Juan Williams Tears Up: "This Is America At Its Grandest" (VIDEO)

A visibly moved Juan Williams reacted to the news that Barack Obama was elected President of the United States shortly after the race was called on Fox News Tuesday. Williams called it "stunning," noting that African Americans were barely able to vote until just 43 years ago, and saying, "I don't care how you feel about him politically, on some level you have to say this is America at its grandest."

His full comments:

It's a stunning sight. It's incomprehensible. Even a year ago, I wouldn't have thought this was possible. That an African American man could be elected President of the United States. When I think of it from a historical point of view, and you go back and think of people, that fact that black people didn't have the right to vote in this country. There were only black men until 1870. In 1870, black men got the right to vote and of course it didn't mean much until going forward until 1965 and the Voting Rights Act. And at that point, Linden Johnson said the Democrat Party lost the South forever and there was no possibility really of full enfranchisement that said black people could somehow be the leader of the United States of America. This is truly an incredible moment of American history. I can't think of another country in the world where you could have a significant minority that was once so maligned and so oppressed finally have one of its sons rise to this level. This is ah... I don't care how you feel about him politically, on some level you have to say this is America at its grandest, the potential, the possibility, and what it says for our children. Black and white, the image of Barack Obama and those little girls in the Rose Garden in these years to come. I think it's just stunning.

Read more Election Reaction here.

Read more about Election 2008 coverage here.

Comments

[jnik]

I'm a 58 year old African American man who remembers the days of segregation. I teared up at work watching this on my office TV and thought of all the people who should have lived long enough to see this night -. So many who gave their lives for this to become possible.

This also means the Bradley Effect is DEAD!
The Southern Strategy is DEAD!
Obama's victory, and Kate Hagen's in North Carolina, just might spell the end for the Atwater/Rove brand of divisive politics!
Truly a night to remember!

1

[ltyr2002]

Something about Fox News always makes good things smell bad. Why is that?

Like someone tells you they're getting married, then Brit Hume farts...

[USADownUnder]

Juan Williams - despite your crocodile tears last night, I'm not buying it!

You have spent this entire election season tearing down President-Elect Barack H. Obama at every turn - often times with that House Ninja smile on your soulless face.

I'm not fooled by your tears Juan - save it for when FauxNews shows your sorry behind the back door.

[Seeitmyway]

Excellent comment! So true.

[segagman]

the one good fox video now on to the 5th

[luke150]

Mr. Williams, if it were up to the Republicans, you would have never witnessed this moment. I realize FOX pays well, but you can't have it both ways. You are part of the propaganda.

[MasterfullyInept]

I promise you its not just people of color with tears in their eyes tonight.Ta­ke it from a middle aged white guy that America became a better place for all of us tonight.No longer will the talents and abilities of Americans of color be dismissed for reasons as trivial as pigment.Ho­pefully this holds true for religion and gender and sexual orientation as well.Sure we still have a way to go.The jury is still out on prop 8 in California as I write.But this was such a big step.My heart swells when I think of the beauty of the diverse humanity that inhabits America.I am hopeful (Darn you President elect Obama for making me hopeful again hope is a dangerous thing) that we have signaled a death knell to the politics of hatred and fear of "The Other"

[goodtomeetyou]

So true.

[tokenblackman]

There is no denying what we have all witnessed tonight is beyond anything I have ever experienced. I cried during his speech. But Obama does make one valid about conservatives. They do have a few good ideas. I am talking about true conservatives here not the crap we saw that got thrown out. People like Peggy Noonan, and Scott Mcclellan, these people are reasonable they have some common sense they can help transform the country. Look everyone can make mistakes but that time is over. You can either get on board this train and help out or get the hell out of the way. There is so much work to be done it is beyond comprehension. If someone like Barak Obama can become President of the United States of America then anything is possible. I personally have any excuses any more. If he can become President then I can at least become the IT Project Manager I always wanted to be. Everything is now possible.

[aishadl]

Right on to that!!!! Anything is possible..­.we have NO MORE excuses!

[realpolitic]

Just after he said those words, the other "experts" on the Brit Hume panel got Williams in a headlock and started punching and kicking him.

[OSKAR T GROUCH]

HUFFINGTON POST:

It's LYNDON not Linden.

[oneblackvote]

As a Black American, I can't even begin to tell America how much I am grateful to this country. I keep crying and I can't go to sleep. I'm afraid I might wake up and this was all a dream. Could it be true? A Black President? We have overcome.

[mexamerican]

i'm so happy, i can't believe it. barack's victory is a victory for all people of color in the u.s. my grandparents were migrant workers, and for me to see this day...it renews my faith in this nation!

[rhetoricdog]

It is a victory to any group or person who has felt disenfranchised based on factors such as race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and not character. I'm a typical mutt: half-catholic, half-jewish, part Native American, part European ancestry. I'm also a woman.

To me, this is a monumental day for anyone who doesn't fit the mold.

[DVSDVS]

As a white American, I can tell you millions of us are awake and crying too. We did this together. All of us.

[grandma58]

I also am a white American too excited to sleep and know I can fall asleep in peace for the first time in an age.......­. My 3 children and 2 of their spouses as well as my 81 year old aunt all voted for Obama.

[ObamaSheeple]

I have been listening to Tupac Shakur's "Changes". It was playing in my mind today. He said, "Although it seems heaven sent, We ain't ready to see a black President". His profound song, that I always loved, is now part of the past. WE have changed for the better. He aptly named it. RIP

[txgal44]

I can give a rats a$$ about what Juan Williams has to say. He's nothing!! Stoopid, stoopid man!

[Melissa]

I was watching it and it was absolutely beautiful and heartfelt. Although I did not vote for him it made me realize how much this win meant to our history and especially to Black American's. I hope that the whole country will get behind him and support our new president.

[troy7846]

I am so glad that my daughter took my grandson to the pollswith her this morning so that he would understand the significance of the occassion and become a witness to history in the making. This occassion would will imbed in him the knowledge that America is truly the land of opportunity. Not here to hate on anyone.

[TongoRad]

Juan was just yesterday bellowing about McCain's experience and leadership credentials.

[obamadeus]

Being a McCain supporter was just a career move to get himself some exposure..­..can't hide his true feelings though :D

[kottison]

Maybe he connected with his inner blackness? Yeah right.

[BobSacomano]

Juan has been hammering Obama mercilessly right up to the election, was that an act?

[theone718]

No he hates Obama idologically. However, even the coldest of hearts should be proud of thier country.