Will Obama give Keith Oberman a cabinet position?

What will the media do when the election is over? They will have to actually report news again.

What happened to the Whitey Tape?

Will blacks be dissappointed once we have a black president? Once the euphoria is gone?

On this the eve of the election, I'd like to capture my thoughts before America either elects a president who its first 26 presidents could have legally owned, or brazenly subverts the very ideals it was founded upon by manipulating numbers in a final embarrassingly overt goosestep towards corporate totalitarianism.

I am nervous. And not night-before-the-swim-test nervous or even night-you-lose-your-virginity nervous, it's a low rumbling primal panic which I can only liken to Star Wars panic. Disney panic. The edge-of-your-seat-terror that makes you wonder if Skywalker's doomed after he refuses to join Darth Vader and drops down into the abyss, if the wicked octopus or grand vizier or steroid-pumping-village-misogynist is going to wed/kill/skin the dashing prince and then evil people in dark funny costumes are going to take over the world... if it wasn't a movie of course.

And tonight it's not. It's not a movie and yet I feel like Obama might as well be wearing an American flag cape while a decaying McCain, in a high-tech robotic spider wheelchair wearing an eyepatch and stroking an evil cat, gives orders to a sexy scheming Palin who marches back and forth through their sub-terranian campaign lair in four inch thigh-highs and full-body black leather catsuit bossing around the evangelical ants with a loooooong whip... umm... is this just me?

Anyway, the point is that things feel weird folks. I have friends who have peed in waterbottles to keep from interrupting a Halo-playing marathon who got off their asses/couches to volunteer for the Obama campaign not once, but many times. Friends so cheap their body content is at least 1/3 Ramen Noodle who donated a good deal of their hard-earned cash to the campaign. People have registered to vote in record numbers, and yet, something just doesn't feel right. I think we should stop congratulating ourselves for just voting. To vote is a privilege which people have died for, and I think there's a whole lot more to be done for the country than to simply help win an election every 4 years.

Hundreds of millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of man-hours spent on both sides by good-intentioned people who want to make a difference in an historic election, so many resources and voices and energies devoted to a single day. After tomorrow, half of that is going to have been a waste. And I can't help but wonder what could have happened if all that muscle had been put towards something else, and what will happen to its momentum after the election has come and gone. Shouldn't we be donating our money to good causes whenever we can? Helping people who don't have? Dedicating some of our time to contribute to making the country which provides for us a better place? Of course a power shift is a hugely significant step on the path to great reform, but worrying about this election has been a wakeup call for me:

Even if Obama wins, we have not "won." This isn't a movie and we can't toss every greedy lobbyist oil fatcat bigot down a reactor shaft. I think if we dedicate ourselves to the ongoing welfare of the country as much as we have to the outcome of this election, we'll have a much better shot at coming closer to the overwhelming good the liberals hope Obama will usher in, but which no mere mortal could fully realize alone.

Which brings me to the other side. I've heard a lot of people claim that if McCain wins, they're leaving. I heard the same thing about Bush's reelection, and his unelection before that, and nobody seems to be leaving. And that's fine. Because as much as I complain about certain political happenings, atrocities, etc., I really do like it here and I suspect most other people do too. We have New York and Hollywood, purple mountain's majesty and sea to shining sea, we created jazz and country music and baseball and cars and lightbulbs and computers and that movie with hundreds of animated singing Chihuahuas! I mean who among the shivering Plymouth pilgrims ever imagined ordering hundreds of animated singing chihuahuas onto a magical box from an invisible information superweb?

The point being, if things don't turn out the way I want tomorrow, I feel compelled, as a college-graduated adultish-type-person, to take a stand. And if I'm going to leave I'm going to leave. But if I'm going to stay I'm not going to sit around whining like I have for the past 8 years. It's like when I don't clean my room because it's dirty and then I blame the dirt. So in my very indecisive way, before you and your screen, I'm declaring my intention to make some kind of stand in the event of -(Ican'tevensayit)-, and encouraging you to consider making one too...

Jump the ship or grab a bucket?
-Sigh-
Wasn't everything so much easier back when the worst possible affront to your values was a PB&J sandwich cut diagonally with crust?

Anyways, I guess what I'm saying is that if we're going to stay on board, we should probably be generous with our time and resources when times are tough even more than when the hero saves the day. Because what if he doesn't? And what if he can't?

Yours Nervously,
Hannah Friedman
http://www.writinghannah.blogspot.com

A magnificent, moving sight...
A magnificent, moving speech...
A magnificent, moving moment in history.

I am uplifted by having been able to participate in this experience, courtesy of CNN-International.

