Obama is the next president, congrats America :)
While the results looked very obvious for a few weeks now, it still was very emotional on so many levels all over the world. I was glued to the TV to just take it all in. It was a moment and I am glad I got to “see” it. In spite of all the euphoria, what really did it for me was the wonderful conceding speech by McCain, the Republican presidential candidate. His speech spoke well of his intentions that of serving his country and of him being a truly genuine statesman - he has been that all along. Can you imagine working towards what you believe in at his age and after having fought cancer? I cannot. It wasn’t hard to see that he meant his support to the next president, Barack Obama. What was sad was how the people he represented booed their next president, when McCain mentioned Obama’s name. I mean, are they for real? They had a gentleman representing them and they made fools of themselves and him for representing them! I always thought McCain was in the wrong party.
And now to Obama’s speech - it was very honest too. His success is very literal for the blacks all over - he is after all the first black American president, it can’t get any significant than that. It has taken a lot for them to come where they have.Congrats Mr. President elect. 
Obama is an awesome orator and nobody is doubting that. But, it will need a lot more than that to get things in order. He has a very tough task ahead of him, what with Bush and his men making a mess of almost all of it. I wish Barack Obama the very best with everything, because a lot rides on his success not just for America, but for people the world over. After all, everybody pays the price for a bad economy. And with us all being citizens of the global village, we can’t escape the turmoil that takes place anywhere in the world. So, really, I wish Obama the best and I hope he can at least set some of the things on their course.
But a point to ponder is while it is about change, which I am giving it due credit for, isn’t it still about race? That which we all don’t want to make it out to be?
Filed under: race, black, Democrats, Republicans, America, Presidential elections, 2008, USA, Barack Obama, McCain, Uncategorized
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Interesting thoughts and I agree with you on most. However, while a lot of the news coverage has been focused on the RACE issue I don’t think that that was why he was elected. And that is the important part- he was elected because enough people were sick and tired of Bush and his policies and wanted real, meaningful change. I also wish him luck, he is going to have a hard row to hoe and absolutely no “honeymoon” period!
I think that it was a vote against Bush and Republicans rather than for Obama. I also think that for the same reason, even if there was someone else in Obama’s shoes, they would have won. For instance if Hillary was there, she would have won. People wanted a change. that is all. Obama is not a magician and things arent going to improve immediately . it might take several years. but that again might be because of the many policies that Bush put in place recently and might not necessarily be because of Obama.
I used to get upset whenever K.R. Narayanan was referred as the first ‘Dalit’ or ‘Untouchable’ President of India. Narayanan did not become the President just because of his caste - it was inspite of his caste. He fought against the odds, built a distinguished career and capped with the Presidential position. By adding ‘Dalit’ and ‘Untouchable’ next to his name, the media made it sound like he was made the President because of this caste - which undermines his achievements.
The same applies to Obama - this time it is his race. Given Obama’s background, there were plenty of opportunities for him to choose the wrong path. I am sure today no one can dispute that he made more right decisions than wrong. That says a lot about his judgement - which will prove to be his greatest asset as President. Obama was the best candidate for the job and he is more than just a great speaker and an African-American.
“Obama is an awesome orator “
very true!
loved your last sentence, chitra.
just tried this now:
‘Barack Obama’
anagrams to
‘Aback a rambo.’
Made a cartoon minutes after he won.
Chitra,
Why do you have “Like Palin, vote here now” ad in your ads section?
Missed chatting with you before/after the election results.
What a moment it was! It was hard not to get moved by the euphoria.
The man is a good orator but also is brilliant, and a superb example of it is that he never to used the ‘victim’ or ‘race’ card.
The example set in the process, the value of him being black is peripheral.
-Shilpa
Firstly, thank you all for your participation.
Cindy, I am glad you agree on most.
I am not saying Obama won because of the color of his skin. However, it is very significant in more ways than one that he is African Amercian. No denying that. His campaign was the first ever to track down registered black voters who had not exercised their votes before. He resonated well amongst the African Americans and the Hispanic. Not to mention all the other races in the process. So, even if it isnt about his color being his only trump card, it still was something that helped. Not that there is anything wrong with that! 
You simply run with whatever you’ve got. This article kind of brings out what I meant about it being about race. It is not in a negative sense, but race is a factor, nonetheless.
Gowri, yes it was a vote against Bush. Undoubtedly. But many of the votes were for Obama too. I agree about Obama not being a magician, we will have to wait and see what is in store. Many things are on high priority at this time. We will hope he can do a good job on some of the important ones.
Krishna Mohan, what is true is that KR Narayanan was the first Dalit president of India. And that is very significant and holds its own merit. He had to break so many more moulds to get to where he did. And that needs to be given credit. Yes, he didnt become the president because of his caste. On the contrary, he became one in spite of it, exactly what you are saying. And that is so true of Obama too - in spite of it. And that in itself makes race a factor. I am not saying he won because of his race. BUT, that he is black is still very significant. Also read my response to Cindy.
I am hoping he will make a great president. But we must know that he has huge hurdles ahead of him. Lets not bog him down with our expectations.
Bellur rk, thanks.
LOL at the anagram. Your humor - unbeatable. :)) Cool cartoon. 
Shilpa, oh the ads show whatever!
That he didnt use the race card was the right thing to do. At that level, you just cannot. The value of him being black is significant. He has broken the ceiling, and that would mean a lot to people who didnt see hope. His brillaince or the lack of it till now doesnt matter as much as how it would going forth. And for that, lets wish him our best.
An aside: Something to read.
congrats cousin(fellow smartha) chitra u lucky lady you”ve won a cd of my song on obama part swahili jambbo habari since i chanced upon u really by chance regards kojak
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