what was McCain’s? Vote for me or you’ll die? Take some ownership in your country – in your life!
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. As long as you continue your petty grievances, bigotry, and pessimism we will never thrive. You are your own worst enemy. This is a time to feel empowered. We are coming off 8 years of embarrassment and economic turmoil. Now is OUR chance to make things right.
Remember Jimmy Carter! Watch out for terrorist attacks! Unless Obama already made deals with the terrorist groups! He is in their pockets I bet.
Why must so many people use this as an opprotunity to spew hate and vile comments about a candidate chosen not only by electoral college vote, but by the popular vote as well? Is this not the same mindset that has plagued our nation since its birth?
well done america, you finally did something right. but just to clear things up for a lot of you - it isn't your president that makes america look bad in other countries' eyes, it is the ignorant and violent and racist ways of the masses that makes you look bad. but still well done today.
OBAMA!
OBAMA!
OBAMA!
Please give the man a chance! With the state that this country is in right now, I wouldn't want that job..............would you??
Could we maybe ask the current resident of the White House to move out? Would this weekend be too soon?
Obama bashers, stick it in your ear. We dealt with your way for eight LONG years. Eight LONG, LONG years. My patience with Obama bashing is going to run thin very quickly, given the crap republicans have put us through.
Salutes to the new USA IL-Comandatore, President Obama !
Mike, look at what the blue states are: Massachusetts, Conneticut, New Jersey, New York, California...
then look what the red states are: Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina...
lastly look at what towns in MA that went for Obama: Lexington, Weston, Wellesley,Dover, Sherborn, Lincoln, Wayland...
If you want to stay with the "Educated" and "Upper Class" crowd, consider moving to one of those red states...
Please think twice about your "Uneducated" and "Lower class" comment
The guy is african american.. get over the half white half black thing. race shouldnt even matter
Happy clown - THANK YOU.
The job doesn't just lie within Obama, it lies within all of us. Have we no pride in America? If you don't like the way things are run, get off your behind and try to make a difference. Even if you don’t get the results you had hoped, at least at the end of the day you made a difference. Many people in this world can only dream of living in such a place where they can voice their opinions and get involved.
And to the old bloke who cranks about paying *so* much money in taxes. Don't forget where you came from. Be happy you had those opportunities and share them with others who aren’t as fortunate.
We're never going to rise up and be the best unless we all give it our best shot. THAT is Obama's message. And what was McCain’s? Vote for me or you’ll die? Take some ownership in your country – in your life!
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. As long as you continue your petty grievances, bigotry, and pessimism we will never thrive. You are your own worst enemy. This is a time to feel empowered. We are coming off 8 years of embarrassment and economic turmoil. Now is OUR chance to make things right.
I'm not a bitter poster. I passed bitter a long time ago. The media is to blame for this sham of an election. The stupid people listened to the media and voted an idiot that sounds more like Porky Pig than a college graduate. I no longer desire to work for the media because of their unbiased liberal crap they spewed on the airwaves and in newspapers. The only REAL media is TALK RADIO who will probably get censored because the DEM's claim they are not fair. They are more unbiased than any journalist in any of the fifty states. If you want to support a con man by all means be my guest but do it on your own time. The citizens of this Great Country keep you in business so why not act like a real journaslt and work for the people.
All we learned tonight is that we are TRULY A DIVIDED NATION. For those of you celebrating, do you really think Obama's policies are the answer for economic growth and global diplomacy? If you do, then you need to take the class "intro. to economics 101." And don't point to the current economic crisis triggered by the mortgage blunder b/c it was the dems. that pushed for much of the legislation that got us in this mess. Do your homework.
PUMAS, PUMAS, PUMAS? Where are you? Come out and congratulate your President. This is historical.
Craig: The whole world wanted us to vote for Obama. Check the Economists mock election. If the rest of the world was voting alongside us then it would have been much more of a landslide than it was.
Check your facts next time you post, or you're going to sound like an idiot again.
I did not vote for Obama, not because of his skin color, but because I believe john McCain was better qualified. That being said, Obama will be our president and i will give him (the office) the respect it deserves. this is in sharp contrast to what we have seen for President Bush from the DEMs. Also, when Obama as President, he is open game for criticism. Criticism is not "racism".
