Riding into a storm
Peter Hoskin 10:02amIf I had to pick one word to describe the culmination of the US Presidential race it would be “electric”. From the 240,000 who gathered to hear Obama’s address in Grant Park, to the parties that are still going on in Washington, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Wherever, there is – and has been – an electricity about this campaign that current British politics can only dream of replicating.
As Fraser and James have noted, that America has elected its first black President is a point for celebration. But tomorrow – tomorrow America needs to concentrate on the challenges facing the 44th President. I’m reminded of the final shot of John Ford’s magisterial Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), which shows a pre-Presidential Abe Lincoln riding over a hill, towards a brooding storm cloud in the distance. Obama, now, is riding into his own storm cloud – one of recession, financial crisis, terror threats, and anything else that may be unleashed over the next four years. Will he be up to the job? Time, as the cliché goes, will tell.
But – for today at least – that electricity. Here’s selected footage of both Obama’s victory speech and John McCain’s gracious concession speech. The beginning of Obama’s speech so encapsulates what has been great about this election, that it deserves to be reproduced:
And now for the video…"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."
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Ian C
November 5th, 2008 10:21am Report this commentMcCain's concession was the speech of the night. Obama's was pretty much the same we heard from him in Ohio in January.
Ian C
November 5th, 2008 10:29am Report this commentI meant Iowa in January!
And if as was suggested on R5 Live at c 5am today it was a 51-48 split in the national poll, then it shows how hard it is for a very left of centre candidate to get elected in America. They need to be exceptional, v. well organised, have the wind behind them and an extremely unpopular incumbent. Any idea that it was Palin's fault is denied by those figures - if they are near correct.
King Prawn
November 5th, 2008 10:41am Report this commentThe world is celebrating, but I fear for the future.
The Iranians, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Qaeda, Putin, Chavez are all going to be licking their lips.
They know now that America now longer has the fight to stand up for freedom. They know now that in Obama they have a man who will do a deal rather than fight.
It won't be long in 2009 before these people start mischief making.
The future does not look very bright today.
Ganpat Ram
November 5th, 2008 10:54am Report this commentIt was a very very very closre win, despite all that money, all that nauseating media sycphancy and a crashed economy and the Palin problem.
Well done, Mac ! Line up the Latinos next time.
For the Obamination, it will be downhill all the way from now on.
Ronnie
November 5th, 2008 12:45pm Report this commentKing Prawn, these people thrive on conflict, it makes them look much stronger to their constituencies at home and keeps them in power longer.
Republican policies have made Iran much stronger and more feared in the Gulf region.
Republican policies gifted the political initiative to Hamas and allowed them to take political power through the ballot box.
Republican policies provided countless recruits for Islamic Jihad and Al Qaeda.
Republican ignorance and bluster failed miserably in setting boundries for Russian interests and behaviour under Putin.
Chavez, what have Republicans ever done to curb his influence behaviour?
The world is not a safe place King Prawn, its a fact, but you have to use brains as well as brawn. Brawn on its own has failed, big surprise.
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