Obama Wins
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.
The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.
A huge crowd in Grant Park in Chicago erupted in jubilation at the news of Obama's victory. Some wept.
McCain called to concede defeat — and the end of his own 10-year quest for the White House.
Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, will take their oaths of office as president and vice president on Jan. 20, 2009.
As the 44th president, Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.
The popular vote was close, but not the count in the Electoral College, where it mattered most.
There, Obama's audacious decision to contest McCain in states that hadn't gone Democratic in years paid rich dividends.
Obama has said his first order of presidential business will be to tackle the economy. He has also pledged to withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months.
Fellow Democrats rode his coattails to larger majorities in both houses of Congress. They defeated incumbent Republicans and won open seats by turn.
kelly (anonymous) says...
Yes today america made history and we as American's should be proud that we have come to the point where we can have a person of color us our President, but it is going to be a very long a hard next 4 years as Obama's true intentions come out. It is sad though that the population did not listen to what he is wanting to do, and who he truely is. He has to many friends that are of very shady character and that scares me. I do believe that this election was based on race instead of what is best for our great country. God Bless this great country.
November 4, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Time4Change (anonymous) says...
With more support for education, healthcare, and other issues that touch those of us right here in the heartland, I think we are ready for a much awaited change! In Obama's words "The destiny of all Americans is inextricably linked." We must work together as a society and "be the change we wish to see in the world. (Ghandi)"
Besides, if all of us were judged by friends we once had or even the worst of our relatives--wow! What a nation it would be!
November 4, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
Kelly-
It bothers me that you believe this election was based purely on race. If McCain had won, would it had been because he had a female running mate?
The truth is, American's did listen to what Obama proposed. Yes, with African Americans there may have been a little racial bias there. No different than the people who voted for McCain/Palin because he is a vet, or she is a woman.
Do not judge a man by whom he is friends with. That is not a very good judge of character. I have "shady" friends, people who do drugs, drink, or what have you. But the fact remains, I personally am a good hearted person, a good mother and wife, and a supportive friend. My friends do not make me who I am, just as Obama's do not make him who he is.
Fact is, America spoke tonight. The People listened to both sides, and made their choices, as they have the right to do. I feel privileged to be a part of this great nation, one that exercises their rights, one that stands together in hard times, one that does the best it can. We made history tonight, and I feel blessed that I not only got to witness it, but be a part of it.
November 4, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kelly (anonymous) says...
Yes we did make history tonight,and that is a great great thing. Everyone should be proud to be a part of this markin history. I did not vote for him but I am proud for him. He has over come alot. By Obama being elected it means that America has changed.
WhenI speak of shady characters I am not talking about Drinking drugs and what not. Look at his Rev, and all horrible things he said about this country, look at Ayers. There is a difference a huge difference their. I hope and pray that he will do good by this country, but at the same time it does scare me.
I am a hard working single parent. I have worked 80 hrs a week while going to school full time to make ends meet. I have lived off bread so my child had food. Yet i never quilfied for assistance because I wasno poor enough. I have saved my money, spent it wisely, invested what I can. He can not keep the line strait on what income level he is going to raise tax's. I do not believe that someone working at McD's should make the same income as a teacher, nor do I believe that a teacher should make the same income as a Dr. The way that obama has been talking that is what he wants to do. I have worked my tail off to be where I am now. I started at the very bottom and am working my why up. I have no problem helping someone get on their feet, but I do have a problem helping those who just want the hand out.
November 4, 2008 at 11:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
Kelly- You are entitled to be scared. However, please check out all the facts...
Here is a link about the taxes: http://www.barackobama.com/taxes/
No where did I ever hear of someone working at McD's earning the same as a teacher, or a doctor. My understanding is this, and please correct me if I am wrong...
Obama said he wants to "spread the wealth", a comment which I believe was taken completely out of context. He has seen how American families are struggling, struggling to pay even the simplest of things like the light bill, put food on the table, or even have the gas to get to a doctor's appointment. His idea of spreading the wealth is to offer tax breaks to lower income families, to allow them the extra funds to pay for necessities. He wants to help the "little guy".
Fact of the matter is, if you earn less than $250,000 a year as a family, or $200,000 a year as a single person, you have nothing to worry about. If anything, you will receive more money in your pocket, because you fall under those guidelines. There are very few jobs in our area where we will ever see that kind of money, unless you ARE a doctor, lawyer, etc.
I commend you on working your way through school, and making a better life for yourself and your child(ren). And yes, I understand where you are coming from, I have been there myself- about 8 years ago. You have worked hard to get to where you are today. And I understand you not wanting to lose all that you have earned.
As far as shady characters, I will say once again. No matter who he speaks with, no matter who his friends are, it does not make him a bad person. What about the "decent" people he interacts with, like Kathleen Sibelius and Oprah? Or even more so, how about his wife? She seems to be a decent person, and the most trusted person in his book. No matter who you call friend, it does not mean you are the same person they are.
November 5, 2008 at 1:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Time4Change (anonymous) says...
