Tonight America should be proud! ....

[Locut0s]

I'm saying this as a Canadian.

Whatever else the future may hold tonight America has finally stood up to 8 years of hellish governance that has greatly damaged the world. Tonight America has made an historic choice, the first African American president in the history of the country and in fact one of the few in the history of western civilization. This is a moment for us all to be proud. Whatever else may come America has now crossed a line it can not back track over. No more will we wonder if a "black man could ever win the presidency". Once this precedent has been set it's there for good in the history books for all to see. There is undoubtedly much work to do and the important question of how good a leader Obama will ultimately really be has yet to be answered (no mater the calibre of the contender few presidents have been faced with as dire a situation). But whatever the answer to these questions turn out to be history has been made tonight and we should all be very proud.

[ChrisMCV]

1. Respectful opponent

Well as a very rarely posting Republican who managed to not get tombstoned here, I just want to offer congratulations. Of course he was not who I voted for, but I do acknowledge that this has been a big step for our nation and indeed the world. I truly hope we can all get behind the fact that for all our faults, we DO still continue as a nation to improve and embrace a very diverse set of opinions and anything is possible in our country.

I am an American first, being a Republican has to follow after that by my personal expression of my views. I will still hope to get more conservative policies in place, but I do acknowledge the American people have clearly voiced their preference.

I do have a word of warning though, public opinion is a fickle thing. I hope that it does not turn us against ourselves worse then it already has. I spend a lot of time on other forums (right wing ones) and while some heads are indeed are exploding, for the most part the average conservative is now waiting to see what this shift will bring. He will be the our new executive and CIC, good luck to him and doubts aside, I will stand behind him when I can as he is POTUS.

Have a celebratory drink on me, I am off to have one for different reasons myself (well, after work tonight anyway).

Now I have to go face my boss, he is a hardcore lefty so to speak and we have been having good natured, but heated discussions for months now as this election has ramped up. The gloating is going to be unbearable for the next few weeks, LOL. (He calls me the jackbooted republican in the office, I call him the aging rich hippy).

[Locut0s]

2. Thanks for the level headed reply from the "other side" :-)

[Swamp Rat]

3. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Locut0s]

4. Thanks. Not really new though, been here since 05, just more of a lurker than poster ;-)

[Swamp Rat]

5. I was welcoming the other poster, eh.

:D I remember you Locut0s. :hi: I've always wanted to go to Vancouver. :D

[Locut0s]

6. Oh woops. My bad hehe.

[JDPriestly]

7. Welcome to DU.

I believe that Obama will govern from the center and explain clearly to the American people the reasons for his decisions.

Many Republicans voted for Obama because they believe that he will be better for the economy. In my opinion, the Bush administration's no-bid contracts, unnecessary war and the Paulson plunder raided the treasury and handed over American's wealth to the Bush family's friends and supporters. A lot of Americans are really hurting as a result.

Some very powerful people will be unhappy about the measures that Obama will have to use to "claw back" what has been stolen and squandered by this administration. In the end, I believe that Americans will like the results of Obama's efforts.

Obama is a fair and seemingly honest man. He is even-tempered and dispassionate. More we cannot ask after the past four years of negligence, indulgence in personal interest, anger and spite.

A lot of conservatives have been brainwashed into believing that greed is good. It isn't. It never was. Obama is not going to subscribe to the extremist Ayn Rand philosophy, but he is no socialist either. He is a pragmatist. That's what Republicans used to be, so a lot of Republicans will be very happy with Obama's presidency.