Barack Obama is the next President of the United States

November 4, 2008 8:00 PM

Attention world:We're back baby! USA! USA! USA! USA!

posted by plexi (1282 comments total)

Congrats America. Something right at last!
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:02 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

It's morning in America. The nightmare is over.
posted by nudar at 8:02 PM on November 4, 2008 [51 favorites has favorites]

Again, Fuck Yes America!
posted by Brittanie at 8:03 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Democracy is coming to the USA!
posted by sy at 8:04 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

If only I could forget Obama's vote to grant immunity to the telecoms who spied on us. Oh well, here's hoping he's actually different than the rest.
posted by jsonic at 8:04 PM on November 4, 2008 [36 favorites has favorites]

Halle-friggin-lujah.

Rock on, America.
posted by Rinku at 8:04 PM on November 4, 2008

Finally... Gosh that took forever.
posted by Hicksu at 8:04 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Obama FTW!!!
posted by grefo at 8:04 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

THIS IS GOOD!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 8:05 PM on November 4, 2008

America! Fuck yeah!
posted by educatedslacker at 8:05 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

mefi meltdown
posted by b1tr0t at 8:05 PM on November 4, 2008

Yes. We. Did.

Congratulations to us.
posted by fourcheesemac at 8:05 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

omedetou USA \(^_^)/
posted by gomichild at 8:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Ok. That's done. Let's get to work now.
posted by Burhanistan at 8:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [27 favorites has favorites]

I'm stunned with joy!
posted by hojoki at 8:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Democracy is coming to the USA

Hopefully not the kind they have in Iraq
posted by b1tr0t at 8:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

so when's he going to come out and speak already
posted by Perplexity at 8:06 PM on November 4, 2008

We did it! Congratulations to everyone who played a part in this momentous event in history. We are now back on the road to making a fresh start, to fixing our country.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

[Guitar Solo!]
posted by Rinku at 8:07 PM on November 4, 2008 [14 favorites has favorites]

I'm hoping, as a Canadian, that this is where I get to say "you get the government you deserve" as a compliment, not a slight. Cheers.
posted by Dark Messiah at 8:07 PM on November 4, 2008 [27 favorites has favorites]

I'm pretty psyched, but I'm not sure the tone of the post is appropriately dignified and multilateral.

Still...this is a wonderful victory.
posted by Miko at 8:07 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

And can I just say "I told you so?"
posted by fourcheesemac at 8:07 PM on November 4, 2008 [9 favorites has favorites]

There went the waterworks. I may need to turn the tv off and compose myself.

We really did it. I can't believe it.
posted by empath at 8:09 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I knew someone was eagerly on the submit for this story ala Digg.

MeFi, alas you were good once re: best of web. This post = lame.
posted by gnash at 8:09 PM on November 4, 2008

I hope Obama comes to office with expectations to which he can be held accountable. I'm glad for the change, but Obama has waaay too many blind supporters, and I don't think anyone here will disagree. I hope people will expect something out of this guy other than not be named George W. Bush.
posted by b_thinky at 8:09 PM on November 4, 2008 [14 favorites has favorites]

!!!yay!!!
posted by PigAlien at 8:10 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

This is the best thing that has happened in some time.

Let's get to work.
posted by now i'm piste at 8:10 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Not to get corny, but I am proud to be an American tonight. It was only 45 years ago that an Irish catholic was considered by many too exotic to be pchief executive (side note: Joe Biden is the first Irish catholic VP. Go Joe!). We've come a long way baby.

(also, maybe Barack will toss Springsteen an ambassadorship or something. Just saying...)
posted by jonmc at 8:11 PM on November 4, 2008 [10 favorites has favorites]

I'll going to wait 2 days to believe this.
posted by mexican at 8:12 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Previously.
posted by swift at 8:12 PM on November 4, 2008 [10 favorites has favorites]

I went out and danced on my lawn. YAY!
posted by FunkyHelix at 8:13 PM on November 4, 2008

god bless america.
posted by fizzix at 8:13 PM on November 4, 2008

Wait, Who?
posted by Balisong at 8:13 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Signed Sealed and Deeeelivered!
posted by Ber at 8:14 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

It looks like FL managed to unfuck itself long enough to go Obama. I'm actually proud of my STATE again as well as my country.
posted by photoslob at 8:14 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

We can be proud to be an American again.
posted by lilkeith07 at 8:14 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

There's either fireworks or shotgun blasts going on outside.

Is that a good sign?
posted by Balisong at 8:14 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

U S A U S A S U V S U V!
posted by Floydd at 8:15 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

[Guitar Solo!]

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 8:15 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

AND THEN THE EWOKS ROCK OUT
posted by middleclasstool at 8:15 PM on November 4, 2008 [65 favorites has favorites]

44.

It took us to #44 to do it, but god damn America, we did it: We finally put our hopes before our prejudices.

We have a long way to go, but this is a hell of a start.
posted by caution live frogs at 8:15 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

It was a creed written into to the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
posted by |n$eCur3 at 8:15 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Part of me won't believe it until he's sworn in. But there's another part of me where "I Am Truly Fully Licensed Hairstylist" is playing on repeat.

I think I'll let that part win for now.
posted by decagon at 8:15 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

OBAMA HAS WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People screaming out the windows here in Hell's Kitchen, helicopters circling overhead, neighbors opening their doors shaking hands, everybody getting and making calls. HE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Neighbors called invited me for drink, I'm having one and then I'm going out to dance in the street!

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by nickyskye at 8:15 PM on November 4, 2008 [17 favorites has favorites]

w00t! And my state (VA) played a part!
posted by onlyconnect at 8:15 PM on November 4, 2008

And the winner is...plexi!!!
posted by sluglicker at 8:16 PM on November 4, 2008

Congratulations, American peeps. This is one of those days when America lives up to its advertising.
posted by pascal at 8:16 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

One of my neighbors is shooting off fireworks. I'm going out for a handshake and a hug.
posted by peeedro at 8:16 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

w00t w00t
posted by wangarific at 8:16 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

As a American who is further left than any national politician has ever been (except maybe former Socialist Bernie Sanders), I have also always been proud of America and proud to be an American. Proud of the ideal, proud of the concept, proud of the promise. That hasn't been easy lately, but I have come to accept that you can be proud of your country and ashamed of your government. I am so glad that we will soon have a leader that I can be proud of -- what he is and what he represents. I won't agree with everything he does, but at least I can respect him.

Thank you so much, to all you MeFites who worked for the campaign -- or worked for any campaign, for that matter -- and thank you to all the foreign MeFites for joining us in excitement and for your well-wishes.

Go stevis!
posted by Rock Steady at 8:16 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Not to get corny, but I am proud to be an American tonight. It was only 45 years ago that an Irish catholic was considered by many too exotic to be pchief executive (side note: Joe Biden is the first Irish catholic VP. Go Joe!). We've come a long way baby.

(also, maybe Barack will toss Springsteen an ambassadorship or something. Just saying...)
posted by jonmc at 8:16 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

My old Obama FPPs

Obama forms exploratory committee

Yes, We Can!
posted by empath at 8:17 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

cout << "Hello World\n";
posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:17 PM on November 4, 2008

Yay O'Bama!

Wait ... he's not Irish?
posted by bwg at 8:17 PM on November 4, 2008 [13 favorites has favorites]

I knew someone was eagerly on the submit for this story ala Digg.

MeFi, alas you were good once re: best of web. This post = lame.
posted by gnash at 11:09 PM on November 4

I guess you missed this.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 8:18 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
posted by The White Hat at 8:18 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

finally...
posted by HuronBob at 8:18 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Not to be all Lee Greenwood, but right now I'm so fucking proud to be an American.
posted by lost_cause at 8:18 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I'm waiting for the phone call from McCain and then I am going to drink some fucking champagne. French champagne. Elitist champagne. Qualified champagne. Humane champagne.
posted by lalochezia at 8:18 PM on November 4, 2008 [11 favorites has favorites]

I can't believe it. It's really over. This horrible 8 year nightmare is over. I celebrated with my family, including my mother who voted (for Obama) for the first time since voting for Carter, and when I had a moment alone, I literally wept with joy that I could be proud of my country, the only home I've ever known, again. We really did it. It's really over. I'm not even sure the enormity of this has sunk in yet. Thank you, America, for doing the right thing.
posted by DecemberBoy at 8:18 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

You had me at "We the people."

Come here and give me a hug, you big, silly, wonderful continent.
posted by Jofus at 8:18 PM on November 4, 2008 [38 favorites has favorites]

Newsfilter

.
posted by Balisong at 8:18 PM on November 4, 2008

Well done USA!

watching McCain's concession speech as I type this
posted by goshling at 8:19 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm at work, so I can't do it here, but I can type it:

FUCK YEAHHHHHHHH!!!

WOOOOOOOT!!!

OBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
posted by zardoz at 8:19 PM on November 4, 2008

So this is what it feels like to be proud of my country again. Been a long time...


Feels good. :)
posted by [user was fined for this post] at 8:19 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Now, the hard part.
posted by basicchannel at 8:19 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

McCain conceding right now. FUCK YEAH AMERICA except for the assholes booing when McCain mentioned our next President.
posted by caution live frogs at 8:19 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Long time coming.
posted by warbaby at 8:19 PM on November 4, 2008

I never gave up on you, Florida.
posted by saladin at 8:20 PM on November 4, 2008

I drove nine hours (4.5 each way) to vote in this election; my family thought I was crazy. This is mainly a testament to how stupid I was to miss getting an absentee ballot, but if I hadn't voted this year I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.
posted by gsteff at 8:20 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

He conceded. It's real.
posted by lalochezia at 8:20 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Fireworks in my neighborhood, McCain on TV giving a concession speech. I am all smiles. America, fuck yeah! THE PRIDE IS BACK
posted by porn in the woods at 8:20 PM on November 4, 2008

I totally didn't expect tears! woohoo!
posted by troybob at 8:21 PM on November 4, 2008

This is great news... for America!
posted by Poolio at 8:21 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Hey, yanks, you're alright.
posted by Artw at 8:21 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Yay.
posted by stinkycheese at 8:21 PM on November 4, 2008

This concession speech is sweet like delicious sugar tears. Cry it out, Republicans.
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 8:21 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I said this in the other thread, but:

I feel eight years younger.
posted by Bookhouse at 8:21 PM on November 4, 2008 [18 favorites has favorites]

O.K. John McCain just hit one out of the park.
posted by Floydd at 8:22 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

(This is a good thing)
posted by starman at 8:23 PM on November 4, 2008

We can be good again.
posted by ruwan at 8:23 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Listen, I have lost all love for John McCain, but that was one classy fucking speech. Well done.....
posted by lattiboy at 8:23 PM on November 4, 2008 [18 favorites has favorites]

McCains actually coming over pretty well. Better than his idiot crowd. God he must hate them.
posted by Artw at 8:23 PM on November 4, 2008 [48 favorites has favorites]

I am so psyched about this news my head literally asploded. (okay, not literally, but subjectively, it seemed to literally asplode.)

watching mccain's concession speech now.

dang. it was such a total blow out! not only did we just elect the first leader I've personally found even remotely inspiring in years, we elected him BIGGGGG, baby!!!
posted by saulgoodman at 8:23 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm watching John McCain's concession speech right now, with him calling for reconciliation from his supporters to work with Obama for change. A massive victory for Obama. An unvarnished, absolute, genuine historic day for the USA. Congratulations! From this Brit at least - well done.
I truly look forward to seeing what happens next.
posted by ArkhanJG at 8:24 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Ahhhh! Yes!
posted by mmahaffie at 8:24 PM on November 4, 2008

This is the first happy news that I have received in several months. I am so happy, that I did just cry.

Congratulations Obama and Biden, and the USA.
posted by SuzySmith at 8:25 PM on November 4, 2008

WIN
posted by ruddhist at 8:25 PM on November 4, 2008

John McCain should concede more often, he's really good at it!
posted by finite at 8:25 PM on November 4, 2008 [70 favorites has favorites]

This is literally the happiest day of my life. I just can't express how happy I feel. All the hardship, the enormous burden, it's all lifted. I just turned off the television and I looked over at my wife with a twinkle in my eye, and she had one too. And we made love. For what felt like the first time ever. We made love as true Americans. Not evil world invaders, not unconstitutional Guantanamo Bay / teleco spys, not as institutional racists, but as true blue Americans. I have never felt happier in my life. Change is here. It's finally here. Hope is here! I can feel it in my bones. Things are finally going to change. And not just change, but really change. God bless every one of you.
posted by norabarnacl3 at 8:25 PM on November 4, 2008 [20 favorites has favorites]

McCain is really going out with dignity and class - but that crowd is in one fucking ugly mood.
posted by Ber at 8:26 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Oh, Sarah. This is the best you can hope for.
*wink*
posted by Floydd at 8:26 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Yes!

This is wonderful. An amazing moment. Obama's election to the presidency gives me a new respect for my country.
posted by jayder at 8:26 PM on November 4, 2008

Yes. We. Did.

History is right now, so savor it. We are indeed the people we've been waiting for...!
posted by rollbiz at 8:26 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

So, this is what a mandate feels like? I'm so proud of us, Americans.

I guess my dad's moving to Mexico!
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 8:26 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

If you're an Obama supporter, some time this week go up to somebody you know supported McCain and, y'know, be a sport. You couldn't win their vote but maybe you can bury hard feelings with a beer or something. It'll make the next four years go a lot more smoothly.
posted by ardgedee at 8:26 PM on November 4, 2008 [33 favorites has favorites]

McCain was doing great until the Palin bit. Good concession speech.
posted by podwarrior at 8:27 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I went to see Leonard Cohen sing here in Toronto this spring. He sang "Democracy is coming to the USA", as people are citing above. The moment he sang those lyrics, the crowd of thousands erupted. It was the night that Obama prevailed in the primaries, and accepted the nomination, and everybody in the room knew it. It means so much to all of us.

Well, there you go. Thanks, America.
posted by bicyclefish at 8:27 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

And yeah, straight up, I've already been crying...

I can't imagine what's going to happen when Mr. Hope gets up and does his thing.
posted by rollbiz at 8:27 PM on November 4, 2008

I really love John McCain for this speech.

Fuck the Republican party, though.
posted by empath at 8:27 PM on November 4, 2008 [9 favorites has favorites]

This is incredible. I am actually crying right now!
posted by radioamy at 8:27 PM on November 4, 2008

YES!!! THANK YOU AMERICA!

In the days to come, I hope that I no longer have to lie about being American while abroad. I truly believe that America's image will vastly improve, and I will no longer have to keep a list of nationalities and accents to fake being not-American.
posted by Xere at 8:28 PM on November 4, 2008

Sweet, merciful relief. WE DID IT!!!
posted by malocchio at 8:28 PM on November 4, 2008

Dear President Barack Obama,

Please help us fulfill the hopes that inspired our choice.

Thank you,
The Citizens of the United States of America

A beautiful moment in our nation. May this truly be the start of better things for all of us.
posted by batmonkey at 8:29 PM on November 4, 2008 [21 favorites has favorites]

Thanks John for the classy concession speech.
posted by birdherder at 8:29 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Freedom costs a buck o'five.

I love you America.
posted by clearly at 8:29 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

For a moment tonight I thought that everyone had been wrong and that things would turn out different than this. Virginia was so close, so close, and I know it's going to be a strange day at work tomorrow.
posted by daHIFI at 8:30 PM on November 4, 2008

Seriously, where's this McCain been for the last 8 years?
posted by Artw at 8:30 PM on November 4, 2008 [14 favorites has favorites]

I am in Chicago and they are setting off fireworks in my neighborhood.
posted by lee at 8:30 PM on November 4, 2008

Yay! Telecoms. Hmm.


posted by adamdschneider at 8:30 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Couldn't even muster a hug for his wife?
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
posted by Floydd at 8:31 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

That was one classy concession speech. But man, John McCain's crowd was full of douches.

I'm so happy Obama won. Well done, America!
posted by shaka, when the walls fell at 8:31 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

We can be proud to be an American again.

To rephrase that, Ive been proud to be an American, now we can be proud of our Government.
posted by lilkeith07 at 8:31 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

There's a huge crowd of people at the white house now.

Please tell me they're going to storm the gates and drag him out.
posted by empath at 8:32 PM on November 4, 2008 [22 favorites has favorites]

Excellent speech by McCain. Sorry, still loathe the man but that was classy.
posted by ceri richard at 8:32 PM on November 4, 2008

Good job, America. We did the right thing!
posted by rachaelfaith at 8:32 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

congratulations america. i'm so proud of you today.

you've made me all teary.
posted by taff at 8:32 PM on November 4, 2008

What is the opposite of

.


?
posted by unSane at 8:33 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

victory lap! VICTORY LAP! VVVIIICCCTTTOOORRRYYYY LLLAAAPPP!!!
posted by mathowie at 8:33 PM on November 4, 2008 [19 favorites has favorites]

FUCK. YES.
posted by reality at 8:33 PM on November 4, 2008

Congratulations America, and to all Americans! I got up to take painkillers in the middle of the night, and while I was waiting for them to kick in, the BBC called it for Obama. And now I'm too excited to sleep!

This is just wonderful.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 8:33 PM on November 4, 2008

FUCK YEAH!
posted by every_one_needs_a_hug_sometimes at 8:34 PM on November 4, 2008

It looks like Obama's coattails weren't long enough for Sean Tevis.
posted by Knappster at 8:34 PM on November 4, 2008

I can like John McCain again, with some reservations. The man does much better in the senate. And I'll be happy to continue to see him working there.
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 8:34 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

AMERICA, FUCK YEAH!
posted by Miss Bitchy Pants at 8:34 PM on November 4, 2008

[>I<>I<>I<>I<]
posted by iamabot at 8:35 PM on November 4, 2008

Wow... watching the McCain concession makes it clear who's really been driving the Straight Talk Express for the last year. McCain's trying to concede with class but, other than cheer at party platitudes, all the crowd can do is jeer at any positive mention of Obama's name or break into chants that don't even make sense. Who knew the swan song of the Republican party would be so damned ugly.
posted by nathan_teske at 8:35 PM on November 4, 2008 [10 favorites has favorites]

"I just turned off the television and I looked over at my wife with a twinkle in my eye, and she had one too. And we made love. For what felt like the first time ever. "

EW.
posted by falameufilho at 8:35 PM on November 4, 2008 [19 favorites has favorites]

"I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into full realization the American dream -- a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land where men will not argue that the color of a man's skin determines the content of his character; a dream of a nation where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone, but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of the human personality."
posted by Floydd at 8:35 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

John showed some class..

and this country now has some hope...

thank you.. for all of you that helped make this happen...
posted by HuronBob at 8:36 PM on November 4, 2008

Obama is lucky that that John McCain didn't turn up for the campaign. If he had, I think it would have been a much tougher fight for the presidency. Classy and generous concession speech from McCain; the crowd, not so much.
posted by ArkhanJG at 8:36 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

I'm in a bar in Clinton Hill , brooklyn now -- I started in one that was broadcasting fox news on a TV that couldn't get sound (it was the only channel they could get) and I was the first in the place that spotted Fox's "Obama - Elected President" banner and I went APESHIT. Everyone int eh place erupted, I got hugged by one stranger and kissed by another. a number of us went to another bar that acutally COULD get sound so we could hear Obama's acceptance speech, but on the way a lot of people got held up by people standing in teh street and cheering and screeming and waving flags and honking horns. Brooklyn is ABSOLUTELY INSANE right now -- huge crowds and two people waving AMerican flags at cars. I'm sitting in this bar and blogging this right now and waiting for Obama's speech.

I didn't really believe it was real until they got a shot of Jesse JAckson in a crowd someplace, with tears streaming down his cheeks.

I also saw the democrats picked up a seat from a Staten Island congressional district -- my ex had been the democrats deputy campaign manager in the 2006 election, and they lost, so when I saw Fox had called it for the democrats I texted him that "you have been avenged."

They're showing the scene in Times Square now, which is packed and the crowds are going wild. Results are rolling in and people inside are still cheering anew at eacah new result, while the crowd outside is just too happy.

Excuse the typos, I am very very drunk right now. (bows)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:36 PM on November 4, 2008 [10 favorites has favorites]

Praise Allah! Now where are the white women at?
posted by Pollomacho at 8:36 PM on November 4, 2008 [66 favorites has favorites]

Two things that amaze me today:

1) We elected Barack Obama!

2) David Gregory is only 38!?
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 8:37 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

If you're an Obama supporter, some time this week go up to somebody you know supported McCain and, y'know, be a sport. You couldn't win their vote but maybe you can bury hard feelings with a beer or something. It'll make the next four years go a lot more smoothly.

Tonight at the bar where I had my after-work beer and shot, I sat next to a McCain supporter. Politics aside, he was a nice guy. We talked about politics without any rancor and ahad a nice discusion about music, too. I never let politics get in the way of basic humanity if I can help it.
posted by jonmc at 8:37 PM on November 4, 2008

So! Much! Yay!
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 8:37 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Hellz yeah!

Is it just me, or did McCain look relaxed and...natural for the first time in weeks?
posted by JoanArkham at 8:38 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

Ah, the party has moved! Ok, will reprint from previous thread, so you get a sense of how hard everyone is partying with you:

I was at opening night of Spamalot in Ottawa tonight,
and when the Knight who formerly said Ni told Arthur what they now are... he broke to a report of the election in "that silly country to the south" for an entire minute, and the entire theatre burst out in applause at the news of Obama's lead.

Arthur, still in character, waiting through the whole thing, replied: "Gosh". :D

Congrats, people. And if you've ever been hassled while traveling overseas, can you imagine how heartily your hands will be shook if you step foot outside your border anytime soon??! Feel it. This is good.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:38 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Now THIS is what I call Morning In America.
posted by smartyboots at 8:38 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Brings out the champagne, and gently sighs the cork.
posted by Feisty at 8:38 PM on November 4, 2008

My god, I can't believe Florida went Obama. Best bet I ever lost.
posted by casarkos at 8:38 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I wish there were a '.' for complete joy. In NYC, everyone -- including cabs and police officers -- are beeping in the streets, and everyone is cheering. What a day.
posted by kdar at 8:39 PM on November 4, 2008

I hate to say it, but I'm experiencing a massive amount of shadenfreude as I think about all the racists who didn't vote for Obama solely because of his race.
posted by bwg at 8:39 PM on November 4, 2008

While I've always loved the US, I've never really been able to feel proud of the country like I do now. I'm not sure Obama's going to be SUPER AWESOME PRESIDENT (although if he's as good a policymaker as he is an orator, he could be!) but the fact that he was pretty strongly elected like this, helps to revert some of the negative feelings I've had towards the "average American" and what they care about.