It's a new dawn, It's a new day, It's a new life...and I'm feeling good!
Here is another great comparison of tax plans. It really helped me see the bigger picture with regard to the topic!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...
November 5, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Time4Change (anonymous) says...
By the way--Obama is just as much white as he is black. Not that it makes an iota of difference!!!
November 5, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...
What ever he does as President , it will be better than what Bush has done in the last 8 years.
November 5, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I listened to both McCain's gracious concession speech and Obama's speech last night. We all know what an eloquent speaker Obama is, I was and am ready to try to believe him about working together and healing rifts.
And then, this morning, I hear that his likely choice for chief of staff is someone with a very well-known reputation as being one of the most partisan and divisive people on the hill.
Uh-oh, I didn't think my good feeling would be starting to fade quite THIS early..... what was it he was saying in his speech about working together?
By the way, create, where's all that rioting you were so afraid of if McCain lost? - LOL
November 5, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I'm happy that there was no rioting, open eyes. I was basing my thoughts on what happens when ball games are won and cars are overturned and set on fire. Here let me put it in caps so you can rejoice...I WAS WRONG. Feel better?
Best of all, I received a call from my daughter who lives in Chicago and was at Grant Park last night. She held the phone up so I could listen to the crowd. What a compliment she paid me by letting me hear the positive-charged atmosphere. It was great to hear!
All things are possible. Amen!
November 5, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
I was moved to tears last night. Several times. While I have been an Obama supporter from the very beginning, I was moved to hear the eloquent words McCain spoke. His speech was an example of true class. His part in this historical election was pivotal and reminded all of us that regardless of blue or red, we are all Americans and a part of the best country in the world.
Watching Obama's acceptance speech was electrifying. Now I realize the proof will be in the proverbial "pudding", however I have never witnessed such excitement and unity over a president. The feeling is palpable, and it's a feeling among our country and the world that a positive change is coming. After watching every debate, reading all I can, conversing with people I respect and admire, I truly do feel the best candidate won and am so excited about our country's future. He has inherited an awful mess and I know making a difference will be painful. I hope as a nation we can all move forward together.
November 5, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Silly nene :)
November 5, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Time4Change (anonymous) says...
If you look at the words that Jeremiah Wright has spoken that get so many fired up, he is condemning American policy more than "white people." I realize he may seem radical, espcially to the many conservatives in this country, and of course I mean NO disrespect to those who died in 9/11 or who lost loved ones on that day, but these words explain themselves IN MY OPINION (which I am allowed to have in America). I do not necessarily agree with his delivery, but he has a valid point.
He says "We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye," Rev. Wright said in a sermon on Sept. 16, 2001.
"We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards. America's chickens are coming home to roost," he told his congregation.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/sto...
November 5, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Do you think his sermon that blamed white Americans for creating the AIDS virus as a genocide against black people was racist? Just curious....
November 5, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcakmon (anonymous) says...
Senator McCain gave a gracious and moving concession speech last night. His comments about supporting our new President and uniting as a country were well said. Perhaps some should listen to it again.
November 5, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
I am so happy to see the nation come together. I was born in the South. I did not think this day would come. I have faith in Obama. I voted for him and I pray he can mend this wonderful country I love. Over the last 8 years I have seen go to hell in a hand basket. Laws being passed by corrupt Republicans that have violated our civil rights such as the PATRIOT ACT. This has to be the worst thing any president could pass. When the goverment and law enforcement has that much control over all of us as Americans I find a DISGRACE. It goes against what we stand for. I have a sticker on my bumper that reads ..911 the beginning and rise of a police state. I feel Bush used that day to not only put us in a war that we should not be in but used it to destroy our constitutional rights every chance he could. I hope for better days and our rights restored. GOD BLESS AMERICA !
November 5, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wookdog13 (anonymous) says...
Barbara, if change is what you want, then hang on.You think laws were passed by corrupt republicans, just wait till you see what happens in the future.
It might be wise if we get passports, just in case we need to leave.
November 5, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I already posted a story awhile back showing that all the new Democratic members of congress elected in '06 were getting pork-barrel earmark projects far exceeding those of their Republican counterparts.
So much for all THOSE campaign promises/rhetoric.....
Barbara, if we had another attack worse than 9/11 on our soil since then, would you feel the same? What if you had family members lost in an attack? I have nothing to hide, I have absolutely no problem with the gov listening in if I call a known terrorist overseas. Of course, I don't make those calls, so it hasn't affected me. How exactly has the Patriot Act directly affected you? Could you please elaborate and give some specific examples? Thx
November 5, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
We all know, of course (when I say we, I mean all those on the left) that Bush & his cabinet & advisors sat around in dark, smoky, rooms for years plotting and planning how they could take away our constitutional rights at every chance :).
Of course, isn't that the OTHER party that is trying to push thru the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" to limit our 1st Amendment rights? And which party is pushing the hardest to take away the 2nd Amendment?
Confused yet?
