YES WE DID!!!!!

[Justin D.]

I believe that Obama winning is even more historic in that he might be the first black person to be the leader of a major western country other than South Africa. Am I right in thinking that there's never been a major world leader besides Mandela who is black?

I've been curious about this, but haven't asked anyone about it yet.

Is it more historic that he's the first black president or the first president with parents of different races? The fact that he's a child of an interracial marriage seems to be a big deal.

[bradisntclever]

Is it more historic that he's the first black president or the first president with parents of different races? The fact that he's a child of an interracial marriage seems to be a big deal.

You're the one from Mississippi. What would they think?

[vine311]

Is it more historic that he's the first black president or the first president with parents of different races? The fact that he's a child of an interracial marriage seems to be a big deal.

You're the one from Mississippi. What would they think?

I'm from a small town in Texas and I can tell you that pretty much everyone that still lives there (including my family) is pissed off that a black man was elected. It doesn't matter if he's half black or whole, they can't move past their outdated, unfounded, bigoted views and see that this country really needed a change. I'm looking forward to using the "You're either with us, or against us" argument with them over the next four years.

[chicocarlucci]

There are a lot of people cowering under their afghans right now.

From all my conservative comrades and family, and all the silly accusations along the campaign, it would seems that Obama's first day in Office will look like this:

* 9am : Bomb-making class with Bill Ayers
* 10am : Pawning off poor tenants possessions for cash with Tony Reznick
* 11am : Friendly chit-chat "pal-around" session with Raul Castro
* Noon : Announces America as Socialist. Single-handedly raises taxes to 90% flat tax.
* 1pm : Speech with Jeremiah Wright to get "all the blacks to riot".
*1:30pm : Rioting
* 2pm : Pray to Mecca
* 3pm : Announces America as Communist. Sends all Americans to re-education camps.
* 4pm : Straps bombs to himself and suicide bombs Congress.
* 5pm : Somehow surviving, straps more bombs on and suicide bombs the Whitehouse.
* 6pm : Again, miraculously surviving, straps a nuclear warhead to himself suicide-bombs the small town that you live in.

[spantell]

I believe that Obama winning is even more historic in that he might be the first black person to be the leader of a major western country other than South Africa. Am I right in thinking that there's never been a major world leader besides Mandela who is black?

I'm not sure if South Africa is "western," but after searching, the only other one I could find is Hugo Chavez, Venezuela, who is mixed race:

Physically, Hugo Chávez is a pardo, a term used in the colonial period to denote someone of mixed racial roots. Chávez himself has not sought to distance himself from his ethnic heritage. "My Indian roots are from my father's side," he remarked. "He [my father] is mixed Indian and black, which makes me very proud."

I think it was luck; remember McCain was ahead in the polls a few short weeks ago, before the economy went south. And a majority of whites voted for McCain.

It was a big deal when Kennedy was elected because he was Catholic. And, not to be pessimistic, but that did not end well.

I just hope things go well.

[Jeff]

I had an enormously rewarding and emotional and amazing time last night as I watched the election returns at Mohawk. After I was there a couple of hours, some friends showed up, and we and everybody there watched Obama's victory happen together. The bartender, Mark, was a great guy who passed out free champagne to everybody there right before Obama's speech. When I saw that most everyone was holding a glass of champagne, I stepped up to yell above the general reverie a toast to President Obama, and about a hundred people cheered back with raised glasses. Then we watched Obama's victory speech on the large projection screen. I had a huge smile on my face that I couldn't wipe away, and tears swelled in my eyes through much of Obama's speech. This is what Obama was saying when the biggest smile and the wettest tears were on my face: 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.

I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.

The rest of my night only got better as we walked around downtown and soaked in the magnificent glee and reverie of the night's events emanating from everyone we saw. Strangers came up to me and hugged me. I saw fellow improvisers, I saw some people I work with, and I even made a couple of new friends.

It was so wonderful to be present for such an historic moment. Some people are saying it's been a long time since they felt optimistic about our country. For me, last night began the first time I've ever really felt optimistic about America. It's a new and unbelievable feeling for me, and I'm enjoying it.

[KathyRose]

Wait a minute ... he's Black?!

Actually, it makes no difference whatsoever to me. I'd vote for a one-eyed transsexual Little Person of Franco-Egyptian heritage if s/he was the right person for the job. I voted for Obama because he is an articulate, intelligent, well-educated, positively-motivated, compassionate, sociable and charismatic Leader, which we sorely need at this point in our nation's history.

But I do appreciate what it means to the African-American community, and in recognition of that, I offer this video link. *

* This is my favorite James Taylor song. It's a song of anguish, joy and hope that never fails to move me. Here is JT's version.

[eboknee]

I know I'm gonna represent!