“It’s been a long time coming but tonight…change has come to America.”
Democratic nominee Barack Obama has become the 44th President of the United States.
With two states left to call, the Illinois senator led rival John McCain by 187 Electoral College votes. He has become the first African American to win the race for the White House.
Obama blitzed McCain in the key swing states that were to decide the election, taking both Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well as previously Republican leaning states Florida, Virginia and Colorado.
This, coupled with his projected victories in states such as New York and California pushed him over the all important threshold of 270 and on to the White House.
The defeated senator, McCain, called Obama to offer his congratulations. In a speech in Arizona he wished “God speed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my President.”
Before an estimated crowd of a quarter of a million people in Grants Park, Chicago, Obama gave the speech of his life.
Describing himself as “not the most likely of candidates,” he was at pains to stress the importance of the victory for the American people, both Democrat and Republican.
“Above all, I will never forget who this victory belongs to: It belongs to you…This is your victory.”
The new President also spoke of the challenges that lay ahead:
“Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century
“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. But America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.”
Already Obama has set the wheels in motion of his Presidency. He has asked former Clinton adviser Rahm Emanuel, to be his chief of staff.
There is also speculation that he will ask Defence secretary Robert Gates to stay in his post.
With 70% of Americans citing the economy as the major factor in the election race, Treasury Secretary will be a big appointment for Obama. The likely candidates for this post will be former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, or Timothy Geithner, who currently heads the New York Federal Reserve.
It was Obama’s level headedness and coolness personified during the economic downturn that helped the American electorate believe he was the man to steer them through it.
With such a large winning margin, Obama has dispelled rumours that he is not experienced enough to be Commander in Chief, a major line of attack from Republicans.
His position on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may determine the beginning of his Presidency. He has a good working relationship with General Petraeus, although their ideas for withdrawal times in Iraq and Afghanistan do differ.
It remains to be seen whether President Obama will bring America through its current crisis. However, America has shown that it has voted for a change in the status quo. The new President now needs to deliver this.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:24 am
McCain…he’s had his Chips…
November 7th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I’m pleased Obama won, and it is a great day, the first black President and all…
But what’s really annoying me is now we’re seeing “Will we have a black PM”, “the next James Bond could be black”, “the new Dr Who could be black” etc etc.
In this day and age, what does skin colour matter? We’re trying to discourage racism yet still people are divided by being “black” and “white”. So what if the next PM/James Bond/Dr Who is black or white?
People bemoan racial discrimination, yet often there are things that make it hard to ignore the racial differences between everyone.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I think we can easily underestimate what this means for Black people, particularly in America.
But 9/10 voters said their vote was nothing to do with race, so there are many more factors as to why Obama was elected.
As to the next James Bond- isn’t it a bit trivial to put the two in the same category? Who cares about a fictional character? Surely James Bond- ‘the man’ as a character is white so having a black actor just for the sake of it would be stupid. Many highly-paid, successful and talented actors are black, and are the stars of other films.
I don’t think race would not make a difference to someone’s election as PM. But someone has to put themselves forward, have support, money, and arguably be in a political elite that many of us are restricted from.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Definitely listen to this- wise words of Dizzie Rascal- right on!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7713237.stm
November 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Haha, that is awesome. The Mr Rascal bit cracked me up.
Dizzee for PM!
But on a serious note, in today’s world, although not universally accepted, it doesn’t matter if people are “black, purple, martian…all that matters is the colour of their heart”.
Well said Dizzee.
As for James Bond, and this might sound a bit wrong but he’s a white character it’s as simple as that.
November 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I would just like to congratulate the author of this article. I found it interesting, and educational it is incredibly mature and well researched so bravo, whoever you are. P.s. I agree James Bond would look stupid black,
Dizzee for Prime minister
November 10th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
What a legend. I stayed up all night to see him win it, and then stayed up ecen longer to see him give his speech. The man made history, it had to be done!
November 12th, 2008 at 1:03 am
The Colour of the Heart is green, well its ‘energy centre’ is green apparently.