November 5, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kelly (anonymous) says...
Barbara, The Patriot Act was created to keep us safe. The ones that have problems with it are the ones that have something to hide. I have no probelm with it, I have nothing to hide. They want to listen in on my calls so be it. They want to search my bags when I fly so be it. At least I know we will be safe. The republican want a smaller goverment it is the Democrats that want a bigger goverment, and with a bigger govermnet you have less say.
November 5, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamom (anonymous) says...
Oh please. Must this be a election of race. I should hope that our new presedent elect was chosen because of his ability to lead our country and not the color of his skin. America has spoken, and whether you or I like it or not, it is what it is.I hope and pray he is the right man for the job, and I will not be basing that on the color of his skin.
November 5, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Time4Change (anonymous) says...
This is in response to open_eyes's post at 12:11.
I believe Wright's comment was “The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color. The government lied.”
I am not saying that I agree with Wright, but if you consider what we now know about the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment (from 1932-1972) also known as "The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male," it does not seem that outlandish.
http://www.tuskegee.edu/Global/Story....
More about the 9/11 comments below:
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/21...
November 5, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
kelly,
your naivete is undoubtedly directly linked to your age, and having been spoon fed your political ideology from the bush propaganda machine, you don't know any better, what a pity!
The patriot act was not written in response to 911, but it did use this american tragedy coupled with the current administrations "with us or against us" mantra to" to force it's unconstitutional precepts on the american people. all this under the ruse of providing a blanket of secuirty.
It was Benjamin Franklin who wrote: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
the first draft of the patriot act was introduced on Sept. 19 2001 a mere 8 days after the attacks. I challenge you to name one time in history when our gov. has ever moved that fast. to do anything. the fact of the matter is that this carefully worded and leagaly vetted document, was a completed work long before Sept. 11th, and was just waiting for the right time to slide in under the radar.
Regardless of when it was conceived, or when it was introduced. the fundamental problem with the patriot act, is that is violates every liberty and ideal, we now so forcefully are proffering to the rest of the world. "do as i say not as i do" certainly doesn't work with my children, does it work with yours? i would guess not. the same is true for the rest of the world too. if we are to continue asserting our moral superiority, we must actually cling to some morals. we are tasked with fighting an unconventional religious ideology, through conventional means. it would be a truelly hollow victory indeed if we became what we sought to eliminate.
November 5, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
I predict one term and gone. The public will quickly see in the lst year of his Presidency that he will not and cannot fulfill his promise of change. He may come up with different policies and programs, but he WILL raise taxes for all.
November 6, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
I think America spoke when they spit this corrupt administration out like a christian rebuking the devil. We will be attacked again whether the patriot act is in effect or not. Russia is the one to be concerned with more than anyone.. in my personal opinion. Regarding the Patriot Act, I dont have crap to hide, Im drug free and no record but thats not the point. It is a direct violation of our freedom and privacy. We all know there is corrupt goverment and law enforcement. Why would a law be passed by one of the worst administrations I have seen in my almost 50 years on this planet to allow this type of an invasion on our life. It goes so much more deeper than just tapping your phone.Not only can your phone be tapped,you can be surveillanced,form of stalking. Your medical records and your childrens school records and your library record ,your bank record and what religious organizations you belong to can ALL be invaded by a corrupt system. You can also be detained and questioned without an attorney present as long as the word "terrorism" is being thrown around for them to violate you. If that doesnt sound like communism of the Marxist-Leninist version I dont know what does. My son is at ESU to become a histroy professor and he checks out extremely controversial books that could raise eyebrows because the Americans dont always look great in them. We have several black marks on us in America. That dont make him or anyone that reads them a terrorist. The goverments definition of terrorism is very vague in this act. Because of this act he could be considered that of a terrorist by a corrupt law and goverment. Several states and cities have brought lawsuits over this act. This is not just for immigrants it can be dangerous to anyone. Some people that voiced concerns about it was questioned by the FBI. What it boils down to is ABUSE of power that is UNconstitutional. Obama has said he will take a long look at it and /or reform or remove it.
November 6, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I have heard Ben Franklin's phrase thrown around often. But that was a different time and age. Ben Franklin lived in a time when nuclear weapons were inconceivable. He lived in a times when someone spreading anthrax thru a plane over an entire city was unfathomable.
I wonder, if he watched a mushroom cloud go up, and realized that someone could have smuggled that in on the Nina, the Pinta, or the Santa Maria, if he would have felt the same way. Or maybe he would have wanted some extra security in the harbor.
As far as moving fast, we declared war on Japan the very next day after Pearl Harbor.
Barbara, you listed a bunch of things that "could" affect you, but not one single thing that has. What exactly would you have had the gov do? Nothing? Maybe they should have even lessened what security measures were already in place? What?
November 6, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
You know open eyes I dont know what we can do other than pray to our God for peace and when it hits we all know where our souls will go. I just dont trust goverment or the law enough to give them this kind of power over all of us.
November 6, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )