A HISTORIC VICTORY

I have tears in my eyes.  I am thrilled I lived to see this---such a diverse crowd celebrating this historic occasion.  I'm listening now to a tearful-sounding Tracy Chapman talking to the BBC America pundits!  What a wonderful moment.

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McCain is making the concession speech.  He speaks of the special significance of the election to African-Americans; well done.   Why didn't he speak this way during the process?  Why?  Still:  well done. He pledges to support Obama and asks his supporters to do the same.  I am sorry for McCain and wish he had taken the high road the whole time.  Even so.

Oh, look.  The McCain supporters are booing Obama's victory. I'm so glad these people lost. And I am ready for Palin to disappear. 

BBC News:  carried away by the graciousness of the speech---we're so glad to see the old John McCain again.  Hilzoy says:

John McCain just gave a truly gracious concession speech. I particularly liked the way he seemed to be urging his supporters to give Obama their complete support, not to forget that Obama will, in fact, be their President. It would have been an easy thing to somehow forget to say. It was an honorable speech, and I salute him for it.

Right-tilting centrist Mark Daniels: John McCain delivers a classy concession speech with deep historical sensibilities and personal grace.

T-Steele:

I voted for Bob Barr.  I gave my reasons.  I stand by my reasons.  But I have to say it.  As a black man.  As an American…

WOW!

I’m still having a hard time digesting this win for Barack Hussein Obama; I mean President-Elect Barack Hussien Obama. I just got off the phone with my grandparents. It wasn’t much of a conversation. Just many tears and exclamations on how great America is. My parents, former Black Panthers, who said many times that “white people will never vote for a black person as President” while in their Black Panther garb in those turbulent 1960s, now sit in their living rooms, with robes on, saying that they were so, so wrong about America.

More celebrations!

Another tearful reaction:  Scott at World O'Crap. 

Haven’t wept — I mean big, fat, salty tears rolling down my face — since my dad died.  Making an exception tonight.  Cracked open the champagne that’s been in the fridge for two years.

Our Long National Nightmare Is Over.

My Long Wednesday Hangover Is Just Beginning.

God Bless America.

Mark Daniels:

I am fifty-four years old. When I was a boy, segregation was still was both legal and socially accepted.

Yet today, an African-American has been elected President.

Earlier today, I said that in an ultimate sense, it doesn’t matter who the President is. Presidents are human beings, each bearing the common flaws of our humanity.

But as a symbol of how far our country has come in its attitudes about race, the election of an African-American president will do.

Tonight, I can’t help but feel deep pride and renewed love for my country. We have done what the brave, visionary leaders of our country could not do. We have acknowledged equality, at least for African-Americans, as not just the promise of America, but the reality of America.

TBogg's response is most excellent.

As is Taylor Marsh's.

Jack and Jill Politics.

Nicholas's is transcendent.

John Cole:  YES WE FUCKING DID

Kenya declares a national holiday.  Par-tay!

Obama's speech is just as gracious to McCain as McCain's was to Obama.  A wonderful speech.  He speaks to the right:  "I may not have won your vote...but I hear your voices.  And I will be your president too....A new dawn of American leadership is at hand."

Comments

[Sparky Duck]

I too am close to tears

[The Heretik]

Oh, happy day.

[James Stripes]

Amen.

I liked most of McCain's concession speech (until he started taking about Pailn). I'm impressed that he called to memory Booker T. Washington's visit to teddy Roosevelt's White House for dinner. Some fears were that his knees might touch those of the First Lady. Now Michelle Obama will be sitting in that chair!

McCain might prove an important Senate ally in the Obama Presidency.