In the wake of Obama's overwhelming victory, and Democratic gains in the House and Senate, conservatives are desperately trying to convince the world that these results are meaningless. "Democrats should not make the mistake of viewing Tuesday's results as a repudiation of conservatism," insisted John Boehner. "Barack Obama understands this is a center-right country," claimed Karl Rove. "This country remains every bit as center-right as it has for a generation," parroted Brent Bozell. And David Brooks dreamed of an Obama administration that understands "this was an election where the middle asserted itself." Drunk on self-delusion, a staggering GOP whistles past the electoral graveyard, missing the whole point of this election: the center has shifted, and positions that used to be considered left-wing -- on healthcare, on global warming, on corporate responsibility, on Iraq -- are now solidly mainstream.
So we held our breath for twenty-two months, twenty-two months of an election that everyone claimed would bore us witless. The exact opposite turned out to be true: it was riveting.
Go ahead, Mr. President-Elect, be who you are. That is the reason we voted for you. Don't let them, on the day of your first press conference, turn you into what we are so grateful to have finally gotten rid of.
In tough times like these, many believe that investments in people and training can wait; that corporate social responsibility can be put on the back burner. I believe passionately that this is precisely what American business leaders should not be doing today.
Many people note that our nation has few economists with Larry Summers' intelligence. They should also know that we have few leaders, if any, in the financial world who have done more for women.
We are witnessing a tremendous ideological shift among young voters -- one that could reshape our politics for decades to come.
Does the voting public of this great state of California, who correctly voted to pass Proposition 2 -- which legislated to give caged chickens more room in their cages -- have to actually see the cage that gay people have been put in all theses years to get it?
At Friday's press conference Obama was trying to put out a fire that wasn't really there, and in the process, made a silly joke. Clearly, there's some sort of transition time needed between campaigning and having won.
The president-elect represents a new, post-Clinton, beyond centrism, post-racial, new politics, internet-driven phenomenon. The nation is fed up with neoconservative imperialists, radical fundamentalists, and failed supply-siders.
We watch millionaires and paid Republican hacks appear on television yelling "Socialist!" at Obama as if the Bolsheviks are coming to rape our daughters.
McCain had to do the hard thing -- to not only accept loss and graciously congratulate the winner, but to encourage the rest of the country to offer their blessings to the new President-elect and his family.
Barack Obama can be the president that helps America speak to the profound greatness of its rural areas, its suburbs and its mighty cities again.
President-Elect Obama is clearly a very smart guy and a very good politician. Unlike the last Dem with those credentials, he's also exceedingly disciplined. Those qualities will come up against a couple of very major problems.
The sight of Barack and Joe Biden, and their families in Grant Park, the warmth of the crowd, and its diversity will long linger as I reflect on how America has changed, and how we have changed ourselves.
While we rightfully celebrate the election of our first African American president, let us take a moment to mourn the passage of three new laws legalizing prejudice.
The election of Barack Obama, a resounding progressive voice, is a clear reflection of hip-hop politics, and a beautiful testament to the American collective consciousness that is flowering.
Thank you Barack Obama. Thank you for four years ago making me say out-loud, "Why can't he be our candidate?" Thank you for blowing away the ether of complacency.
Gov. Palin said that although she had planned to continue in her position in Anchorage, she was willing to leave the governorship "because Africa is just such a darned important country."
We are now finally waking up and realizing the damage that was done while we were in a asleep at the wheel. As evident in this election time, we are now a nation impassioned with possibility.