40 years, I lived in the USA as a foreign national, and never minded that I couldn't vote.

This year, for the first time, I wish I could share in the making of history...

I have observed the past 10 US Presidential elections with great interest.

Unfortunately, that has done nothing to inspire confidence in the smooth-running, fraud-proof nature of the US elections processes. I do not believe the States will be prepared for the turnout, and those States which do not have early-voting, are going to be CHAOS.

I have seen the Republican Party shamelessly steal three elections (Nixon '72, Bush '00, Bush '04) and would put NOTHING past them.

It worries me, that McCain is so confident. Either he is deluded, or he has some aces up his sleeve. It worries me that he is so CLOSE. This should be a rout, not a contest at all! It worries me that the USA is still so racist.

I am holding on, and hoping the election returns are not at all close, so that any efforts the McCain campaign might have made, to cheat, do not make enough difference to affect the outcome.

I fear there will be many, many millions of Americans whose votes are not counted, because there is just not enough time in the day. This could cause rioting... and it would be justified.

2000 left a scar. 2004 left a scar. Imagine how different things would have been, had Al Gore been elected in 2000...

I can't sleep. I have had the telly tuned to CNN-I since before the Conventions, and seldom turn it off.

This is the election which decides whether the USA moves into the future, or stays mired in the Cold-War. Hope, or fear. Co-operation, or conflict. Ecology, or materialism. Globalism, or triumphalism.

If John McCain should, by some skulduggery, 'win' this election, I would like to leave the planet for the next four years!

I still would have preferred Hillary Rodham Clinton... but I do not believe in co-incidences. Perhaps Barack Obama's grandmother passed away, so she could better look after her boy, later today. If not, her soul would have stubbornly stayed in her body, just long enough to see the outcome. That is a very Eastern sort of way of seeing things, which makes sense, as I am Hindu. More than anything, his grandmother's death, on Monday, tells me it is his time to shine. He is the right candidate, for now.

May the voters of the USA feel and do the right thing. May their 50 State Boards of Elections make it possible.

This is the moment for America, to let see where its stands for. God bless you Barack Obama, we are waiting for you in Europe and welcome you to joing changing the world in a better direction. Milljons off people in Europe will welcoming you the day you come as president off the United States from America, like Christ when he visisted Jeruzalem for the first time. Be the man that brings peace tnto the haerts off the people, God bless you Barack Obama

I am an American living with my husband and child in Europe for 11 years. If McCain wins, that will be the last shread of faith we'll have in our country and will consider handing in our American passports. The world needs to unify and get America out of its Ivory Tower. Wake up America, you are not the whole world.

The fact of the matter is that we have seen history happening right in front of us, no matter who will win. Nearly everything in this presidential election has been done better and different than in any other election in the past.

This certainly is a US election, but it certainly has been covered across the world maybe even more than some local country elections.

Why? Simple, the world, which is mainly not white, has seen that anyone can knock at the most powerful office door of the world and actually have a chance to get in. That truly shows that people can change and shows that the US has finally started to look beyond race.

Well yes, African Americans are going to vote at a high percentage due to race, but many other races will vote for Obama, which basically means that race as such does not matter anymore. Simply because the US is not black or white any more. It has many facets of colors and shapes and races. And Mr. Obama represents the US of today and tomorrow.

Mc Can I believe has tried to be that too, but he was not able to convince the majority, I hope, that he is a man for the future. Old does not mean you live in the past, but I certainly believe that Mc Cain lives in the past especially on his foreign affairs views and policy ideas. Economically he cannot be the man of the future, if even Alan Greenspan said that he himself would not be able to deal with the future economic issues since most of his thoughts and ideas suit the past not the future.

I am as nervous as many Americans even though I am Lebanese/German, but I am afraid about what some supporters on both sides might do when their candidate loses.

I do not want to predicte anything, but we could have some riots or violence occuring in different parts of the US. I truly hope that the police is aware of such possibilities and that they are ready. Things can, but do not have to, get nasty.

Good luck to all of you and no matter who wins, hope the country will move forward together as one.

i am nigerian living in nigeria. i love obama. obama being the president of america will change the history of the world. and i believe it will bring more peace to the world.

Obama.. its your time to go change the world!
It's not about colour, its about whats right for the world now!
Obama, the white house is waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

G'Obama, G'Obama, Go!

I cannot wait another day to see Obama becoming the next US President. I am a Ghanaian and pray that, Barack Obama become the US President who would change the world for better. Go! Obama, Go!

The whole world is waiting for america to shoose between peace and wars. Please let there be peace !

Let's make it big for Sake the of America, Mother Earth and Entire humanity !

all of which strangely at the cross roads not only America !

