Yes we can. Yes we have. Yes we will.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
President Elect Barack Obama
I am still coming to grips with the momentous, humbling events of the night. There will be time for nitpicking (really, there are those who still want to assert that the country leans center-right?) and recriminations (Republicans, start your engines!) and worrying (be careful what you wish for, Democrats). Barack Obama has won a historic victory that a generation ago would have been nearly unimaginable and five years ago would have seemed merely utterly implausible. An American man of African descent has pulled together a vast coalition in an election with massive turnout to gain election to the Presidency. This, for now, is commentary enough.
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7 comments:
Don't think about it. Just enjoy it. We'll have years to argue. For the next few months, let's just (dare I say it?) put our country first. Yes, for some of us McCain supporters that was more than just a slogan. If we really meant it, we'll want the new president to succeed. And yes, as an American I do take a certain amount of pride in Obama's victory--even if I didn't vote for him. This election loss is also the greatest victory in the battle that founded my party, after all. We can all agree to be happy about that.
That's a really magnanimous comment. Good luck to everyone, and to the country.
It looks like Obama will even take North Carolina, and will even squeak by in Indiana. As of right now, it looks like Bob Barr made a crucial difference in both states.
I knew that you would write something about November 4, 2008. I agree with you on both fronts for the Republicans and Democrats, we need to seriously keep focus on how this country will face its current challenges. In addition, I consider myself a hopeful, positive and optimistic young person. However, I thought I would never see this day come to the United States of America, a President that is of African descent. So think of the possibilities...perhaps could I see a woman win the presidency in my lifetime. I'm rambling, I only slept for 3 hours because Dallas was on and poppin' and besides crying tears of joy...I am proud of this country. I am proud to be an American and lets be mindful that the world is watching us.
tramaine.
Good comments all. I'm exhausted and dealing with an eye health issue. Suffice it to say I'm still giddy about the Obama win (and the Senate and House sweep). But I also am curious to see how well Obama hits the ground running as he starts putting together his team and generally moving forward. After all, the ourpose of winning is to govern, and I think Obama knows this.
dcat
i understand how great a moment it is, but i can't help thinking racism is still thriving in America. First of all, 97% of black people voted for Obama. Now, without sarcasm, i find it hard to believe that they all agreed with his policies. In fact, i doubt they even cared what they were. I believe most of that percentage voted for Obama because he was black. Now that is not to say they are racist towards whites, but shows that they preferred a black man over a white man, based on skin colour.
however, maybe they only did it so they could say America has had a black president. However, if in decades to come, the same percentage is shown, then i will worry about just how racist the black people are.
Anonymous --
What a silly, silly comment. Let's parse it. I will place your words in quotation marks and will preface mine with ***:
"i understand how great a moment it is, but i can't help thinking racism is still thriving in America."
*** Ok, so far not objectionable. No serious person would deny that racism still exists in the United States.
"First of all, 97% of black people voted for Obama. Now, without sarcasm, i find it hard to believe that they all agreed with his policies."
*** This argument seems to belie the fact that democratic candidates have regularly received 90% or more of the black vote in recent elections. But sure, there had never been a black candidate win his party nomination before -- the fact that blacks, given the history of racism in America, might find that fact appealing hardly seems problematic to me.
"In fact, i doubt they even cared what they were."
*** This based on your deep and abiding grasp of American racial politics? Again -- 90% black support for a Democratic presidential candidate is not rare.
"I believe most of that percentage voted for Obama because he was black."
*** You see monocausality. I see the continuation of a trend augmented by the question of race. the difference is that my argument carries with it an understanding of evidence, what it is, and how it works.
"Now that is not to say they are racist towards whites, but shows that they preferred a black man over a white man, based on skin colour."
*** You're really hammering at this point. Black people, who have never had the chance to vote for a serious black candidate, voted for the black candidate who also represented the party that blacks overwhelmingly support in every presidential election. Stop The Presses!
"however, maybe they only did it so they could say America has had a black president."
*** Or maybe they didn't, since black voters always support Democrats overwhelmingly. Maybe people vote for myriad, complex reasons.
"However, if in decades to come, the same percentage is shown, then i will worry about just how racist the black people are."
*** I have no idea how it is racist for blacks to support a black candidate. Where is the race hatred or the racial supremacy or the exercise of power that characterizes racism? And, by the way, given that the vast majority of the electorate voted for Obama across racial lines, why are you not asking the real question: Aren't white males the real potential racists here for being the only group to support McCain despite the fact that everyone else did not? You come in to raise the prospect of racism still existing in the US and your argument is that it is black Americans guilty of racism? You're a fuckwit.
dcat
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