Yay for the Democrats
I have never on my blog commented about the US Presidential Race or any of the candidates. The contention for the next president's seat in the world's superpower and all the controversies along with it have, of course, stricken my fancy and prompted me to want to write about such thing. But I have never sat down to write my commentary and time passed by too quickly so that I almost meant to forget about it. Alas, I cannot take it any longer. OBAMAAA WONNN! Yay for him. And yay for the world? I sense another commentary in the works.
For the meantime... Hooray, Obama! May your leadership bring a breath of fresh air to the White House, to the US, and eventually, to the world. "Change" will not be automatic. But your winning alone is enough to be symbolic of change already happening. Who knew that the 44th President of the United States would be black?
The world is different now. Things no one has ever conceived are in this very generation taking place. Obama's supporters are hopeful about what will happen next. With the slumped economy, regions at war, and a host of other issues, the world's a mess. But seeing the joy of the people last night at Grant Park, Chicago during Obama's acceptance speech and a dream realised on the part of Obama, his running mate, and their families just brings happy tears to my eyes. I was touched not just because of seeing people get emotional, but also because seeing Obama win gave me more reason to believe in dreams.
And speaking of dreams, here is an excerpt from Obama's acceptance speech:
"But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory."
It's also comforting to know that Obama acknowledges how tough the journey that lies ahead is. He was always known to be more pragmatic. At the same time, he's hopeful:
"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there."
Then he says that this victory is not the change to look for, but an opportunity to make that change:
"This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you."
He also has something to say to his non-supporters:
"And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too."
His message to the world:
"And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you."
(For the full transcript of President-elect Obama's acceptance speech, go here, here, or here.)
Yesterday, I was preoccupied with my confounded Language and Society assignment (that darn "small-scale" investigative research! it doesn't seem so small-scale) so I didn't get to tune in to the news. Thanks to Yahoo!, I learned just this morning that Obama actually won. And the results are astounding- a close competition in the popular vote and a clear win in the electoral votes! What they call a landslide victory! I never did expect it to happen like this so I was pleasantly surprised. It is true and I wasn't dreaming. As if that weren't enough, the TV screen at the college's reception was showing CNN's broadcast of last night's historic event at Grant Park.
Now various news regarding our new president-elect are making headlines. Americans celebrate Obama victory with tears and cheers. African Americans revel in Obama's historic presidential election. Asian markets rise on hopes Obama will boost U.S. economy. Even Europe's markets take profit on Obama's win. For many abroad, Obama win heralds less confrontational U.S. Afghans welcome Obama's win, look forward to new war strategy. Analysts, politicians, see Obama as boost to Britain. The world is excited.
Here's to the new superpower leadership. Obama has made history. Now it is time for him to turn to the sobering challenges.
And while all this is happening, Medvedev: Russia to deploy missiles near Poland.
For the meantime... Hooray, Obama! May your leadership bring a breath of fresh air to the White House, to the US, and eventually, to the world. "Change" will not be automatic. But your winning alone is enough to be symbolic of change already happening. Who knew that the 44th President of the United States would be black?
The world is different now. Things no one has ever conceived are in this very generation taking place. Obama's supporters are hopeful about what will happen next. With the slumped economy, regions at war, and a host of other issues, the world's a mess. But seeing the joy of the people last night at Grant Park, Chicago during Obama's acceptance speech and a dream realised on the part of Obama, his running mate, and their families just brings happy tears to my eyes. I was touched not just because of seeing people get emotional, but also because seeing Obama win gave me more reason to believe in dreams.
And speaking of dreams, here is an excerpt from Obama's acceptance speech:
"But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory."
It's also comforting to know that Obama acknowledges how tough the journey that lies ahead is. He was always known to be more pragmatic. At the same time, he's hopeful:
"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there."
Then he says that this victory is not the change to look for, but an opportunity to make that change:
"This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you."
He also has something to say to his non-supporters:
"And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too."
His message to the world:
"And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you."
(For the full transcript of President-elect Obama's acceptance speech, go here, here, or here.)
Yesterday, I was preoccupied with my confounded Language and Society assignment (that darn "small-scale" investigative research! it doesn't seem so small-scale) so I didn't get to tune in to the news. Thanks to Yahoo!, I learned just this morning that Obama actually won. And the results are astounding- a close competition in the popular vote and a clear win in the electoral votes! What they call a landslide victory! I never did expect it to happen like this so I was pleasantly surprised. It is true and I wasn't dreaming. As if that weren't enough, the TV screen at the college's reception was showing CNN's broadcast of last night's historic event at Grant Park.
Now various news regarding our new president-elect are making headlines. Americans celebrate Obama victory with tears and cheers. African Americans revel in Obama's historic presidential election. Asian markets rise on hopes Obama will boost U.S. economy. Even Europe's markets take profit on Obama's win. For many abroad, Obama win heralds less confrontational U.S. Afghans welcome Obama's win, look forward to new war strategy. Analysts, politicians, see Obama as boost to Britain. The world is excited.
Here's to the new superpower leadership. Obama has made history. Now it is time for him to turn to the sobering challenges.
And while all this is happening, Medvedev: Russia to deploy missiles near Poland.