Here's to 4 years of honest to God change.
posted by cyrusdogstar at 8:40 PM on November 4, 2008

WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
posted by Severian at 8:40 PM on November 4, 2008

I feel so hopeful, and so anxious for us as a nation to get to work undoing the damages of the last 8 years.
I am confident that Barack Obama will wisely use the mandate that has been given him.

<chase_utley>
President Barack Obama

President Barack Fucking Hussein Obama!
</chase_utley>
posted by bashos_frog at 8:40 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

August 4th, 2009 is going to be a popular birthday.
posted by anthill at 8:41 PM on November 4, 2008 [10 favorites has favorites]

<3
posted by jessamyn at 8:41 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Hey mathowie now that Barack has won and America is all better and such, can we have the img tag back now? Because these threads could use some img. BARACK.jpg!
posted by caution live frogs at 8:41 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

er.... schadenfreude

missed that "c"
posted by bwg at 8:41 PM on November 4, 2008

You US mefites have been scaring me with your strong emotions about this guy. Getting teary eyed over pictures and all.
The strength of your feelings must be an indication of how disenfranchised you all have felt.
Today that's over. Enjoy your election party.
posted by jouke at 8:41 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

I am crying. CRYING. This is such a joyous night. Thank you America! Good going us! Its going to be a fucking BLOWOUT too. Awesome. SO AWESOME!
posted by aacheson at 8:41 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Also, Marijuana has just been effectively decriminalized in Mass. Also, anti-abortion measures were defeated in both Colorado and South Dakota.

The times: they are a-changin'.
posted by Avenger at 8:42 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

PUMAs... Suck it!
posted by horsemuth at 8:42 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Thank you, MetaFilter, for the ups and downs during the past few months.
posted by clearly at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2008

McCain just jumped leagues up in my polls with his concession speech.
posted by Frasermoo at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2008

Hallelujah!! So this is what pride feels like...

McCain was positively human, composed and eloquent. I guess he does alot better when the stress is off
posted by xena at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2008

Amazing! We Yanks finally did something right! We have a huge mess to clean up but we're off to a good start. Thanks, everyone who helped make this happen!

Also amazing to realize that in my lifetime we've gone from segregated drinking fountains to electing a black president. I think my head's about to explode in a very good way.
posted by Quietgal at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Yay for us!
posted by Mister_A at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2008

hooray. even little things have changed right away here. (i just walked to the convenience store in the city.) If youre paying attention. its good for people. HONK HONK !
posted by celerystick at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2008

<3
posted by jessamyn at 12:41 PM on November 5 [+] [!]

Is that a bum with a party hat?

Kidding! I'm just really happy at the moment, and I'm not even from the US.
posted by bwg at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2008

My religious beliefs took a fatal blow when Bush was re-elected. They probably won't come back, but I can still say, hallelujah, today. So proud I cast my vote on the right side this election. Here's hoping this is only the beginning of better things.
posted by emjaybee at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2008

Well done USA.

I'm still nervous though - there's no news yet on San Francisco's Proposition R to create the George Bush Sewage Plant. It'll be a long night waiting for that one.....
posted by inflatablekiwi at 8:44 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Dear McCain: waving your hands in a placating manner at that pack of jackals you incited to such a pitch of hatred will not take one single second off your long stay in whatever purgatorial realm you're headed for next.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 8:44 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

Is there an opposite of . here?

!

Yeah. That's it. !
posted by Mikey-San at 8:44 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:44 PM on November 4, 2008 [25 favorites has favorites]

So, Major County, Oklahoma voted 89% McCain.
Are there any counties that voted for him at a higher percentage?
posted by PHINC at 8:44 PM on November 4, 2008

Also: Massachusetts has decriminalized marijuana possession. (!)
posted by unmake at 8:44 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

I was proud to be a part of this. I hope with all of my heart that it goes a long way toward restoring America to the glory it once had.
posted by banished at 8:44 PM on November 4, 2008

A little choked up here (even though I oughta know better). D.C. is going wild - fireworks, horns, howling from the rooftops for blocks in every direction!
posted by ryanshepard at 8:45 PM on November 4, 2008

Is ! the opposite of . ?
posted by IAmBroom at 8:45 PM on November 4, 2008

Watch out, world--WE'RE BACK!

WooHoo!!!

I was afraid that the day would never come. Eight years of fear. Eight fucking years of being demoralized. Eight LONG years of hearing that if you're not with us, you're with the terrorists.

It's over now and I repeat--WE'RE BACK!
posted by leftcoastbob at 8:45 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

"AHHHHH-HA-HA-HA-HA! He's dead! It's dead! The Republican beast is fucking dead! Twelve years of that rampaging Republican fucking elephant beast finally brought to its knees! Yes! You're dead, you fucker! You fuck! You fuck! You're dead, dead, dead! We hate you, hate you! Now you do you know it? Now do you feel it? Feel the fucking hate. Feel it! Call off your dogs! Call your little Vietnamese potbelly Rush Limbaugh back to your fold, you demon fuck! Bring Pat Buchanan back! Call him back, you lost!

Finally. The Republican beast elephant, brought to its fucking knees. 'Cause I feel like me and my friends and all the artists in the fucking country were like little Pygmy tribes shooting darts at that elephant for twelve years and finally... do our little pygmy dance... YES!"

-Bill Hicks, RIP
posted by DecemberBoy at 8:46 PM on November 4, 2008 [27 favorites has favorites]

I'm not crying. It's raining on my face.
posted by MegoSteve at 8:46 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

@EmpressCallipygos

Yeah, Park Slope is rocking out in pretty much the exact same way. Every television in sight is showing election coverage and there are crowds overflowing from bars and restaurants watching the coverage. People on the street are spontaneously cheering and hugging. I feel like democracy is working properly for the first time in my life.
posted by ben242 at 8:47 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm going to say a few things....

WE WON!!!!! I hope all of our dreams and hopes come true! Obama lead us to the promised land!


As for McCain.....

His concession speech reminded me that he is still an American. His voters did what they thought were best for this country. I am happy for our win but I must salute him and his supporters for doing what they thought was best for this country. I am happy we won but I cannot brag or rub anyone's face in it. It is like when you know you are right but still your opponent put up a fight. They gave their best and for me to be a jerk about things would be an insult to them. You have to respect them. And I for one respect everyone that supported McCain. Happy Obama won!!! As for McCain supporters please don't go all doom and gloom on us. We had faith in Obama. We would not vote this country straight to it's doom. Please have faith in us. Everything will be OK. I promise.

For now I am going to have another Beer and enjoy myself.


:>)
posted by Mastercheddaar at 8:47 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

!
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:47 PM on November 4, 2008

AMERICA, FUCK YEAH!
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 8:47 PM on November 4, 2008

I feel like a born-again American!
posted by lockle at 8:47 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Also, Marijuana has just been effectively decriminalized in Mass. Also, anti-abortion measures were defeated in both Colorado and South Dakota.

The times: they are a-changin'.

*pokes at California to get on the Change Wagon re: Prop 8*

Also, congrats 'murica.
posted by CKmtl at 8:48 PM on November 4, 2008

FUCKING FUCK YEAH!!!!!
posted by tylerfulltilt at 8:48 PM on November 4, 2008

Nice. I was pessimistic. Nice to see I was wrong.
posted by Dreamcast at 8:48 PM on November 4, 2008

I just popped that champagne I was talking about all day.

Here is to you Nevada, here is to you America, and here is to you Barack Obama.

The motherfucking cork did fly over those mountains over there.
posted by clearly at 8:48 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'm amazed that fivethirtyeight.com's final prediction map matches the map on the TV. NC, Missouri and Wisconsin still undeclared.
posted by daHIFI at 8:48 PM on November 4, 2008

Getting a bit worried with prop 8 in California (banning gay marriage), but seems selfish to ask for more tonight.
posted by troybob at 8:48 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

America, Fuck Yeah!
posted by drezdn at 8:49 PM on November 4, 2008

am I the only one who thinks <3 looks like a ball sack? seriously, every time I see it...

AMERICA. FUCK YEAH !
posted by Frasermoo at 8:49 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

This is great news to come home to (it's afternoon, my time).

Even better news since I'm going to be taking the test to become a Foreign Service Officer tomorrow at the Tokyo Embassy. Will be nice to work (if I pass...man, if I pass) for an administration that I like. :)
posted by snwod at 8:49 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Lots of folks out yelling and honking in the Bronx.

We're watching Grant Park on CSPAN. I'm all for inclusion, but draw the line at country music.
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 8:50 PM on November 4, 2008

USA! USA! USA! USA!

Cut that shit out.

:P
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:50 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

This is going to be the longest MeFi thread, ever.

And it should be.
posted by bwg at 8:50 PM on November 4, 2008

What a great night! A great friend said it is the most important night of his life. So true. Welcome to a new America.
posted by octomato at 8:50 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm happy. So, so very happy. It's the New Frontier.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:50 PM on November 4, 2008

Good lord, its great to be an American today. It feel good to say that after eight years.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008

Even though I was hoping for a democratic victory (2004 would've been better) I'm glad the dems don't have 60 in the senate. I like me a little gridlock.
posted by BrotherCaine at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

drezdn SNAP. you owe me a coke
posted by Frasermoo at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008

!
posted by joannemerriam at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008

An anti-gun collectivist elected as president. Someone who thinks government is there to provide things for people rather than to preserve freedom and liberty. Another defeat for freedom and liberty. I'm ashamed to be an American today.
posted by JasonM at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Woo-hoo! Let's start on the 2012 re-election campaign!
posted by Balisong at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

These sirens need to become a permanent feature for topics that get a lot of posts.
posted by PercussivePaul at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008

Helping elect Barack Obama to his first term as U.S. President has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life. A watershed moment.

I'm not hugely surprised I've lived to see this, but I'm really glad I have!
posted by Forrest Greene at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008

Wisconsin is declared in our hearts.
posted by drezdn at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008

Yay for ye old U.S.!!! We're AWESOME (again.) My toddler doesn't understand why Mommy is crying and hugging her. I'll explain it to her when she's a little older.
posted by Miastar at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008

♥
posted by zsazsa at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

MSNBC showing the celebration in Obama's father's village in Kenya. They are just a little excited. Before that they had the celebration in Indonesia where he lived for a short period of time. I have never before seen such reaction in other parts of the world to a US election. This feels...wonderful.
posted by Ber at 8:53 PM on November 4, 2008

Gun Owner For Obama!! I'm so happy, I won't even go out and shoot randomly into the air in celebration!
posted by Balisong at 8:53 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Obama will be the first African American president. Am I wrong to want him to be known, after his term(s), as THE BEST PRESIDENT EVER!?!
posted by paddysat at 8:53 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Hell, yeah. I had to turn the internet off 12 days ago, I was getting so wrapped up in the horse race. Now, it's just Hell yeah! He's just a year older than me -- I've votd for a loser in every presidential election from Reagan '80 until today. I'm not quite sure how to feel, yet.


when do the tribunals start?
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:53 PM on November 4, 2008

OMG O B A M A !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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posted by 31d1 at 8:54 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

I knew someone was eagerly on the submit for this story ala Digg.

MeFi, alas you were good once re: best of web. This post = lame.
posted by gnash at 6:09 AM on November 5 [+] [!]

Are you serious? Were you seriously sitting there with Notepad open ready to cut-and-paste that shit into this thread?

Christ, what an asshole.
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:54 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I'm not American, but today, I am SOOO proud to call America my neighbour!

Congratulations America - and WELCOME BACK! This is good for American and good for the world.
posted by SSinVan at 8:55 PM on November 4, 2008

!
posted by Nattie at 8:55 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Connecticut decided not to have a constitutional convention. Amongst other things, that means when gay marriages begin here next Wednesday, there's not much anyone who opposes them can do about it anytime soon.

At this point I'm starting to think if I look out the window? I'll see a whole herd of ponies.
posted by gnomeloaf at 8:55 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

This is amazing.

keeping my eye to the state ballot initiatives, though -- Florida is not looking good with Amendment 2...
posted by lullaby at 8:56 PM on November 4, 2008

It had to be called early. It had to be a clear victory. Now we just need everyone to step back.
posted by drezdn at 8:56 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Rest of the World.
posted by hoskala at 8:56 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

America, we got this one right.
posted by uri at 8:56 PM on November 4, 2008

WOOHOO! And a majority in the house and senate, even the governorships are going for Dems. Time to turn back the clock to a time before "W".
posted by wastelands at 8:56 PM on November 4, 2008

As a permanent guest in the US, I've got to say: thank you guys.
posted by schwa at 8:57 PM on November 4, 2008

Heh. There's honking and cheering in sleepy, conservative London Ontario. Yay for you guys! Thanks for working so hard. I can't wait to have to sew a US flag on my backpack and practice saying abaaawt when I travel.
posted by ~ at 8:57 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

And he's on stage on CNN now. God damn this makes me proud of America.
posted by caution live frogs at 8:58 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm watching the Obama family walk on the stage, and I have tears in my eyes.
posted by SSinVan at 8:58 PM on November 4, 2008

Oh, thank God.
I am so happy and proud.
posted by pointystick at 8:58 PM on November 4, 2008

tonight's excitement is the total, complete opposite of the jaded 'ugghhh' i felt four years ago.
posted by bilgepump at 8:58 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Now just hoping that shitbag Norm Coleman loses. Fingers crossed.
posted by caution live frogs at 8:59 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Quoting my husband "They are celebrating in Kenya for something that we did."

I am so proud of us tonight!
posted by a22lamia at 8:59 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Live feed of Obama's acceptance speech. The moment he and his family took to the stage, the first 20 rows of the audience all held cameras up. It is indeed a new era.
posted by anthill at 8:59 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

This is for that kid from my high school--a public high school in the backwoods of rural North Carolina, 90% black, and with an absolutely dismal graduation rate--who wrote a poem for our literary magazine with the repeating line "I believe one day a black man will be president."

Ten years ago I was surprised at his conviction. Today, I want to go back in time and say "Guess what, kid--you were right, and sooner than any of us expected."
posted by duvatney at 8:59 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

"Hello Chicago!"

Dude is a fucking ROCK STAR.
posted by caution live frogs at 8:59 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

Its a new morning in America.
posted by diggerroo at 9:00 PM on November 4, 2008

Oh.. and THANKS are due to "dignified" and "outraged" fellas like LOU DOBBS for alienating whole classes, races, and generations!
posted by celerystick at 9:00 PM on November 4, 2008

When you all start to pay the trillions in reparations you owe to the rest of the world, then you people can start singing your sickening chant.
posted by DirtyCreature at 9:01 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Ok, I'm crying now. So happy.
posted by selfmedicating at 9:01 PM on November 4, 2008

i owe people money. and it will be the happiest payout i've ever made.

(thank you america--the cracks in my shell of cynicism have gone wide enough that i can see light again. light!)
posted by RedEmma at 9:01 PM on November 4, 2008

As a Brit living in the US, I've watched this election with a mixture of bemusement and horror (the latter largely since Palin was named).

You never really had anything to atone for, but nonetheless, USA, today you've done good. As someone upthread pointed out, now you've got the hard part ahead of you. For the past 7-8 years you've been digging a deeper, darker hole, and now you've realised that you can't dig upwards.

Time to climb.

Congratulations, and most of all welcome back. We've missed you.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 9:02 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

He's put his hands on the arse of history or something.
posted by Abiezer at 9:02 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Even though I did not vote for Obama, I have to admit the guy has charisma. Just watching his speech I want to give the man a hug.
posted by Monochrome at 9:02 PM on November 4, 2008

Watching Obama's acceptance speech.

No booing when McCain's and Palin's names are mentioned.
posted by ardgedee at 9:02 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

Woot!

Now we can get started getting stuff done.
posted by schyler523 at 9:03 PM on November 4, 2008

Yeah, suck it, haters!
posted by infinitywaltz at 9:03 PM on November 4, 2008

New puppy!
posted by erpava at 9:04 PM on November 4, 2008

new puppy! :)
posted by prunes at 9:04 PM on November 4, 2008

NEW PUPPY!
Those kids are so lucky!
posted by Balisong at 9:04 PM on November 4, 2008

Yippee!
posted by Lynsey at 9:04 PM on November 4, 2008

Whew! No boos when he mentioned McCain...classy!
posted by troybob at 9:04 PM on November 4, 2008

NEW PUPPY? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Win.
posted by jinjo at 9:04 PM on November 4, 2008

NEW PUPPY COMING WITH US TO THE WHITE HOUSE!!!
posted by blasdelf at 9:04 PM on November 4, 2008

Oh, God, when he promised his daughters a puppy ...
posted by Bookhouse at 9:04 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Note: It is no longer yes we can, it is we did it!!!
posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:05 PM on November 4, 2008

How do I reconcile this cautious optimism with my natural cynicism?
posted by JaredSeth at 9:05 PM on November 4, 2008 [9 favorites has favorites]

I grew up in Canada steeped in the mythology of America the Good. The American dream, the taciturn cowboy, the WWII hero, the rugged individualist rancher, the hyper-ethical egghead scientist, the natty ratpack crooner, the zen beatnik and the silly hippy. Around the time I was old enough to start understanding that things were not always quite as they seemed in the movies and on TV, just as I started to actually become interested in politics and the world at large, Ronald Reagan was elected, and I grew more disappointed and depressed as the years went by.

It's literally been almost three decades since I've felt that there was any hope at all that the America that I believed in, that I have never stopped wanting to believe in, might somehow come to pass. Hope dimmed, for me at least, and almost disappeared entirely in the last 8 years. It's seemed like there was no going back, that there was no way to break the downward spiral, and the rot was creeping out into the rest of the world, and there was just no point in trying to keep those dreams alive of there ever being a greater force for good in the world.

For the first time in 30 years, at least for now, I'm hopeful. If any nation in the world, any President, can truly make a historic change to reverse the course of our civilization, it is America, and it may just be this new president of yours. Who knows if our man will be able to shoulder the burden of the hopes of so many that he has willingly assumed. Bless him for trying, whether he succeeds or not.

Thank you, Americans, for doing the right thing, finally, and thanks for fanning that dream of the possibility of a better world alight again in this tired ol' heart of mine.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:05 PM on November 4, 2008 [69 favorites has favorites]

Here ya go:

When MCain mentioned Obama in his concession, the crowd booed Obama.

When Obama mentioned McCain in his victory speech, the crowd CHEERED for McCain. I didn't hear a single boo.


To me, that says it all.
posted by spirit72 at 9:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [60 favorites has favorites]

I spent my evening watching the coverage and knitting a pair of socks. I'm going to tell the person to whom I give the socks that they aren't just any socks; they are historic socks. And also 10% cashmere.
posted by orange swan at 9:07 PM on November 4, 2008 [44 favorites has favorites]

@spirit72 I was thinking that too. It says a lot.
posted by schwa at 9:07 PM on November 4, 2008

I wish I could explain this moment from the perspective of a woman of color, sitting here in my living room with my kids, raised from their beds by my shrieking in overwhelmed excitement, watching a man whose skin looks like theirs, set the course for their future.

But there aren't words.
posted by Dreama at 9:07 PM on November 4, 2008 [48 favorites has favorites]

Pride. This must be pride that I feel.
posted by mmahaffie at 9:07 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

spirit72, I really doubt that the crowd would have cheered McCain if Obama lost. Seriously?
posted by anthill at 9:08 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

I just can't believe my home state of Ohio finally got it right. I hope I'm not dreaming. [pinching, pinching]
posted by HopperFan at 9:08 PM on November 4, 2008

woah, woah, woah...

He's BLACK?!?!
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 9:08 PM on November 4, 2008 [26 favorites has favorites]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by ZakDaddy at 9:08 PM on November 4, 2008

Yes We Did.
posted by krazykity16 at 9:08 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Whats that opposite of shame?
posted by prunes at 9:09 PM on November 4, 2008

New puppy!

Also: Biden's wife says he can get a dog.
posted by Xere at 9:09 PM on November 4, 2008

I have to say, this is fantastic. All the work, all the donations in time and money, the phone calls, and the volunteering has all paid off. And, in the spirit of hope and unity, take THAT, girl I dated who said Obama would never win and Hillary was so much better. :-)
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 9:11 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

*sigh of relief* Thank goodness.
posted by pmurray63 at 9:12 PM on November 4, 2008

This isn't just a victory for African Americans, or Democrats, or even America. Citizens of the world, we have won. From New York to New Zealand, congratulations everyone!
posted by hal_c_on at 9:12 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Amazing. Awesome.
posted by JakeEXTREME at 9:12 PM on November 4, 2008

Anybody else (besides swift) have this comment on their minds for the last four years? Way to go, octobersurprise!
posted by kimota at 9:13 PM on November 4, 2008

My president. He is my president. I am so proud to say that.
posted by unknowncommand at 9:13 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

Amazing speech so far.
posted by empath at 9:13 PM on November 4, 2008

yes. history in the making. love it.
posted by Frasermoo at 9:13 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

YES WE CAN.
posted by empath at 9:13 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

To those who didn't vote for me: I will be your President too.

Class act. I honestly think he can win over a lot of people who still don't think he's the right man for the job. Not by words (and god knows the man is good with words!) but through his actions.

Loving this. Savoring it. Hope lives on. To all you folks that considered moving to Canada in '04 - thanks for sticking it out and registering your displeasure by voting rather than leaving.
posted by caution live frogs at 9:13 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

"New puppy" thing just shows what a pandering jerk he really is.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 9:14 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

Hell yes!

When I was young I thought someday I might go into politics (I guess I might still). My first short story (I haven't wrote much fiction period) was science fiction involving a woman senator running for president.

