History is here and his name is President Barack Obama!!!!!

[kaiser soze]

Congratulations to President Obama, The Democratic Party, and all who believe!

It was a messy battle at times, you lost your dear grandmother, you have overcome racism, bigotry, and hate, you fought against all odds, you have educated, represented, and now you have the chance to lead this country out of the dark. Do not lose focus for your followers, opponents, allies, and enemies will be watching you closely. Overcome boundaries that should have been abolished decades ago and bring the Change you have so solemnly promised to bring.

High Five!

[Burnout18]

*gives high five back*

[brmanuk]

Change is here!

[ms.peachy]

WOOT WOOT WOOOOOOOT

[King PSYZ]

I have never been happier about a presidential outcome. Do you know the joy that fills my heart that an honorable man just was named president and that the land my family helped colonize (I'm related to the Deacon of the Mayflower, Samuel Chapin SR.) was able to look past just skin tone and name the better man to office.

[kaiser soze]

Ya know.....honestly this man handled his campaign with amazing composure and respect. Yes he took little stabs, but for the most part...he didn't want a fight he just wanted to get the word out. He showed great respect to mccain and palin and the results show it.

[rirv]

Has there ever been such genuine joy, relief and happiness AROUND THE WORLD at the outcome of a Presidential election? They just showed pictures from Kenya of a large crowd of people cheering, singing, waving chairs in the air. America should be proud that their image around the world has instantly changed for the better. Of course it remains to be seen how his stay in the White House will pan out, but for now it's celebration.

I hope McCain supporters will try and accept Obama and judge him on his merits as a President rather than continuing to snipe and dig. (McCain is speaking right now and the crowd is booing at his mentions of Obama, not a good start.)

Anyway, time for bed.

[kaiser soze]

Obama said it best...

"Don't Boo....Just Vote!"

mccain's support just boos (n)

[rirv]

McCain's speech is very good.

[jennyb]

*sheds tears of joy like a little baby*

:o

[kaiser soze]

he should do what any self-respecting 72 year old POW who has battled cancer

retire and enjoy life

[Burnout18]

i cannot believe obama did it.

[ms.peachy]

*sheds tears of joy like a little baby*

:o

Me too, I keep finding myself sniffling and wiping my face

[Documad]

*sheds tears of joy like a little baby*

:o

I've been sobbing off and on all night.

[Bob]

you know what one of my many favorite parts about this is?

throughout the primaries and the general elections, he's had to put up with such dirty fucking campaigns, it was just attack after attack after attack and, with exception, he remained a gentleman about it, he kept his campaign admirably clean. and throughout it all, everyone was like "obama's gotta take the gloves off, you just can't win if you don't fight dirty, that's just how it works"

well, he didn't fight dirty, and he fucking crushed mccain. 338 electoral votes (over the required 270) and all the states aren't even in yet. i really hope that sends a message to future campaigns.

[ms.peachy]

Look at that gorgeous family.

[Bob]

i also can't tell you how much i'm looking forward to having a president come on tv without a sense of dread about what he's going to say or do. a president i can actually like! how awesome is that going to be?

[kaiser soze]

That Speech was Unbelievable!!!!

I have perpetual wet eye and the chills

I loved the cheering for mccain.....wow

[hellojello]

I even got a little teary watching the speech.
He is inspirational.

[beastieboysbaby]

i cried tears of joy !!!!!!!!!! im so happy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (y) this is the most exciting thing in my life EVER.

[beastieboysbaby]

That Speech was Unbelievable!!!!

I have perpetual wet eye and the chills

I loved the cheering for mccain.....wow

he is an awesome speech giver....whoo hoo !!

&& yeah, that little cheer was great. :rolleyes:

[jennyb]

This was always important to me but... at this moment I feel it's been more important to me than I've actually realized. I'm seriously ferclempt! Wow.

[kaiser soze]

Need a rerun of victory?

Here's his speech

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/obama-victory-speech_n_141194.html

[Dorothy Wood]

oh man, so many hugs and tears tonight. just beautiful.

[Bob]

a bunch of people (college kids mostly) just marched down the street chanting "USA! USA! USA!"

when's the last time you've heard a bunch of "campus fuckfaces" do that outside of a sporting event? they're not even flipping cars!

it's really only just now beginning to dawn on me now how awesome this is. people might actually like us again! how nice would that be?

[kaiser soze]

"The true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth but from the enduring power of our ideals...Democracy, Liberty, Opportunity, and Unyielding Hope! That is the true Genius of America."

Barack Obama - 11/4/08

[QueenAdrock]

I'm thinking of going back home for inauguration now....

I'm so, so proud of America today. For all those people who said that America could never elect a black man and how the "Democrats blew it" by putting him on the ticket...you. were. wrong. :)(y)

[roosta]

what the hell is Olbermann gonna do now?