"Change has come to America" sounds suspiciously like Reagan's "It's morning in America"...
And also, with all due respect, President-elect Obama is biracial. So shouldn't he be the first biracial president, not the first African-American president?
I'm half-Italian, and I would not be comfortable if people referred to me as the first Italian president, it just doesn't fully define who I am ethnically.
As a true Independent voter (Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Kerry, McCain), I am absolutely perplexed how an empty suit that was never vetted by the major media outlets, which were in his back pocket, can rise to the most powerful position in the world based on empty rhetoric. It actually fills me with absolute sadness for the country that I truly love. For the first time in my life, I watched the media hold back information over the course of almost two years, because they were so unabashedly vested in a certain candidate.
With all three branches controlled by the same party, I can see so many entitlement programs coming right down the pike. Whatever happened to hard work and self-reliance to move one's station in life? As a father, how do I ask to my child that to work hard only to see the fruits of his labor given to people that do not share his work ethic? To all you people that share the president-elect's view that you build the economy from the bottom up --- when was the last time low income people owned businesses that offered employment to people.
Without a doubt, today was the day that democracy died in the greatest nation ever created.
You fools! As you stare adoringly at your messiah, you will learn only at the end that you have been misled. Aldrich Ames will look like a walk in the park by the time this is done. This is the single largest mistake in the history of the United States. You have dooomed yourselves and your neighbors in your pious elitist guilt ridden desire to elect this man. Idiots!
DB:
First off, "due" (In that context) "terrist"" "goverment" I have two words for you: SPELL CHECKER!!! Second: We have met the opposition and they are really a sad lot!
Third: "Why is it that if you have connections with such (terrorist- correct spelling) groups................" You really have been listiening to way to much of your own propaganda or drinking to much of the funky Kool-Aid. Fourth: Obama has been the president-elect for what, two hours. How about at least let him get innugurated before you start ranting, about subjects for which you quite obviously know little about? Fifth "What has he done (Deval Patrick) for the state but spend money and line his own pockets, not a damn thing." What perverted nightmarish fantasy are you dreaming about?? Deval Patrick has done more in 22 months than 4 Republican Governors did in 16 years. The lot of them (With some modicum of exception for for Jane Swift, who was just plain old incompetent and Bill Weld) were/are intellectually bankrupt and morally corrupt. They screwed up just about everything they touched, chief among that was the Big Dig, the entire construction with the finagling, cost overruns, fraud, corruption, negligent death of an innocent, ALL happened under their collective administrations. And all the while claiming how competent, professional and businesslike they kept trying to convince us they were. Patrick is cleaning up state government, repairing the sadly deteriorating infastructure, bringing in new jobs- thousands to date. And making a herculean effort to balance the state budget, without employing slash and burn tactics to the upcoming fiscal year.
Marcy: Since when does "Democrat," especially one percieved as a liberal automatically equal free wheeling spending?? Same comments to you- How about at least let him (Obama) get innugurated before you start ranting, about subjects for which you quite obviously know little about?
By the way:
It was "Liberals" who pulled this country out of the depression.
It was "Liberals" who stopped WWII fascism and Japanese imperialism.
It was "Liberals" who integrated the armed forces.
It was "Liberals" who introduced the first single payor national health care insurance initiative (in 1948)
It was "Liberals" who passed the civil rights bills and voting rights act.
It was "Liberals" who pushed for equal rights for women.
It was "Liberals" who shut down RIchard Nixon's shenanigans
It was "Liberals" who brought the Vietnam war to an end.
Obama's victory is historic and meaningful since it is linked up with the total liberation of African-Americans, America and the world as a whole.
Obama inspires historic victory and I am proud to withness this moment.
Congratulations President -Elect Barack Obama
Wake up world! This is just unbelievable! Why don't you all check check out who America's new guy really is. Whoever is reading this knows how to google. Google him and all the craziness and lies and think again America. Check out his last visit to Kenya. Philip Berg has some very interesting shocking truths too. For truths sake do yourselves a favor and open up your minds to the shocking reality of who this man really is.
RIP USA
I am not a supporter of Obama. But. given that he has won, I will guess I will have to force myself to accept the govt check to pay off my mortgage and the tax credit to buy my new car. Gotta look on the bright side here. Things have been getting worse for the middle class for years. At least now, I will have a paid of mortgage and a new car! As for the national debt etc... The middle class wont even exist in 50 years. The poor will be on govt programs and the rich will be, well rich. No worries.... Just kidding by the way. We have to be able to laugh at ourselves some times.
