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Barack Obama is the next US president

By Jim Dee , in Boston, and Johnny McCambridge
Wednesday, 5 November 2008

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Barack Obama today won a stunning and historic victory in the American presidential election and then delivered a message to the world — change has arrived.

The 47-year-old senator from Illinois will become the first black president of the United States after he won a series of key battleground states during a night of high electoral drama.

During his victory address the president-elect told an audience of tens of thousands in Chicago that a “new dawn of American leadership is at hand”.

Defeated republican opponent John McCain paid gracious tribute to his opponent before urging his supporters to throw their weight behind the President-elect Obama and his running mate Joe Biden.

There were euphoric scenes across the nation as thousands of people poured onto the streets of major cities in the US to herald the result which could transform race relations.

Questions will now be asked about Mr Obama’s commitment to politics in Northern Ireland

with the US facing its worst economic crisis in 75 years and involved in conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, he has already stated that he will retain the US special envoy to the province and has created a team of prominent Irish-American legislators to counsel him.

The election was settled as Mr Obama swept a series of battleground swing states leading to a landslide in the electoral college voting system. The first major blow to the 72-year-old McCain was when the Democrats held Pennsylvania. When Mr McCain also failed to win Ohio, it was clear that his White House bid would fail.

When California also declared for the Democrats at 4am UK time, it pushed Mr Obama through the 270 electoral vote mark which ensured he would become the 44th President of the United States. He will be sworn in on January 20.

Hours later he delivered a powerful speech in Chicago’s Grant Park where he was joined by wife Michelle and daughters Malia (10), and Sasha, seven.

He said: “The new dawn of America leadership is at hand. To those who would tear the world down, we will defeat you.

“To those who seek peace and security, we support you.

“And to all those who have wondered if American's beacon still burns as bright, tonight we've proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from 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. That's the true genius of America.”

He went on: “The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year, or even in one term, but America I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

“I promise you, we, as a people, will get there.”

Many in the crowd were crying and even political pundits on major US TV networks wiped tears from their eyes as the man who could transform race relations in America ascended to the highest office in the land.

America is a place where all things are possible and the “dream of our founders” is alive, he said.

“We are, and always will be, the United States of America.”

He said it was time to put “hands on the arc of history and bend it once more to the hope of a better day.

“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,” he said.

Earlier Mr McCain addressed subdued supporters in his home state of Arizona with running-mate Sarah Palin by his side and pledged to do everything he could to support Obama.

The former Vietnam prisoner of war said Mr Obama's victory was historic and had a particular significance for African Americans.

He said: “This is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.”

Mr McCain placed the blame for defeat squarely on his own shoulders, prompting chants of “No!” and “We want John” from the crowd. “We fell short. The failure is mine not yours,” he said.

There were joyous scenes in Kenya, the birthplace of Mr Obama’s father, which has declared tomorrow to be a national day of celebration.

World leaders have acclaimed the President-elect. Gordon Brown said: “The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is vital to our prosperity and security.

“Barack Obama ran an inspirational campaign, energising politics with his progressive values and his vision for the future.”

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27 Comments

Mickey
you've reinforced my point.
I'm was asking why you have to bring Irish politics into every discussion. There is no need for it, this was an article about the American election. You just want to start a sectarian slanging match in these messageboards.

Posted by Alistair, manchester | 06.11.08, 13:27 GMT

Alistair, I wrote "Hopefully his tenure will ensure the cessation of all funding and "donations" by Americans to Irish Republican terror groups."

According to you that's "snidey" and I am "bitter and twisted".

Perhaps your mask has slipped Alistair and my interpretation is that you in fact fully endorse Americans funding Irish Republican terrorism.

Which says more about you than me....

Posted by mickey | 06.11.08, 10:52 GMT

Good Luck to President Obama.

