Ajax Mike
November 4, 2008 / 23:33

I just watched John McCain's concession speech. Very gracious. However, their choice of exit music for McCain was interesting. It was music from Crimson Tide, a movie about a black naval officer on a nuclear sub staging a mutiny against the white captain?

Or maybe I'm just being paranoid. :)

Buffalo Boy Mike
November 4, 2008 / 23:57

Its a blue night in America. We have been waiting 8 long years to get a democrat back, 8 long years of George W. Now we can start the healing.
Where's Argie now?

Kathleen
November 5, 2008 / 00:51

I voted for McCain, but the booing at his concession speech was totally classless. I wish our new president well.

Mike from Lowville
November 5, 2008 / 08:55

Buffalo Boy Mike, I'm very happy for you, all Americans and the rest of the world. I don't know why but, when there is a Republican in the White House an uneasy vibe seems to in-circle our big blue planet. I thought I felt the earth sigh at 11:02pm when the polls were closed on the West coast and the announcement was made.

Annemarie
November 5, 2008 / 09:25

Or CHOPE. ;)

I hope paranoia is all it is Ajax Mike. :S

Barack
November 5, 2008 / 09:26

Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama-as prepared for delivery
Election Night
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Chicago, Illinois


If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For 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. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

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. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our 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.

For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Toronto Mike
November 5, 2008 / 10:22

Ajax Mike, that's an interesting observation re: Crimson Tide. Well done.

Argie
November 5, 2008 / 11:01

An African president! Great - I guess this is good because they do do such a good job running their countries in Africa, no?

Bring it - call me a racist...

Toronto Mike
November 5, 2008 / 11:24

Argie, that's not just racist, that's quite possibly the most ignorant comment I've ever read on this blog.

Congratulations!

Andrew
November 5, 2008 / 11:25

You're not a racist, Argie. You're just ignorant. Which is worse?

elvis
November 5, 2008 / 11:32

He's not African...born in Hawaii.

Just another reason why Argie's comment is ignorant.

Toronto Mike
November 5, 2008 / 11:35

elvis is more African than Obama!

James Edgar
November 5, 2008 / 11:53

I know it's a repeat but boy argie you really are an ignoramous.

Argie
November 5, 2008 / 12:28

I guess the truth really does hurt.

Where am I wrong about Africa having awful leaders?

Brad
November 5, 2008 / 12:37

Nelson Mandela

Argie
November 5, 2008 / 13:20

Brad: Great example of a failed leader. Great man but not much of a PM. Their country has the one of highest percentage of people with AIDs in the world and the murder rate is also one of the world's highest. Arguably black people are worse off than they were when the country was under apartheid

Anyone else you care to mention???

I know I'm just being racist.

Toronto Mike
November 5, 2008 / 13:28

Argie, your premise is faulty. Obama is as American as your buddy George W. Bush.

And a failure to name a successful African leader does not suggest an African can't lead.

You're exhausting me. There are so many things wrong with your statement I don't know where to start.

Ajax Mike
November 5, 2008 / 13:47

Occasionally Argie makes somewhat valid points. Most of the time however, include this time, I just have four words.

Don't feed the troll.

James Edgar
November 5, 2008 / 13:48

Nelson Mandela has not been President of south Africa since 1999. He himself ahs addmitted he made a mistake in not doing more to addres AIDS/HIV in SA. The country is doing better than most of Africa and many of the problems stem fronm the discord sowed bt apartied. AND he's NOT African even if his ESTRANGED father is.

Jill
November 5, 2008 / 19:11

Argie,
I think there are probably a lot of Americans (or Canadians) that do not feel confident or know a lot about politics.
They may not feel well versed in discussing the economy and what is best economically speaking.
They may not know anything about foreign policy and may have uncertainties on how they feel about things in Iraq.
They may not understand a lot about taxes, health care or the immigration issue.
However, I also believe that they have hope of how things could work in their country and which candidates gave them their hope and their inspiration that the future can be better.
The truth is, no one can ever really know everything there is to know about the candidate they are choosing because there is one big factor that plays into how successful a candidate is and that is the unknown.
Now that Obama is to be the next American President we cannot know what types of issues he will face once he is in office.
That element of the unknown is why the American people had to make the best choice possible with what they did know.
I feel that each candidate that ran in this election honestly believed that they could make their country a better place.
No candidate runs with the intention of ruining their country.
I believe each candidate believes they can make things better and that they want to make things better.
What happens afterward is another story but I honestly believe each candidate wants the best for their country. That's why they are running. They believe what they have to offer will benefit their country. And so the masses have spoken and they have voted on which candidates ideals best fit with what they want their country to become.

Argie
November 5, 2008 / 21:46

Jill,

Thanks for that dissertation but I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

Anyway,I really hope I'm wrong about Obama for our sake and the world's sake. In his previous jobs he hasn't done a whole lot of anything much to the chagrin of his liberal cohorts who helped him attain his said previous positions (check out the PBS doc on him).

I don't believe there's anyone who can fix the world's economy so I won't badmouth him if things are the same or worse one year from now but I do fear he will be light on national security. Watch for Russia, Iran and the many terrorist sponsoring muslim countries to feel buoyed by Obama's win. It could get ugly for the US and possibly for Canada.

After 4 years of his reign the familiar cry from the US - both liberal and conservative will be 'no he can't'.

Jill
November 6, 2008 / 05:47

Argie, I was trying to convey that not everyone who votes is as "enlightened" as you to the world of politics but they do want hope and they do want to be inspired by their leader and the masses have spoken. Obama is their man that gave them that. They did not get that from John McCain and his running mate.You also speak about alot of unknowns that while they may be plausible......they also might not be.

Andrew
November 6, 2008 / 09:33

Remember Argie only points out the bad things with Liberals and the good things about Conservatives. He has selective memory about a lot of things.