Monday, November 03, 2008

Congratulations! President Barack OBAMA



Barack OBAMA becomes the 44th President of the United States of America. He will be sworn in and assume office on January 20, 2009, hence becoming the first African-American president of this nation's history.

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama spoke at a rally in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, after winning the race for the White House Tuesday night. The following is an exact transcript of his speech.



Obama:

Hello, Chicago.

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.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.

Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.

Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House.

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.

To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory.

And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

13 comments:

Resident Manager said...

WoW, supporting a socialist/marxist. interesting.

Anonymous said...

WoW, falling into the Republican propaganda, interesting.

Anonymous said...

Balkan Leaders Praise Obama Victory
05 November 2008 -- Belgrade hopes Obama will turn a chapter in US-Serbia relations, while Macedonians worry about a pro-Greek tilt in US foreign relations. For others, its business as usual. Public opinion in the Balkans broadly echoed the views expressed in most parts of the world, hailing the victory of Democratic candidate Barack Obama over his Republican opponent John McCain in the US Presidential race.

Because US policy has had a major impact on developments in the Balkans, the level of interest in the race shown by officials, media and the citizens on the election was predictably high.

In Albania, President Bamir Topi praised both the election of Obama as the 44th President of the United States and the campaign run by his Republican rival. “We all had a sleepless night, all Albanians and the whole world,” Topi said at an event held by the American Chamber of Commerce in Tirana and the United States embassy. More reactions from Albania: http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/14565

Over the border in Kosova, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci congratulated Obama on winning “historic” elections. “The election of the 44th American president showed a noble electoral campaign and displayed the best democratic values of the United States,” Thaci wrote in a letter to the President-elect.

Kosovo’s President Fatmir Sejdiu noted that the outgoing US administration had played an important role in deciding Kosovo’s future. Commenting on the outcome of the election, Sejdiu said that “this is a verdict of the American citizens…A dignified electoral campaign has shown how citizens can become active in choosing their leader”. More reactions from Kosovo: http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/14562

In Belgrade, Serbian officials said they hoped Obama’s victory would lead to improved relations between Washington and Belgrade. The Foreign Minister, Vuk Jeremic, said: “The world wanted to see changes and that is what happened,” adding that relations with the new administration would hopefully be better than those with that of George Bush.

However, there were warnings that Serbs should not expect radical changes in US foreign policy. “The election won’t have an effect when it comes to Kosovo because that decision has already been made,” former foreign minister Goran Svilanovic assured B92. “But, when it comes to Serbia, her European future, and her relationship with the US and Russia, this election will bring change.” More reactions from Serbia: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/14586/

Breaking ranks with opinion in most European countries, Macedonians had mostly sided with Obama’s Republican rival in the campaign, fearing Obama might tilt the White House against Macedonia in the ongoing “name” row with Greece. This was because he had signed a non-binding Senate resolution on the name issue, which was seen as pro-Greek.

However, following the Obama win, Macedonians said they did not expect a major shift in Washington’s policy in the “name” dispute. Instead, the speaker of parliament, Trajko Veljanovski, said the election of the first African-American as US President showed there were no obstacles to anyone become a president in a developed country. Rafiz Aliti, of the Democratic Union for Integration, the ethnic Albanian party in government, said the election “sends a clear message that they have overcome all racial, religious and ethnic prejudices”. More reactions from Macedonia: http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/14574

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the US election was also a major event. An unofficial poll carried out in Sarajevo saw Obama winning by a landslide. In the straw poll, Obama won over 350 votes to McCain’s 60. “You can feel the electricity in the air,” US ambassador Charles English said in his address to the local and international officials, who gathered in the state Parliament overnight to watch the election. More reactions from Bosnia and Herzegovina: http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/14558

Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Wednesday sent a letter to congratulate Barack Obama for his victory in the United States’ presidential elections, local media reported.

“I am convinced that your coming to office as President of the United States would mark the beginning of a new chapter, not only in the lives of many of your citizens, but also in the relation of the United States with the world and the world’s with the United States,” President Mesic said.

