Obama Won!

[jmoc]

Hope he does well. He wasn't my choice, but let's see what he can do.

We are Americans first, the election is over and soon it will be time to govern. But today we give props to the President Elect and those that voted for him. This is your day to enjoy and I don't begrudge you that, congratulations....... and ditto Smallville...... jmoc

[ERC7.5]

It is going to be quite interesting IMO. Some good things can come out of this and I hope they do. I'm just glad that the filibuster was preserved....there needs to be some sort of check valve in Washington.....again IMO.

On top of that....the Republican party can start to rebuild itself as has been stated by others here on this board and elsewhere.

BTW - Great debates here everyone! For the most part they were quite informed and informative. Kudos.

[misty_mountainhop]

He certainly did! Don't know enough about domestic internal U.S. politics but from an international perspective, it could be pretty special. He'll have a clean slate and there is absolutely no way he can alienate as many people/Nations as the current administration have done.

Stayed up to watch the results come in until 03.00 GMT and I suddenly realised I've been more interested in your election than I have been in any politics for a long time. Really impressed with the turnout, enthusiasm of voters, speeches of both candidates (especially Obama; don't undervalue his oratory ability - best I've heard in a long time) etc etc.

As someone on the outside looking in it was pretty impressive even if a 21 month(!!!!) campaign is a bit much. Part of me is a bit jealous; you could actually be as great a Nation as is claimed ! At least this is a chance to prove it from a new start.

[pjsnyc]

All I can say is WOW. I knew it was predicted, but I couldn't believe it until it was actually done and sealed.

Thanks to The Sand Trap for putting up with the ups and downs of our debates on numerous threads that ran as many as 40 or more pages deep.

I was in Harlem last night when the major news outlets projected an Obama victory...and to be honest - it was an absolutely amazing turnout. I mean cars were honking left and right, people flooded the streets with Obama signs, Black people hugging White people, White people hugging Black people. Asians, Hispanics, Jews, Muslims, and Christians all marching to the same beat - literally. I didn't see ANY fights or arrests. It was just an awesome sight to see. I tried to take video with my phone camera, but it came out kinda crappy. The audio pretty much says it all.

[Laxplayer201092]

I bring a different standpoint to this argument.

At my school, all of our senior class is 18 (the vast majoirty, with the few 17 Y/o who have later bdays) Some friends and i polled them for our civics class..Its fair to say that 99% of them all voted for obama. Now, when we asked them why they liked him, some of the most common answers were, "Hes Black!" "We need Change", "George Bush Is an Idiot". Now, his being black should not matter. (CNN had videos of People dancing in Kenya, no videos from anywhere else, Whats different about kenya, then say, Germany?) 2nd, What is his change? not one of them could tell me his standpoitns or platforms on any issue. and 3RD, Gerorge Bush is not what i asked about, i asked about Obama. Bush really messed things up, but that really isnt an answer here..

Thats what worrys me. Im worried that a bunch of people voted for him for silly reasons, none of which were a valid reason for a president!

Misty- He might be really good at reading speeches, but his conversation skills lack.. (i cant remember for the life of me, i think it was maine..) that the coal industry is a very big thing there, lots of profit taht is, and he told the people there, out side of his speech that he was going to cut down on the coal industry..

Brian.

[Rusty2228]

I bring a different standpoint to this argument.

Okay if you are going to talk about opinions that aren't informed, don't you think you should be informed yourself?

Kenya is different because Obama's father is from Kenya. The village they showed in Kenya is where his paternal grandmother still lives. Why isn't change and not liking Bush a valid reason to vote against a gentleman who for the most part agreed with Bush? It is pretty simple to say that if you don't like where we are right now, or where we were for the last eight years you would vote for someone other than McCain.

[Fat Slice]

Thats what worrys me. Im worried that a bunch of people voted for him for silly reasons, none of which were a valid reason for a president!

People who don't bother to learn about the issues vote for silly reasons.

And if those same uninformed rah-rah first time voters would have voted for McCain, you think they would have had solid, well-researched reasons? Did you listen to any of the people interviewed at the Palin rallies? Some people voted for Obama because he was black, sure. And some people voted for McCain because he was white (and because Obama was black). That's politics - check out when Tom Bradley ran for California Governor (you might enjoy that history lesson). As for Obama and coal, it's better to not rely on political ads for your information. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2...n_on_coal.html

[photoballmarker]

Hope he does well. He wasn't my choice, but let's see what he can do.

