Sen. Obama's election as the 44th President was history in the making. Having lived through the civil rights era and seeing racial prejudice even today, we're somewhat in disbelief this morning that America has chosen an African-American as its President, and by a healthy margin. The sheer joy of millions here and throughout the world was clearly visible in watching election night coverage. Obama spoke to at least 100,000 people in Chicago's Grant Park last night, saying:
"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."
While the final tallies in Missouri, Indiana and North Carolina are incomplete, Obama can count on a minimum of 338* electoral votes, winning such Rethuglican states as Ohio, Virginia and Florida in the east, and Colorado and Nevada in the West. Obama appears to have beaten McSame 52 to 46 percent in the popular vote, the first time since Carter that a Democrat has topped 50 percent.
*UPDATE: Indiana (!!) goes for Obama; make that electoral total so far 349. What's going on in North Carolina?