Romania’s politicians, newspapers and the stock market reacted positively to Obama’s victory. The daily Cotidianul, termed Obama’s win as “historic” and borrowed a line from his speech headlining its article “President Obama: I've changed the history of the US.” The business papers Ziarul Financiar and Business Standard noted that the local stock exchange BVB “has had a minor reaction to the elections in the US” with the BVB share index rising by around 2 per cent early on Wednesday. More reactions from Romania: http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/14566

In his letter to Obama, Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov, meanwhile, wished him “success in fulfilling your highly responsible mission as a head of a great country, called to play a significant role at the world's arena”. More reactions from Bulgaria: http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/14578/

Resident Manager said...

I wonder if they have supports groups for people who can't stop drinking the democrat's kool aid

Resident Manager said...

Jon Meacham and Evan Thomas of Newsweek admit and discuss, there's something creepy about Obama.

MEACHAM: He's very elusive, Obama, which is fascinating for a man who's written two memoirs. At Grant Park he walks out with the family, and then they go away.

ROSE: Mmm. Mmm-hmm.

MEACHAM: Biden's back, you know, locked in the bar or something.

ROSE: (haughty chuckle)

MEACHAM: You know, they don't let him out. And have you ever seen a victory speech where there was no one else on stage?

ROSE: Mmm.

MEACHAM: No adoring wife, no cute kid. He is the messenger.

THOMAS: There is a slightly creepy cult of personality about all this. I mean, he's such an admirable --

ROSE: Slightly. Creepy. Cult of personality.

THOMAS: Yes.

ROSE: What's slightly creepy about it?

THOMAS: It -- it -- it just makes me a little uneasy that he's so singular. He's clearly managing his own spectacle. He's a deeply manipulative guy.

Anonymous said...

You and your media pundits can continue licking your wounds, and nothing you say matters at this point, there is a new president, a clear majority of Dems in the House, and a strong majority of Dems in teh Senate.

Can you say "Adios Repubs...?"

Anonymous said...

as far as I'm concerned I hope Obama does good and has a successful presidency I do suporrt him he is our president after all, a trong Majority in the senate? not enough to prevent a filler buster so I would not call that a strong majority, especially that Joe Lieberman is being sidelined by the dems and now he might join the republicans so that's one less as well. John McCain's loss is a well deserved one, up until the election his base was the primaries not the republicans that's why he lost he had no ones trust/respect. This was well over due, what this will do is reshape the gop. Remember conservatism was not on the ticket if it were the out come might of been different.

Anonymous said...

This is for you proud obama supporters. Obviously your not an informed voter!


Rahm Emanuel Barack Obama's WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF,is noted for his strong style and his fundraising prowess. He is co-author with current Democratic Leadership Council President Bruce Reed of the 2006 book The Plan: Big Ideas for America. He is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. Rahm Emanuel is a founding member and the Co-Chair of the Congressional SERBIAN CAUCUS.

Anonymous said...

So what?

I don't think he will be legislating in the White House the way he did as a congressman.

Resident Manager said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Joseph, wow, you make a compelling argument on why we Albanians should not have voted for him -- i.e., he's a Marxist and supports Serbs because he lives in Chicago.

Don't be so naive as your posts elude. Open your mind a bit, here's some food for thought:

Obama has stated for the weekly Albanian-American newspaper Illyria that he strongly supports Kosovo independence and its democratic processes emphasizing that "as a President of the United States [he] will assist Kosovo develop a strong economy."

The US Senator from Illinois by reconfirming his strong support for Kosovo independence has said that he will personally work on strengthening the sovereignty of the newborn nation, the Republic of Kosovo.


The statement by Senator Obama is the first public engagement to communicate directly with the Albanian-American community in the United States."Barack Obama supports the independence of Kosovo and its democratic process towards full sovereignty," was said in the statement. "The United States must work assisting Kosovo in building a vibrant democracy, secured through law and order that guarantees all human rights."

The emphatic statement, giving powerful support to the Republic of Kosovo by Senator Barack Obama who is running for US President in 2008, is the first attempt of Obama to clarify some of the ambiguous and misleading statements made earlier to the Serb media and organizations, and court instead the Albanian-American communities who reside in the most contested states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida, states that have determined the winner in the past two elections, and other ones such as New York, New Jersey, Texas, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

Resident Manager said...

anonymous, stay that way.

Anonymous said...

"as a President of the United States [he] will assist Kosovo develop a strong economy."

what strong economy? he wont be able to fix americas economy forget kosova's
2 much of the same game sorry to burst bubbles