Community | November 04, 2008 | 27 comments

Obama captures historic White House win

source: http://uk.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUKTRE4A30Y220081105

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Vierotchka
Democrat Barack Obama captured the White House on Tuesday after an extraordinary two-year campaign, defeating Republican John McCain to make history as the first black to be elected U.S. president.

Obama will be sworn in as the 44th U.S. president on January 20, 2009, television networks said. He will face a crush of immediate challenges, from tackling an economic crisis to ending the war in Iraq and striking a compromise on overhauling the health care system.

McCain saw his hopes for victory evaporate with losses in a string of key battleground states led by Ohio, the state that narrowly clinched President George W. Bush's re-election in 2004, and Virginia, a state that had not backed a Democrat since 1964.

Obama led a Democratic electoral landslide that also expanded the party's majorities in both chambers of Congress and firmly repudiated eight years of Republican President George W. Bush's leadership.

The win by Obama, son of a black father from Kenya and white mother from Kansas, marked a milestone in U.S. history. It came 45 years after the height of the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King.

In a campaign dominated at the end by a flood of bad news on the economy, Obama's leadership and proposals on how to handle the crisis tipped the race in his favour. Exit polls showed six of every 10 voters listed the economy as the top issue.

Tens of thousands of Obama supporters gathered in Chicago's Grant Park for an election night rally that had the air of a celebratory concert, cheering results that showed his victories in key states.

McCain, a 72-year-old Arizona senator and former Vietnam War prisoner, had hoped to become the oldest president to begin a first term in the White House and see his running mate Sarah Palin become the first female U.S. vice president.
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27 comments // Obama captures historic White House win

  • themanwithadog
    • 0
      themanwithadog  

    • The dream of Martin Luther King is a dream no more. The feel good factor will help overcome many obstacles and there are many thanks to GW.

      Obama has fulfilled the dreams of black and white americans alike it is onwards and upwards for the USA they have a man with a mission who they feel they can trust.

    • 3 years ago
  • QCBUCKI
  • rightbrain
  • Denica_Cassandra
    • 0
      Denica_Cassandra  

    • This such a wonder(ful) shift in paradigm - Dems got to choose between a female candidate and an African-American candidate. Now we have our first black President of the US.

    • 3 years ago
  • barbara3d
    • 0
      barbara3d  

    • Let the healing begin. This President is inheriting a huge mess. Lets give him support and the time needed to accomplish the ideals of both Dems and the GOP. WE are all Americans. All colors, all faiths, all people .

    • 3 years ago
  • nufsenuf
  • DrJayV3
    • 0
      DrJayV3  

    • What is this all too unfamiliar knot in my stomach? Could it be pride in my country again? I, today, am once again proud to be an American!! Thank you, friends at current, for helping make this possible!

    • 3 years ago
  • inapickle
  • jubal
  • bedeboop
  • jubal
  • onechance
    • 0
      onechance  
    • jubal:

      So did I my friend. I was in a room with about 400 other people too, all crying with joy! EVERYONE! It was amazing.

      CONGRATS EVERYONE!!

      Let's GET TO WORK!! Time to show the world how much America doens't SUCK. We need to turn this ship around.

      Bye bye Bu$hCo, you arrogant fuckbags.

      PEACE!

    • 3 years ago
  • AveryMoore
  • dagos
    • dagos  
    • This comment has been hidden for review.
  • DrJayV3
  • sillywabbit
    • 0
      sillywabbit  

    • Palin 2012 - for real. Even the crazies need representation.
      She should self-appoint to Ted Stevens seat in the Senate where you can throw a stone at the White House instead of peering across the Straight at Russia.
      Send requests of war against Syria, Iran, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, UAE, France, Italy, UK to Congress immediately and have them all shot down. Be a non-agressor rather than an Empire builder.

    • 3 years ago
  • bluestranger
    • 0
      bluestranger  

    • We won. Not the Obama voters, but everyone that voted. President-elect Barak Obama just told us that. Now we must all work together. Here's to everyone that voted. This has to be one of the most defining forms of patriotism.

    • 3 years ago
  • Pwdrskir
    • 0
      Pwdrskir  
    • Image

    • A Candidate with A Mandate!

      How envious is the rest of the world that we can do such a thing. This country rocks!

      Hello Mr. President.

    • 3 years ago
  • kennymotown
    • 0
      kennymotown  

    • Thank you my fellow Americans, And too Doctor King,
      JFK, and the man who's campaign I work for so many years ago Bobby Kennedy, YOU DID NOT DIE IN VAIN!

    • 3 years ago
  • Stradius
    • 0
      Stradius  

    • The USA is BACK baby! Now the hard work begins. We've got a lot of bridges to build and a lot of local governments to reform. Let's work hard with those who supported McCain and especially discovering how things can be made better for the McCain supporting states so we can ALL be a better nation and better international neighbor!

      Wooooo!

    • 3 years ago
  • bedeboop
  • pokesmot
  • Raven6
    • 0
      Raven6  

    • Dr King, we are here !

      "Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." -- Dr Martin Luther King knowing the threats on his life, the day before his assassination.

    • 3 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • Vierotchka, take a bow. You have worked so hard to make this possible. Thank you for your efforts. Thanks to everyone who has been here at current working for change.

      God Bless!

    • 3 years ago
  • bedeboop
  • GatorMonkey
    • 0
      GatorMonkey  

    • This is an absolutely amazing moment. One to be remembered. Congrats Obama. Congrats to the USA as well. Thank you everyone who went out and voted and did their part.

    • 3 years ago
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