John McCain praises rival in concession speech as record numbers turn out to vote in historic election
| | |  | |
Image from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/default.stm
Americans placed their faith in Barack Obama today, overcoming a past of slavery and segregation, and electing the first African-American to the US presidency.
At Obama's election party in Chicago, there were raucous celebration and tears of joy as the US TV networks just after 11pm ET (4am GMT) declared that the Democratic candidate had been voted America's 44th president.
He was carried across the threshold by epic voter turnout across the country, giving him a wider margin over John McCain than any other president in the last two decades.
Obama, accompanied to the podium in his home town of Chicago by his wife Michelle and his two daughters, alluded to the historic nature of his victory.
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer," he said.
"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."
The Illinois senator spoke moments after McCain made a gracious concession speech in front of his supporters in Phoenix, Arizona, bringing the election to a close after nearly two tumultuous years.
"We have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken and they have spoken clearly," McCain said.
The defeated Republican said America had come a long way from the racial injustices that were a stain on the country's history, and called for the country to unite behind Obama.
He said he deeply admired and commended Obama for winning a "historic election".
The scale of Obama's victory exceeded Democratic expectations, as Obama was projected to win 338 electoral votes to McCain's 129.
[...]Fears that many white voters would fail, in the privacy of the polling booth, to vote for a black candidate appeared to be unfounded, suggesting that race is becoming less of an issue in the US.
Americans voted in record numbers throughout the day as they finally got the chance to turn their backs on George Bush's disastrous presidency and choose a new leader after America's longest and costliest election campaign.
[...]But McCain managed to hold his own until mid-September, when the Wall Street crash saw Obama open up a commanding lead.
The next president will inherit horrendous economic problems that will limit the scope of his ambitions. Obama, in his final rallies, was already tempering his early promise of change with warnings about how he would have to curb some of his more ambitious plans, trying to lower expectations that he would be able to move quickly on healthcare and education reform.
[...]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/05/uselections20084
----------------------------------------
Barack Obama said he didn't "look like other Presidents on the dollar bill".
Although that was a reference to his colour, he was different in so many ways to the established political aristocracy, that in a year when Americans were craving something new, his differences turned out to be his part of his strength.BBC News, Americas, US Elections 2008, Why Barack Obama Won
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7704360.stm
-----------------------------------------
United States of America. 72-year old John McCain was indeed very gracious in his speech, very respectable, while from the tv screen, Sarah Palin looked a little disappointed. However, their huge, huge efforts in this election campaign have been recognized by all.
Go Barack Obama, Joe Biden!!! I pray they have wisdom to guide America, and the rest of the world (:
I liked the victory speech he gave, he makes you feel proud of America. I thought it was really sweet that he thanked his wife lots, and she gave him a cute peck. Hmm...wonder what his 2 daughters are feeling right now..their dad must be a hero in their eyes! (they're getting a puppy as a promise from their dad)
Im very happy for them, for the U.S.A, and for the world (:
Can't wait for 20 January 2009!! PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION!
Link to Barack Obama's Victory Speech
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7710079.stm
Victory Speech in Full