Obama winning means a lot to that teenage girl.
posted by R343L at 9:14 PM on November 4, 2008

Fuzzy Skinner wants a puppy.
posted by Balisong at 9:14 PM on November 4, 2008 [10 favorites has favorites]

Okay. I'm starting to be jealous of America for the first time in my life! OBAMA FOR CANADA!!!
posted by SSinVan at 9:15 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

I think that might have been the next "I have a dream."
posted by susanbeeswax at 9:16 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

What an awesome speech! I'm so happy to have a president that can actually give wonderful speeches.

I can't wait to hold his feet to the fire for everything he does, but he'll probably give a wonderful retort.
posted by Balisong at 9:17 PM on November 4, 2008 [9 favorites has favorites]

Was Jesse Jackson just crying?
posted by prunes at 9:18 PM on November 4, 2008

I WAS WRONG! Thank you Jesus.
posted by tkchrist at 9:19 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

This is election has been so much better than the best movie I've ever seen.
posted by empath at 9:19 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

Jesse Jackson has been crying for a while. So is Oprah. I wish they'd stop, it makes me tear up.
posted by Brainy at 9:20 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

You know who he remeinded me of tonight? Bobby Kennedy, same spirit as JFK, but more clear-eyed and capable.
posted by jonmc at 9:21 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

I WAS WRONG! Thank you Jesus.

I thought more along the lines of thank fuck for that.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 9:22 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Now: cabinet picks! appointments! (put McCain on veterans' affairs!) inaugural poem! inaugural balls! first-100-days plan!
posted by troybob at 9:22 PM on November 4, 2008

And... that's it. It's over. No recounts, no ballot machine confusion - a clear victor, and history being made. I haven't felt this way since I saw the Berlin Wall fall on TV. Finally. Finally.
posted by wanderingmind at 9:22 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

PUPPIES FOR ALL!
posted by gomichild at 9:22 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

Tull text of the speech already online.

The most water-eyed moment for me was this:

[...] Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

posted by daHIFI at 9:23 PM on November 4, 2008 [10 favorites has favorites]

November 4th, 2008
posted by 31d1 at 9:24 PM on November 4, 2008 [20 favorites has favorites]

This result restores the very notion of America as a functioning democracy and meritocracy.

She was in real danger of becoming a de facto aristocracy with immediate family members of prior presidents becoming president or running for president. May neither party ever again have the shortsightedness to nominate another son, daughter, 1st cousin, niece, nephew, wife, or husband of a prior president. May the idea of trading on "name recognition" be forever consigned to the criminal idiocy bin when it comes to choosing someone for the single most important role in the world. May the Republican powers that be realize the height of irresponsibility they attained when deciding to prop Bush II up and run him for president based on the one imbecilic qualification that he shared his last name with a prior president.

Congratulations America - at the beginning of Obama's run I believed he was unelectable, that American's would find themselves unable to vote for a man of color. I cannot express my joy in knowing now I was wrong in that assessment.

America, you done good tonight, real good.
posted by scheptech at 9:24 PM on November 4, 2008 [19 favorites has favorites]

That is my president up there. I have a huge huge smile and tears streaming down my cheeks. Thank you America.
posted by vewystwange at 9:24 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Stavros -- I grew up in Canada, maybe one or two years later than you, and never once in my life until this election thought of the idea of the American Dream or American exceptionalism as anything except ironic and funny. The American Dream was a fiction of golden age Cinema. The American Dream was a Horatio Alger fiction. Or even a cynical fiction by bad people. Although America is the most important country in the world filled with wonderful things and people, the idea that America as a concept might have something to offer or teach me has never occurred to me in my life prior until this election. The stories I keep reading about Obama giving money to a stranger in the airport who's moving to Norway, the recognition of how much more he's done in his life with less than me -- and of the decency he seems to protect despite a life that is harder than mine -- inspires me for real. The idea of drawing on a political leader noncritically for inspiration astonishes me. It might not be incidental that I'm considering a short gig in the US for the first time in my life. In any case, I figure a lot of mefites put a lot of work into this election, so let me just repeat what I and others have said: thank you.
posted by ~ at 9:25 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Brainy: "Jesse Jackson has been crying for a while. So is Oprah. I wish they'd stop, it makes me tear up."

Yea, me too.
posted by octothorpe at 9:25 PM on November 4, 2008

In four years, the stupid shit they tried to attack him with this election will be moot. No one will be able to say "we don't know the real Obama."

Meanwhile, if McCain would have won, it would have lead to an even greater level of slimey campaigning in the future, trying to throw out the most baseless radical accusations possible.

Maybe, just maybe, politicians will step back a little from the venom and begin to conduct respectful campaigns.
posted by drezdn at 9:25 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I woke up my four year old. She's a huge Obama fan. "Look, Georgia." I said. "Obama won." "YAY!" she said. "Now, can I go back to bed?"
posted by ColdChef at 9:26 PM on November 4, 2008 [24 favorites has favorites]

When you all start to pay the trillions in reparations you owe to the rest of the world, then you people can start singing your sickening chant.

2/10. Banal, not very well executed.

You know, when Barack Obama was born in that manager and those three wise men came to present him gifts I doubt anyone could have foreseen he would some day be elected president. Congratulations to Senator Obama, please send my brother a copy of your birth certificate so he'll shut up already. Thank You.
posted by MikeMc at 9:26 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Fuck yeah we can. And we did. And we will.
posted by casarkos at 9:27 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I mentioned it in the other thread this morning, but I voted for this man with my 6 month old baby boy by my side this morning. I really can't express how excited I am that this is how his understanding of American politics begins. He's going to take for granted that our president is a man of color. Amazing.
posted by NoRelationToLea at 9:27 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Yes yes yes yes YES!
posted by DakotaPaul at 9:27 PM on November 4, 2008

Merlin: STAND BACK! Be silent! Be still! That's it... and look upon this moment. Savor it! Rejoice with great gladness! Great gladness! Remember it always, for you are joined by it. You are One, under the stars. Remember it well, then... this night, this great victory.
posted by SPrintF at 9:28 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I have never been so proud of the United States as I am tonight.

Your northern neighbour thanks you.

And anybody who watched that miraculous speech and remained dry-eyed has no soul. I'm still crying.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 9:28 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

God. I am so uncharacteristically happy... got way to used be being among the powerless.

I wish the wife and I weren't saddled with the flu 'cause I'd really like get down to the bar get hammered and then hump my wife right there in the middle of the street.

Ah screw it. Pneumonia will be worth it.

Way to go America.
posted by tkchrist at 9:29 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

two quotes from Jed Bartlet

"break's over"

and

"Tomorrow"
posted by timsteil at 9:29 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

All that is left is for the Hoosier state to do the right (left) thing.

Let's go, Indiana!
posted by paisley henosis at 9:31 PM on November 4, 2008

I am proud to be an American tonight. And I know the kids I teach dance to tomorrow are gonna be elated. As one of my students said "whoever messes up in their line is voting for mccain!" That got them doing the step right real fast!
posted by wilky at 9:31 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

DAMN he's good.
posted by yhbc at 9:31 PM on November 4, 2008

Brainy: "Jesse Jackson has been crying for a while. So is Oprah. I wish they'd stop, it makes me tear up."

Yea, me too.

And anybody who watched that miraculous speech and remained dry-eyed has no soul. I'm still crying.

What's with all of the crying? Seriously. I can't even imagine crying over an election, am I just that much of a cynic? Why no, I didn't vote for McCain, why do you ask?
posted by MikeMc at 9:32 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Almost unbearably happy. Classy concession by McCain, and phenomenal speech by Obama tonight. Now, can I request a pony that automatically favorites every post in this thread? and a pair of those socks?
posted by spinturtle at 9:32 PM on November 4, 2008

SURELY THIS
posted by shakespeherian at 9:33 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

AMERICA: it's not just for idiots anymore
posted by mazola at 9:33 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

I am glad I stayed up to hear his speech. He has a big job to do, but I think he might actually pull it off. The part where he talked about his daughters, and the progress they might see in 100 years, yeah, I actually started to cry.
posted by sandraregina at 9:33 PM on November 4, 2008

California is also reporting NO on 8. Woohoo!
posted by Manhasset at 9:34 PM on November 4, 2008

Well done, America!
posted by Lucie at 9:34 PM on November 4, 2008

NYT reports "Racial Barrier Falls."






Hopefully.
posted by paisley henosis at 9:35 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm glad Obama won. How exciting. I like people in general more today than I have previously.
posted by I Foody at 9:35 PM on November 4, 2008

Yeah, I couldn't keep myself from crying during his acceptance speech.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 9:36 PM on November 4, 2008

posting in an epic everything
posted by penduluum at 9:36 PM on November 4, 2008

California is also reporting NO on 8. Woohoo!

I'm seeing YES on 8 ahead by 9 points on C-SPAN. Where are you seeing NO?
posted by shakespeherian at 9:37 PM on November 4, 2008

AMAZING.
posted by Skygazer at 9:37 PM on November 4, 2008

I don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said. I suppose I'm still in shock. When George W. Bush was elected in 2000, I was utterly flabbergasted, and for eight years, that "ohgodfuckshit" feeling at every. single. decision. of our government just kept compounding and compounding in my heart, making me feel more and more cynical, more and more sure that hope was a very stupid thing to have in this world. Now, I'm looking at pretty much the exact President I would want in the White House ... a smart, intelligent, eloquent, sure-footed peacemaker of a man. I've been wondering exactly what monstrosity our America would continue to transform into. Now, I'm wondering to what heights we can reach. Thank God. Yes, we can. (And, fucking fuck yeah, presidential Chicago pride! WOO!)
posted by WCityMike at 9:37 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

Thank God!!!

I loved the new puppy comment BTW - what a mensch!
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 9:37 PM on November 4, 2008

I voted for this man with my puppy this morning...

damn... I've underestimated this country..... I'm proud as can be of this country, of these people...

things will be better...
posted by HuronBob at 9:37 PM on November 4, 2008

Indiana is 50-49 for Barack with less than 16,000K difference and 91% reporting. As one from Indiana and Virginia I am so astonished right now.

The party is over for me tonight. I'm going to bed, but I'm gonna have the hardest time falling asleep. Can't wait to see the rest of this thread in the morning.

Good night everyone, enjoy the party tonight. We've got work tomorrow.
posted by daHIFI at 9:37 PM on November 4, 2008

I can't favorite anymore!! But I want to favorite, kiss and hug everyone here and everyone who is proud and happy on our behalf. I'll get around to you individually when I'm sober. Promise.
posted by brain cloud at 9:38 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Okay, I allowed my self to shed a few little tears of joy during his acceptance speech. Those fuckers tried to take away my hope, but I just took it back.
posted by Devils Rancher at 9:38 PM on November 4, 2008

Okay, good. Now let's get to work. We've won; let's earn it.
posted by Graygorey at 9:38 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

> California is also reporting NO on 8. Woohoo!
I'm seeing YES on 8 ahead by 9 points on C-SPAN. Where are you seeing NO?

I think the 9%-ahead vote is with 13% of precincts reporting.
posted by WCityMike at 9:38 PM on November 4, 2008

WHO'S THE MAVERICK NOW?!

Greetings, world, from Toluca Lake, California, where DaShiv and Spacekitty and our friends and neighbors and loved ones join together to say YES... YES, WE DID!
posted by scody at 9:38 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Woo!
posted by Xany at 9:38 PM on November 4, 2008

奥巴马! Though it's running second to the recent cross-straits breakthroughs on mainland news channels.
posted by Abiezer at 9:39 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

fucking fuck yes. I am very proud of this country tonight.
posted by krautland at 9:39 PM on November 4, 2008

I just talked to an old childhood friend on the phone -- the only child in the only black family in my midwestern town growing up. She was calling from Paris, where she lives now.

She couldn't stop crying.
posted by rokusan at 9:39 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Well, golly. America didn't shoot itself in the foot for a change.
posted by Peach at 9:40 PM on November 4, 2008

Fantastic. I'm so happy I can hardly contain myself I feel like I'm living in a West Wing episode, except it is very, very. Still so much to do, though.

Breaks over.
posted by piratebowling at 9:40 PM on November 4, 2008

Still holding my breath for Prop. 8
posted by Kloryne at 9:40 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

h♥pe.
posted by shoepal at 9:40 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

B-B-But what about the Palin FPPs; will they end? :)

Also: Bonus points!
posted by not_on_display at 9:40 PM on November 4, 2008

Was shuttling between client-site somewhere in the east of Singapore and office and had checked the news on my mobile. Quietly told the cabbie that Barack Obama is the new American president. The guy broke hard, swerved and turned back and said, "That black man?"

It started raining right about then.

He turns back to the road and mutters, "Never thought it would happen".

_{Recorded for posterity.}
posted by the cydonian at 9:40 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

I'm seeing YES on 8 ahead by 9 points on C-SPAN. Where are you seeing NO?

CNN.
posted by Manhasset at 9:41 PM on November 4, 2008

YEAH!
posted by malaprohibita at 9:41 PM on November 4, 2008

What's this about a new puppy? Are they going to rescue it from a shelter?
posted by turgid dahlia at 9:41 PM on November 4, 2008

Obama quoted Abraham LIncoln twice and mentioned him one other time. Another reason I'm glad I voted for him.

I know there is a lot of hard work ahead, but I hope he and his family have some FUN while he's president. His kids get a puppy and they can hang out with Bruce Springsteen. How cool is that?
posted by marxchivist at 9:42 PM on November 4, 2008

USA: Yes you could. I'm sorry you even had to briefly think that you couldn't.

Fan fucking tastic.

Thank you from the bottom of my New Zealand heart.
posted by pivotal at 9:42 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

GLORIOUS
posted by thatelsagirl at 9:42 PM on November 4, 2008

"When you all start to pay the trillions in reparations you owe to the rest of the world, then you people can start singing your sickening chant."

That's why the why ATTENTION WORLD, THE US OF A IS BACK! WE'RE GOOD AGAIN! LETS BE FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!1111ONES spirit throughout this thread is, to say the least, naive.

Sorry to rain on your parade people, but big chunks of this world hated the US before GW Bush and will keep on hating after Obama. You doubt it? Maybe our favorite antisemitic cartoonist can help me get my point across.

I find it interesting that some people find this fact unbearable and fail to understand that the basic promises of America, what it represents, is a threat to ancient evil that lurks in the dark corners in this planet. Obama or no Obama, this evil won't give up, won't change, won't forget and won't learn.

Do you really take this "popularity contest" approach to life? Do you think it stands?

Something important happened tonight. Obama's election is an awesome sign of what a great country America is. A member of a racial minority, son of an immigrant, coming from a unusual family, with a foreign "threatening" name, elected president. Nowhere else this could have happened - literally, this is an ONLY IN AMERICA moment. But as fantastic as it is, the world hasn't changed. The sky is still blue and shit still stinks.

So let's take it easy with the expectations so we won't hurt ourselves, shall we?
posted by falameufilho at 9:42 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Jesse Jackson has been crying for a while. So is Oprah. I wish they'd stop, it makes me tear up.

Yea, me too.

Me three. So relieved...
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 9:43 PM on November 4, 2008

Caribou who?
posted by Devils Slide at 9:43 PM on November 4, 2008

People are cheering in the street. In Missouri.
posted by Monsters at 9:43 PM on November 4, 2008

Meet the new boss, nothing like the old boss.
posted by mr.grum at 9:44 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

I'm pretty sure it was metafilter where I saw a link to a transcript by a speech by some new senator. It was a real nice speech, about how the whole pervasive narrative about a "Red America" and "Blue America" was so much destructive bullshit. (I'm paraphrasing just a touch.) A real nice speech. The kind of speech I was surprised was even being uttered in American politics anymore.

People were saying, "That guy's going to be President one day. You can tell."

At the time, I was absolutely certain that there was no way that would ever be allowed to happen.

Wrong. I was so wrong. Man, that feels good.
posted by Drastic at 9:44 PM on November 4, 2008 [12 favorites has favorites]

Today, it feels like the future.
posted by tss at 9:45 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Dave and I stayed up to hear Obama's speech and now we are heading off to bed although NC has not yet been called; Obama is up 50,000 votes, so we are hopeful. Dole lost her senate seat to Kay Hagan and Bev Perdue is the new Governor so all our dreams came true. Now, if only NC will declare for Obama, this night will be perfect. Come on NC!
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 9:45 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I feel like I've made it to the shore, and my reaction is mostly to collapse into the sand.
posted by washburn at 9:45 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

Crook County Wyoming voted 89% McCain.
Another place not to live ever.
posted by PHINC at 9:45 PM on November 4, 2008

That's what we can call "The Obama Effect."
posted by brain cloud at 9:45 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

My post for posterity: With 99% of the vote in, my home state of Indiana has gone blue with Obama up by over 16,000 votes. Fuckin' A!!!!
posted by AstroGuy at 9:46 PM on November 4, 2008

Congratulations, USA.

I'm happy for you.

And I can finally stop calling your president an idiot.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 9:46 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I don't think I have ever been so proud to be an American.

Plus, it's a good day in Massachusetts to be a pot-smoking racing greyhound who knows its his civic duty to pay income taxes.

Now, let's sit back and hopefully watch the stock market kick some fucking ass tomorrow.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 9:46 PM on November 4, 2008 [10 favorites has favorites]

Way to go America, you magnificent bastard.
posted by Deep Dish at 9:47 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I'm seeing YES on 8 ahead by 9 points on C-SPAN. Where are you seeing NO?

CNN.

Exit polls frighten me, and my understanding is that they lean liberal. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm worried.
posted by shakespeherian at 9:48 PM on November 4, 2008

Really, now that I can state my petty demands with impugnity, I just want to be able to honestly say "Norf Carolina woopdeewoop!"
posted by solipsophistocracy at 9:48 PM on November 4, 2008

I just turned off the television and I looked over at my wife with a twinkle in my eye, and she had one too. And we made love. For what felt like the first time ever.
Maybe things would be better if you stayed off the dating websites.
posted by tellurian at 9:48 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

So who won this thing?
posted by nudar at 9:48 PM on November 4, 2008

When we told my two year old, she said: "Can I open my Obama present?"
posted by Dragonness at 9:48 PM on November 4, 2008 [13 favorites has favorites]

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Good job everyone!
posted by rmless at 9:48 PM on November 4, 2008

~ My post for posterity: With 99% of the vote in, my home state of Indiana has gone blue with Obama up by over 16,000 votes. Fuckin' A!!!!

Cheers, AstroGuy! Indiana for Obama! Who'd'a'thunk it? First time blue since '64.

I am deeply impressed with you, fellow Hoosiers.
posted by paisley henosis at 9:49 PM on November 4, 2008

Congratulations, America! Let the process of rebuilding begin! It's going to be tough to undo the damage that has been wrought, but I'm confident that if America can pull together as a team, it can do great things.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:49 PM on November 4, 2008

Also ...

Republicans in this thread, please listen to me. If you want your candidates to have a chance, look at what was massively, overwhelmingly successful this time around: an eloquent candidate who preferred to focus on the issues and limit (if not eliminate) negative campaigning, a candidate who

One of the best things I could imagine happening in 2012 is for Obama to meet an Obama-ish Republican candidate. Think of the exchange of ideas that would be — a campaign on the issues, on the platforms, a belief and treatment of people as opponents and not enemies.

The Republican Party's been in a shameful, radical, hateful shape for so long. Look at the kind of man who inspired so many to vote for him. Please, change your party to model this overwhelming landslide of a success. Look at what gave Democrats a landslide, and look at the defeat caused by the current model that the Republicans are using. It's not working for you, and you're utterly damaging America.

Eject the radical, hateful elements that you've endorsed, and with a new President who's ready to reach across the aisle, you will be very welcome back into the national debate. Let's take this amazing moment in history with these new leaders to transform our politics from the mudfight it became into a legislature that we, too, can be proud of. Yes, you can.
posted by WCityMike at 9:49 PM on November 4, 2008 [36 favorites has favorites]

Love it or leave it!!!
posted by Heretic at 9:49 PM on November 4, 2008

!
posted by spiderwire at 9:50 PM on November 4, 2008

I just watched the results in my dorm's common room with a whole bunch of happy screaming people. I'm so pumped. What a wonderful day! :)
posted by ElectricBlue at 9:50 PM on November 4, 2008

Hi y'all. Just wanted to say that the rest of the world's super-excited about all of this. You'll recall that we said we hoped for this result, and that some of you said we thought this guy's "fried gold" (whatever that means).

Just wanted to add some perspective: Yes, we're happy, we're freaking elated too. But soon the time to celebrate will be over --but not very soon, particularly here we just went out for more beer! to celebrate, of course-- Remember, "eternal vigilance is the price of freedom"

Eternal vigilance.

Heavy words.

We were rooting for you guys to do the right thing. You pulled it off! Congrats.

Now, let's not fall asleep. Any of us.

The road to reconstruction is long and hard. For everyone involved, and particularly for those close enough to make a difference.

Thank you all. You pulled this off. The rest of the world is proud of you, now, don't let us down. More imporantly, don't let yourselves down.

Remember: eternal vigilance.
posted by papafrita at 9:50 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Now, let's sit back and hopefully watch the stock market kick some fucking ass tomorrow.

I'm curious as to how big the bump will be and how long it will last.
posted by MikeMc at 9:51 PM on November 4, 2008

Whats that opposite of shame?

Less shame.
posted by milarepa at 9:51 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

President Barack Hussein Obama.

McCain said something in his very excellent speech that I wanted to call out. He said something along the lines of Obama's vicotry being a great victory for African Americans. I disagreed with that. It's a victory for all Americans, I think.
posted by Pastabagel at 9:51 PM on November 4, 2008 [12 favorites has favorites]

Wow. This is amazing.
posted by homunculus at 9:52 PM on November 4, 2008

Today, November 4th, is my birthday. I can't think of a better gift. Thank you America!
posted by rfbjames at 9:52 PM on November 4, 2008

Congratulations, America. And thank god for that. It's been a bloody long eight years, you know?

Literally every single person I know here in Berlin is behind this.

Welcome back to sanity!
posted by dydecker at 9:52 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm only sad I was in the US during the last lame-ass presidential election and not this one. I'm so happy for America today. You guys have had it so shitty for so long and you deserve better. Woot!
posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 9:53 PM on November 4, 2008

Love it or leave it!!!