Kekaw,
Who cares what the rest of the world wanted??? Do you think they worry about who we want them to elect. lol. Our presidential election is about who WE think is best to lead our country, not what appeases the rest of the world. In times such as these, i honestly think experience and strength outweigh blowing smoke about Hope.
Congratulation US ! By this election your country has won more than just a president, You have put US back on the map as a positive leading country for the rest of the world, as it used to be. By electing the obvious most intelligent, bright and creative person as your new president, - without looking at superficial views as colour of the skin, - you have gained the respect from the rest of the world. This happening certainly gives new hope, energy and optimism. However, what is wrong about a little liberal sosialism? In Norway we have been moving forward for two generations in a positive liberal socialistic society. A little more regulations fromthe governments of US might have avoided the economical crisis we have all over the world today.
ahhh, america self-corrects again! and it is good for the world!
McCain was a man who I respected until greed & desperation overcame his integrity; tonight, he turned-away from the win-at-any-cost cynics who dominated his campaign, & returned to being the man who has spent a lifetime serving the County that he loves. Regardless of who we voted for, we all owe him gratitude for the service he has rendered & respect for his unselfish call to begin healing & working together to make this Nation great, once again!
I can understand and empathize with the disappointment that McCain supporters must be feeling right now! However, if the man & his candidacy stood for something that truly made you proud to support, then accept this man's honest, ernest call for unity. The challenges before this Nation are big-enough to need everyone's help in moving forward; who among you will admit to being so small & selfish that you're hoping that Obama (and our Nation) will fail to meet the challenges before us, just so you can continue to feel smug?
I find it really funny that people who post “Obama wants to take my money” are people who don’t have money ……and by the way, LOOK AT THE FACTS, EVERY COLLEGE TOWN AND EVERY UNIVERSITY ENDORSED OBAMA. You know why? Because smart people know how to read and research and are not brainwashed by un-educated people. It is no coincidence. If you have half a brain you voted Obama….THAT SIMPLE. This guy will take the country out of the misery Bush has put it in. I admire him and think he will be a great president....
In this time period when our country is in its worst shape economically, politically, morally, and socially in the last century, people are asking for hope of something better. The economy is failing, we are in unpopular wars in other countries, and America's values are changing. People want “change” and they are seeking a figure that can bring this change. The change to what seems to be the ultimate question that nobody is asking. One figure has emerged from the ashes as a politician from the depths of relative nonexistence, and his popularity will continue to grow exponentially as his promises are accepted and believed by most as the one truth. As his charismatic nature and ability to persuade people progresses, he will convince the world that he is “the path” for change, and other nations will see this person as a worldly figure, and they too will praise him. He will be regarded as a figure that will bring together people of all nations peacefully thus putting an end to nations at war. This figure who has frequently said he will bring change, not only in America, but change for the world has set his sights on the path as the “messiah and deliverer” of peace and change in this world. As people chant his name and idolize his picture, we have propelled this man who now comes bringing world peace (defeat in Iraq) and liberalism (extreme change) into the most powerful position in the world. In this time of instability, both economically and politically, this man has come bringing answers, and his popularity has been compared to that of a “celebrity or rockstar.” This man has received profound popularity among the youth. This man has been elevated onto a pedestal by those who are in charge of spreading messages to the public. His corrupt history has not been criticized, but ignored. This man, who resonates with a philosophy of bringing peace, hope, and change, has shaped himself as the person that can “fix all the problems in the world.” This man, whose message contradicts the values that Jesus Christ promoted including the sanctity of marriage, and the necessity of preserving life consummated from love. This man who is the proposed "messiah" of the world will have 42 months to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority. On this day November 4, 2008, this man became the President of the United States of America, and this man is Barrack Hussein Obama. He has been given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. Not only is America the most diverse ethnically of any other country, but America is the most powerful nation thus making Barack Hussein Obama the most powerful person in the world. With Barack Hussein Obama’s rise to absolute power, he will manage to create one world currency. Mechanisms to allow people to use this currency programmed with computers in their bodies will come to be. This man will then set his sights on world domination, from which his popularity will allow him to make war against the saints and to conquer them. As Nostradamus prophesized that mabus would be the forerunner of and/or the Anti-Christ, this has come to be (Obama + Bush = Mabus). Just as the civilizations of the Mayans predicted that 2012 would be the end of the world, 2012 will be the end of Barack Hussein Obama’s 42 month period of authority. As the bible predicted, a beast coming from a place surrounded by the sea; Hawaii, and a man born of adultery will come to power. This man is Barack Hussein Obama and he is indefinitely the Anti-Christ. Whether you believe this is compelling or not, heed Jesus Christ’s call to follow his path to a “truly better place”, because Jesus Christ was, and is, and is to come, and he was persecuted to wash away your sin. He is the one true messiah, and to idolize anyone except him, is a one way road leading to Eternity in Hell, with none other than Barack Hussein Obama, Satan in human form.