Im gonna miss his rage.

[Schmeltz]

As a Canadian currently living in Australia I feel kind of foolish sitting here at my laptop in a little pub with this big stupid smile on my face... but I just can't make it go away. I came of age in the first horrific and depressing moments of Republican triumphalism and have spent much of my young manhood aghast at the deteriorating condition of our world as its only superpower lurched from disaster to disaster, as the leading light of the Western world grew dim, guttering in the winds of bankrupt ideology. And now finally those malignant years are over, and we as a global people can dare to hope again.

It's just the first step. The damage done to the USA and the world at large through the past eight years of bungling Republican missteps and misrule will leave a lasting legacy, one that President Obama (wow is it wonderful to type and say those words!) will have to work like Hercules to undo. But for now, after all the naysaying and ignorance and steadfast Republican obliviousness, the chickens are finally home to roost.

Thank you, America. Thank you for staying in the fight. (y)

[mikizee]

You live in Australia?

Which city man?

[D_Raay]

Weeping has been commonplace here in my town as well as throngs of UMW students parade through the streets chanting "yes we can".

I'm at a loss. I just watched his speech and I am truly awed by this man. I am also awed that we have reached such a monumental point in our history. As he said himself, this country has a way of changing itself for the better and navigating itself out of the dark.

I was sitting here watching my love, who is not very political, weep and I was filled with hope, as corny as that sounds. But you know what? Screw corny.

President Obama!

[Schmeltz]

@mikizee:

Brisbane at the moment. I was in Sydney for eight days and then took off here, got here yesterday. I might hit Perth next, I'm trying to pick a city to settle down in for the next few months or so.

Q: Which days does the sun shine in this country? Because I've been here for ten and I've only really seen it once. :(

[DroppinScience]

Man, I really really wanted this to happen. I had actually been forecasting it as early as his 2004 DNC speech. Especially when he won his Senate seat by a HUGE margin (80%), I thought to myself that this is a man who must run for President ASAP. I didn't know for sure whether he'd try for 2008 (I may have wagered more towards 2012 at that time), but I was delighted when he got into the race when he did. I remember SO MANY people would just think about the possibility of Obama being president and saying this could not happen. In fact, I remember some saying on this board (more out of a sense of dread than wishing to actually be right) that he'd only win 4 electoral votes in the general election, that America was still too racist to even think about electing a black man. I steadfastly refused to believe any of that perhaps to the point of mass self-delusion. I refused to believe that he would not be elected president. Somehow, in this 2-year marathon, Obama did everything right and pulled the impossible.

And now we've reached this night where not only is he elected, but in the electoral college, it's a complete blowout (338 and could possibly be even higher once the remaining 4 states are decided). Even the popular vote is impressive (52% to 47%!). In the run-up to the election, I kept telling myself he'd just need rocky mountain states (CO, NM, NV) to win and he could lose everything else and still win. This was my minimal worst-case scenario thought. I couldn't be happier to find out that I was dead wrong. I nearly flipped when it was announced that he took Ohio. I couldn't believe it.

There is so much great potential for good things to come out of Obama's victory. There is a shit ton of work to do and world opinion of the US is going to improve immeasurably. I know some Americans don't care for foreigners weighing in on U.S. politics, but now more than ever this was a global campaign and you can't underestimate how much impact this election will have on the rest of the world. I know Obama gets compared to JFK and there is some merit to that, but moreso I want him to become the next FDR. I really want a return to New Deal-era politics and the end of disastrous neo-conservatism.

There's a good possibility Diana and I (among others) could see Obama at his inauguration. I know that would be amazing to see! (y)

America now officially equals kick-ass. :D

[DroppinScience]

I would like to add one more thing about the election.

Just as Barack Obama gave one of the all-time greatest victory speeches in political history, I believe John McCain's concession speech was also among its finest. I know I (and scores of others) have been immensely ferocious about McCain's campaign. He was the wrong man for this time and his policies would be disastrous... but I re-gained a huge amount of respect for McCain and his concession speech. I know he was crushed by the loss, but he couldn't have handled it any more gracefully. He signaled a man who was willing to let bygones be bygones and indicated a desire to work together with Obama in making America great again. It was exactly the call to unity that is necessary for the U.S. to move forward and I give him full credit for that.

I've never felt more optimistic about what the future can hold...

[Schmeltz]

now more than ever this was a global campaign and you can't underestimate how much impact this election will have on the rest of the world.

You best believe it. I have to be forgiven for eavesdropping, but even in a little pub in Brisbane the young couple seated next to me, the four college-age women at the bar, and the two old guys in the corner by the pisser are all talking about one and the same thing. And when I Facebook on over back to Canada, what are each and every one of my friends talking about, no matter which side they supported? What else?