He was my choice.

And, I agree, let's all hope he does well and see what he and we can accomplish. This can be a positive moment in time when we can come together and accomplish great things as a country. But, it will take all of us, respecting our differences but working toward our common goals. The fringes, on both sides will never be happy and never be satisfied, but the vast majority of us are not on the fringes, we have much more in common than we have apart. President Obama, can be a very good leader (some think great), all recognize he has the skills and potential to be a good leader. But, it is up to him to be the leader of all of us, and it is up to all and each of us to decide if we are willing to go along for the ride. And, it begins with Smallville's simple statement above. And, it begins with one of the great moments in United States history. Not a bad start...

[Uber$winG]

I just hope that he is bright enough to surround himself with smart people, i.e., his Cabinet appointments.

[Rusty2228]

I just hope that he is bright enough to surround himself with smart people, i.e., his Cabinet appointments.

one of the things that has impressed me most about Obama is his willingness to admit he doesn't know something and to solicit opinions of people who do. That was my biggest gripe with the Bush administration was that he could not/would not admit he made mistakes, which is ludicrous.

So I think he will surround himself with capable people who can and will contribute. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: "The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing." - Socrates.

[Uber$winG]

one of the things that has impressed me most about Obama is his willingness to admit he doesn't know something and to solicit opinions of people who do. That was my biggest gripe with the Bush administration was that he could not/would not admit he made mistakes, which is ludicrous.

One of my favorite quotes is from a Greek too; Tacitus - Omne ignotum pro magnifico. Loosley translated it means that the unknown is always thought to be more magnificent than it really is. Appropriate for the times I believe.

[Mr Eagle]

Now look what youve gone and done,Abdul down the Kebab house is getting all above imself,finks he's gonna be the next Prime Minister.I tried to explain to im that it dosnt work like that in the UK.First youve got to go to Oxford or Cambridge,have gay sex and join the student union.Be the worst debater in the class and drink loads of cheap beer and throw up every Friday.
You ave to be able to worm your way into a political party getting paid thousands of pounds for doing nothing apart from annoying the lowlifes.Once on the inside you can rely on all your old chums from (cough!) University to get you up the political ladder.
When the Prime Minister realises his time is up or would rather tour the World talking eight ballocks you can step unaposed straight into the main job,without winning an election in your life.
Fancy that Abdul ................No man I dont drink.

Congrats to the New President and the American people for showing they have the trueist democracy in the World

[Uber$winG]

America is not a democracy (maybe at the municipal level), it is a representative republic. There’s a fundamental philosophical difference - no one voted for President, they voted for the Electorate to vote for President.

[Rusty2228]

One of my favorite quotes is from a Greek too; Tacitus - Omne ignotum pro magnifico. Loosley translated it means that the unknown is always thought to be more magnificent than it really is. Appropriate for the times I believe.

There are quotes for all occasions but here is one to rebut yours: The only thing you get by changing nothing, is the guarantee that nothing will change.

And that is more pertinent in today's times, in my opinion.

[Fat Slice]

One of my favorite quotes is from a Greek too; Tacitus - Omne ignotum pro magnifico. Loosley translated it means that the unknown is always thought to be more magnificent than it really is. Appropriate for the times I believe.

If our Obama-driven future turns out to be only 1/2 as magnificent as his most fervent believers predict, that will be fine with me.

[Grndslmhttr3]

You'd have to be an awfully big ass to say something like "He's not my President" (it's not lost on me that a lot of Dems said that after the 2004 election). So I appreciate the sentiment, but I'd prefer if people aren't congratulated for simply being normal and feeling the way they should feel after an election. You're basically saying "Good job on not being a jerk!"

Like this?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2125300/posts

[Mr Eagle]

America is not a democracy (maybe at the municipal level), it is a representative republic. There’s a fundamental philosophical difference - no one voted for President, they voted for the Electorate to vote for President.

True of course,but at the end of the rather long winded American electoral process you get the Guy (unlike in England) who most of the people want.You can call it what you like but its Democracy in action

[kfowler]

America is not a democracy (maybe at the municipal level), it is a representative republic. There’s a fundamental philosophical difference - no one voted for President, they voted for the Electorate to vote for President.

LOL your statement reminded me of this. Too funny.