Say, does this mean Alec Bladwin is going to move back to the United States?
posted by MikeMc at 9:53 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

The response in my neighborhood in the reddest county in one of the reddest states was pretty muted, but I did a little dance in my heart.
posted by mecran01 at 9:53 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

People are partying in the streets in my normally quiet neighborhood. Even the dealers popping off gunfire nor the rain has not quelled the, what seems to be growing crowd of hooting celebrants. Luckily my daughter is fast asleep tired out from telling people to vote "Oh-mama" all day (she's 18 months). I'm wired, a litle tipsy, and trying to write a paper but I just can't stop being giddy.
posted by Pollomacho at 9:54 PM on November 4, 2008

WOOT. As many have already said, this is amazing and I hope that he exceeds our expectations.

Also, it's looking like he could win Montana and that would be freakin' awesome.
posted by pwicks at 9:54 PM on November 4, 2008

North Carolina, as of this reading, went for Obama. Yes, y'all, we went for OBAMA. And for the first fucking time in my entire goddamn electoral life, I have this weird thing called hope. I just heard a man who I voted for, who I admire beyond almost all others, accept the presidency of the United States and admit that there are problems and that there is a long road ahead of us. I'm 45 years old and this is a New Thing for me. My god. We might just make it after all.
posted by mygothlaundry at 9:55 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

It's not just that he won, though that is enough and more than enough. It's that he did it in such a good way. Now there's a man for you, people.
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:55 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Now, let's sit back and hopefully watch the stock market kick some fucking ass tomorrow.

I'm curious as to how big the bump will be and how long it will last.
posted by MikeMc at 12:51 AM on November 5

Massively up across the board at the time of posting this comment.
posted by Pastabagel at 9:55 PM on November 4, 2008

Screw my latent cynicism. I've got this big old grin that keeps popping out. I just got the email from the man himself (the tubes must be sluggish tonight!), I just watched that tremendous, inspiring, tough-minded acceptance speech, I helped protect my neighbor's franchise this morning by vouching for her at the polls and I made GOTV calls from home while my little man slept this afternoon. And I just feel very good.

And to Pastabagel, I want to say: I know perfectly well that this was the easy part. I think a lot of us do. I favorited that comment because of this:

If you worked on the Obama campaign, especially is states like Virginia, I think you are the ones who did something heroic.

I kept supporting Obama, and I voted for Obama - even after real, grave disappointments like his FISA vote - because I believed and believe (and am just further confirmed by his acceptance speech) that President-elect Obama absolutely understands and believes that what you wrote there is the truth. And that is the hope, that is the change that we could believe in.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who I know worked so much harder than I did. You deserve that big grin I know is on your faces more than I do. And tomorrow, to the work.
posted by nanojath at 9:55 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I'm seeing YES on 8 ahead by 9 points on C-SPAN. Where are you seeing NO?

CNN.

Thanks for that. Looks like maybe I get to be proud of my country and my state on the same night. There are 10 million of us in L.A. county and most of us say "fuck no!" to bigotry.
posted by drjimmy11 at 9:56 PM on November 4, 2008

HEY! HEY AMERICA!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU DONE GOOD TODAY.

From: An Australian.
posted by Effigy2000 at 9:56 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'm sitting in my apartment in midtown Atlanta. People are honking and shouting "Obama" down on the street. And they've been doing it continuously -- a nonstop chorus of unabashed happiness -- since I walked in ten minutes ago. (Yes, I'm that addicted to metafilter.) Also people are setting off fireworks from random spots. It's pretty incredible.
posted by crackingdes at 9:56 PM on November 4, 2008

Here in Seattle, lower capitol hill is officially losing its shit. Horns are going. People are screaming. I've got to do schoolwork tonight (sigh) but I just took a walk around the block, screamed a little, and did a double-handed near-tearful high five with a stranger.

It's a good world out there tonight.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 9:56 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Two words: pride and happiness.
posted by Toecutter at 9:56 PM on November 4, 2008

haha! we did it, we fuckin' did it!

Obama's going to the White House and MA Prop 1 went down in flames. I am so giddy and full of energy I don't know what to do with myself.

hehe! we did it!
posted by xbonesgt at 9:56 PM on November 4, 2008

I've had the shittiest day today. Parking ticket. Broke my glasses, currently fumbling around in an old prescription. But fuck it, this news makes it all better. GO OBAMA!

America, I never knew tears of joy until today.
posted by Xere at 9:57 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

! Yes we can! We didn't mess it up!

Now I can go to bed.
posted by Zephyrial at 9:58 PM on November 4, 2008

Stavros -- I grew up in Canada, maybe one or two years later than you, and never once in my life until this election thought of the idea of the American Dream or American exceptionalism as anything except ironic and funny.

Really? When you were 8 years old, or 10? Never? You grew up faster than I did, then.

Hollywood might have taken the stories that Americans tell about themselves and used those self-regarding tales to weave fictions of black and white heroes and villains, of a nation as a force for good rather than evil, that there might even be such things as unalloyed good and evil, but the fact is that those stories, even though they grow out of a vast supporting web of cultural beliefs, were just that. Stories, myths, patriotic lullabies.

What I was trying to say is that my feelings about America were once, when I was a child, clear and positive. By the time I reached my teens, that changed, and have gotten darker and less hopeful and more angry since. But I've always had, deep down, a wish that there was actually something to it all -- that America as the most powerful and richest country on the planet could actually someday be the kind of nation that its most enthusiastic boosters claimed it to be, against all evidence to the contrary.

The obvious gap between what America so often presented itself as, to itself and the world at large, what it could be, what I had believed it to be when I was a child, and the reality of what it so clearly was -- for decades that's underpinned much of my anger and resentment. I've always known this. I've let my alligator mouth overstep my jaybird ass on the subject more than a few times.

But again, what I was trying to say upthread was that I would like very much to let that resentment go. America's never going to be the nation 1950's Hollywood made it out to be -- of course not. But maybe, just maybe, it can be a force for good in the world. Like I said: for the first time in decades, I'm feeling this afternoon like it could happen. The American people, divided and dazzled by bullshit as they have been for so many years, can actually pull together, when things get bad enough, and change the goddamn world for the better. That's... a relief.

After that speech of Obama's half an hour ago, I'm feeling it all the more.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:59 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

I grew up reading science fiction, and thinking of how awesome the future is going to be.

I haven't felt like that about the future for a long time now.

I feel like that again tonight.

There is hope.

Thank you.
posted by MrVisible at 9:59 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I think I'm going to pee my pants.
posted by loquacious at 10:00 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Way to go, folks. I am so tired from the wait, the excitement, and then the emotions raised by the speech. I'm going to bed. But not before I stop in at this very special community and raise a virtual glass with you all. Cheers!! Especially you, vito90, for telling me it would all be ok. It was!
posted by TochterAusElysium at 10:00 PM on November 4, 2008

Growing up in Montana, every 4 years I would have to listen to the war stories of my parents on how national returns from Montana were often the last to come in. Evidently Montana for many years used a punch-card system called a "vota-matic", which I assume created punch-cards that could be counted mechanically.

My parents had seen this happen enough times that they always chose to use conventional paper ballots.

Evidently the physical count was going very slowly one year due to feed failures, so someone suggested that talcum powder should be sprinkled onto the punch cards before insertion. This, not surprisingly, made things much worse. I think this happened back in the 50's or 60's, so I'm now curious for the reason Montana is slow in its count in 2008.
posted by Tube at 10:02 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Sappy as it may sound, I was struck the most after the speech when Michelle gave him a peck on the lips and you could see her say, "I love you."

Her enthusiasm seemed genuine and totally opposite of the plastic political wives we've become accustomed to. And I remember thinking, "Yeah, this guy knows how to pick 'em."

So while I'll probably wake up tomorrow as cynical and hung-over as always, I'm going to go to bed tonight thinking I'm going to be in good hands.
posted by Cyrano at 10:02 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

* high-five to stavros *
posted by yhbc at 10:02 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Being in the state that would be called first for Obama, it has been a quiet day here. Quiet, but good. It is going to be tough waiting for January...
posted by meinvt at 10:02 PM on November 4, 2008

One of the best things I could imagine happening in 2012 is for Obama to meet an Obama-ish Republican candidate. Think of the exchange of ideas that would be — a campaign on the issues, on the platforms, a belief and treatment of people as opponents and not enemies.

This.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 10:02 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

Sweet!
posted by snofoam at 10:03 PM on November 4, 2008

!
posted by zhivota at 10:03 PM on November 4, 2008

Wikipedia's got turnout figures (as much as I dislike trusting them as a reference source);

2004 -- 122,295,345 out of 215,694,000 votes — 56.69%
2008 -- 133,917,120 (estimate) out of ________ votes — ?%

Also, Bush is going to speak in the Rose Garden at 10:40 am CST about the election.
posted by WCityMike at 10:04 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm relieved, and surprised that I'm not as cynical as I thought I was. Watching these speeches, seeing this unfold has created a glimmer of hope that all of the bullshit, corruption and cynicism about the US might not be permanent.

I moved out of the country a few years ago to get away from all of that, but for the first time in a long while, I can consider going home.
posted by Lord_Pall at 10:04 PM on November 4, 2008

After a heated but ultimately productive community meeting here in this city on the Canadian prairie, we trucked off to my father-in-law's with the giant-screen TV and opened a bottle of champagne for the acceptance speech. Felt flat-out great to see a political result worth celebrating.

Here's how I explained to my three-year-old why it was such a big night:

"This is the first time in his whole life the guy Dad wanted to win actually won."

Damn, this is something. I'm envious of an American political outcome for the first time pretty much ever. We could use some of that hopeful spirit up here, and I'm optimistic for the spillover effect.
posted by gompa at 10:05 PM on November 4, 2008

Still hasn't sunk in . . .

I'm going to sit and stare at the TV for a bit. I have and always will love my country, right now it's just a bit more.
posted by cmfletcher at 10:05 PM on November 4, 2008

Hope over fear, hope over cynism, pragmatic understanding...

Today is a great day.
posted by spiderskull at 10:06 PM on November 4, 2008

Oh please Democrats, dont screw this up.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

THE FUCK WE CAN'T!
posted by Navelgazer at 10:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [26 favorites has favorites]

> THE FUCK WE CAN'T!

I love this.
posted by WCityMike at 10:07 PM on November 4, 2008

Well done!!!! I'm so happy for you USians!
posted by dhruva at 10:08 PM on November 4, 2008

The real question is whether Al Franken will be a senator.
posted by Pastabagel at 10:08 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

What's this about a new puppy? Are they going to rescue it from a shelter?

I was thinking that myself. Maybe then we can stop the terror that is the weep-inducing Sarah McLachlan ASPCA commercial.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 10:08 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

I wish I could buy WCityMike a drink. The #1 Chi-Town MeFite.
posted by paisley henosis at 10:08 PM on November 4, 2008

I can't stop smiling. So much potential for good! Eeeeeeeeeee!

This is so exciting!
posted by batmonkey at 10:09 PM on November 4, 2008

This Hoosier is not leaving the computer until I see that state turn blue, dammit! COME ON, INDIANA! MAKE ME PROUD.

(All the Aussies and Asians and everybody in my office today were skyping me congratulations and coming up to give me high-fives. I've yet to find a single person in Sydney who would've preferred McCain to win.)
posted by web-goddess at 10:09 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

PS- Twice now I elected Obama to National Office.
posted by paisley henosis at 10:09 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

One of the best things I could imagine happening in 2012 is for Obama to meet an Obama-ish Republican candidate.

That would be nice, but when Obama ran for Senate the GOP put him against uber-nutter Alan Keyes. I dont think we're going to have this kind of thing until the GOP takes a couple of steps to the left and finally jettisons its fundamentalists. Hopefully the GOP learned a lesson tonight.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:10 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I will now sleep the softly snory sleep of angels.
posted by cowbellemoo at 10:10 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Fireworks, _hours_ of straight cheering and beeping, 2 helicopters over the castro. half a bottle of wine in me. so happy. got to get outside!
posted by bottlebrushtree at 10:10 PM on November 4, 2008

Al Franken's and Norm Coleman's race is too close to call. Because he's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it, people like him.
posted by WCityMike at 10:10 PM on November 4, 2008

We just woke up in London to Radio 4 telling us this. They played a bit of his speech before they announced it. My wife and I lay in the dark and hugged each other. What an amazing day to be alive. Congratulations President-Elect Obama.
posted by Happy Dave at 10:10 PM on November 4, 2008

Please STOP IT with the USAian stuff. We're Americans. We have a black President now, don't you know.
posted by yhbc at 10:10 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

This is really awesome. It's the first time in awhile that I haven't wanted to break something after hearing Presidential election results.

Go us!
posted by MythMaker at 10:10 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Was Jesse Jackson just crying?

When Dr. King was shot, Jesse Jackson was standing next to him. And now he's seeing a black man elected President.

He's allowed a few tears.
posted by mightygodking at 10:11 PM on November 4, 2008 [46 favorites has favorites]

Amen, web-goddess, my wife thinks the reason I won't go to bed is because I am drunk/too excited. But the real reason is because I need to see my birth-state vote the way I want them to for the first time in my life.
posted by paisley henosis at 10:12 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm so fucking happy. Worried, still about Props 8 and 2 and 6, but still happy.

Also, kind of wishing I'd gone out to an election party tonight. Totally could have gotten laid in the euphoria.

Ah, well.
posted by Caduceus at 10:12 PM on November 4, 2008

People were saying, "That guy's going to be President one day. You can tell."

I was one of the people saying that. That was his speech at the Democratic Convention (Kerry's convention) in 2004. And in the last couple weeks a few people have "congratulated" me for "calling that so early."

I didn't have the courage to admit that when I said that, I meant someday... like 2016.

I sure as hell didn't expect it just four years later. It's pretty unbelievable.
posted by rokusan at 10:12 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

> That would be nice, but when Obama ran for Senate the GOP put him against uber-nutter Alan Keyes.

That was because their candidate for most of the campaign was in a huge sex club scandal with his wife, Seven of Nine herself, and it essentially torpedoed his campaign very close to the election; Alan was looked for as a sacrificial ... goat? lamb?
posted by WCityMike at 10:12 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm obsessively refreshing until all the polls come in on North Carolina.

It was close here, but I think we've done it. As of this moment 13,505 people's votes have made the difference here in the Tarheel state.

I still can't believe this. It's too big, and too dazzling. I was so convinced that it would never happen that I can't accept that it has.

Now the real work begins.
posted by winna at 10:12 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Oh wow, check out Huffington's photos of reactions around the world.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 10:13 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I was just watching CNN talk about the Cathedral and Bazaar. Hopefully we will be dancing in the Bazaar.
posted by Rubbstone at 10:13 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm right with you in spirit, paisley henosis. If Indiana goes blue, it'll be worth all the harrassment I've taken in the past few weeks from right wingers back home (some of them within my own family). I hope, I hope, I hope!
posted by web-goddess at 10:15 PM on November 4, 2008

In less exciting news:
Arizona banned gay marriage, with Florida and California likely to follow.
Arkansas banned adoption by gay parents.
Nebraska voted to end affirmative action.

Still a lot of work to be done.
posted by Saxon Kane at 10:18 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

DAMN IT, CALIFORNIA. I'm not going to sleep until there's a definite result on Prop 8.
posted by lullaby at 10:18 PM on November 4, 2008

Congrats, guys! Well done! We're all impressed over here, I can tell you. ;)
posted by Hildegarde at 10:18 PM on November 4, 2008

As tough as it was in the primaries, a thanks goes out to Clinton and her supporters. She helped America to get to know Obama. Plus she tested him, giving him the chance to develop effective defenses against everything the Republicans threw at him.
posted by drezdn at 10:18 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

How...wonderful! :)
posted by darkstar at 10:19 PM on November 4, 2008

I feel like I can fully exhale for the first time in a long time.
posted by umbú at 10:19 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I can't help but wonder if this is how it felt when WW2 ended...
posted by Deep Dish at 10:19 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

VERY PROUD!
U.S.A!
posted by orelius at 10:20 PM on November 4, 2008

Sorry to rain on your parade people, but big chunks of this world hated the US before GW Bush and will keep on hating after Obama.

Well, ideally we have an opportunity to stop torturing people and start getting our shit back together. You'll have to pardon us if we get a little excited about it when we find out we got the job. The whole getting-the-world-to-love-us-again thing is the bonus we get at the end of the year|decade|century if we start doing the right things and keep doing them.

In other words, don't harsh our buzz. We're just happy to have another shot.
posted by davejay at 10:20 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

REAL TALK
posted by ORthey at 10:20 PM on November 4, 2008

It's just, it's simply unbelievable.

It is unbelievable that the work of millions of people without connections or clout or vast money or insider power, came together under the idea of reform, calmness, and rationality, with malice towards none and FUCKING GOT THEIR ODD-NAMED MINORITY SMARTY-PANTS-TALKER ELECTED In a LANDSLIDE

That measured appeals to intellect and fairness and being a fucking adult about things worked over base pandering and baiting


THAT NEVER HAPPENS.

Redemption my friends. Motherfucking REDEMPTION.
posted by The Whelk at 10:20 PM on November 4, 2008 [28 favorites has favorites]

Much of Obama's win can be attributed to the youth 18-29 getting out to vote.

I hope this election proves to yong voters that participation does make a difference, and that we'll see a sea change in the makeup of the political parties. I hope the Republican party is rebuilt from the ground up, by smart young people who understand today's needs.

I note with interest that the anti-abortion initiatives appear to have been roundly rejected. This, too, is an indication that voters understand the reality of modern times. Stem cell research and medical marijuana initiatives also passed.

If there's one downside to this election, it's that a number of states have rejected gay marriage rights. I hope that if the nation is going to insist that marriage is a religious concept, that at least gay couples be granted full civil rights. In the end, we'll all call it marriage anyway. It's not like we have a problem calling common-law couples "married," after all, even if we are hell-bound sinners in the eyes of the churches.

And, wow, did the Democrats stomp hell out of the Republicans. Presidency, Senate, and House in full control. As a Canuck, I actually find that a little scary: I like minority-power governments. It helps rein in the leading party. Limits the damage they can do.

I'm so hopeful that America will rejoin the global community. Maybe the country is finally growing up!
posted by five fresh fish at 10:20 PM on November 4, 2008

This is amazing. Amazing, amazing, amazing.

And now... What's next?
posted by cider at 10:21 PM on November 4, 2008

And you know, it's kind of stupid: even though I'd love to go out and run about the streets of my manic, manic, overjoyed neighborhood-- it feels sort of good to be here at home, logging into PubMed and rolling up my sleeves to do some science.

The next several years of American life are going to be about service: Building, mending, untangling, balming. The best way that I can serve my country, my species, and my planet is through my work-- doing the most thoughtful and most thorough research I can do, and working to transform myself the finest scientist/ science writer I can possibly be.

So screw it. YES WE CAN draft cogent reviews of the neurourological literature.

Yeah, that's my research area. Shut up. ;)
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 10:22 PM on November 4, 2008 [18 favorites has favorites]

I think I can finally sleep soundly tonight.
posted by matty at 10:22 PM on November 4, 2008

I was just watching CNN talk about the Cathedral and Bazaar.

? Please, summarize. It sounds like an interesting take on things.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:22 PM on November 4, 2008

Oh, and besides, for this country just the election of a man with dark skin is a huge epic thing. It's depressing that it's so important, but important it is. Across our country, millions of young African-American children finally have proof that the majority of America wants to see them succeed.

hell, for me, that's more important than all the rest, you know?
posted by davejay at 10:22 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

The nightmare is over - no more Palin posts!
posted by daniel_charms at 10:23 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Hmm...maybe if I try to go to sleep, I'll wake up and find I'm still married....
posted by troybob at 10:25 PM on November 4, 2008

Unspeakably happy.
posted by Cygnet at 10:25 PM on November 4, 2008

California likely to follow.

Not really, no. And we'll thank you not to put is in the same sentence with those other two places.
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:26 PM on November 4, 2008

It may be 1:30 AM where I am, but I swear, I can see a new dawn...
posted by seldom seen cid at 10:26 PM on November 4, 2008

Well done, and congratulations, President Obama.
posted by orange swan at 10:27 PM on November 4, 2008

shouting out from Richmond VA, where there was some dancing in the streets after a long day of volunteering! power to the people!
posted by tarantula at 10:27 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

HOLY SHIT!
posted by monkeymike at 10:28 PM on November 4, 2008

I am sitting here in a blur of happiness and utter exhaustion. I have been holding my breath (metaphorically) for days (years?) now. We fucking did it! We actually did it.

(from the National)
I won't fuck us over, I'm Mr. November
I'm Mr. November, I won't fuck us over
posted by reallymadcow at 10:28 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

hey even prop 1 passed :P

cheers!
posted by kliuless at 10:28 PM on November 4, 2008

Yes! I can see it too!
but then it's 7:30 am here
posted by jouke at 10:28 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm so, so happy for you guys. I haven't been able to tear myself away from the TV for 6 hours. I hadn't realised how much of a leveller this election has been - Jesse Jackson, Oprah, all those guys, caught up in a throng of a million people, in that emotion. Well, John Bolton seemed immune on the BBC panel, but hey.

Congratulations, and the very best of luck.
posted by topynate at 10:28 PM on November 4, 2008

In Swahili, Barack means "blessing".
posted by ageispolis at 10:29 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Dearest Obama,

Twice have I voted for you.
Now the Senate and House back you.
Even my homestate
Indiana back'd you
Please, with this mandade
Don't let us down.
posted by paisley henosis at 10:29 PM on November 4, 2008

Stay classy, John Derbyshire.

Congratulations, America!
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:29 PM on November 4, 2008

One thing from Obama's speech that left me teary-eyed is that he is the first President in this country's history who has treated America's cultural diversity as its strength, and the treatment of our diverse citizens as a measure of the country's moral compass.

No other President has ever dared to publicly vocalize his view that gays and lesbians are as much American — perhaps as much a human being — as any other.

It's hard to know what promises will be kept and broken by the Obama administration in the days and months and years to come. It seems likely that a majority of Californians have today taken rights away from their fellow citizens, for example, as much as that hurts in light of the massive progress we've made tonight as a species. One would hope Obama would not take the wrong lesson from that regression.