The one thing about the Yanks is that they always do come back stronger than ever, after political and economic turmoil. We in Europe sometimes sit smugly in our armchairs and guffaw at our American cousins, slag off their politics and their idiosyncrosies. But you have to admire their enterprise, patriotism and their get up and go attitude. And on many occasions Europe forgets America`s sacrifice. I disagree with the USA on some issues, but perhaps in the future Europe should consider carrying some of the burden, currently borne by the USA and its close allies, before telling the USA how to put its house in order.

Posted by Cliff | 05.11.08, 22:51 GMT

Obama is sum pup. good luck to him. the state american is in.

Posted by junior | 05.11.08, 19:37 GMT

Thanks for your comment HIC,
With all this gushy, sugary, euphoria about perhaps there should be someone to act the wet blanket. Perhaps I'm old enough to have seen it all before and I'm just not carried away. -Sorry.
As someone said to me about this, often fickle, heady kind of enthusiasm, 'What's real will be here in the morning'.
I choose to reserve judgement on Obama until I see how he does in his first year.
I genuinely do wish him well though. If he's even a tenth as good as Martin Luther King he'll be fine. As The PLum rightly said, Most poisoned chalice ever.
Have a nice day, y'all!

Posted by T J McClean | 05.11.08, 14:51 GMT

As usual, TJ McClean hits the nail on the head with his down to earth, balanced views. Well done TJ.

Posted by robbo | 05.11.08, 14:25 GMT

America you make the world proud you again have proved those words anything is possible you are looked to through out the world your people stood with honor and pride to vote. The President elect came from nothing and just got the most important job in the world.......beautiful its democracy at its finest..............

Posted by Maureeen | 05.11.08, 14:02 GMT

To Mickey

Why do you have to bring Irish terrorism into every article?
I notice everyday that you make some sort of snidey, backhanded remark about N.I, the IRA, Sinn Fein, the list goes on. You are one bitter, twisted, sad individual. Change the record and get a life.

Posted by Alistair | 05.11.08, 13:43 GMT

This was wonderful----we are so happy with the results watched with pride all over the USA people stood in line to vote for whom they believed ............history was made and I am thrilled to be a part of this............

Posted by Heather | 05.11.08, 13:42 GMT

What will we think of the new President when his policy of penalising US companies which invest abroad in preference to home starts costing us jobs?

Posted by neil | 05.11.08, 12:58 GMT

Mark. What !!??

Posted by Yip | 05.11.08, 12:58 GMT

I don't agree Mark about reverse racism.
Previous candidates have not engaged the African American population. If the people don't feel represented they are not motivated to vote its that simple. White America has always been well represented. Having said all that Obama would not have won without the substantial white vote that he did garner. He ran a near perfect campaign that for once in history managed to bring together a very diverse group of blacks, hispanics, young, old, white, gays, straights. I think he can truly say that he has been elected by a very representative cross section of American.

Posted by Lisa | 05.11.08, 12:48 GMT

He could surprise us all and invade Iran

Posted by John | 05.11.08, 12:16 GMT

I have high hopes for Obama. Despite the slickness, despite the money, he maintains a purity and authenticity in his manner and behaviour. His speech this morning was simple, humble and beautiful. His life before this moment bears out his beliefs. He's not just another WASP from a privileged family. He's new and he's real.
This is the end of neo-conservatism and the end of Reaganite and Thatcherite policy domination in the West. Hopefully!
A special thanks to George W. Bush. Without the darkest hour of his presidency, there couldn't have been this dawn.

Posted by M Carey | 05.11.08, 12:00 GMT

Well done. Most poisoned chalice ever.

Posted by The Plum | 05.11.08, 11:54 GMT

"the USA have voted based on politics and democracy "

I'm not sue this is entirley true, wasn't there an increased turn out of voters this year, many of whom where black/ coloured and hadn't voted in previous elections, but turned out this year to support Obama because of his creed.

If this was reversed, and people voted only because a candidate is white, it would be branded as racist. So what's the difference?

Posted by Mark | 05.11.08, 11:16 GMT

you're such a wet blanket T J McClean! just enjoy the moment and what will be will be. You'll probably be on with I told you so as soon as the first minor hiccup happens, if it does!

Posted by HIC | 05.11.08, 10:42 GMT