This is a decisive moment for the entire world !

Come on America ! Dont let us down this time around !

We need you to think smart at least for once this time for the sake of all of us !

The whole world is waiting for america to choose between peace and wars. To me only that quote (enemies cant test me) shows clearly the direction mccain ,ll be heading if in power .Please let there be peace !

I heard part of Mr Obama's speech. If you want to regain the respect of the rest of the world, you cannot go wrong voting for Obama. This is for Cindy McCain:- Palin is NOT a roll model for woman the world over, sorry we expect more of our roll models. It is easy to call the talk about the $150,000 spend by this woman "silly" if you have millions to spend, what about the millions of Americans that have lost their jobs, do you think they think this is "silly" to them?

The whole world is waiting for america to choose between peace and wars. To me only that quote (enemies cant test me) shows clearly the direction mccain ,ll be heading if in power .Please let there be peace !The whole world is waiting for america to choose between peace and wars. To me only that quote (enemies cant test me) shows clearly the direction mccain ,ll be heading if in power .Please let there be peace !

The change has started. Obama, do not drift from your promises. Reach out to other nations when you are elected. America has been alone all these years of Republican regime. America needs other nations of the world as they need America. But Obama must be decisive and resolute in dealing with crises in the world.

I wish America all the best and succesful electon of the right Candidate-Obama.

From kenya,kogelo village,Obama,the world is praying for you.Our son,go change the world.God bless you.Dishon keya

Since the begining og this hisoric campaign I wonder on what basis CNN is giving always the FIRST preference to Sen MaCain than Mr. Obama, eventhough the latter is leading in all the polls!

I am waiting anxiously, I want Barack Obama to win and make a lot of changes. I am an Australian living in Egypt and am waiting for the good news. God Bless America and let's make some changes in the world for the better. We don't want any more wars and fighting!

Dear Americans, I have been moved to tears by what you have written here – I am praying and hoping and can hardly wait to get home to watch the outcome from 1am tomorrow morning on our South African TV CNN channel. Obama for America, Obama for the world!!

Obama was sending by God and only this jong man ho inspireds 100derds off miljons people all over the world allready can make, that we can believe again in a better future, God bless Obama the new president off the United World States.

We will be 'BaRocking the Vote in Brazil' tonight as the numbers come in. Lots of love and good faith coming your way today and every day!

I congratulate american on this historic election.obama is the man to change the world, voting for him is not waste.american decide wisely

Just cant wait for Obama to win this election and make HISTORY

I am born of an American mother and Spanish father in the Philippines and I as well as everyone at our home is super anxious to witness History in America when Obama Wins! We applaud his victory as he will bring America thru the threshold of the past into the future as only he can do at this historical crossroad. President-elect 0bama unites color and personal development to relevant key global regions – born of a white mother and black father, in America, and exposed to a eastern and African cultures. A rare and unique quality. He could truly change the world!

Why 2008 US Election is so important not only for America but for the rest of the world?
This is the eveolutional moment and important milestone of modern civil society of the world
Barak Obama's winning the white house is inspiration for millions of people around the world. he is somehow representing millions of Joe- the have nots, the second class, the underdog, the nobody and the discriminated in America and around the world.
This is the beginning of the end of the old perceptions of discrimination among different races and social class.
President Barak Obama of the United States will be the symbolysim of hope and equality for many people loosing hope, living under descrimintion and fear around the world.
2008 US election and Barak Obama have open up new chapter in civilized human history.
We are not only witnessing the historic US presidential election, but the most wonderful moment of social evolution of the world and that will chage the way we think and live forever.
http://www.zawhtooaung.com

The War is over!

(Obama has to rethink his strategy against Afghanistan...a war that cannot be won with weapons...listen..talk..listen... talk...we are all humans)

I have been reviewing some of the media coverage and have been privilaged to watch CNN's coverage. I have just tried to add a note at Fox News and due to my views, it was not posted.

From an outsider looking in, the US needs a new direction and get on board with the rest of the world. I agree with the comments above which show, the world is sick of the US "flexing its power" even when it is clearly worng and for financial gain.

Obama appears to have the stuff true leaders need. He is connecting, real and knows he needs to make some unpopular moves to get the US back on track.

Think for a moment. If McCain wins, he will be 77 at the next election with Palin waiting to take over. Obama, 53. Not being agest, who is in touch with what is really happening.

I hope as many, this election is not decided in court and that all those who wish to vote can and their votes are counted.

We made a change in Australia this year after a long period of the same government. Change can be good. Reflecton what has happened in the last 8 years in the US.

Obama if he wins may bring back the true US, which was always there to lend a hand, not a fist.