But at the very least, the one individual who is our representative to the world, the bearer of our county's narrative, has spoken on record tonight about what we might aspire to be.

We'll celebrate tonight, but let us all hope Obama can keep inspiring us to stop treating our fellow Americans like second-class citizens and sub-humans. The fight has only begun.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:30 PM on November 4, 2008 [19 favorites has favorites]

As mygothlaundry said above, looks like North Carolina went for Obama albeit narrowly. I see Obama won both our counties. Yay, proud of my state, I'm glad I got to help some. So tired...great night.
posted by marxchivist at 10:30 PM on November 4, 2008

Thank you
posted by Dumsnill at 10:30 PM on November 4, 2008

I give him one year before everyone hates him.

You heard it here first.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 10:30 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

During Obama's acceptance speech I actually pinched my arm to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 10:31 PM on November 4, 2008

WelcomBackAmerica.org
posted by Rhaomi at 10:31 PM on November 4, 2008

I just got a nice email from the campaign (from "Barack" -- will he have to stop signing his emails to us that way when he's President? It seems a little informal), and it included this line:

We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.

"I'll be in touch soon about what comes next."

I'm really hoping they use this enormous network they've built and do something interesting with it.
posted by anastasiav at 10:32 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

While nobody was watching...
posted by ghost of a past number at 10:32 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

My children grew up during one of the country's worst tragedies, I am so glad that today they witness a historic victory.
posted by keli at 10:32 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

I find it interesting that some people find this fact unbearable and fail to understand that the basic promises of America, what it represents, is a threat to ancient evil that lurks in the dark corners in this planet.

Hey, leave Canada out of this!

We're mostly just pissed about the softwood lumber. And for overwhelming our English language movies and tvs with your damn high production values and talented (often Canadian) creators and performers. Oh yeah, and for sending Republican aparachiks to train the Reform party - but we can forgive that (a bit) now (we still have the Reform).

But to be honest, I don't really understand what stavros is claiming, unless he's much older than me (I'm 31). I should say that I now live in the US, and really respect Americans and American history and culture - but I grew up thinking of as the US as that big place with lots of guns who wanted to dictate policy to the rest of the world. Maybe I listened to too much political comedy on the radio when I was only about 11 - Air Farce (which was funny then) had a wicked take on Reagan. My country has many warts - and I learn more every year. So please don't take it personally if I say with honesty that America was also depicted with warts when I was a child.

-------

My husband has pointed out the bad side to this all. Now that there is an African-American president, something bad is going to happen - like an asteroid hitting or aliens invading.
posted by jb at 10:32 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

Well done America!!! I knew you had it in you.
posted by AzzaMcKazza at 10:32 PM on November 4, 2008

Well done America, let's hope the promises this victory holds become reality.
posted by Duke999R at 10:32 PM on November 4, 2008

Fireworks in Seattle, Capitol Hill district, around Pine and Broadway. Helocopter overhead.
posted by amuseDetachment at 10:33 PM on November 4, 2008

People in Boston and Cambridge are roving in packs through the streets, screaming deliriously. Cars are going through intersections with horns blaring, a jubilant conversation in traffic. It's like the Sox won the World Series or something.

Waiting in front of Symphony Hall for the bus, a taxi driver pulled up to us and asked if my friend and I were going to Cambridge. We eyeballed him suspiciously for a second and asked why, and he said, "I don't care who you voted for. Free ride tonight." So we hopped in and listened to President-elect Obama[1]'s speech on the radio as the driver maneuvered carefully around throngs of marauding Northeastern students.

When we got to the Central Square cab stand, I asked the driver again if I couldn't give him even a little bit of money. He gestured at the radio and said, "In this man's name, no money." I told him I'd give him a hug, and he just laughed and said he'd save that for next time. We shook hands instead and I got out of the cab, feeling as though I were stepping out into a new world.

[1] HELLS YES.
posted by jesourie at 10:34 PM on November 4, 2008 [18 favorites has favorites]

HANDJOBS FOR EVERYBODY
posted by Citizen Premier at 10:35 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

HANDJOBS FOR EVERYBODY

HELLS YES
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:36 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Wow! I am wonderment! I don't care if if he falls in the mud! Everything is better just for having gone there!

Can we go back to French Fries now, no more Freedom Fries????
posted by MsCoco@6:58 at 10:36 PM on November 4, 2008

five fresh fish: ? Please, summarize. It sounds like an interesting take on things.

I didn't hear them talking about it, but it would've been interesting. The Cathedral and The Bazaar is one of the more important and interesting essays on computing of the last decade; it was written by Eric S. Raymond in 1996. Nerd stuff, really, but very good.
posted by koeselitz at 10:37 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Oh thank God. This is such great news, America has done a great thing and I look forward to it moving out of the mire of the last eight years. I'm so happy right now.
posted by TheDonF at 10:38 PM on November 4, 2008

xkcd knows the secret hunger that lurks within, even at this triumphant moment
posted by Rhaomi at 10:38 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

From fivethirtyeight.com:

Indiana: The outstanding vote is in Lake, Jasper and Allen. Jasper is more pronounced McCain right now, at 59-40. But the county is very small, and 72% precincts reporting. Allen is narrowly McCain, and not anywhere close enough to flip the roughly 23,000 votes by which Obama leads. Lake, a hugely Democratic county, still has a few precincts out.

We always had a good feeling about Indiana when we saw it in our travels. This was a state where Obama had the ground game all to himself. With us predicting a slight win for McCain in the state, but no ground game taken into effect, and with a late minute canvassing push from FiveThirtyEight in Gary, Indiana looks like it'll go Obama.

There's also a beautiful picture of a guy and some kids canvassing in Gary earlier today.
posted by web-goddess at 10:38 PM on November 4, 2008

But to be honest, I don't really understand what stavros is claiming, unless he's much older than me (I'm 31).

Well, at 43, I'm somewhat older than you. But I'm not claiming anything, nor am I speaking for anyone but myself. My comments were strictly about my own personal feelings about America, which are in a happy turmoil today, and nothing else, other than that I share the hopes of many for a better future.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 10:39 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I give him one year before everyone hates him.

That's depressing to think about, but I do remember seeing the media turn against Clinton for almost no reason early in his presidency. Dunno why, perhaps it just sells more papers if you make everyone out to be incompetent, while the real incompetents (Bush administration) can get away with anything.

I fully expect the media to crucify him and loudmouth GOP operatives getting more airtime than is justifiable, but I seriously doubt "everyone" will hate him. The media will just be trying to sell that impression.

My worst fear, and this really transcends who is in office, is that our major problems are 100% unsolvable. If there is no solution to the economic crisis or global warming then we're going to have to tough it out. Most likely history will blame Obama/Biden for failing to fix the unfixable.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:40 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Just a word of warning, don't go to a certain site that rhymes with "Brie Republic" unless you want to puke.
posted by Saxon Kane at 10:40 PM on November 4, 2008

Yay, US!

see what I did there?
posted by Pecinpah at 10:40 PM on November 4, 2008

congrats guys!!

The cycle of this pisses me off, though: in boom times people get greedy and selfish and the right ascends. After it fucks everything up, the left has to come in and fix it.

Obama made a wonderful, beautiful speech tonight, but he had to talk of healing divides and finding unity and the huge challenges ahead. He has to pick up the pieces from destruction wreaked by a moron. Imagine what he could have done if he had what was given to Bush in 2000. I only hope that when he succeeds and America is triumphant again the voters remember how they got there.
posted by bonaldi at 10:40 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

EPIC WIN
posted by BillBishop at 10:40 PM on November 4, 2008

WooHoo! Can you get to that?
posted by Sailormom at 10:41 PM on November 4, 2008

Fireworks in Seattle, Capitol Hill district, around Pine and Broadway. Helocopter overhead.
posted by amuseDetachment at 12:33 AM on November 5 [+] [!]

I can hear it down here on First Hill. Amazing. Still watching Prop 8. But, hey, Tim Eyeman's thing was voted down! That counts for something, right?
posted by gc at 10:41 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

This! THIS is what we think of when we think of the country we are proud of!

Yes we have!
posted by bink at 10:41 PM on November 4, 2008

When, during the speech, he belted out "All Americans, male or female, young and not so young, black or white or hispanic or asian, gay or straight, disabled and not disabled" I thought it was impossible. It's an action hero speech, a rah rah we defeated the aliens speech, a pre-end-credit-and-swelling-music speech. No politician would actually say that. Not now. not in our poisonous, petty, fetid little cycle.

I was so happy when it didn't fade to black and give a director credit.

Can't wait for the sequel.
posted by The Whelk at 10:42 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

P.S

RAH RAH!
posted by The Whelk at 10:42 PM on November 4, 2008

The Onion weighs in:

Nation Finally Shitty Enough to Make Social Progress

Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job
posted by Rhaomi at 10:42 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

As an American living in Europe, I just want to know: Does this mean I don't have to apologize for being American anymore?
posted by ValkoSipuliSuola at 10:43 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Must... fight tears with... what little snarkiness I have left...



RON PAUL '08 AMIRITE



Well, thank goodness that didn't work.
posted by Slothrup at 10:44 PM on November 4, 2008

I've had a shitty couple of months, a time period that has left me feeling like there is absolutely no hope for anyone's future, that nothing will ever be okay. I went through the motions at the voting booth last week - it's not that my heart wasn't in the election, but rather my heart's been incapable of being into anything at all.

then...

I found myself saying the word 'awesome' more times tonight than I did in my entire time in junior high and high school combined.

Awesome.

Awesome.

Awesome.

Awesome.

Awesome.

Awesome.

Awesome.

AWESOME!!!

I love the U.S.A. and it feels damn good. I love this motherfucking awesome place.
posted by Item at 10:44 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

If I were American I would have voted for Obama without a second thought. He is by any metric the best choice for President the US has had in decades.

The cynic in me is a little scared, though. This feels like the Hoover -> FDR transition. And FDR made a damn good job of being President, turned an isolationist USA into a United Nations interventionist type and put Americans back on their feet.

So what did the next Republican Presidents do? Swivel the 'interventionist' thing around to preserve the Monroe Doctrine and to expand corporate interests militarily.

So I look forward to the next 4 years. But the cynic in me is scared about what comes for a resurgent America after that.
posted by adricv at 10:44 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

BEST THING EVER
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:45 PM on November 4, 2008

Epic thread, epic night, so damn happy.

For me, it boils down to this: Hope over Fear.

I can't begin to express how thrilled it makes me to see that Hope won tonight. Something in the world - in me - has been restored. It's been dearly missed.
posted by kokogiak at 10:46 PM on November 4, 2008

But, hey, Tim Eyeman's thing was voted down! That counts for something, right?

Is that the traffic initiative? I don't get that. Encourage people to drive more and make traffic worse?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:46 PM on November 4, 2008

Know who else had a puppy?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:46 PM on November 4, 2008

MY HEART IS FULL
posted by changeling at 10:47 PM on November 4, 2008

OBAMA '43 -- The Interregnum is OVER!
posted by RavinDave at 10:48 PM on November 4, 2008

Wow, The Onion had to dig deep to find such cynical, joyless takes on this historic election.
posted by nanojath at 10:49 PM on November 4, 2008

White House dot gov has nothing on this, what the hell??
posted by Dragonness at 10:49 PM on November 4, 2008

To paraphrase our president-elect, this moment is not enough. But it is where we start.

It's a pretty awesome start.
posted by transient at 10:49 PM on November 4, 2008

Fireworks, horns honking, cheers from cyclists - SE Portland is going nuts in its own semi-sedate way. Just waiting on the Merkley/Smith Senate race results and Prop. 8 down in CA before calling it a night. Glad Washington (apparently) is keeping it's Democrat governor. Really effing glad Obama won. Sometime between 6 and 8 years ago I remarked to a friend that, if an African American was elected President in my lifetime, it would be - HAVE to be - a Republican. Crow never tasted better.
posted by joseph_elmhurst at 10:50 PM on November 4, 2008

People are parading with drums and tambourines here.

"Wake up! Obama is the next president!"

I am so happy and for the first time in my life I feel a sense of love and pride in my country. There is an actual possibility that each and every one of us can make a difference. My hope is that Obama will harness that huge energy into greater good. For tonight I am happy.

Everyone ---> Please don't forget to focus on the local, that is where you have the most immediate effect. The voluntarism in this election has been like never before we must take it to the schools, shelters, and all those in need if we are able.
posted by emypocu at 10:50 PM on November 4, 2008

LITERALLY DANCING IN THE STREETS! AMERICA - FUCK YEAH! (SERIOUSLY.)
posted by Football Bat at 10:50 PM on November 4, 2008

What can I say? My eyes moistened when they announced the victory.

I have wondered what it would be like to have a truly inspirational and great leader of such a remarkable nation, and I have a feeling that I am going to find out.
posted by tomble at 10:50 PM on November 4, 2008

Indiana just flipped blue on Google's election map with 99% of precincts reporting.
posted by PenDevil at 10:50 PM on November 4, 2008

effing apostrophe
posted by joseph_elmhurst at 10:51 PM on November 4, 2008

Just a word of warning, don't go to a certain site that rhymes with "Brie Republic" unless you want to puke.

A Christian wingnut board I frequent has people threatening to buy guns, leave the country, etc.etc.

Are the proud vegetables of brie republic forming militias, wearing colander helmets and cautiously peering out of their storm cellars for signs of muslin invaders?
posted by fleetmouse at 10:51 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

I have a palpable feeling of relief. It's silly, because your President's idiocy didn't really affect me a whole lot on a personal level (save destroying my retirement funds).

But I guess there's been about seven years of continual background fear in my mind, wondering whether the Bush Administration would destroy us all. An ever-present worry about increasing war, endless denial of climate change issues, the threat of fascism taking over the country which borders mine, even the threat of nuclear war at some points.

I'm hopeful the nightmare is coming to an end. Heck, I'm feeling hope about America! That's remarkable in and of itself.

I can't even begin to imagine what an enormous relief it is to most Americans. Super-emotional, I'm sure.

Congratulations and thank-you. Continue to fight the wingnut brigade: America can regain its standing in the world!
posted by five fresh fish at 10:51 PM on November 4, 2008

YES WE CAN HAS
posted by sister nunchaku of love and mercy at 10:52 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

We could have saved ourselves a lot of anxiety and known ahead of time that Obama was going to win. A friend of mine pointed out that by November 2, more people searched Google for "Barack Obama" than for "Free Porn." You know you're a winner when you are more popular than free porn. [via]
posted by marxchivist at 10:52 PM on November 4, 2008 [40 favorites has favorites]

A member of a racial minority, son of an immigrant, coming from a unusual family, with a foreign "threatening" name, elected president. Nowhere else this could have happened - literally, this is an ONLY IN AMERICA moment.

I realise this is talking the language of American exceptionalism, and therefore should be taken with a grain of salt, and not to diminish the special significance the Obama victory has for the US and the West, but your assertion that this could happen nowhere else in the world is literally not true. Racial minorities have been elected leaders in plenty of countries around the world including Peru, Jamaica, India, France and even my own country New Zealand, which so far has had a Jewish Prime Minister and a Maori Deputy PM (no Maori PM as yet, but yes, I'm quite certain it could happen.)
posted by dydecker at 10:52 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

First (Australian Prime Minister) Rudd and now Obama. The people are finally realising that it's good to have smart people in power!
posted by Lucie at 10:53 PM on November 4, 2008

So let's get this straight America ... a few thousand of your citizens are killed .... so you invade a country and cause the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent people who just wanted a peaceful life and were minding their own business ..... so you vote a nice young black man in ... and you can feel good about yourselves again and all is forgiven?

I don't think so. Oh and let's not forget - almost half of your population wanted to vote the Republicans back in after the damage done during this eight years.

Staggering.

Truly staggering.
posted by DirtyCreature at 10:53 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Hey, what's that rumbling sound?

LANDSLIDE!
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 10:54 PM on November 4, 2008

But, hey, Tim Eyeman's thing was voted down! That counts for something, right?

Is that the traffic initiative? I don't get that. Encourage people to drive more and make traffic worse?

Exactly. Fuck Tim Eyeman. He's a moron, and every one of his initiatives that have passed have hurt Washington state.

I'm really happy that all the Washington initiative votes went my way. That's different. Now if we can avoid having Governor Rossi...
posted by Caduceus at 10:54 PM on November 4, 2008

There's a huge party going on at Pike and Broadway here in Seattle. I've never been a part of anything like this before.
posted by gc at 10:56 PM on November 4, 2008

DAMN IT, CALIFORNIA. I'm not going to sleep until there's a definite result on Prop 8.

It's not looking good: Prop. 8 Ban On Same-Sex Marriage Leading
posted by homunculus at 10:56 PM on November 4, 2008

Cnn.com reporting Indiana for Obama with 100% reporting.

I honestly never thought I would live to see the day.
posted by paisley henosis at 10:57 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

You know what just occurred to me? Somewhere, at this very moment, Rush Limbaugh is smiling and lighting a big cigar whilst Sean Hannity gives him a reach-around. This is the best possible outcome for the two of them. Rush hasn't been able to get a proper hate on since Clinton left office. I predict a double digit bump in Limbaugh's ratings.
posted by MikeMc at 10:59 PM on November 4, 2008

Sitting in a bar in Guatemala, people won't shut up for his acceptance speech, but a few of us new-met strangers blubbering at the closed captions because we can finally be proud of our country again.

It's been so long.
posted by gottabefunky at 11:00 PM on November 4, 2008

Ah, I wish I were back in the States to celebrate. But it was pretty epic to arrive in time for Obama's acceptance speech, and watch it on a huge projection in an auditorium. Not many people here on my campus, but we're going out to the city tonight, to an Irish Pub in Chiang Mai to celebrate.

! I feel pretty darn happy.
posted by one teak forest at 11:01 PM on November 4, 2008

Electoral-wise, even at 3/5 a vote for Obama--he still won.

Oh, yes!
posted by sourwookie at 11:03 PM on November 4, 2008

so you vote a nice young black man in ... and you can feel good about yourselves again and all is forgiven?

I don't think so.

And who is supposed to care what you think at this point? Please be specific.
posted by MikeMc at 11:03 PM on November 4, 2008 [12 favorites has favorites]

Well done, USA!
posted by bouvin at 11:03 PM on November 4, 2008

WHERE, paisley henosis? I can't see it! I need to see it with my own eyes to believe it...
posted by web-goddess at 11:04 PM on November 4, 2008

Sweet blessed zombie jesus, thank you.
posted by aramaic at 11:05 PM on November 4, 2008

I've been reading this thread over at Little Green Footballs, where they're claiming Obama illegally "bought" the election and quoting Winston Churchill's "we will never surrender" speech. Heh.
posted by orange swan at 11:05 PM on November 4, 2008

ATTENTION SEATTLE MEFITES.

I just returned from the Pike/Pine corridor. Unfortunately the flu got the better of me and the Missus so we had to bail after what was an exciting and spontaneous show of mass love by the happy people of Seattle. We were kissed and hugged and flashed boobies and bought drinks by strangers. It is awesome!


SO LISTEN TO ME NOW: If you are single, young, and living in Seattle and wish to get very well laid on a historic night I strongly suggest you put down what ever you are doing and go there immediately. There are thousands of like minded people gathering. You young people better go and capture this night for yourselves. If you don't you may well regret it for the rest of your lives. GO!
posted by tkchrist at 11:05 PM on November 4, 2008 [14 favorites has favorites]

Here in New Mexico where Obama won the state and all of our Senate and House seats are now held by Democrats.

I have to say I'm pretty happy to be so blue.
posted by jabo at 11:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Electoral-vote.com has a rundown of the popular vote for president, and Ron Paul's got a total 13,961 votes, which is currently fewer than Alan Keyes. So much for all those "money bombs".
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:06 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Truly staggering.
posted by DirtyCreature at 12:53 AM on November 5 [+] [!]

I never thought I'd say it, but - eponysterical. Give us more than a couple of hours, DirtyCreature. A whole lot of us are - honestly - doing our best.
posted by nanojath at 11:07 PM on November 4, 2008

Blessed are you, Spirit of all that is, who has brought us to this great day!
posted by ottereroticist at 11:08 PM on November 4, 2008

So let's get this straight America ... a few thousand of your citizens are killed .... so you invade a country and cause the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent people who just wanted a peaceful life and were minding their own business ..... so you vote a nice young black man in ... and you can feel good about yourselves again and all is forgiven?

I don't think so. Oh and let's not forget - almost half of your population wanted to vote the Republicans back in after the damage done during this eight years.

Staggering.

Truly staggering.

Cynical much? I suppose you like to lecture kids on how ice-cream is just the tool of the oppressive dairy-cartels.

Lighten up you joyless fuck
posted by JustAsItSounds at 11:08 PM on November 4, 2008 [32 favorites has favorites]

I encourage everyone to spend the next 76 days, 9 hours smacking freepers upside the head with clue-by-fours.

If America's going to pull out of its swan dive, it's going to require everyone pulling together. Don't let the freeper loons fuck it up.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:09 PM on November 4, 2008

Here's a little video I put together as reminder of how we got here (in the short term): The Last 100 Days.
posted by rmannion at 11:09 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Bronx created Hip-Hop! Chicago created Obama! And I know where he was born so please don't trip!! Thank every last on of you who voted for the man!
posted by Flex1970 at 11:09 PM on November 4, 2008

Oh good, so we no longer have to despise Americans and hold their leadership in contempt.

Just like about 70% of all Australians, I congratulate America on this wonderful election result. The rest of the world could not tolerate another 4 or 8 years of Bush-style politics.
posted by Mokusatsu at 11:10 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Truly staggering.

DirtyCreature, I'm trying to figure out what the fuck you actually want.
posted by maxwelton at 11:11 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Thankyou. This is a country and a people that I can believe in again. Citizenship application is on its way.
posted by azlondon at 11:11 PM on November 4, 2008

I've been reading this thread over at Little Green Footballs, where they're claiming Obama illegally "bought" the election and quoting Winston Churchill's "we will never surrender" speech. Heh.

