Obama Wins

Despite voting with George W. Bush 94.4% of the time, this fall Calvert distributed mailers without a single mention that he belonged to the Republican party, proclaiming himself "An Independent."

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.

Without first acquiring a track record of reaching across the aisle, one of the greatest opportunities to create a modern "New Deal" to help Americans across the country will be lost.

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?

Sorry to be the buzz-kill at the liberal victory-party, but this election has been a historic nightmare for millions of gay Americans.

Maybe Obama will be good for the slumping US and world economy, but most Israelis are suspicious about his lack of experience.

We should no longer be adoring fans who are pledging our votes, but instead, the electorate who will hold Obama accountable for the promises he has made and the high standard he has set for himself.

For a day at least, let's stop and celebrate the improbable assumption of the highest office in the land by this outsider with no birthright, no connections, no mentors.

Dear President Obama, My name is Shareef and I am writing to you to say congratulations on being the first black President. Your wife must be very proud of you.

The past tense of "Yes, we can" is not "Yes, we did" but "Yes, we could." But that just sounds weird. The correct phrase should be "Yes, we were able to," but that just sounds too clunky and verbose.

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.

In the euphoria the Election night victory, I watched our Wesleyan students celebrating the victory of a man whom they had embraced and in whom they had invested their hopes.

Obama stands today as the president-elect of the United States because of his credential as a community organizer. What a delicious irony.

Obama ran a campaign of high integrity, focusing on issues that really mattered, showing he could lead the whole country forward -- not pandering, but speaking to our higher selves.

No matter what your name or race is you can make it here. America is for real. The hope is real.

Eastern Afghanistan--In the early hours of the morning, an Army Captain watched as the election results were being reported. He shook his head in disgust. "This is proof that the media can elect a President."

For whatever else the election of Barack Obama accomplishes or fails to accomplish, I think it has put an end to the nearly-decade-long Age of Incuriosity of the Bush administration.

Barack Obama is under no obligation to govern like a centrist or temper his policy goals to accommodate a point-of-view that the American people have decisively rejected. Obama won. Elections have consequences.