Soon to Be President Obama

[claffin]

Thought id start a thread about the election today. Wanted to know peoples thoughts on the subject, I personally am very excited and am interested to see how this will change America and its image or if nothing changes at all. The only thing im concerned about is him being assassinated.

What are your thoughs

[Morgan]

Yep i totally agree im glad America has made him president and i look forward to him hopefully changing the views of many residents and improving the country.

[hussler2912]

Just hope he bloody gets those troops out of iraq like he said he would.

[Dougie]

November 5, 2008 - 4:37PM
Source: ABC

Barack Obama has accepted the position of US President-elect in front of a 65,000-strong crowd in Chicago's Grant Park.

Earlier flanked on-stage by his wife Michelle and his two daughters, Mr Obama paid tribute to the millions of people who had voted for him, saying he would provide a "Government of the people, by the people and for the people".

"Hello Chicago. If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is still alive in our time, who still questions the power of democracy - tonight is your answer," he said to rapturous applause.

"It's the answer told by lines that stretched around halls and churches, the likes of which we have never seen.

"They believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be the difference."

Mr Obama strode towards victory by capturing the state of Pennsylvania, the key battleground which opponent Republican Senator McCain needed to win to keep his long-shot hopes of victory alive.

In a sweet moment for Democrats, he also seized the states of Ohio and Florida, making a clean sweep of battleground states. and captured New Mexico and Iowa, two states won by President Bush in 2004 to close out Senator McCain's possible route towards the White House.

The state of Colorado also fell for the Democratic candidate, for only the second time since 1964.

Mr Obama thanked Americans for their votes regardless of their race, regardless of their sexual orientation and regardless of whether they were disabled or able-bodied.

"Americans have sent a message to the rest of the world that we are not a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are and always will be the United States of America," he said.

He paid tribute to rival Senator McCain, saying he had been pushed all the way by a man who had campaigned with "all his heart and soul".

"A little bit earlier this evening I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain," he said.

"He has endured sacrifices for us that most of us cannot begin to imagine. we are better off fro the service rendered by th is brave and individual leader."

He said he would be willing to work with Senator McCain in the future.

"While the Democrat party has won a victory tonight, we have done so with humility," he said.
Mr Obama earned laughs from the crowd when he thanked his two young daughters.

"You have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House," he said.

'It belongs to you'

He also paid tribute to his campaign team and his supporters who voted for him.

"To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics ... you made this possible."

He said his presidential campaign started from humble beginnings and he thanked his supporters.

"I will never forget who this victory belongs to - it belongs to you," he said.

"It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and 10 dollars and 20 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," he said.

"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 organised 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."

Future hurdles

He made references to the huge global challenges his Presidential term will be forced to tackle.

"I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me," he said.

"You did it because your understand the enormity of the test that lies ahead.

"Two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century."
Mr Obama attempted to paint a picture of what lies ahead for America and the rest of the world.

"The road ahead will be long, the climb will be steep, we will not get there in one year or even in one term," he said.

"But tonight I have never been so hopeful that we will get there. Block by block, brick by brick, callused hand by callused hand.

"This victory alone is not the change we seek, it is only the chance for us to make that change."

Commendation from McCain

Senator McCain earlier conceded defeat in front of a large crowd of supporters and media in Phoenix, Arizona.

"The American people have spoken and they have spoken clearly," he said.

"A little while ago I had the honour of calling president-elect Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love."

Senator McCain commended Mr Obama on his achievement and said he respected his ability and perserverance.

"It's a historical election and I recognise the special significance it holds for African-Americans," he said.