To his credit, the creator of the thread seems sincere and respectful. Props.
posted by Lemurrhea at 11:11 PM on November 4, 2008

eek, those folks at LGF aren't right in the head.

orange swan I hope you're giving those socks to an American friend!
posted by zarah at 11:12 PM on November 4, 2008

Does anyone has a link to any Republican self-pity? I'm in the mood for some schadenfreude.
posted by dydecker at 11:12 PM on November 4, 2008

Holy shit. Indiana really has gone blue.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 11:12 PM on November 4, 2008

If only I could forget Obama's vote to grant immunity to the telecoms who spied on us. Oh well, here's hoping he's actually different than the rest.
posted by jsonic at 8:04 PM on November 4

You and the other single-issue voters can eat shit. By the time his term is over, President Obama will probably piss me off a few dozen times. But his job isn't to make me happy. His job is to be the President. Those things are going to conflict sometimes.

And because of that, you want to throw away the small but real gains we could have over the next four years out of spite over one of hundreds of issues facing us? Don't ever try to tell me you're any different from the anti-choice voters or the RON PAUL GOLD STANDARD nuts.

We elected a good man tonight. An imperfect man, but a good one. And I think we owe him the benefit of the doubt.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 11:13 PM on November 4, 2008 [52 favorites has favorites]

Sorry to rain on your parade people, but big chunks of this world hated the US

Yeah, but that has more to do with dick comments like:

Nowhere else this could have happened - literally, this is an ONLY IN AMERICA moment.

...than anything else. Why do you want to hurt America?
posted by rodgerd at 11:13 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

This is one phenomenal community organizer.
posted by Neiltupper at 11:14 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

I'm not optimistic about Obama as President. But I do hope that he rises above my expectations and doesn't screw our country over.

Best wishes, Barack.
posted by davidmsc at 11:14 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

ONLY IN AMERICA COULD AN AMERICAN CITIZEN BE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF AMERICA
posted by Citizen Premier at 11:15 PM on November 4, 2008 [24 favorites has favorites]

And can I just say "I told you so?"

To konolia, MetaMan, et al:

Yes ... I realize it is considered poor form for me to bring up MeFites who have not (as of yet) participated in this thread. But, after two years of debate with you (and others of your ilk), please permit some of us to gloat, albeit a bit drunken, in tonight's achievement: a majority support for an African-American, liberal, Democratic President-elect to lead us forward in this 21^st Century.

The God of the Majority Has Spoken. And His Name is Obama!!!

Your thoughts, feelings and reactions to this development. Most appreciated.
posted by ericb at 11:16 PM on November 4, 2008

and you can feel good about yourselves again and all is forgiven?

The people you're talking to here suffered more the last 8 years than you did, I'd wager, so please kindly shut it about your refusal to "forgive us."
posted by Solon and Thanks at 11:16 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

A Christian wingnut board I frequent has people threatening to buy guns, leave the country, etc.etc.

Now they know how I have been feeling for the last 8 years. I don't mean to be rude... but Suck It.
posted by jopreacher at 11:17 PM on November 4, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

yay!
posted by cmicali at 11:18 PM on November 4, 2008

Well done America. Now you have a hope of getting things back to how they should be. This Australian is very excited to be able to watch America with cheerful interest, rather than disbelieving horror.

Obama has my best wishes. That man has a hell of a lot of work to do and a pressing need to do it all so soon.
posted by Jilder at 11:19 PM on November 4, 2008

DirtyCreature, I'm trying to figure out what the fuck you actually want.

Oh. He wants a friend. A friend to share his deep important insights with. Over coffee. Then at an awkward pause in the conversation he can then show this friend his collection of child autopsy and cancer biopsy medical journal photos. To, like, bring 'em back down to reality, MAN!

And his new friend just stares for a moment. And his new freind says they have to make a call. And the new friend doesn't come back. Like all his other new freinds.

COME BACK FRIEND! COME BACK!
posted by tkchrist at 11:19 PM on November 4, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

ONLY IN AMERICA COULD AN AMERICAN CITIZEN BE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF AMERICA

ONLY IN AMERICA COULD AMERICAN AMERICA AMERICA!

IN CONCLUSION: WHAT A RELIEF THAT THEY AMERICOULD
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 11:20 PM on November 4, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

99% of the precincts reporting in Missouri and a McCain has a 402 vote lead.
posted by PenDevil at 11:20 PM on November 4, 2008

~ WHERE, paisley henosis? I can't see it! I need to see it with my own eyes to believe it...

NYTimes.com, 'state winners' on the flash element.

I can hardly believe it myself.
posted by paisley henosis at 11:20 PM on November 4, 2008

Thank you, SpaceKitty.
posted by MaxK at 11:21 PM on November 4, 2008

I just got back in from the rally in Grant Park. All I can say is wow. That was awesome.
posted by MrBobaFett at 11:23 PM on November 4, 2008

I encourage everyone to spend the next 76 days, 9 hours smacking freepers upside the head with clue-by-fours. thinking real damn hard about how to ignore the bullshit static and think instead about how we can make real, important shit happen. This is not a motherfucking drill. Sober up, be hungover, and start thinking tomorrow about making a wonderful victory into a real, honest, campaign for positive change in this world. Fucking-A Yes We Can.
posted by nanojath at 11:24 PM on November 4, 2008 [13 favorites has favorites]

Well, at 43, I'm somewhat older than you.

Ah, you remember Carter. I wish I did - I was just too young, and didn't really learn who he was until recently. And everything more I learn about him, the more impressed I am. But the only president I knew as a child was Reagan - and after what he said about welfare queens, you can imagine he wasn't too popular in our social assistance dependant household. (That welfare got my mom a high school diploma and now she's a well-employed bookkeeper, and me a good childhood so I could get a degree. It was a good investment.)
posted by jb at 11:24 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

maxwelton: "DirtyCreature, I'm trying to figure out what the fuck you actually want."

Thanks for asking. How about the nice young black man and his shiny new administration agreeing to submit the former administration to an international court of justice.... allowing war crimes charges to be assessed on merits against members of that adminstration and agreeing to pay reparations. You know ... kinda like they did in Germany when they killed lots of innocent people? How would an obesity and excessive wealth tax to pay for reparations go down do you think?
posted by DirtyCreature at 11:25 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Halfway through the precincts, Ted Stevens is winning.

I almost want him to win, just to watch the vote in the Senate.

"Motion to expel Sen. Ted Stevens from the United States Senate"
posted by Lemurrhea at 11:25 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

At Seattle pike and broadway street party still going on. Gurillea fireworks and cheap champagne all over the place over 2 sq blocks, better be walking here , roads blocked and buses rerouted
posted by amuseDetachment at 11:26 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Much of Obama's win can be attributed to the youth 18-29 getting out to vote.

It's interesting, that one. The under-thirties, on exit polling, were all Obama even in many Republican states like Texas.
posted by rodgerd at 11:26 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

And on a sadder, glummer, note, I have to say: I am monumentally bummed that I do not get to hear what Dr. Hunter S. Thompson has to say about our little electoral upset tonight. I pray my primitive religionist views are correct - in which case you are smiling down on us from a 3 story bed of consequence-free, heavenly blow and rum.
posted by nanojath at 11:28 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

When you all start to pay the trillions in reparations you owe to the rest of the world, then you people can start singing your sickening chant.
posted by DirtyCreature at 9:01 PM on November 4

Hey, DirtyCreature is back. How are your investments coming?

Oh, not so good.

Well, surely your earthquake predictions panned out, right? No? You are either a troll or you are mentally ill and you should seek professional help. In your rebuttal, don't forget to be QUOTING SCIENCE like your last insane flameout where you said you would never come back.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 11:28 PM on November 4, 2008 [12 favorites has favorites]

You and the other single-issue voters can eat shit.

A-fucking-men. Quoted for truth.

Mindless cynicism is, guess what? Mindless. Ooo, look, I'm more cynical than everyone else! That must mean I'm smarter, right?

Boo-fucking-hoo, life isn't perfect. People die. Bad things happen. Things don't always go the way you planned. How can this possibly surprise anyone?

The soul which cannot appreciate an improvement, because it is merely an improvement and not a perfection, is a soul which is doomed.

Perfection is stasis. Stasis is death.
posted by aramaic at 11:31 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I celebrated Obama's victory in Mexico City. We know we'll still be fucked by whatever happens in the US, but maybe, this time, it won't be that bad.
posted by clearlydemon at 11:31 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Don't know if anyone else has pointed this out, but another nice feature of Obama's victory is that he has far more EV's than Bush did in either of his wins, and (currently) a larger percentage of the popular vote (52% at the moment) than Bush ever got. Don't know if he'll get past Bush's 62 million votes in 2004, though. One more goal to aim for...

*off to bed*
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:31 PM on November 4, 2008

Man, good job everybody. I just marched, yes, marched, with two thousand or so University of Vermont students. I had a cozy booth at my favorite bar and my crew, and the entire bar were cheering whenever a state went blue. Good times, too much beer, it was great.

Then, suddenly, McCain was standing in front of a podium and the bar went dead silent.

"No way." My pal, who had just arrived, said.

"Concession." Someone else said. And the bar went wild with "shhhh" and "shut up."

In fact, there were so many shushes and shut ups that I couldn't actually hear anything McCain said. Then CNN popped up a caption. I don't know what it actually said, but the word 'concession' appeared, and the bar erupted. Then, as we cheered and shouted "USA! USA!" the flood started. Down the hill from the University of Vermont, came a flood of students and faculty and drunkass punks, just like those of us at my bar, they were crazy-excited.

It was like a revolution. I forgot about my credit card, held behind the bar, and packed right full of the beer I and my friends had already consumed, and I charged out into the street. We gathered, thousands in downtown Burlington, Vermont and cheered.

Then the march began. These thousands walked down Church street and up Main, literally marching over cars that were stuck at stop lights, both red and green, unable to move through the current of students andd townies, all of them terribly excited to have a respectable president. One that could string together a sentence.

"USA! USA! USA!" They cheered.
"O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!" They cheered.
"Yes! We! Can!" They cheered.
"Yes! We! Did!" They chanted.

I'm five years out of college, but I was cheering and marching with these students. In fact, my cheeks are sore now because of my huge smile. We ended on the campus of UVM, and everyone there, all the punkass kids and students and hippies and yuppies and hipsters and we all sang the national anthem as cars finally made it through the crows, all of them honking for Obama.

Then I marched right back downtown with the rest of them, intending to collect my card and head home, instead I stayed with them, buying beer and cheering everyone on. Good job! I said, good job electing this guy. We won.

Good God, I've never been happier or more optimisitic for our country.

Everything's awesome. I'm going to bed.
posted by The Man from Lardfork at 11:32 PM on November 4, 2008 [11 favorites has favorites]

I do love the election, the preseident and his sweet speeches, but it's amazing how quick people are with the patriotic adoration.

What does "a sense of love and pride in my country" feel like? I'm from an old European country. I've always been shown that only racists are patriotic, and all feelings of national pride must be instantly accompanied by a recitation of all the war crimes ever committed by people from my country, the prejudices still to come and the venal worthlessness of the current regime. As a liberal, I believe this intrinsically. How do Americans stay so self-adoring? (I'm not being snide, but I really want to know. Where's the self-loathing?)

Our next main election will feature two unlikeable, slimy, untrustworthy liars we are already sick of fighting over who can give the bigots in a few key areas the biggest tax breaks.

(Naturally I'm jealous)
posted by grapefruitzzz at 11:32 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

My town voted in favor of Obama by a count of 2008-1889 a close victory, but 2008 votes for him, in 2008, coincidence or awesomeness?
posted by lilkeith07 at 11:34 PM on November 4, 2008

Frederick Douglass
Robert Hayden

When it is finally Ours, this freedom, this liberty, this beautiful
and terrible thing, needful to man as air,
usable as earth; when it belongs at last to all,
when it is truly Instinct, brain matter, diastole, systole,
reflex action; when it is finally won; when it is more
than the gaudy mumbo jumbo of politicians;
this man this Douglass, this former slave, this Negro
beaten to his knees, exiled, visioning a world
where none is lonely, none hunted, alien,
this man, superb in love and logic, this man
shall be remembered. Oh, not with statues' rhetoric,
not with legends and poems and wreaths of bronze alone,
but with the lives grown out of his life, the lives
fleshing his dream of the beautiful, needful thing.
posted by ronv at 11:35 PM on November 4, 2008 [9 favorites has favorites]

August 4th, 2009 is going to be a popular birthday.

Can we call all those new mothers the "Barack Omama's"?
posted by zueod at 11:36 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

How would an obesity and excessive wealth tax to pay for reparations go down do you think?

How about we not pay attention to your excessive and taxing trolling and move on.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:36 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I'm really, really excited that Obama won.

And trying hard not to let my disappointment about AZ, FL, AR and maybe CA cast too much of a shadow.
posted by lullaby at 11:36 PM on November 4, 2008

It's interesting, that one. The under-thirties, on exit polling, were all Obama even in many Republican states like Texas.

I OFFICIALLY apologize to all the 20-something people I said wouldn't pull this thing off. Looks like you guys aren't nearly the fuck-ups we were when were your age. Way to go kids. You did real good. We owe you a big one.

I wish I wasn't sick because I would be buying you drinks tonight. If any of you Seattle young Obama folk run across me here on the Hill I promise I will buy you a drink.

The code word will be "Todd, You Beautiful Bastard, I Read Your Post."
posted by tkchrist at 11:37 PM on November 4, 2008

OMG.

The Freepers are getting all Red Dawn over there. Seriously, all Turner Diaries and stuff.

How stunted.
posted by sourwookie at 11:38 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

The Revolution WILL be televised!
posted by aclevername at 11:41 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

When I was younger, I would go into people's houses and see portraits of politicians. The Kennedy's often, especially in black houses, sometimes as part of a triptych that included Martin Luther King. Conservative houses often had Reagan, which I found bizarre and terrifying. But I could never imagine putting the image of a politician on my walls. It's not that I thought about it and rejected it; it's that it literally never occurred to me that this was a thing I might ever do.

I bought a portrait of Obama tonight, and will put it on my wall as soon as I get it. He may disappoint. I hope not. I can always take the picture down again if he does. But, for this moment, after eight years of feeling my country had gone down a terrible path, I finally have a president I feel is my president. And not because Obama perfectly represents me. He doesn't. But because I think he is a good man and a honest public servant, and, when we disagree, it will be an honest disagreement based in real facts that we both share and understand to be true. He will not make up his own facts for the sake of convenience, and he will not pursue a bad course of action out a doctrine. He will assemble experts and examine facts, and, when he makes a decision, it will be because he thinks that decision is for the good of the nation. That is what I am counting on him for. And if he does these things, his picture will always have a place of pride on my wall.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:42 PM on November 4, 2008 [21 favorites has favorites]

College undergraduate checking in.

Just watched everything unfold with a group of 12 or so others. As soon as it became clear that Obama was, indeed, going to win, we swarmed the streets--screaming, chanting, hugging, crying--along with hundreds (at least) of other students. For most of us, this was our first time voting in an election; many of us were still in middle school when the twin towers fell. We've had a lot on our minds since then. I have it easy, and I've still been worrying about how I'm going to get a job in this economy when I graduate; whether my friends are going to end up in (or get out of) Iraq; if my best friend, who is gay, is going to be able to marry; whether I'm going to be protected, mental illnesses and all; whether I'm going to be in this all together with the world, whether one day I'm going to be able to truly believe in my government and actually feel proud to say that, yes, I am from the United States of America.

As someone who has cringed at the red, white, and blue which I have long associated with corruption and bigotry--my mind is blown. This is my generation. This was my very first time voting and I did something. WE did something. We informed ourselves; we got ourselves to the polls; we did something. And it felt good. It felt so goddamn good.

Watching Obama's speech, with all of us crying--and my best friend, in the middle of that, just smiling and saying aloud, "I'm going to get married"--and my other friend, sobbing because who would have ever thought, and if only his dad could be there tonight--and me, just blending in, holding hands, silently crying and watching it all because it is bigger than I ever imagined--because the problems we face are bigger than I can fathom--but for once, for once I feel hope and pride. I feel empowered.

I will never, ever miss another election. I've seen the power and meaning of one. And it delights me--and inspires me--to know that I am not the only young person to feel this way. Welcome, 21st century. The world won't change tomorrow, but it's going to change. And I think we can change it for the better.

I feel good tonight.
posted by Alligator at 11:42 PM on November 4, 2008 [31 favorites has favorites]

palinaspresident.com has been updated.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:42 PM on November 4, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

He will assemble experts and examine facts, and, when he makes a decision, it will be because he thinks that decision is for the good of the nation.

A-fucking-men! That is what I'm hoping for most of all.
posted by Caduceus at 11:44 PM on November 4, 2008

It feels so good and so intense and so emotional and so crazy to finally not be disappointed and punished for believing in something this strongly.
posted by lunit at 11:45 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I OFFICIALLY apologize to all the 20-something people I said wouldn't pull this thing off. Looks like you guys aren't nearly the fuck-ups we were when were your age. Way to go kids. You did real good. We owe you a big one.



Best gift would be to stop ladling national debt on the poor bastards.
posted by rodgerd at 11:45 PM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

On a more serious note, this whole long campaign a poem has been in my mind, or rather Bruce Sterling's emotionally charged recitation of it at his State of the World talk in 2006. It's The People Yes by Carl Sandburg, though this is just an excerpt to evoke it to those who might know it already, or to encourage you to seek it out:

This old anvil laughs at many broken hammers.
There are men who can't be bought.
The fireborn are at home in fire.
The stars make no noise,
You can't hinder the wind from blowing.
Time is a great teacher.
Who can live without hope?

In the darkness with a great bundle of grief
the people march.
In the night, and overhead a shovel of stars for keeps, the people
march:
"Where to? what next?"
posted by zueod at 11:47 PM on November 4, 2008 [9 favorites has favorites]

Congratulations, my American cousins. Congratulations, and love.

I'm going to take a nap now.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 11:50 PM on November 4, 2008

Dallas, Texas went Obama. Wow. I am stunned and pleased.
posted by YoBananaBoy at 11:50 PM on November 4, 2008

I work in a sleepy little suburban library in Victoria, Australia. At some time between 3 and 4 o'lock this afternoon, one of our librarians recieved a text message telling us that Obama had won. In the process of telling everyone on staff, my very excitable co-worker yelled across the library to those who were on the other side, "It's Obama!" - and hearing her, so many our of customers came up to the desk to ask "by how much?" and say things like "phew!". Old folks, teenagers, recent immigrants, 6th generation Australians, uni students, mothers with their children. In our tiny community library, on the other side of the world.
posted by sleep_walker at 11:50 PM on November 4, 2008 [14 favorites has favorites]

Yesterday I cast a vote for the first time in my adult life, because there was a candidate I wasn't ashamed to call a leader for the first time in my adult life. And he won.

We've got a fucking long way to go yet.

I'm going to miss the Palin posts
posted by Ryvar at 11:50 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

It was a pretty great speech, but I'm not gonna lie: The best part was standing in that crowd when CNN called the election for Obama. One network calling it is fairly meaningless. But the collective joy was tremendous + genuinely affecting.

I thought McCain was very gracious in losing, as was LOLbama.

Indi-fucking-ana got this one right? I'm shocked.

I missed the live Daily/Colbert thing, which is really the only bad thing about today. Luckily it will be on Hulu and/or torrentz later.

Free Republic is melting down.

I feel pretty great.

Smoke if you got 'em.
posted by sparkletone at 11:51 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

“People were saying, "That guy's going to be President one day. You can tell."”

Yep. Met him a while back. Shook his hand. I’m looking at him, I’m about a head taller, I’ve got 100 pounds on him easy, and I’m watching him gracefully control pretty much the whole room and I’m thinking “Jesus, this guy could break me in half.”
I wouldn’t step into the ring with his wife either - “He's a gifted man, but, in the end, he's just a man.”

“An anti-gun collectivist elected as president. Someone who thinks government is there to provide things for people rather than to preserve freedom and liberty.”

As a (many) gun owner here’s the thing - the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling on this.
Congress isn’t going to be passing too many laws, not only because of the ruling, but the whole economic thing is going to be a huge pain in the keister, so firearms restriction, pretty low down on the list there.

And from the executive branch?
Worst we can expect is that he actually enforces the gun laws that are on the books now. Which is how the system is supposed to work.
Part of the right to own a firearm would include maybe being able to afford one. Maybe being educated on how to use one.
That takes social support, like it or not.
I hate to harp on this quote, but it’s damn true - good generals study tactics, great generals study logistics.
Your men gotta eat, no matter how much firepower you’re lugging around.

“Today, it feels like the future.”
Yeah. Finally feels like the new century.
And it’s nice to have a president that I’m not absolutely positive that I’m smarter than.

“THAT NEVER HAPPENS.”

Nah. It always happens: "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
It just takes someone to remind folks. So few people do, it does indeed appear to never happen.
posted by Smedleyman at 11:53 PM on November 4, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

Great work, all of you who were on the ground and on the phones for Obama. Thank you.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 11:57 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

This thread was the first thing I checked today. Great fucking job, USA. I dare say it's probably the best political event for mankind since the Berlin wall came down in 1989.
If you did it, then there's a speckle of hope for everyone of us, out here, because that's what we've been hanging on to for some time now..

(also: welcome to socialism social democracy, it's not so bad, you'll see)
posted by _dario at 11:57 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'm still in shock a little, and I feel like I need to celebrate somehow (I'd drink, but I don't drink)

This is just amazing. Amazing.

Awesome (an overused word, that has lost it's true meaning) I am filled with awe. For realz, yo.
posted by exlotuseater at 11:57 PM on November 4, 2008

Grapefruitfuzz,

I think it's because we are a young country, an idealistic country. We began as an idea of self-government, limited government and claim that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not merely to be desired, but that the right to them is intrinsic in each of us.
Unlike other nations we weren't an ethnicity, a language group or a product of mere geography. All we had was this democratic experiment.

Have we been perfect? No, but the arc of our history bends toward justice. Our own ideals accuse us, goad us, inspire us. Abolitionists, Suffragettes, Civil Rights advocates were able to invoke the best aspects of our national myth and national identity. They held us to the ideals we already claimed to believe and slowly we moved forward.

Our history is mottled with bad choices. Our government has done bad things, but We the People have always made progress, not just economically or militarily but morally. Slowly, and by fits and starts we perfect the vision we have of ourselves and our commitments to freedom, equality, and success through work and ingenuity.