Hello cnn, im from South Africa. If Obama win the elections it is going to be a great day for all Americans not just black Americans. Martin Luther King had a dream, Obama is living it for him. Even if he does not win Africa is proud. Mr King had a dream now it is finally going to come thru. To all the negative people that have made racist comments on Obama, i would like to say change is good and the world is moving forward without you.

OBAMA, is my man. If there is no rigging, OBAMA will win, the whole world would change and peace will reign again. OBAMA, we are praying for you and so sorry for the death of your grandmother.

for the sake of my children, who have big dreams, but who are being told by society that they should not dream big, because of the colour of their skin, i hope Obama wins, then i can look them in the eyes and tell them that " the sky is their limit" GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!

Obama please come to South Africa, to meet Mr Nelson Mandela. I hope to meet you too. We are proud. Plus we love you.

I am a Kenyan who supports Obama, Whatever the outcome of this election. Obama has done the world great. Americans have shown that they are liberal and liberality unites the world. God bless Obama, God bless Kenya and God bless America.

OMG :-) !!

Jonathan Mann is at the voting place in Chicago, where Senator Obama and Michelle are casting their votes.

I've never heard Mr Mann sound so excited! His voice is trembling as he reports on the first African-American, ever to run for President! He sounds on the verge of tears, from how momentous this is!! Bless...

His enthusiasm is infectious! Now, I'm all fired up, with no place to go! :-D

I don't drink, or I'd dash out for a bottle of champagne! It's just me, the tv, and all you bloggers... and I feel a mite lonely in this soggy, English town.

:-( I have no one with whom to share this excitement. I moved back to the UK, perforce, in 2006, because I was abandoned by my abusive ex, and would have ended up living on the street. The UK has better social services than the USA - in that there is not a widespread homelessness problem.

I knew one person in the UK, here in a downscale suburb of Liverpool, when I moved here. I've met her family, but she doesn't get out much. She isn't at all well. I try not to be a burden.

I have some online friends, mostly in Italy. I never reached out to find a social circle since I lived here, because that would have been acknowledging that I am here, for the forseeable... and I am so desperately homesick, for New York, where I grew up, for Denver, where I spent 20 years. I guess I have isolated myself from this horrid little town (which is very insular, and does not make outsiders feel welcome!) and lived in Denial for the past three years.

Americans are warmer, and MUCH more DEMONSTRATIVE, than people here. As times have got harder, the locals have got greyer, grimmer, and that much less likely to greet one when passing in the street. I enjoy living on my own, but I miss the sociability of the general public, in the States.

At exciting times like this, everyone is so happy, and full of life. People actually show how they feel. Listening to Jonathan Mann, I realised how very much I miss that, in this world of understatement and flat affect. I don't remember that, about England, from my childhood... but my family was wealthy, and we lived in a university-town... very much the opposite of Speke, Liverpool. The upper-classes are 'permitted their eccentricities'. LOL

I reckon Mr Richard Quest didn't come up in a downtrodden slum! ;-) There's a gent who doesn't do 'flat affect'. I love that about him!

*raising imaginary toast*

To the United States, may it soon see government as good as its people!

To the CNN-I team, and bloggers, for your information, and virtual - but nevertheless much-appreciated - companionship.

To Barack Obama, from a mixed-race kid with a funny name (who was also born in 1961 - a fine vintage), and the history he has made!

Sala'am. Shalom. Shanti. Peace.

Uma
(only in Liverpool in a physical sense :-P )

can't wait to hear 'the news' all of us wanted so much. yeah he's gonna win.

I am an Australian living in the EU. I think that I speak for a majority of people when I say: PLEASE America vote for Obama today!!! For the sake fo the rest of us show the world that you are the intelligent, inspirational world leader that you can be and not the greedy, ignorant, imperialist country that you have become. Lets hope America makes the right decision today.

si las frases de su campañan resuenan en mis oidos y espero que haga todo lo que usted pueda para hacer de este un mundo mejor, para ustedes los estadounidenses y para todos. muchisimas gracias por demostrar que aun se puede y se debe tener esperanzas y fuerzas para seguir adelante.maria teresa.

Dear God!
You have sent your son once again through the body of Obama (one of your many sons). Guide him through this difficult process of bringing peace back to this beautiful land you've blessed us with.
We've witnessed your miracle in South Africa, everything is possible with you. We have faith and believe that you will speak to every soul in America as they cast their historical vote today. Bless America!
May God our Lord be with you Mr. Obama. Jesus is alive!