I think you're also spot on about McCain's election speech. If the higher-ups in the Republican party have any brains left to them at all after the very sound drubbing they have just received, they will adopt a similarly conciliatory tone and abandon the vicious, uncompromising, partisan rhetoric that may be one of the Bushies' most ugly gifts to the past and future. People just aren't buying it anymore, it seems.

[Ali]

I don't mean to pour cold water on all these good feelings and I'm really very happy about the outcome (if McCaine had won, I think the Rodney King riots would have paled by comparison), but hasn't the country been more or less controlled by the Democrats since they gained a majority in the Senate?

What difference does a change at the White House make? You can't just pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan and the economic crisis was caused by Greenspan fucking with the interest rates back in 2001.

At least Obama acknowledged this in his speech, where he said it may take a year, or even a full term to sort things out... I'd say at least a term, maybe two.

It's a start, but by no means are our troubles over (and I mean 'our' as we all catch a cold when the US sneezes).

Edit: I must say that I thought McCaine's speech was graceful and I hope the people who boo-ed when he mentioned Senator Obama roll their pickup on the way home (but don't get hurt, of course).

[yeahwho]

The dogs on Main Street howl
'cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands



Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

[Documad]

I am just delighted and I'm not trying hard not to post any negative stuff right away. Obama is smart to say that we have gigantic problems and this doesn't change them. He's smart to send emails to all of us supporters saying that now we have to work. He's got a lot of work to do and he is a smart guy so he knows that he has to avoid becoming Jimmy Carter. I think that picking Biden as a running mate was a sign that he knows that. Now they have to fight Nancy Pelosi and that could be harder than fighting McCain.

The good news was tempered for me by the fact that things went badly for the democrats in my state last night. I'm also super bummed by Prop 8 passing in CA. So forgive my negativity.

It's a big night and a great result, but the fact that Obama won doesn't mean that the country fundamentally changed. People in this country still voted resoundingly in favor of discrimination against gay people. Many of the people who voted in favor of discrimination against gay people are minorities themselves.

BTW-- I can't say that a victory for the democrats has a significant meaning last night unless I admit that a victory for Bush four years ago had significant meaning. But I'm absolutely delighted and the number of electoral votes is awesome. Then I look at that map and see all that red--I see that huge chunks of the country voted for McCain even though he ran a horrible campaign and pandered to the worst of our human nature. We're still divided, but I think that Obama can do so much. He won't treat it as a mandate. He will reach across the aisle. I believe that he's more conservative than his fans think and I hope that he is. If he can weather the economic crisis and get a handle on the two wars, he would be our best chance for overhauling the entitlement programs for instance. I doubt that he can do that soon though--I can't see the house democrats cooperating.

All of us who voted for Obama have to be careful. We can celebrate but we shouldn't be assholes about it. The country still voted nearly 50/50. I don't want to be on the losing end of the split in four years.

[yeahwho]

McCain created a campaign that ended with a rather large contigent of supporters actually booing and hissing as he congratulated Obama during his concession speech. He seemed embarrassed by this... this type of bitterness and divisiveness his campaign cultivated the past half of year.

While in Chicago McCain's name drew cheers.

What a contrast.

[Whatitis]

Congradulations to Obama. I think this is a great thing to happen for the America people. I saw an interview this morning with a man(african american) and he was in tears talking about how he was swelled up with pride and seeing Obama win wanted to make him create a better life for him, his family and his brothers. It was a fresh take in this whole election that I appreciated.

[saz]

this really was a phenomenal event for america, black americans and all minorities. now any child, regardless of race, can grow up thinking that they could become president. i'm so thrilled i got to witness it. (y)

roosta: i'm sure olbermann will be keeping an eye on obama, the dem senate and house. he did blast the dems before in a special comment for bowing to bush and voting to continue to fund the iraq occupation, and obama did make the worst person in the world list a month or so back. (plus, you can always count on democracynow (http://www.democracynow.org/) to hold both the repub's and dem's feet to the fire).

[AceFace]

click here for a neat free bumper sticker!

http://democracyforamerica.com/activities/113

[BBboy20]

McCain created a campaign that ended with a rather large contigent of supporters actually booing and hissing as he congratulated Obama during his concession speech. He seemed embarrassed by this... this type of bitterness and divisiveness his campaign cultivated the past half of year.Gaining brownie points a little too late. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/mccain-concession-speech_n_141196.html)

[Randetica]

*laughs at racists* hahahahahaha!



i was up till 3:30am to watch this but i only made it trough half of the states cause i had to get up early, it was really tough as hell to turn off the tv but the first thing i did after waking up was to check who won and turns out the winner did win!