Congratulation from China!
All hail King Obama! We bow to your greatness! All Hail King Obama!
Hats off to America for living up to your promise to honour that Promissory note which Martin Luther King was referring to in his famous "I have a dream speech". Let the agent of change that you rightly be able to deliver his commitments to you as well as to rest of the world.WISHING U OBAMA GOOD LUCK...We all love you...
Diana Ann Isaac
India
Lets give all our money to the Government and let them give us what they think we need! Ya that is what you will see from Obama! Social Programs for all! There is no such thing as a bad tax. We don't need our money the government does. By the way I was not brain wasted by the Dems and Obama. The 49 % of American's will fight him all the way!
I am a 28 year old business owner and i am half fillipino and half irish (all american). And i am happy america finally made there decsion. But i decided not to vote for the first time because i did not like either of the canidates. I thought the election was unfair. this is what happens when race plays more of decsion in a democracy. I dont agree with it. Can we just elect them both. Have McCain control the protection and Obama conduct the economy. (even though Hillary's ideas were better.) Wouldn't that be great. But now i feel like we are unprotected because of our new admin. Well at least i hope our economy improves like he promised. LOL.....did i believe a politician.......But God Bless america, i do agree the rest of the world looks more respectful on us. I hope we still prevail in the times of adversity.
OH MY GOD HE IS SUCH A BARACKSTAR!!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY COUNTRY TO BE RUN BY A SOCIALIST MUSLIM!!!
YEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
A moment to savor made only better by the empty heads still nodding to the beat of the eternal naysayers.....
Independent, you want to know the answer to your question?
First you give your child an education, and you say: look at ther president, he made it from nothing to the top and he did it on his own, he is cool calm collected even under fire. He reflects, he has empathy, he listens.
And, BTW: learn to spell.
even in the heat of battle. He thinks
hi...
greeting from Indonesia..
I'm not quite sure about your economic problem caused by bush..
but I really appreciate of what you all said in this blog..
there will always be two sides of everything.. and many ways of thinking..
but you have to know from the start that whoever wins the election, he will be your president for the next 4 years. and there is no other choice but support him in all aspects.. and now Obama wins.. and he is nothing without you..
he is just the head, but without you as his body, he will never can jump or even walk..
i am not part of your country, but i am part of your world..
be proud, be glad..
it's gonna be your best 4-years you'll ever had..
Welcome to the U.S.S.A....thanks a lot America, for voting a Socilaist into office.
For the first time in my life I am embarrased to be an American. We've traded Patriotism for Socialism. I am a small business owner who worked hard to make it in this country. I did not ask for any handouts. I do not look to the government so "I CAN GET MINE". I got an education that I am still paying for myself. I've never once defaulted on any loan, credit card, mortgage or otherwise. I work hard to be successful, because that IS the American Dream. Free Enterprise.
While, I find it refreshing to have a person of a mixed race in office, I do not agree with his policies. Now I will have to work harder so I can give more money away to the lazy wrabble that live off the system (and that constitutes ALL races and creeds). It didn't work for the Soviet Union, it will not work for the United States. Are people really that uneducated that they don't even know why they voted for him? I have asked several people (blacks, whites, asians, hispanics, etc...) why they chose to vote for him and not one could explain it. One girl said, "Well, he's good lookin'" Seriously?
If you don't understand a candidates policies, their impact, and their views fully and can't explain them back to someone who asks you about them then you really should have no right voting.