Where's my check? Oh thats right I work pay, taxes and am middle class. . . Who was that senator that voted yes to raise taxes on individuals with an income of $42000 hmmmmm

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS CUZ OBAMA WON'T. . .

Will Obama be a (windows) Vista President? Wonderful hype, fantastic PR, fantastic predictions and more broken than the previous version?

A unifier that most Americans felt could really envoke change has been along time coming and it is time for the world to see Americans as what they really are, a melting pot meant to unify the world. As an American who lives and works in Liberia with the first female president on the continent of Africa, it is clear; Change is good, not easy, but good. Very shortly, it will be time to deliver. I believe every country is willing to work cohesively with Obama, which is a huge plus that McCain just doesn't have. I am proud to have voted and donated!
"Lift every voice and sing...til earth and heaven ring..........."

In Trinidad, Caribbean we are all so excited and are rooting anxiously for Obama!!! Oh to be able to see history in the making!! To see the walls being torn down, to see the hopes and dreams of millions come bear fruit as a result of one man, with the audacity of hope!!! I am sooooo excited!!!!

I voted today for Obama. I stood in line for 45 minutes in one of the bluest states in this country, and over 500 people stood with me. I watched a man in his middle age cast his first ever vote. I cannot contain my excitement.

I don't think that the truly self-aware educated young people of this country care whether the president is black, white, purple or green. Can he lead? Can she think on her feet? Would you invite him to dinner at your house, and just be yourself, without having to pull out the fancy china? And would you believe, when that was said and done, that he/she could go back to Washington, and really run the country, without needing to be "prepped" about American Civics and how government works? At least, wouldn't you want someone who knew the prime minister of Canada (one of our closest neighbors) was Stephen Harper?

I come from a long line of Republicans, but I cannot be in the same room with them because they will not vote for a black man. Wake up America. Welcome to the 21st century. The rest of the world is watching and waiting for us to actually stand up and commit to our own principles for a change. Let's be statesmen and women together. It's about time.

Will this idiot below me stop asking stupid questions?

Ya'll are drinking the kool-aid. I feel sorry for you.

OBAMA WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO CHANGE THE WORLD IMPROVE THE us IMAGE AROUND THE WORLD. YES, THIS CAN BE DONE BY PEACE . WAR WILL BRING NOTHING, AND SOLVE NOTHING. IT IS ONLY BRING TEARS AND BLOOD.
OBAMA, YOU ARE A MASSINGER FROM GOD TO FIX THIS DOWN FALL WORLD. MAKE IT HAPPEN , WE ALL BEHIND YOU OUR WORLD PRESIDENT .
WE WAIT ENOUGH FOR OUR SAVIOR OBAMA

Better days are ahead of us, words I believe in. Messages of hope, believing things will get better. The American people heard this type of hopeful message from Ronald Reagan with the “Morning in America” theme. Now we hear it from O’Bama…. From now on, this voter will choose hope over fear every time when voting for candidates.

A more united USA & a more united world working on behalf of all people has unlimited potential to do good for all. Unity is a theme which will deliver a better quality of life for people of all nations. Like it or not, the world is so inter-dependent that we must find ways to get along to deliver win/win scenarios in economics, the environment, energy issues, health issues, food supplies, +++. Diverse thinking provides balance. Getting along “well enough” to find the middle ground compromise necessary to move forward on important issues like world peace, energy independence, repairing a broken global economy, requires global leadership from all nations. I hope we elect a leader in O’Bama who delivers on all fronts.

Our best days are ahead of us…. if we stop fighting each other, respect diverse opinions and choose to compromise for the greater good.

Don White

Just as I prediceted; Obama is not running for president of the United States of America. Like his Senate position, that is merely a stepping stone for his next ambition: Emperor of the Planet Earth.

Oh, we're gonna see change, all right.

Obama let`s go together to change the word with no wors no killing no new states new borders between poeple ! let`s go now not wait one seconds and amerika will be like before an utopia dream for all word that better word is possible.

Just as I predicted; Obama is not running for president of the United States of America. Like his Senate position, that is merely a stepping stone for his next ambition: Emperor of the Planet Earth.

Oh, we're gonna see change, all right.

In Ottawa, Canada we are watching and cheering.I'm a big Obama fan. We've been following this campaign since the beginning, it's been captivating. I think Obama will have a big job to do but he is the best man to do it. The world is watching today!
G'Obama, G'Obama!

If Obama wins, tomorrow I officially stop working (as I have done since I was 14), have kids and go on welfare. Good luck encouraging me to better myself. Instead of going for the American dream, which Obama will turn into a nightmare of socialist taxes on the motivated, I will raise my kids as "Obamanites". Then, while they are being indoctrinated by Big Brother Obama, I will sip my tax-payer (what few are left) funded wine and remember the motivation I once had to actually work for what I am now simply entitled to. As long as Obama includes cable in my "rights" as an American, I will be fine.