[roosta]

Now they have to fight Nancy Pelosi and that could be harder than fighting McCain.

But she's a democrat.. :confused:


roosta: i'm sure olbermann will be keeping an eye on obama, the dem senate and house. he did blast the dems before in a special comment for bowing to bush and voting to continue to fund the iraq occupation, and obama did make the worst person in the world list a month or so back. (plus, you can always count on democracynow (http://www.democracynow.org/) to hold both the repub's and dem's feet to the fire).

This is true..plus he blasted Obama for voting for that phone tap thingy if memory serves me correctly.

[Tone Capone]

(y):D

[afronaut]

The moment they announced his victory melted away all cynicism I may have had. This is historical for so many reasons. An entire generation of voters have been energized and given some faith like never before. I'm going to be optimistic and hopeful for as long as I can.

[mikizee]

@mikizee:

Brisbane at the moment. I was in Sydney for eight days and then took off here, got here yesterday. I might hit Perth next, I'm trying to pick a city to settle down in for the next few months or so.

Q: Which days does the sun shine in this country? Because I've been here for ten and I've only really seen it once. :(

Sydney always has shit weather. Brisbane should be a bit better for ya.

Perth is a nice city, plenty of sunshine there! Did you know Perth is the most isolated major city on the planet?

The logical progression is to hit Adelaide after Perth> we've got great weather at the moment.

Lemme know if you're heading over here and I'll help out with anything you need.

[Ali]

McCain created a campaign that ended with a rather large contigent of supporters actually booing and hissing as he congratulated Obama during his concession speech. He seemed embarrassed by this... this type of bitterness and divisiveness his campaign cultivated the past half of year.

While in Chicago McCain's name drew cheers.

What a contrast.Good for Obama that he never sank to that level.

He didn't have to, I guess.

[100% ILL]

Congratulations President Obama, and to all of you who voted for him. Democracy is a wonderful thing.

Though the candidate I voted for did not win, I am still pleased. "We The People" have spoken, and I would not have it any other way.




Ronald Reagan


"Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: 'We the people.' 'We the people' tell the government what to do, it doesn't tell us. 'We the people' are the driver, the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which 'We the people' tell the government what it is allowed to do. 'We the people' are free.

[kaiser soze]

Video of celebrations everywhere

I love how so many different places broke out into a spontaneous Star Spangled Banner.

http://www.obama-mamas.com/election-videos.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52xyfHK8dM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAyTxQHnJwc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Poa7jt03o&feature=related

[Matt]

McCain created a campaign that ended with a rather large contigent of supporters actually booing and hissing as he congratulated Obama during his concession speech. He seemed embarrassed by this... this type of bitterness and divisiveness his campaign cultivated the past half of year.

While in Chicago McCain's name drew cheers.

What a contrast.

It draws parallels. McCain's camp ran a pretty negative campaign, a violent mess of negativity. I'm surprised it never ran into blatant racism, though the seeds were there. Obama's campaign drew on little negativity, instead focusing on a positive note, sometimes praising his opponent then saying "we can do even better". Obama's campaign made me feel better about the human race again, and I'm a pretty hardened nihilist.

Anyway, I'm happy that That One won.

[kaiser soze]

It's a new day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHWByjoQrR8

[ms.peachy]

Ha that's awesome, I just watched it 4 times in a row because my little girl is sitting next me and she kept saying "again mummy!" and bouncing up and down on the couch singing "new day, new day".

She really loves seeing pictures of the Obama family, for some reason. When she sees one of the photos from Tues night when they all came out on stage, she shrieks and yells "it's the big girls with daddy and mommy!" like it's a revelation. Every time.

[jennyb]

oh great there goes my tear ducts again

[mathcart]

It's a new day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHWByjoQrR8

wow.
That's pretty impressive for 3 days later! Against my better judgment I really think I like will.i.am, that song (and video) were pretty dead on in giving voice to the feeling of the moment. I'm impressed.
(y)

[Matt]

wow.
That's pretty impressive for 3 days later! Against my better judgment I really think I like will.i.am, that song (and video) were pretty dead on in giving voice to the feeling of the moment. I'm impressed.
(y)

What was impressive was South Park doing their episode the next day.

Good song, though.

[kaiser soze]

What was impressive was South Park doing their episode the next day.

Good song, though.

That got a whoa out of me as well

I wonder if there is a secret alternate episode?

[Burnout18]

That got a whoa out of me as well

I wonder if there is a secret alternate episode?

I think I read that the guys on south park pull an all nighter every tuesday night night, finishing the next day's episode..... It has to be sent to New York by like ten PM EST... They wait to the last minute every week, which is why sometimes it seems like they are covering the previous day's topics as opposed to the previous week's or month's.