I am proud of my country tonight, because I think of Martin Luther King. I think of hoses and dogs in Birmingham. I think of Suffragettes demanding the vote and abolitionists publishing impassioned newspapers. And I am witnessing the product of their effort, Obama's victory is the concrescence of our living history, an outgrowth of our initial ideals. I am proud to witness it, and this evening very proud to call myself an American.
posted by MasonDixon at 11:58 PM on November 4, 2008 [11 favorites has favorites]

Thank God McCain didn't win, I hope you're as good as your word Obama, congrats America.
posted by pencil at 12:00 AM on November 5, 2008

In honor of this day, I offer this quote from one of MetaFilter's most famous trolls, who now owes 52% of America and 98% of MetaFilter an apology:

Why do all these Obama supporters remind me of Dukakis supporters, and Kerry supporters, and Gore supporters (before Gore found himself)?

I guess it's probably because they're mostly under 40, or have never voted in a general election, or fail to understand the machinations of politics, or completely ignore the fact that Obama's underlying advisory group is more right than Clinton, or that there is something called the "GOP Attack Machine" that will take everything Obama has done and said that's even remotely questionable, and use it as compost to grow a garden of middle-American doubt that will end up having McCain as President.

If I'm wrong, and I *love* to be shown I'm wrong, unlike many dreamers who persist in their vision, even as they're plunging over the precipice, I will buy all the delusional Obamatans on the thread a virtual lunch, by coming back to say that I was wrong, and you were right.

Until then, Hillary - a person who wrote the best book on family values ever penned by a politician (It Takes a Village); who was willing to stick her neck out for universal health insurance, in defiance of even the top players in her own party; who redefined the role of First Lady as activist; who has a solid record of liberal accomplishment over years; who is one of the smartest policy wonks out there; who has survived the savaging of the GOP and her own misguided party (from the Camelot far left); and, who has survived in spite of the annointed blessing of a press who has practically elevated Obama to the level of saint....HIllary will stay in this and fight like hell, because she knows how to do that, and she will WIN! GO HILLARY!!!!!!

posted by MetaMan at 8:48 AM on March 19
posted by lostburner at 12:03 AM on November 5, 2008 [9 favorites has favorites]

I dare say it's probably the best political event for mankind since the Berlin wall came down in 1989.

Oh, surely you jest. After all, Canada elected Stephen Harper. Nothing can compare to that!
posted by five fresh fish at 12:07 AM on November 5, 2008

Who knew that Bob the builder had more foresight than Joe the Plumber?
Can we fix it? Yes we can!
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=3IWKhYQarJU
posted by b33j at 12:09 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Yes we could! I am so proud of America! My faith in our democracy is seriously restored.
posted by aliceinreality at 12:09 AM on November 5, 2008

Damn. It looks like Prop 8 is passing in California. My deepest sympathy to queer Californians.

Fuck Mormons.
posted by rodgerd at 12:09 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Obama will be the first African American president. Am I wrong to want him to be known, after his term(s), as THE BEST PRESIDENT EVER!?!

If you're declaring him the "best president ever" simply based on the color of his skin, then yes, I'd say you're wrong. The man hasn't served one single day in office yet; why don't we wait until the end of his first term before making such sweeping generalizations? (Just curious, do you consider him to be the "best senator Illinois ever had"?)
posted by Oriole Adams at 12:10 AM on November 5, 2008

Fuck Mormons.

Seconded.
posted by lostburner at 12:11 AM on November 5, 2008

Oh thank God. I can finally exhale.
posted by From Bklyn at 12:12 AM on November 5, 2008

The Constitution is going to make a comeback.
posted by inconsequentialist at 12:12 AM on November 5, 2008

Obama will be the first African American president. Am I wrong to want him to be known, after his term(s), as THE BEST PRESIDENT EVER!?!

If you're declaring him the "best president ever" simply based on the color of his skin, then yes, I'd say you're wrong. The man hasn't served one single day in office yet; why don't we wait until the end of his first term before making such sweeping generalizations? (Just curious, do you consider him to be the "best senator Illinois ever had"?)

I think that's meant to be taken as "Hopefully he will act in such a way so as to make him the best president ever". Otherwise I agree with you, but my reading feels better.
posted by Lemurrhea at 12:15 AM on November 5, 2008

Good work, Barry: now don't fuck it up.
posted by jtron at 12:15 AM on November 5, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

This is one fifth of November that I will remember, remember.

Proud to be a Hoosier.
Proud to be an American.
Grateful for all the hard work by millions.
Hopeful for the first time in decades.

It's been a blast to check in with you all. Sleep well...we've got a lot of work to do.
posted by CitizenD at 12:17 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Oh man, reading Free Republic has never been so much fun.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 12:18 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Dancing on the streets of D. C.

I cut a little jig myself here in Rhode Island... and drank a shot of black death when Jon Stewart announced that the election had been called for Obama.
posted by Kattullus at 12:19 AM on November 5, 2008

I liked the United States of America before it was cool to like the United States of America.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 12:20 AM on November 5, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Indeed; Obama taught Constitutional law. I doubt his interpretation will match anyone else's completely, but it's gotta be better than the last eight years.
posted by Malor at 12:22 AM on November 5, 2008

DirtyCreature, I'm trying to figure out what the fuck you actually want.
posted by maxwelton

Not to speak for DirtyCreature, but isn't it quite apparent? I'm as excited for change as the next person, but this thread is kind of like celebrating a meal that hasn't been made. Step one is done. Step 2-999 are not. This was the easy part. Nothing else has changed. Yet.
posted by Dennis Murphy at 12:22 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

About 6000 miles from America's nearest shore, this American is jumping up and down on his Tokyo tatami floor in sheer joy. I am elated. Fantastic, just fantastic!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:23 AM on November 5, 2008

As a cultural moderate, I feel good in some ways about President-elect Obama's win. He's bright and he's inspirational, and with a keen sense of historical perspective. But as a national security hawk, I pray that he and his people will have the balls and the know-how to respond effectively, honestly (unlike Bush) and intelligently when the terrorists start up more shit. And I suspect they will -- ask Biden.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 12:24 AM on November 5, 2008

Heckuva job, Hopey!
posted by kirkaracha at 12:25 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

And he's getting a new puppy for his daughters to play with in the White House! The wife and I laughed delightedly when he said that in his speech.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:26 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Dear Rest of the World,

We're better than you think. Give us another chance?

Love,

America


(Crying all morning.)
posted by triggerfinger at 12:28 AM on November 5, 2008

I am so effing happy. I love you all!
posted by cytherea at 12:28 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Coming from Florida, being blue never felt so good.
posted by inconsequentialist at 12:30 AM on November 5, 2008

Out of the last 43 hours I've slept for about 4 of them. I'm all cried out. It's 3:30AM here in Florida and we pulled it off. We weren't even the deciding vote and I feel optimistic again. I hope this is the dawn of a great era in America and for the rest of the world. Before the election, I said we're on the precipice of a fragile first step in the right direction. We took that big step and now, I hope, we're on a better path to a future we can be proud of.

Congratulations, everyone!
posted by empyrean at 12:36 AM on November 5, 2008

"Oh man, reading Free Republic has never been so much fun."

It's truly bizarre. Their server is a bit borked right now, but if you get through to the threads it leads to the most amazing mix of self-pity, contempt, and illogic ever. They literally don't understand that they hold niche views, if not downright crackpot conspiracy theories.

What's even better is if you can catch a thread that's about to be deleted. Truly bizarro-world stuff like "Our votes didn't work, but our bullets will, WHO'S WITH ME AMIRITE???" and so on.

Who are these people? I don't know, but I do know Barack Hussein Obama is their president for the next four years at least.
posted by bardic at 12:37 AM on November 5, 2008

Congratulations USA! As a non-American, I feel like giving you all a big hug! I know I breathed a sigh of relief tonight. I can only imagine how everyone who voted for Obama must feel.

I'm as excited for change as the next person, but this thread is kind of like celebrating a meal that hasn't been made. Step one is done. Step 2-999 are not. This was the easy part. Nothing else has changed. Yet.

Actually, I see it more as being really excited because someone finally took away that shit sandwich that's been sitting on your plate for the last eight years and replaced it with actual food. You may not have tasted it yet, but you know it's going to be a huge improvement.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:39 AM on November 5, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Sleep well, America. You've earned it.

Tomorrow we have to start catching up on what Bush + Cheney have been doing for the last few weeks while we've been busy winning the election.
posted by benzenedream at 12:40 AM on November 5, 2008

Unlike other nations we weren't an ethnicity, a language group or a product of mere geography. All we had was this democratic experiment.

There is truth in this. What has struck me watching the coverage (and comparing and contrasting it to the parliamentary-style elections I am used to) is the novelty of having your country stand for something in the minds of its citizens. This doesn't really happen in, for example, my country New Zealand, where the elections are all about what the parties stand for, and there is little or less focus on the national project itself. Indeed, I'd say that in many ways there isn't a national project in countries like NZ or Australia. (Actually last night during the election I asked my Australian girlfriend what Australia stood for, and after a long pause she said "Uhhh, she'll be right?")

So through watching this election, I learned something about the US: the fact that foriegners find mindless reflexive rah rah USA stuff distasteful or bizarre (and yeah, we do) is not because we're somehow superior because we're less nationalistic; it's because we're mistaking the style for the substance of it--we forget that that there a set of ideas associated with America itself in the minds of its citizens, because we have no ideas and ideals associated with our own (although in practice tend to have exactly the same freedoms and liberties as the US). I'd say this is why the patriotic stuff plays so badly overseas - sure sometimes it can descend into meaningless sloganeering, but it's being misunderstood as substanceless when in fact it actually means something.

This is why plenty of countries would never tear up at the election of a government -- their aims are a little lower. (This BTW is generally seen as a good thing. The Middle East could do with a little 'She'll be right' but we're not hellbend on conversion.)

Anyway, those were my thoughts the election.
posted by dydecker at 12:40 AM on November 5, 2008 [31 favorites has favorites]

At Seattle pike and broadway street party still going on. Gurillea fireworks and cheap champagne all over the place over 2 sq blocks, better be walking here , roads blocked and buses rerouted

Yeah, I drove up there, parked blocks away, then walked into the thick of things. I think I did it wrong because;

I still kind of have the flu, and didn't feel like screaming.

I was sober.

I carried neither cell phone nor camera.

I was alone.

I became distracted examining two stainless steel sculptures.

Everyone was 20 years younger than I was.

But I'm glad I participated.

I think the only other political rally I've ever attended was one held on the University of Montana campus, in 1972 by George McGovern's running mate Sargent Shriver. This was just before Halloween, and he claimed Nixon would give the "tricks to you and the treats to Thiệu".
posted by Tube at 12:41 AM on November 5, 2008

So much hope. Kinda sad.
posted by zouhair at 12:43 AM on November 5, 2008

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America." -- President-Elect Barack Obama

posted by scody at 12:43 AM on November 5, 2008

AP's California exit poll highlights:

BLACKS BACK BAN. Blacks turning out in droves to support Obama also threw their support strongly behind Proposition 8, which would overturn the state Supreme Court decision allowing gay marriage.
posted by randomstriker at 12:45 AM on November 5, 2008

So much hope. Kinda sad.

Hope is never sad. Dashed hope can be sad. But not hope.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:01 AM on November 5, 2008

So much hope. Kinda sad.

What?

Yeah, there are problems in the world, serious problems. But they are not going to get any better if we don't try. What tonight was about was that we actually can try. Yes we can. And maybe it's too late, I don't know. Maybe we are fucked. I don't know. But we can at least try. And we can't win if we don't try.

And I, for one, now have some hope. Hope is so much better than despair and nothing. We are free from our long nightmare of war and counter prosperity. We are free to imagine a better future, and maybe we can just pull it off. Sure, we may loose, but there really is good in the world, Virginia. Everything depends on a red wheelbarrow filled with hope.
posted by cytherea at 1:03 AM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

In my personal politics, I'm very libertarian on social issues, so I know Obama will probably piss me off more than a few times in the coming years.

But I'm still thrilled that he won. We now have a president who said "The Wire" is his favorite show and, for some insane reason, this gives me great hope for the future. Absurd really, the things we pin our hopes on.

Just dear god/cthulhu/fsm, please don't let Obama turn into a Carcetti.
posted by pandaharma at 1:04 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Kenya declares a national holiday in Obama's honor.
posted by inconsequentialist at 1:07 AM on November 5, 2008

Fuck Mormons.

You could, but first you have to marry all of them.
posted by bwg at 1:08 AM on November 5, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Fuck Mormons.

Fuck this kind of talk. The Mormon Church was behind this travesty, yes -- but not every Mormon supported it. There are gay and straight Mormons who opposed Prop 8, and opposed their church's assault on GLBT civil rights -- I know some of them personally. Obama's victory should tell us many things, not the least of which is that we shouldn't paint all members of any single group with one broad brush.
posted by scody at 1:17 AM on November 5, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

Re: Ron Paul

Ron Paul was only on one state's ballot and not by his own initiative (he was drafted by the Montana branch of the Constitution Party), and the 13k or so votes wasn't a terrible showing for a minor party in a small state.

You can thank him for one thing: almost delivering Montana to the Democrats. It's a pity Paul didn't grab the Libertarian nomination, as this probably would have flipped one or two more red states into the blue column.

The money bombs were for the primaries, which delivered him around a million votes. A better performance than the lovely and fetching Alan Keyes.

Paul and Obama supporters actually had a great deal in common, outside of the obvious ideological differences. They both wanted a great change in Washington and a clean break from the current incompetent and criminal regime.
posted by pandaharma at 1:17 AM on November 5, 2008

Fuck this, there should be a California Amendment keeping the Mormons from getting tax-exempt status. Let's tax them as a corporation and retroactively collect back taxes.
posted by amuseDetachment at 1:18 AM on November 5, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I went to meet a friend at a pub in uptown, south Minneapolis, and on the way there I texted another friend asking how Obama was doing in the races. Just then, in the cab, the dispatcher announced "Obama is president". I pretty much freaked out, punched(lightly) the cabby, Bern, in his right shoulder, saying "fuck yeah!", then quickly apologized for swearing. I didn't believe, it being just after 10:00, that he was actually announced president. Bern said it was no big deal that I swore. Neat guy. When I arrived at the bar, everyone, I mean everyone, was silent, listening to John McCain's speech on Obama's win. Really, it was like you could hear a beer coaster drop on the floor. Then when Obama finally came onstage in Chicago, the whole bar cheered! It was amazing. I'll never, ever forget this night. Thank you, Obama.
posted by babybuns at 1:18 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Sure the news is great, but be sure that President Obama and the Democratic Congress will be blamed for the price of all the measures that must be taken to restore the country. Besides the taxes which we will have to pay to undo 8 years of mismanagement, my next worry is what Gov. Palin will do with the $150k wardrobe? Put it in mothballs for 2012 or 2016? I fear we have not heard the last of that ambitious woman.
posted by Cranberry at 1:18 AM on November 5, 2008

Speak for yourself, Dydecker - I sobbed in joy at the last Australian election.
posted by Lucie at 1:19 AM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Congratulations, President-Elect Obama, the sixty million people who turned out to vote for him, the three million people who donated and the hundreds of thousands who worked and volunteered to make this day possible. And congratulations, America.
posted by so_necessary at 1:20 AM on November 5, 2008

I promised myself I wouldn't cry. I'm crying. I don't look that great when I'm crying, but now I don't care.
posted by trip and a half at 1:24 AM on November 5, 2008

*gives thumbs up*

Good one, yanks! You did the right thing.
posted by dg at 1:26 AM on November 5, 2008

Barack in the House - Meatbomb (2008)

The tired old white man's going home with Barack in the House.
He scared my children on the phone and Barack's in the House.
He said we'd fight a million wars but Barack's in the House.
That guy can't scare me anymore cuz Barack's in the House.

My kids can see the doctor now cuz Barack's in the House.
We're gonna make things right somehow with Barack in the House.
I wonder why I'm feeling good. Cuz Barack's in the House?
They said we can't but I guess we could and now Barack's in the House.

Feel OK about payin' tax,
Finally get the haters off my back,
The world will like us once again,
And as if all that shit wasn't enough:

The tired old white man's going home with Barack in the House.
He scared my children on the phone and Barack's in the House.
Now everything will be unfucked with Barack's in the House?
With love and hope and peace and luck! Yo! Barack's in the House.

Ya know, I never felt so good with Barack in the House.
I hope the tired old white man
has a good long rest....
with Barack in the House.
posted by Meatbomb at 1:27 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

HIllary will stay in this and fight like hell, because she knows how to do that, and she will WIN! GO HILLARY!!!!!!

posted by MetaMan at 8:48 AM on March 19

Fuck it. MetaMan doesn't owe anyone shit. (S?)he backed his choice hard, uncompromisingly. All you have to do is look at the subsequent McCain campaign to realize she ran a tough, fair campaign. Barack beat her on the ground with the same pragmatic yet hopeful campaign that he took to the nation and won, won, won. I bet MetaMan voted for Obama, in the final analysis. Reinstate Metaman without prejudice! I miss MetaMan! Come back and tell us what you think.
posted by nanojath at 1:35 AM on November 5, 2008

Sometimes I feel bad because I live in a little bubble of Portland, where lots of people seem hip and lots of people buy books and lots of people seem to be pretty progressive and vocal about lots of progressive things, and maybe I don't see all the other types of folks in their daily lives, and thus can't empathize with their ideas, and I'm really missing out, and I need to move somewhere where not as many people agree with me.

But tonight I could hear whistling fireworks from the back of the bookstore, and when I stepped outside, there were huge crowds of people shouting joyfully as as they lined the streets, and car horns were honking as they drove through the intersection, and there was a bagpiping unicyclist pedaling back and forth. People were marching with pots and pans, everyone was waving and high-fiving and chanting "Yes We Can", and it was absolutely terrific.
posted by redsparkler at 1:38 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Thank you, America.

Just watched an interview with the ambassador in London. Oh boy did he have a sour face... come on over Oprah!
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:39 AM on November 5, 2008

Une émotion incroyable. Thanks for this.
posted by nicolin at 1:45 AM on November 5, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

So, I'm hanging out at the Comet Tavern here in Seattle and it is fucking PACKED. New Years Eve packed ($1 beers help!) and all the sudden we hear drumming out on the street. Some dude (who had earlier DEMANDED I lift him on my shoulders) went to his apartment and grabbed a drum. All of the sudden a few hundred people are on Pine and 12th. We decide to start walking.

We walk and walk and walk until we get down to the Showbox near Pike Place Market. I turn around and there are THOUSANDS of people behind us (all having walked a mile or so in the cold, windy night)!

The cops were exceedingly cool and didn't attempt to break it up, they shut down East/West traffic and just watched.

The most amazing thing was watching dozens of people RUN out of a bus stuck in the parade traffic to join it.

Easily the most diverse crowd of people I've ever seen. I ended up smoking with two HUGE black trannys who thanked me for voting for Obama. That's when I knew things had REALLY changed.

The whole night was just so goddamn amazing I cannot put it into words.
posted by lattiboy at 1:47 AM on November 5, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

If the McCain that conceded had been the McCain that campaigned for the last two months this could have gone very differently. I'm stunned that the commentators are now praising the choice of Palin as one that mobilised the Republican base: yes, at the expense of a middle ground many times the size. Forget the Obama Santos comparisons. The McCain campaign went Vinick.

"Attention world: We're back baby!"

I'm as happy as the next guy about the result, but that's very far from being true.

And don't call us baby.
posted by nthdegx at 1:53 AM on November 5, 2008

Big congratulations from yet another happy, scratch that, stoked furriner!!!
posted by Onanist at 1:53 AM on November 5, 2008

I feel so... ELATED. And tired. And sleepy. It was great seeing the London folk on ustream at 4 AM. Please don't fight mefites. Not today. Today is a day for tears and kisses. Hugs and beers. No punches.

It is my sincere wish that all the angry McCainiacs and bitter single-issue voters take the fucking day off for once and just revel in the history being made around you. Obama isn't going to eat your children. He might just help us all to regain some semblance of dignity.

From today on, I will no longer be embarrassed to admit where I'm from.
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:54 AM on November 5, 2008

No the stupidity of Palin wasn't that they appealed to the base. The base is their GOTV operation and their core volunteers. If they don't have their base, they're fucked. He should've picked Huckabee. He fires up the base, and is potentially lovable to the center.

It was some bullshit idea of getting Hillary voters that probably got Palin (who knows, we'll see when inside stories start coming out), that was idiotic.
posted by amuseDetachment at 1:58 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

\o/ Congratulations America.
posted by jiroczech at 2:15 AM on November 5, 2008

I'm from an old European country. I've always been shown that only racists are patriotic, and all feelings of national pride must be instantly accompanied by a recitation of all the war crimes ever committed by people from my country, the prejudices still to come and the venal worthlessness of the current regime. As a liberal, I believe this intrinsically. How do Americans stay so self-adoring? (I'm not being snide, but I really want to know. Where's the self-loathing?)

I know it's sort of rhetorical, but I'll answer, and then, by God, off to bed (finally): my self-loathing started in the eight grade (age 15 or so): call it 1986-1987. I'd adopted the academically questionable but pragmatically expedient habit of choosing term paper projects that just "happened" to be heavy in the mainstream media: it made research simple. My family got Newsweek in the mail. I picked Apartheid as a topic for a required term paper. In these pre-internet days, the encyclopedia (note for progeny: a primitive print-only form of N-pedia) was a gimme, knock out a reference requirement resource to plumb at the school library. Dawdling as usual, I grabbed an encyclopedia and took notes on the topic. Then I realized - all the current editions of the encyclopedia were already out: I'd gotten an edition that was something like 20 years out of date. Well, shit, 15 year old me thought. This apartheid crap has been going on for decades. How come Newsweek is all over it now?! And I realized, the narrative of democracy I'd been handed thus far was crock. Maybe a well meaning crock, but there it was. Decades, and I'd just found out about it, because it happened to be getting hot at that moment.

I never took the "news" for granted again. I never felt quite so simply positive about America again.

