Barack Obama is the President elect of the United States of America. As Mara Liasson said on NPR tonight, Obama “didn’t just pick the lock of the Electoral College, he kicked the door down.” Obama won by an unprecedented margin, bolstered by a huge turnout of younger voters and first time voters. His staffers and volunteers waged an incredible campaign with clear, on-point, well-designed messages that were immediately accessible over the Internet. Obama supporters were on Facebook, Youtube, Flickr, Myspace, twitter, texting and blogging to get the message out. They worked tirelessly to ensure that their candidate was elected – and they were triumphant.
Early this morning my time, I watched Obama’s acceptance speech as I sat there crying, thinking about this moment in history and hoping that this great man, this powerful speaker, can help lead the most powerful nation in the world toward a better tomorrow. He was honest about the fact that it will be difficult to accomplish his goals in one term, and said it would be an uphill battle. He also said that we can do it together, as a nation, and as hardworking people who care about our future and our children’s future. For those who did not support his candidacy, he said he hears you and he hopes to work with you on behalf of America and our shared interests.
It is uplifting, emotional, and so heartening to be here at this place in history. There is a lot of work ahead for Obama, for his chosen cabinet, for Congress, and for all of us. But with this election we have shown that we care deeply about the future of our nation and the world, and that we will do our best to ensure that it is led in a direction that is best for all of us. Thank you Obama, thank you volunteers and thank you to everyone that voted and cared.
Update: Here’s are links to the Huffington Post to photos of people celebrating throughout the US and around the world.
Here are videos from YouTube of people celebrating in the streets.
Union Square:
Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA:
Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC:
Obama is shown speaking at a rally in Florida on 10/29/08. Elated supporters are shown at the DNC headquarters in Washington on 11/5/08 and there are also some scenes from Times Square. Credit: WENN
Wow. Now THAT’S what I call a speech.
They had to shut down a street in San Francisco for all the people Shouting
U-S-A!
I have never seen one person make so many so happy.
im going to bed and hoping hoping HOPING that californians didnt vote to write discrimination into our constitution today.
NO ON 8.
I am thrilled by the overwhelming win for Obama. Just thrilled! I cried as I watched it happen on tv tonight. This is a new chapter for us and the world.
Can i say this is why i love this country?I live away from the Us but i love this country and its people.Everybody says easy words against the Us,how racism exists and how the Us is years back and so on.Yet this country this people ALWAYS makes steps ahead showing the world what great things can do.I was all for Hillary,still am.I still believe he wont be able to live up to expectations.But take that rest of the world.Us people this great people with such a young history ,again has made History.Welldone.I love this country,never stop to inspiring me.We are all Americans today.By the way even here in Greece,where we are heavily religious,have accepted the “gay mariage”its called actually a legal agreement here,in order same sex couples to have the same rights as straight couples.The church which is very strong here was heavily opposed,but since nothing is being done inside a churchy they couldnt stop it.So iam realy suprised that Prop 8 will pass in Cali.
I had tears in my eyes too. This is the single most defining moment of this century. From here we can move on. YES WE CAN. I know it is a dream but at least we can dream.Before, even dreamaing was no more.
There are just not words to describe how I feel. No words to say I proud I am. I just cried and was so proud of that this could and did happen. It is a step into a new day. New possibilities and joy. I just want to say Go USA.
I sat in front of the tv watching CNN for not less than 5 hours, since the polls started closing and till I couldnt take anymore and fell asleep at 3 am (CET, I live in Europe and am not american)! Woke up few hours later after with final results (and wasn´t all that surprised as the projections were already pointing out to Obama), still I was invaded by this feeling that something BIG and GREAT was happening, something I´ve never seen or experienced before(again am not even american!!!)and THAT had nothing to do with the fact that Obama is now the first black american president elected, which is good, but there is much more to him than just the racial groundbreaking character!
OBAMA stands for something bigger than himself or his color, or even his country or the much awaited CHANGE that we(THE WORLD)have been longing for …he stands for HOPE(not FEAR), that we regardless of race, nationality or beliefs, we can fight and stand together for a greater cause!
A great vicotry not just for Obama, but for the people and democracy!
God bless America!
Hi!! I’m spanish and I’ve never been in the U.S.A. but I’m glad Obama is your new president. Well, it’s true that here in european countries we don’t have such a good image of you americans, but it’s also true that you still have to learn a loooooot about us. Let’s say we’re happy for you, and I hope this “change” Obama promised will happen (really, you need a change)
Love from Spain!!!
I started watching the coverage at 10pm EST. It was a monumental moment in history, particularly the crowd outside the White House. Is was as though Americans were literally taking their country back. The symbolism of the grassroots gathering via text wasn’t lost on me.
“There’s something happening here…”
For the first time, I am proud that my country did the right thing! Change is what we need and we need it now! This is the beginning of a new era not only for Americans but for all people. To see all races come together to celebrate this great victory brought tears to my eyes! Let’s put race behind us and come together as one!
OBAMA/BIDEN ’08
I was also crying, because this country is about to go down the toilet. Style has won over substance. Hope doesn’t run a nation.
AMAZING! I DON’T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY!THE TIME HAS COME AND NOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD TO A BETTER TOMORROW!
MAY GOD BLESS ALL!
It is a good day today. Obama rocks!
So happy. HUZZAH!!!
Obama won a decisive victory because of women, African-Americans, the under-30, and Hispanics. He shifted the paradigm of holding our breath and counting on the white men to turn out.
God Bless America.
I went to bed happy and this morning, still have the shivers. Love the videos.
I live in Geneva Switzerland and was at the Dems abroad party. There were Americans, Europeans,Asians,Africans and Middle Easterners all hoping for the same outcome. We laughed and cried embraced and shouted. What a beautiful thing.
We did’nt chose style over substance we chose hope over fear. Intellect over ignorance. And acceptance over racism.
I have’nt been a proud American for a very long time and tonight I am bursting.
Well done.
Remember Obama needs all of us to pitch in tohelp restore the light of our beautiful nation.
Take care
Peace and warm fuzzies