McCain/Palin for those who have a work ethic

I am from Canada, most here would like to see Obama win this election
MLK jr. said a famous quote " The time is always right to do what is right" and today, the right thing to do for the good of the whole planet is to vote for Obama. Please, put all racism and hatred aside and do what is RIGHT .

Methinks Barack Obama has done all what he needed to do before today. It's left for the American electorates to show their commitment toward ensuring a better world. And i want to say, that Obama's victory wont happen cos he's a black man of a Kenyan father, or cos of his eloquence/intelligence, or cos of age. But cos God once more has chosen to show America His grace. The Lord blesses whosoever He desires. An Obama in the White House? Hope is returning to mankind. Have faith and nothìng shall be impossible. Thank you Obama, thank you for this challenge. Your victory will indeed change the mentality of African leaders. What do doubters still want to see? This man said he must see his grand mother before it's too late. On the eve of history, she passed on. Obama's judgment has won my respect. God bless her soul. God bless Obama. God bless America. And God bless my country, Nigeria.

Brits have a way with the language ! "You have to pinch yourself – a Marxist radical who all his life has been mentored by, sat at the feet of, worshiped with, befriended, endorsed the philosophy of, funded and been in turn funded, politically promoted and supported by a nexus comprising black power anti-white racists, Jew-haters, revolutionary Marxists, unrepentant former terrorists and Chicago mobsters, is on the verge of becoming President of the United States. And apparently it's considered impolite to say so." – Melanie Philips, The Spectator ( UK ) 10/14/08

Never have I been so excited on Election Day! When my finger touched the screen to select Barack Obama, I was elated! Here's to change and here's to President Barack Obama!!

Today Americans, with global support, are laying their hopes for a better life squarely on the shoulders of one man. Obama has inspired this atmosphere of global hope, and I pray for him and his family that he is truly able to bear the weight our expectations.

I'm a conservative-minded individual, however I did cast my vote for Obama. The exclusionary and negative nature of the McCain campaign made that choice very easy.

Obama: God bless, and Godspeed. You carry the hopes of a nation.

Idee
Cocoa Beach, FL, USA

I am nervous as a lot of many others out there!
I really am not sure whether this country is able to move forward based on the racial discrimination that still exists in America!
I support Obama whole heartedly, but am scared for him in many ways, if he should be elected president and I fear for his safety!

We need a new vision not the old vision of McCain and his closed mind of what people really need. McCain has no idea what the aveage middle class goes through in a days time. He and his friends are too rich and take care only each other

I like what you wrote, Hannah Friedman, you are absolutely right....let's get all our happy asses to work, let's not whine and be passive, let's get the job done, let's follow through, let'sraise hell, and then, after all is done, perhaps we can sit down and cheer!

RM: Melanie Philips must be a crazy right wing ignoramus in England...and you are an idiot for repeating this garbage. By using just your initials you are also a sniveling coward who cannot stand behind your own thoughts and actions. Most of the rest of the world does not agree with your perspective on Senator Obama but I for one, respect your right to believe what you want. I agree with you on one point, tomorrow, it will be President-elect Barack Obama and the world will cheer!

I'm a Californian, praying for the hope of a new day! Obama running for president reminds me as a minority (Filipino American) of what the African American race have been through to allow me and many other minorities achieve everything we have and the abilities of what we can do today; like voting.
This presidential election is not about race it is about the best man who will lead our country for the good of the people, the children and their future. Obama, I support you all the day. May god be with you and your family! Thank you for the HOPE, Obama, Thank you!

Don't worry, only a small percentage of americans is small enough to believe all the slime being spewed by the Republicans in their desperate attempt to convince themselves that they're still relevent. This is 2008 and we've finally found someone who is bigger than that. Even Dr. Evil (aka Karl Rove) has said that this is going to be a landslide for Obama.

My wife and I have already voted for Obama in Pennsylvania and she's on the phone with the rest of the volunteers getting out more Obama voters. The lines are long, but the polls are working and there's nothing that is going to prevent the hate-mongers from being repudiated ... utterly. G'Obama 08!