We are not self-adoring. At our best, we hope for a promise that the unrealized brilliance of our founders expressed so eloquently but realized only a small part of. This election, I felt like I did a little part to push that timeless agenda forward. Let us bask for a minute. There is plenty of work ahead. But we are not dull and inured to history. We are not without a strategy, to go forward, consolidating this little gain.
posted by nanojath at 2:16 AM on November 5, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Ever since Bush won the previous election, I've felt that I, as a citizen of the world, should get a vote in the US election. Thank you for not making me feel that level of frustration again.
posted by neblina_matinal at 2:23 AM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Well done, America. This is the first step towards regaining the respect you once had in the world.
posted by sveskemus at 2:26 AM on November 5, 2008

Congratulations America.

We knew you could do it.

*Pats America on the head*

See what happens when you set your mind to something, study hard, and don’t get distracted by silly games? Let’s put this up on the fridge where everyone can see it.

We’re all so proud of you.

But .... "AMERICA, FUCK YEAH!" ?? .... Now, now... don't you see that's the kind of thinking that got you into this mess in the first place?

Besides, wasn't it Canadians who said that? That's irony, not partiotism.

Have some fun tonight, but tomorrow, it's back to the study!

You'll get there - I'm sure. Your friends are here to support you :)
posted by Diag at 2:27 AM on November 5, 2008 [13 favorites has favorites]

And don't call us baby.

And nobody puts baby in a corner!
posted by mnsc at 2:29 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Tonight is bittersweet for this liberal Los Angeles Californian.

Obama winning gives me a lot of hope. I don't agree with all of his platforms, and I don't believe he can make the fundamental change it's hard not to hope for, but I think he will do as well as anyone could.

But proposition 8 passing reminds me how far we have to go, and I hope the passion this election has evoked doesn't fade as quickly as I fear it will.
posted by flaterik at 2:30 AM on November 5, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

tkchrist, I just wanted to point out that you were wrong, morons do no decide elections in America.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:36 AM on November 5, 2008

Hang on, I thought Matt said "just bear with us for one day" in the top-bar, and here you are *still* talking about the election a day later! And in *another* thread, to boot!

That's almost a bootable offence!
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:37 AM on November 5, 2008

It's just past midnight on O'ahu. I have done my laughing, shouting, crying ... joined others shrieking and applauding (celebrating Obama and a community win as well) ... then returned home and read every line in this long thread.

Obama ... he is pono, he is a light. Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo to all of you -- most especially to the young people who turned this election around!

"Aloha kekahi i kekahi." --- Love one another.


Yes, this is a chicken skin day for us here.
posted by Surfurrus at 2:38 AM on November 5, 2008

Yes, Obama for president!!!

What, did I miss anything?
posted by Laotic at 2:44 AM on November 5, 2008

Fuck Mormons.

No kidding. Like they, of all people, should be lecturing the rest of us about traditional marriage.
posted by ValkoSipuliSuola at 2:47 AM on November 5, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

You know, I am excited about Obama and all, but soon there's going to be all these letters going out to married couples in California telling them they're not married anymore.

I know that battles for civil rights are sometimes a long, ugly slog, but it is tragic that on the eve of such a major symbolic victory for one group's civil rights, another group's is thrown under the proverbial bus.

Indeed, the various homophobic amendments that passed in Florida and California couldn't have passed if some of the same people who voted for Obama had not voted for those amendments as well.

This is worth remembering as President Obama begins his term. Yes, this is a victory for Progressives, but some of the folks who gave him their vote are maybe kinda backwards and would maybe kinda turn on him if he tried to pursue civil rights for homosexuals.
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:47 AM on November 5, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

booting aside, here's an anecdote that people might like:

i had the good fortune to see Patti Smith at the Sydney Opera House a week or two ago. Part-way through the performance, she said that she had been ill, and a doctor had been called to her hotel room.

when she tried to pay him for the visit, he replied "No thanks. Please keep my fee, take it back to America & donate it to Obama's campaign"

the audience erupted.

then she launched into People Have the Power.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:49 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Hey guys, did I miss anything?
posted by zippy at 2:50 AM on November 5, 2008

Just found Mc Cain's address to the disappointed republican voters : pretty neat and sensible, isn't it ? Hopefully there's going to be some change among the people who are in charge too.
posted by nicolin at 2:58 AM on November 5, 2008

Yes!!!!!
posted by raztaj at 2:58 AM on November 5, 2008

*Pats America on the head*

Patronizing, much? We're not a wayward child. There may be a wayward child still in office, but that doesn't mean the rest of the country is similarly confused - if not anguished for the last 8 years.

But .... "AMERICA, FUCK YEAH!" ??

Are you not aware of the sardonic re-appropriation that's in play here or are you merely blinded by your own smug patronization? You're talking about the country that invented lasers, the integrated circuit, the microprocessor and the internet.

For all the bad choices we've made over the last 8 (and many more) years, we've been quite generous with our toys, our knowledge and hard work. We could debate (and agree upon) the evils of economic colonialism and the meddling of affairs all night long - but I'm less and less tolerant of such rhetoric while much of the world freely reaps the technological and scientific benefits in the same breath.

For right now, for tonight - for all the trials and work we still face - for all the frustration and idiocy of the last eight years - AMERICA, FUCK YEAH is a pretty appropriate short term response to our first not-another-fucking-rich-old-white-guy President.

No, here, take back your offensive little pat on the head. We don't want it. We're just trying to do what is right, and that is its own reward. (Seriously, since when has the USA actually cared about global opinion? We're doing this for all of us.)

Anyway. With any luck and hard work you'll need both hands free just in case we really get our shit back together. No, maybe not for applause. Maybe because you're running for your life under another 100 year crapflood of Disney movies and McDonald's hamburgers.

Or maybe because you're running to keep up with us in the not so far off future.

Never underestimate the United States of America. Excessively proud, full of greed and avarice, fat, lazy - yes, all of those and more - but also extremely, dangerously creative and adaptable, and entirely capable of change on a massive scale.

Watch us now. Get to work, America. Yes, we can. Oh yes, we can.
posted by loquacious at 3:01 AM on November 5, 2008 [22 favorites has favorites]

What?
posted by nthdegx at 3:09 AM on November 5, 2008

But .... "AMERICA, FUCK YEAH!" ??

Are you not aware of the sardonic re-appropriation that's in play here or are you merely blinded by your own smug patronization?

The sardonic re-appropriation may run deeper than you think.

Then again, it may not.
posted by ghost of a past number at 3:14 AM on November 5, 2008

The Commonwealth of Australia wishes to congratulate our seppo friends on electing a TRUE BLUE BONZA BLOKE!

Party on.
posted by Jimbob at 3:15 AM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Seriously, since when has the USA actually cared about global opinion? We're doing this for all of us

Could've saved yourself a lot of typing there.

Oh, right.
posted by pompomtom at 3:19 AM on November 5, 2008

loquacious said : exactly what I wanted to hear.

Yes mate, that's it. It wasn't meant as patronising, although I knew it would come across that way. But I was teasing.

I am from Australia. I think pretty much the same about our own situation here as I do about yours. We are all in the same boat. I said the same thing to my own countrymen when we changed from conservative to (small L) liberal government earlier this year.

My point was - I am very happy for you all, and all of us, but this is only the start. We all have a long way to go.

I'm with you buddy, and, as it would now seem, happily, most of your countrymen.

And I understand the "America Fuck yeah" thing is just an appropriate-at-the-time outburst of excitement and pride, and I support that. But, still... I don't want to see any of us falling into the same nationalistic traps we have in the past.
posted by Diag at 3:24 AM on November 5, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

I'm not American a lot of my relatives are my dad's aunts and uncles immigrated more than 50 years ago built businesses careers and prospered old wrinkly and strange and foreign I thought they had children grandchildren and great-grandchildren at home my mum and her family were persecuted by the Nazis during the war but we were liberated by Americans Brits and Canadians alphabetical order just in time for them to survive my dad's mum got her teeth knocked out in a concentration camp for harbouring American pilots who had been shot down for some reason my image of the typical American had always been a black man but when I first visted the US well California really met Mickey Mouse and Snow White at the age of six I was somewhat surprised and then after Bill and Monica I was disappointed not with him because of her though but with your country No I thought No and then the elections I was devastated how can this happen is this for real because of all your power and then four years later GITMO torture blackops Blackwater Halliburton KUBARK I was crushed even more WTF America how can this be what happened to your sense of justice and equality your promise and imagination your responsibility because you are so powerful and influential and now another four years later I continue to take issue with your unconditional support of Israel the CIA and other ways your government deems it necessary to protect its interests whatever they are in countries Iraq Iran whole continents Latin America Africa AskMe questions about whether or not to go to the emergency room because they're not sure they can afford it but today you said you want change yes there's hope yes your promise yes and your people yes and yes we can has he said and yes you said yes we want change yes we can you said and yes you did Yes.

Thank you.
posted by ponystyle at 3:25 AM on November 5, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

Just watched an interview with the ambassador in London. Oh boy did he have a sour face... come on over Oprah!

That's because he just lost his plum job.

Unlike the civil service in the UK & Australia (and, presumably, NZ, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries) where diplomats are typically career public servants, all American ambassadors are political appointees.

They're appointed by the President, and they leave with the President.
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:25 AM on November 5, 2008

O!








I'm watching the sun come up, in more ways than one. Looks good. Feels good, too.



posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:27 AM on November 5, 2008

And I also meant to add that my earlier post wasn't mean to be from an Australian's perspective. It was more meant from some hypothetical ubiquitous all-seeing global enitity's perspective. If you know what I mean. But I'm an atheist, so... whatever. heh
posted by Diag at 3:28 AM on November 5, 2008

wait, Obama's blue?
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:29 AM on November 5, 2008

It's morning and it's still true!!!!! HOLY AWESOME!!!!!

I am totally, totally exhausted and I realize that part of what I feel right now, other than pride and joy, is RELIEF. Man, this election cycle was rough on the soul, but I could start crying all over again. As one of the fathers in my Schmoop's music class said: he's what the world needs now.

My first election I participated in was 2000, where I became totally disenfranchised with "the system." Now I see that we CAN and we WILL totally ROCK THE SYSTEM. Power to the people! For the first time in my adult life I *get* what it means to be an American, and it's an awesome, awesome thing. I could hug us. Every last one of us.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:32 AM on November 5, 2008

This is a huge day for my family, especially for my parents. We had the privilege to be run out of two towns simply because my parents had black friends and saw no reason to exclude them from any aspects of our lives and community. Probably not the smartest thing to do for two idealistic young, white adults with 5 children dependent on a music teacher's salary supplemented by work as a youth minister at the local methodist church in the mid-60's in east texas.

I finally had the chance to see some of the video footage from the day an hour or so ago and I began to tear up. Seeing images of black families that were full of, hope. Hope and knowledge! The vision and knowledge in their eyes that that nothing is out of reach anymore and that this is their country and their children don't need to know limitations beyond those of any other citizen of the USA.

That is change.

I hope Obama has the strength and insight needed to lead the USA through its immediate crisis and begin to correct the disasters of the last 8 years, but he has already succeeded in changing the country.
posted by michswiss at 3:33 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[deep breath]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there really are no words, are there?
posted by pxe2000 at 3:39 AM on November 5, 2008

"I can see change from my house!"
posted by thrakintosh at 3:46 AM on November 5, 2008 [26 favorites has favorites]

Greetings from Europe where a sense of relief is palpable!
posted by tomcosgrave at 3:46 AM on November 5, 2008

I was in my classroom in the afternoon eating school lunch (I work in a Japanese Elementary School near Tokyo), when the homeroom teacher turned on the news to see the results. He saw the results and immediately started going crazy with joy. He made the class break out into an "Obama!" chant. Granted they were 3rd graders and didn't quite grasp why they all liked Obama, I'm not quite sure either, but regardless it was a moving experience. Afterwords he took me aside and said the US really is a democracy, you've just elected a black president.

It's strange to see people so worked up over a foreign country's election. My Japanese friends have been endless emailing me with congratulations all day. I guess we can finally start to clean our tarnished image.
posted by vodkadin at 3:49 AM on November 5, 2008

The sardonic re-appropriation may run deeper than you think.

No, I was talking about re-appropriating it from the movie as a sort of tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment-turned-detournement of the fact that we suck - but tonight perhaps not so much. What is that, meta-sardony? You know what? I don't even know any more, and I don't know if I care. It's a stupid movie populated with low hanging fruit, and sarcasm folds in on itself like a linguistic singularity and we're all left looking excessively cool and stupid in its wan glow. Get off of my lawn.

What?

I know I live in a fantasy world full of strange, terrifying visions. But as close to anything in my life it's my job, and it's often fruitless and thankless.

But I can see a slim glimmer of a future USA that's just as proud - if not prouder - of its solar power scientists and engineers as it is of petrogeologists and oil derrick workers. I can see massive investments in both new alternative energy infrastructure and maintaining and reinvesting in our decaying infrastructure.

I can even see a future USA that is more careful in considering its role in the world with all due meaning of what the words "consider" and "consideration" actually mean.

And that's a really big thing for this country. I can't even really begin to describe how big it is for us. I don't even know what it means. I've never known anything like it in all of my life. Because peace begins at home. Peace begins in our homes, our schools, on the streets around here. And if we're going to have anything resembling peace we need - as a nation - to learn to play better with others. To share and think globally and locally.


Of course, I could just as easily see it all being the same old happy horseshit going straight to hell in a flaming fucking hand basket. But that's easy. I already know what that's like.

But hope? That's different. I'm still not even sure I know what hope really is.
posted by loquacious at 3:52 AM on November 5, 2008 [8 favorites has favorites]

Funny this is, now that I can sleep at night, I couldn't sleep last night!
posted by gman at 3:55 AM on November 5, 2008

It's pretty fucking excellent, yeah.
posted by The Straightener at 3:55 AM on November 5, 2008

It's strange to see people so worked up over a foreign country's election.

It's because we all expect so much from you. I mean, you're always going on about how you're the greatest country on earth, it's just great to see some evidence now and again.

Seriously, I think you've elected a good guy. There was a post here on Metafilter a few weeks back, about a photographer who had been following Obama around on the campaign trail. There was a photo of Obama talking on the phone, with his feet on a table, and you could see holes worn in his shoes. The photographer commented on this to him, and Obama told him he's already had his shoes re-soled twice.

This man gets his shoes re-soled.

Sarah Palin spent more than about what 95% of Americans earn in a year on fancy dresses since she became the VP nominee, but Obama doesn't even buy a new pair of shoes when he needs them.

Enough said. You need this guy.
posted by Jimbob at 3:58 AM on November 5, 2008 [22 favorites has favorites]

Yes mate, that's it. It wasn't meant as patronising, although I knew it would come across that way. But I was teasing.

Cheers, mate. Sorry, I'm a little punchy. What's with all the corks on your hat?
posted by loquacious at 3:58 AM on November 5, 2008

>there really are no words, are there?

I think you'll find there are thousands upon thousands.
posted by pompomtom at 3:59 AM on November 5, 2008

Ya know something else. I can laugh at images of GWB now without dread of the havoc he and his henchmen, nay controllers might cause in the world.
posted by michswiss at 4:00 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Every single person I've met today has had a huge grin on their face. Everyone has asked me how I feel about it all (tired, happy). People seem RELIEVED.
posted by chuckdarwin at 4:04 AM on November 5, 2008

What's with all the corks on your hat?

They're a relic of a WW2 cargo cult.

The theory is that if you provide the corks, the bottles of booze will come.
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:05 AM on November 5, 2008 [12 favorites has favorites]

A Spoon Full of Sugar Makes the Medicine Go Down In the Most Delightful Way.
posted by gman at 4:05 AM on November 5, 2008

I'm not an American, but my wife is, and people have been congratulating me all morning at work here in London. Good times.
posted by Happy Dave at 4:06 AM on November 5, 2008

You have chosen...wisely.

If you'd chosen the other one, America, you'd have all turned into dusty skeletons and screamed as the visual effects ravaged you.

(Okay -- that might have been an Indiana Jones movie, but I'm still pretty sure it applies here.)
posted by CheeseburgerBrown at 4:07 AM on November 5, 2008 [9 favorites has favorites]

The wicked witch is dead!
posted by gman at 4:07 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Thank you.
posted by londontube at 4:08 AM on November 5, 2008

A Spoon Full of Brown Sugar Makes the Medicine Go Down In the Most Delightful Way.

(I thought you needed a fix)
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:08 AM on November 5, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Cheers, mate. Sorry, I'm a little punchy. What's with all the corks on your hat?

I don't blame you at all for being punchy. I am incredibly proud and happy for you Yanks right now. I guess us Aussies can be a bit like the English, in that when we see 40 kazillion "YEAH!" posts, we will try to inject a point of sarcasm/irony/reality.

We like to keep people on their toes ;)

The corks? Hmm... I just keep them handy to close the half drunk bottles of beer, although they are pretty rare.
posted by Diag at 4:09 AM on November 5, 2008

half drunk bottles of beer

Under Obama - NO MORE RATIONS. The people of this world can drink full beers.
posted by gman at 4:11 AM on November 5, 2008

Guys - as a UKer I'm not allowed an opinion on your elections, but congrats on finding enough people who aren't scared of the black bogey man!

Oh, and even more congrats on the turn out. BBC says some districts are claiming voter turnout of 65-80%. Hell, I think I'd have been happy with any result that came from a turnout that high...

As an aside, are any betting places in the US taking bets on Obama getting shot at before he's inaugurated? I'd have thought that some wackoes somewhere were pretty much guaranteed to give it a go...
posted by twine42 at 4:16 AM on November 5, 2008

SEE!! IT TOOK 63 YEARS, BUT YOU HAVE US AND OUR CORKS TO THANK!!!
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:16 AM on November 5, 2008

In related news, Alan Keyes has 17,757 votes by last count, as compared to Ron Paul's 13,961.

We are 538, we are 538 ...
posted by adipocere at 4:20 AM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I see world leaders who've long given up on Bush are openly requesting help from Obama. Can't we speed this thing up?
posted by gman at 4:25 AM on November 5, 2008

Oh right, big changes are on the way, huh? We'll see.
posted by winks007 at 4:29 AM on November 5, 2008

Man, this guy better not break our heart. If he does, we'll never trust anyone ever again.
posted by jbickers at 4:30 AM on November 5, 2008

I hope the Obama family names their new puppy Karl Marx.

They can name the cat Secret Muslim.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:31 AM on November 5, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

Hard to find the words to convey the total awesomeness, sense of relief, and total disbelief. I'm just so used to losing. I'm just so used to being bummed out. The only point of sadness is the gay marriage ban in California, but in the last eight years I've gotten used to that sort of thing and kind of gotten used to waking up after an election, taking a deep breath, turning off the television, and starting a joyless drive to work.

At least for once the bulk of the news is joyous. And, in Ma. we voted down dog racing, the criminalization of pot, and a crazed ballot measure to essentially eliminate income tax.

So I'm going to enjoy every second of this day and remember that those few hundred thousand people in California who voted to ban gay marriage are old and will be dead very, very soon, and that measure will be overturned by the time my daughter goes to kindergarten. Bite me, you ancient jackasses and all your worthy marriages.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:31 AM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I see Sarah Palin has been hedging her bet for over a week now. NSFW
posted by gman at 4:32 AM on November 5, 2008

They can name the cat Secret Muslim.

"i'm in yr whitehouse, plotting aginst yr freedumz!"
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:36 AM on November 5, 2008 [12 favorites has favorites]

but Obama doesn't even buy a new pair of shoes when he needs them.

I think the point was that he didn't need new shoes, since he got'em resoled, so he didn't buy new shoes. America could use more of that.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:36 AM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I hope the Obama family names their new puppy Karl Marx.

I hope he calls it Maverick.
posted by DreamerFi at 4:36 AM on November 5, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

Apart from the fact that The Daily Show is going to be a lot less funny due to a lack of material, I can honestly see no downside to this. Congratulations, America.
posted by spoobnooble at 4:36 AM on November 5, 2008

Even Upside Down Dogs is getting in on the action.
posted by gman at 4:38 AM on November 5, 2008

re-souled.
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:38 AM on November 5, 2008

Rationally, I knew Obama would win. But emotionally, I guess I wasn't sure.

I'm in my 30s, but for my entire life, I have never been able to vote in an election to elect a country's leader, nor have I ever witnessed an election in the country where I lived which wasn't heartbreaking . . . until now.

I grew up in Yugoslavia, with one party rule, a dictatorship, and no real choice.

Just before I was old enough to vote, I watched as Yugoslavia fell apart and my former countrymen voted for nationalist hate-mongers who wanted to destroy my city, family and friends . . . and did a fair job of accomplishing it.

I managed to get to America, but for two presidential elections, I wasn't able to vote because I could not get my citizenship approved, because the US government could not complete a background check, since I had almost no adult records in Bosnia, since I became an adult during the war, and well, there were no records to check. My citizenship was delayed for years, and according to an off-the-record and amiable INS employee - and a US Senator - it had nothing to do with my accomplishments in America (graduating from a good school which I paid for myself by working hard, buying a home, having a good job, volunteering for and supporting charities and community organizations) and everything to do with my nominal "Muslim" identity. I watched, with no right to vote, as GW Bush was elected for two terms and seemed to do everything he could to lessen America in the eyes of most of its citizens and the rest of the world.

Finally, I received my citizenship, and this election was the first time I was able to help decide the leader of a country. I worked hard to learn about the candidates, and choose Barack Obama only after a careful review of his policies and those of the other candidates. I volunteered to help his campaign, and I was so excited to vote for the first time, though I had to do an absentee ballot from Romania.

I woke up this morning to see that Obama had won, and I burst into tears. Somehow, despite his standing in the polls, I anticipated bad news. I've been stunned for hours.

I'm realistic, and I know that it will be near impossible for any person to live up the expectations many of us have for Obama. The country is in a mess, and I compare it to my kitchen: five minutes to turn it into a disaster, half a day to clean it up.

But for the first time in my whole life, I've witnessed an election in which the choice which was made is better than what the alternative would have been. I've lived a third of a century without this ever having happened. It feels pretty damned special to me.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 4:38 AM on November 5, 2008 [94 favorites has favorites]

Sorry, I'm a bit giddy, I meant: I was disappointed not with him because ofr her...
posted by ponystyle at 4:39 AM on November 5, 2008