What hasn't been said already? We've all been following the polls, and I felt in my gut that it was going to happen, but when it did...wow. You have to realize that he didn't just win a coin flip, he overwhelmingly won the support of most of the people of this country. That's a real, honest win.
I know I sound like a naive dreamer, but I believe we are in for a real change of course. Some have said this marks the end of racism in this country. I don't think that's true. But holy cow, does it take a big bite out of it. When I stop to think of the fact that I helped elect the first black president, I get overwhelmed. When I think of my children reading about this in history books and knowing they were there when Mommy and Daddy pulled the lever, I am in awe. On the other hand, I am thrilled to know that my kids don't even know what a big deal this is. I told my 6 year old that Obama is the first black president ever! He looked confused and then asked me, "You mean...because he has a brown face?" I said yes and he just kind of shrugged and said, "...alright." He just doesn't recognize that skin color is of any significance. How can you not be moved by that?
Yes, Barack Obama is a politician. I know he can't do everything. And I know that even though Jimmy Carter told us all to use the metric system and use alternative fuel sources, he was run out of town on a rail. But I believe with all my heart that Obama will be the uniter that George W Bush claimed to be. I think he will make his supporters proud and bring his detractors over to his side over time. I think his family will make us proud and I think history will look on him as the Roosevelt that saved the country from Hoover.