It's sad to me that one candidate can fabricate truths about another candidate and everyone believes it whole heartedly, how about doing your own research and making your own conclusions. I think the reason we are in the mess we are in is because americans have become lazy sheep. In any of the debates/interviews I saw or read did mccain ever give me one example of why his strategies will work, Obama gave clear cut examples while mccain merely pointed fingers at him. And please don't get me started on the Biden/Palin debate, Palin decided she wasn't going to answer the questions asked, she figured she would just talk about whatever she wanted? Just think: Mccain has a massive heart attack in two years and who does that leave us with? Sarah who? I got news for you, not only would that be the demise of this great country but the can of soda pop I have sitting on my desk has more smarts then her and would probably do a better job of running the country. For Christs sake people, she thinks Dinosaurs roamed the earth two hundred years ago! Lastly, she has absolutely no idea what her job as VP even consists of. Maybe she has spent to much time talking to Oil Cheney, oh, I mean Dick Cheney.

Go Obama!!
I hope he will be the next President of our great nation.
This Nation build by so many peoples, not just one kind but millions of people who came from each counters of the world. With him as a president, the idea will be wide open for all people!!! American Dream is really open to each one of us no matter: color, race, not welcome anymore!!!

Turn the map blue tonight, America!

We must seize this opportunity for strong and inspiring leadership. For those afraid of change, embrace it. The entire world will benefit.

My respect goes McCain. He has served this country incredibly throughout his life and we are grateful for his service. But now we must forge a new path – with a young, intelligent, and open-minded leader.

This is a new era where the economy, the environment, natural resources, and human rights are global imperatives. The world is flat. Dear America, do not let us fall off!

Let us celebrate an exciting new beginning with Barack Obama as our leader!

My father in the Philippines, who knows I cannot vote here, must have been feeling the electricity way back in the islands, because he took the time, in his partially disabled, ill, poor of hearing, condition to tell me in his halting voice not to feel bad if Americans let Obama lose. I had to smile on the phone and wonder what our extended, global families must be imagining how we feel in America at this time.

I don't know about your parents, but mine and a mentor have told me within a few hours apart not to get too excited yet, the vote thieves are going to be at work.

Still, things feel quite right in the USA. This very minute. Savor.

I thought his speech last night was very moving.
He had to deal with the loss of his grandmother who meant the world to him, and still go out and give speeches all day long.

I support Obama/Biden and although I have been very unsure of past elections ......... I hope with all I have ,this time, the election will not be stolen. ....The American people from all walks of life will be heard. Their votes counted. This country needs to move in a very different direction than what the past has put us in.

Obama/Biden will do just his.

Prayers go with Obama on his journey concerning his grandmother.

Prayers also go with him and his family on this new journey about to unfold.,for him and the American people.

He is a man of good character and will not disappoint or appoint anyone that holds a flag for division. I just returned from Afghanistan to make sure my vote counts; I had to be here because I felt the energy thousands of miles away. Thus, Obama, disrespectfully called that one by someone he has addressed respectfully, will think about those people, Americans and Afghans. Little is known about America's war in Afghanistan. Those who know Bush will tell you, he sees himself as an emperor. The affect of American policies will have great consequences for America's future. We are failing to win the Afghans hearts when agencies (like USAID) deliver less than 10 cents of the dollar of taxpayers money; I am sure MCcain would continue that sort of arrangement. What are we sacrificng for our future when we can't deliver for these and those people or our troops in Afghanistan. Lets hope Obama thinks about America's interest in Afghanistan while also looking at Afghanistan through it's people's eyes. We are of the same humanity so do the right thing. Good Bless America and Afghanistan.

An Obama's win would be a major source of inspiration for most black youths that are living reckless life right now, it would make them hope, live and work for possibilities

I said a special prayer this morning for Obama and I hope that all the peoples of the world would pray for this man because I believe that he has come to make this world a better place. God Bless Obama, God Bless America and it's neighbour, The Bahamas.

God Bless Obama. A man destined for this season. A man worthy of the American vote and man worthy of the admiration of the world.
We love you Obama and we are praying for you.

That RM person needs to stop being such a downer!

Its now the end of the work day and the start of the election coverage watch for us here in Toronto, Canada..in fact its more like a Barackathon ....there are several election watch parties and gatherings tonight.

I will be up all night as I refuse to sleep through this truly historic occassion...heck I've not slept much since the primaries and am pretty much a mess but its been all good.

As I read all these comments from around the world, I am so *inspired* that the whole world, all the nations from east to west, want to give the US another chance. They *want* to see us get up, dust ourselves off, and move on from this national nightmare. They are rooting for us, encouraging us, praying/chanting/sending out their positive vibes for us. The dream of America is alive and well and reaches 'round the globe. It's humbling indeed.

I was so proud to vote for Obama today. I wish I could have shared it with you all.

"Let's go Change the World" - whoa, wait a minute here. That's the Bush doctrine. Exactly why we have 150K troops in Iraq and Afghanistan! And now we get another 4 yrs of American Arrogance? Very Scary!!!

