Hellooooooo Mr. President

Heartiest congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama, who made history last night with a huge victory (despite polls that showed him in a narrower race against John McCain) in the presidential election. 

His legendary eloquence was on display last night as he gave his victory speech to a roaring crowd of 250,000 people. Evoking the other history-making Illinois senator, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr., he emphasized the historic nature of the election, as well as the tremendous amount of work that lies ahead for this country and the world.

Despite booing crowds, McCain also gave a highly gracious concession speech in Phoenix. McCain, despite his many missteps, is a man of great honor, and he showed it, emotional and bitterly disappointed though he was, in his words. 

I couldn't help feeling a tiny, tiny bit sorry for Sarah Palin, whose eyes glistened with tears as McCain acknowledged her role in his campaign - she looked very like she had lost Miss America, several cheerleading contests and a college debate all at the same time. 

To the African-Americans here, for whom this is a truly historic moment, and has been a long time coming, may the rise out of the murky waters of slavery and racism continue be characterized by similar leadership in the years to come.