I'll keep my religion, my freedom, and my money---YOU CAN KEEP THE CHANGE!
GOD HELP US ALL.
"Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do."
Thought For The Day:
Is it just me or does anyone else think John McCain was talking about something other than his campaign last night when he said, "We've come to the end."?
WOW I mean like really WOW, it feels as if I am living out the Book Of Revelations. I am a black veteran and I feel like throwing up in my mouth. How in the hell a nation as great as America openly vote in a communist, and exactly why are all of the other countries happy. Our president has to fix our problems not theres but that takes me right back to the book of Revelations of how calamity will be bestowed upon the people and there will be a unifier and well I won't even go there.
Anyone paying attention to what Russia just did, OH let me enlighten you, as soon as the election was called. Our new found communist buddies moved in missles into the baltic region as a move directly to flex at America.
This is so sad on many levels,
1st - It was one last slap in the face to vietnam veterans
2nd - (this is only theory if he lives up to his communist leanings) His style of governing will continue to handicap minorities to depend on the government
3rd - the leftist media has officially became a big player and they have a stake in this now
4th - Satire destroyed a woman
Here is the silver lining though, in a way I am glad all of these middle to left republicans are getting flushed out. As a matter of fact I hope all moderate republicans lose and we stage a 1994, and the first thing we as conservatives should do is take back our schools. Half of these idiots don't even know what communism is. But hey y'all dude got elected and all should be well and jolly
This is so exciting!!! I can't wait until Obama takes money from all those snobby people in the upper class and gives it to me! Who would have thought that the American Dream would actually mean that other people would do all the working while the lazy people like me do the reaping? What a great concept! While he's at it, I think Obama should go ahead and just rename this country. I think "The Socialist Republic of North America" sounds good. We could take out the blue and white and just have a red flag. With all the babies that will be dying soon, red will be a good solid color to represent our country's values.
Wow, I'm so shocked at all of the negative comments still spewing in here. Liberal media fixed the election??? Get off it!
Obama is a true African-American. His father is African, his mother is American. That makes him AN AFRICAN AMERICAN.
All the white folks out there have no idea how much they had to suffer and go through to get to this point. We should be proud of our country.
If you don't like the way things are run, go do something about it. Don't whine in here and make childish, racist remarks. Our country will only go to shit if we let it. And for the last 8 years we just bent over and took it. Now it's our time to take back what is ours.
the election is over,the results are known, the will of the people has clearly been shown! let's all get togather and show by our deeds that we will give obama all the backing he needs!
lets all get togather and let bitterness pass, i'll hug your elephant and you can kiss my ass!
OBAMA = MABUS
Its amazing how some republicans seem so filled with hate even now after Obama has won. How can anyone listen to Obama speak and then write the crap that is being posted here. After a long long time especially after putting the moron George Bush back in office the USA has got the respect of the world. Come to think of it many of the Obama haters here seem to display the same moronic charactersiitcs of Bush.
I don't want to downplay the race thing -- if we can elect a black president we've certainly come a loooooooooong way from defining black people as only three-fifths human -- but if I were Obama I'd be getting a bit irritated by now. I didn't vote for him because he's black (and by the way, if he has one white parent, can't he be white if he wants to be?), I voted for him because I thought he would make a better president than McCain. The man isn't going to govern with his skin, for God's sake!
I am a very happy women this day. I awoke yesterday filled with hope for America and proud to be able to live in a country where i can vote, and i voted for Obama
with confidence that he is the one who can mend our country at home and abroad. I am now so very proud of America that they voted voted him to be our
President. Have not been this happy or hopeful since President Kennedy. Am
looking forward to seeing him and his beautiful family in the White House. Am
thankful that he heard the call, answered, and ran. I will pray for him and his
family, for he has taken on a job that I have no idea why anyone would want!
I am , today, proud to an American. Sincerly, Geraldine Hoyt
Is it me, or whenever you heard Obama talk, you just felt this surge of energy of american pride... my grandfather said he hasn't felt this kind of energy since FDR was president. i predict an turning point in american history and dare i say, global peace? God speed Obama
P.S. McCain I'll give you your props. You fought hard in a time where Republicans weren't very popular. I didn't like your campaign, but your conceding speech was good.