How about "Let's change America"! How about lowering crime rates, poverty rates, uninsured rates, uneducated rates, homeless rates, foreclosure rates, unemployment rates. There's an old saying, the only country you can change is your own. The rest will follow.

Well it's certainly been interesting reading all these comments, from both sides of the coin!

I find it also interesting that the few obvious McCain supporters feel it necessary to either make lengthy posts that rabbit on in a supposedly eloquent manner about their fear of losing the status quo that they've become accustomed over the last decade, or post more than once their quick quips about, again, how 'concerned' they are about change.

Although on the other hand you have an absolutely awe inspiring number of people, not just from the US, but from all over the world, speaking from their hearts about the change they desperately want to see in the world. It's truly humbling to hear just how many people on this planet support change and positive change for that matter.

This election is not only about who we're going to see on TV for the next 4 years under the label of 'President' but it's about people finally seeing an opportunity that they can take part in. An opportunity to create a more co-creative world that they can truly feel a part of and feel that they, as human beings, really matter.

Good luck Obama. Bring on the change!

I'm intently watching the outcome today from the distant Highland Hills of Scotland.

Hannah - not a single cent will have been wasted. As you rightly say, well-intentioned people from across the spectrum have gotten involved, many for the first time. I hope this marks a watershed in American politics, one after which the electorate remains involved. It's still early hours - about 8:15 P.M. EST as I write - but we may well be on course to see a record turn-out, not only in raw number terms, but in percentage of the elegible electorate terms as well.

I live in Thailand, and have lived in Asia for nearly a quarter of a century. I assure you that at no time in those years has an American election generated such keen interest, and not only amongst Americans living abroad, but everyone - Asians included. I have a local English-language TV station on right now, and almost all the coverage is of what effects this election will have on the Kingdom.

No, the money hasn't been wasted, no matter who wins. People are energized, and that's priceless.

Thoughts on Hope and November 4th...Today was a day full of rain and wind. My wife and I went to the polls located at a local church at 0530 properly attired in foul weather gear. Fortunately, we got into the building at the end of a lengthy serpentine line that would make any football game queue look small. The Obama-McCain contest clearly generated more voter participation than any other American political contests that I have seen in my life time. Voters arriving 15 minutes later found themselves outside in the downpour in a line stretching from the poll door to a state highway. There were more cars in the parking lot than on Sunday. The voting finally started at 0600. The voting crowd was in good spirits and very patient. No wonder, most of us were still half a sleep. Before you know it we were done and out the door by around 0730. All in all the anticipation of voting mal functions as in images of Florida in 2000 did not happen.

Personally, I feel good. I believe this election is a singularly significant moment in American history to select a President and representatives to successfully lead us into the future while working to deliver us from the crises confronting this great nation.

This said, election comparisons are difficult to make, and imperfect at best, but this Presidential election is not unlike that of FDR in the early moments of the Great Depression. It has generated excitement not seen since the election of John Kennedy. It is even more noteworthy in that my choice Barack Obama is the first minority individual ever to be a major candidate. If he is not elected his candidacy will still have been a remarkable accomplishment a scant 44 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act.

However, if the polls are right, Barack Obama will be the first minority President in our history. If this watershed event does happen the world will take note, and we Americans are likely to see an improvement in our global image if not our relationships with friends, allies, and much of the rest of world. The words in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution will take on greater significance in the perceptions of many around the globe. Just as important for us citizens will be the symbolic crossing of the often unspoken bar of race and inequality that has always lurked at various depths of American life.

Clearly, the Obama campaign has been acclaimed by many as nothing short of brilliant in ideas, strategic focus and discipline. Comments of many of his critics even echo agreement. John McCain's campaign efforts have taken a different, more strident approach and style, but they have been no less dedicated. In a few short hours all of us will know whether Obama or McCain has been successful. Regardless of whom each American voted for, the fact that we can hold a free election even with its imperfections is a continuing testament to the American experiment begun over two hundred years ago. As a retired Air Force officer who has been in harms way for this country it is also a vindication and affirmation of service proudly given.

After today the victor of this Presidential contest will be the heir apparent to the toughest job in the free world. And, with this new found responsibility comes the great expectations of citizens that our President lead, unify, and deliver. I wish him Godspeed, every
success, and blessing. Colonel Curtis Morris, USAF (ret.)

I can't say that I've always supported Obama...I had my doubts but thanks to McCain's tired rheotoric to continue the fight against the enemy (rather than focus on the economy), I knew the time to switch party alignment was now. Let's not take it too far the other direction...keep it in the middle so we don't have another backlash in four years.