Obama President

Barack Obama's victory could well be the third realigning election in the past century -- one that will be seen by historians as the beginning of an emerging Democratic majority.

Bill Ayers was not Barack Obama's touchstone; rather, it was Sam Cooke and his never-ending refrain, Change is gonna come. And now change has arrived, and we embrace it.

Further polling results will help to answer the critical question of why religious voters cast their ballots the way they did. But three factors are likely key to understanding the religious shift.

Sadly, many voters did not see past their fears to understand how denying LGBT people rights is cut from the same cloth of discrimination that made Obama's election such a poignant event.

Prop. 8 passed, after Obama's speech. It was a bitter pill for progressives to swallow and a reminder that no matter who is president the public faces many significant issues on its own.

The one thing that all US Army personnel have in common is their choice to wear the uniform and volunteer to serve the nation, regardless of who is in charge and regardless of if they agree.

Religious fanatics rejoice! You did it! You won! You've succeeded in getting amendments passed in Florida, Arizona and California banning same-sex marriage! This is your crowning moment!

But embracing someone for where he comes from rather than for what he may do has been the hubris of politics throughout history.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is often mentioned as a potential Bush 43 holdover in the new Obama administration. According to most reports, Gates is...

Skepticism about science is good. But instead of turning us off scientific information altogether, skepticism should lead to its more careful consumption.

November 4, 2008 will never get fuzzy. It is my very first, unforgettable day of public joy.

What we have seen in the last year is a rebirth of participatory democracy, infused by the energy of millions. Imagine what this energy can do if it channeled into ongoing action.

Best of all was the surge of hope -- to feed a starving country. As if Obama took a fresh batch of cookies out of the oven, and the scent floated all over the world, impossible to resist.

Despite talks of its death following the election, within the last two decades the American Christian right has vectored outwards to become a truly global mass membership movement.

Talking about the election, the Staff Sergeant said to me, "If there is anything I take away from this, it is that change is fearful."

Barack Obama and his family are now preparing to move into the White House - which was built with slave labor. That's progress, isn't it?

While it may anger some of my fellow conservatives, I want President-elect Obama to succeed. More than that, I need him to succeed. Rhetoric is easy but results are hard and often fleeting.

Winners: The Davids - Axelrod and Plouffe: they spearheaded a near flawless campaign. Katie Couric: her multi-part interview with Sarah Palin was the turning point in how the country saw Palin -- and by extension John McCain. And she did it in a way that left no room for accusations of being unfair or playing "Gotcha!" Michelle Obama: smarts, grace, style, charm, and a serious "good mommy" vibe -- she's got the whole package. Losers: Joe Lieberman: failed to deliver Democrats, independents, or Jews. And on the way to losing his committee chairmanships. Liddy Dole: her "Godless" ad will be taught in What Not To Do poli sci classes for a century. Joe the Plumber: the clock just hit 15 minutes, and the wakeup call will not be pleasant.

Obama's win hardly puts an end to this system of racism, but it's still momentous, because it shows us a way forward, a way to reduce if not eliminate racial injustice and inequality.

Posted on Alternet, Nov. 6. 2008 Barack Obama's resounding victory has brought even this cynical observer of Democratic Party politics to dare to hop...

The new Secretary of State will deal with whatever replaces the Kyoto agreement. Hagel has a 9% 2008 rating from the League of Conservation Voters. Lugar scores 18%. Are they really the best people for the job?