Chicagoist: IT'S OBAMA

Gauldar

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:51:13 -0600

We Canadians would like some Obama too. Can you clone him?

Chris_60614

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:43:08 -0600

Navin, I havent heard anyone actually exclaim that racism has come to end. That is silly, like saying that hatred, violence, and hair loss are no longer part of the human experience. I think that you can make a good case that racism as a reason to give up any hope in successfully participating in the American system to a pretty big hit last night. Also, based on what you said, do non-conservatives have a vested interest in racism sticking around?

tc3

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:24:37 -0600

Or maybe he was morning the demise of the shakedown industry he turned the Civil Rights movement into. I just figured he was crying because perhaps somebody cut his nuts off.

Navin

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:17:28 -0600

Oh my.... The new conservative meme has taken hold not just here but all across the interwebs: Obama win = end of racism. Just like it ended in Chicago when Harold Washington was elected mayor right? jagbags.

mike_thoms

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:08:41 -0600

good call Chris...Jesse and Al's racket is definitely in the winter of it's existence.

Chris_60614

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:59:01 -0600

I 'lost it' last night when the they cut to a sobbing Jessie Jackson on the Grant Park big screen. Was he caught up in the moment? Or maybe he was morning the demise of the shakedown industry he turned the Civil Rights movement into. This what has really impressed me about Obama and his campaign, and what gives him such power to unite the country. It must have given Jessie, Al, and the like pause to see Barack Obama realize a dream of Black People across the country without having to resort to being a fraud, con-artist, or bigot. Godspeed Mr. Obama!

mike_thoms

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:31:35 -0600

Huffy...there were some many "lost it" moments for me last night. I really didn't think I'd have any and then CNN called it for Obama and they were showing all of these African-Americans crying...that's what struck me the most. I'm not black, I don't know what black people have gone through but I can imagine what they felt last night and it was pretty amazing. Then there was his speech and everything he said in there. I don't think that we'll ever see anything like this again in this country, and not just because it's the first African-American president. Watching all the coverage of people in cities all across the country, together, celebrating...when has that ever happened? It was like our national sports team won the World Series but it's something way more important than sports.

huffybike

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:53:11 -0600

This is where I lost it.

gerobobo

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:10:03 -0600

I think you'll see massive change in the same way that roosevelt and reagan changed the federal government and the nation at large - I wouldnt worry about that lipliplip. congratulations everyone!

ljpljpljp

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:10:04 -0600

I hope that everybody holds him to what he has said about "change". That never happened during his brief career as a senator.

rhoswhen

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:24:20 -0600

@ingrid: "...it's just that he represents something new and young and energetic and earnest and democratic and hopeful." Not that I disagree with you, ingrid, cuz I don't. I'd merely like to add that he represents what is GOOD in this country. He represents all the smart, hard-working, civilized, multi-faceted and reasonable people in this country. 'Bout time we got some representation!

Ingrid

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:08:23 -0600

For crying out loud jimbo, the only reason this election is so emotional and so historical is precisely because of Obama's race. It was even in McCain's concession speech. You cannot ignore that. It is a fact. But, of course, it's something that Obama did not use as an excuse. He succeeded beyond wildest expectations. He is an example for every minority, for every person, white, black, latino, asian, everyone everywhere. I don't think that he's going to use race as a crutch in his administration,because he's never used race for any kind of excuse, but you cannot ignore history. Change has come, and change is an issue only because of our past. But we are now all looking forward. Jim Crow is over. We are all moving ahead.

jimbo

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:55:22 -0600

You're right that tonight is a night to (obviously, hopefully) start looking forward, but you're looking in the past. Emphasizing the race of the President-elect is a poor way to move forward.

Ingrid

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:45:28 -0600

jimbo, Yeah...right...that's why there were so many black people in tears over this and so many eminent black leaders spoke in praise tonight. You cannot say that when there are people alive today who can remember seeing signs that said "No Black People Allowed" or separate water fountains for White and Colored. Don't be ridiculous. This is a night to start looking forward, but you cannot ignore the fact that this election is historical because a black man is now our president. I am in no way whatsoever furthering a racial argument. This is not about any kind of argument, it's all positive.

Mucky Fingers

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:22:57 -0600

WE EARNED THIS.

jimbo

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:22:18 -0600

Ingrid, I think that you've missed the point. America has elected a black man. America is, more or less, done looking at race as a determining factor of character. Furthering the racial argument only harms this country.

matty

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:12:06 -0600

CHI-TOWN MO! I was downtown. I saw history. I am also drunk.

Albanyparkour

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:10:21 -0600

@Sears Tower: I spent today in Indiana. I called over 500 voters to get them out to vote and get them rides when they need it. I worked with 2 Eighteen year old black girls who were some of the only black kids in their high school. They talked about the issues more articulately than most adults, but beneath that you could tell how moved they were to see a black person rise to the highest office in the land. A truly monumental and historic achievement. I spoke with dozens of black voters who were giddy with excitement over their votes, a number of them voting for the first time. We saw the defeat not just of McCain, but of a style of politics tonight. One that convinced people to vote against their best interests thanks to wedge issues and voter nullification. Obama's whole message has been inclusive and expanisive. I don't agree with him on everything, but I think he's willing to hear out other points of view, something that's been lacking for years in the white house. Pathetic? No. What's pathetic is holding on to a broken way of seeing the world. Cynicism and fear are very 20th century. Time for a different path.

jimbo

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:08:51 -0600

@Sears - No, they won't figure it out that it wasn't Bush's fault. The notion of personal responsibility is gone in America. It's on display almost every day through some of the comments on this blog.

Ingrid

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:07:08 -0600

Sears Tower, You are missing the point. This is historic. A BLACK man is president. That is something that we can all look up to. It says that if you work hard, you can accomplish anything. Nothing was handed to this man. He worked for everything he has. Just think about it...up until 19fucking65 it was legal to keep black people from voting, and now a black man is president. Barack Obama ran an awesome campaign. He is an example for everyone. Have you ever heard Barack blame anyone for his problems? No. He is an inspiration. Nothing was handed to him. He did not get into Harvard because of his father. He did not marry a rich woman who afforded him a political career. He worked for everything he accomplished. Everything about him speaks dignity, intelligence and confidence. He's a powerful example for every person in this world. Some day we will see an Asian as president, a gay man or woman as president. The inspiration of this day is just astronomical.

EmanG

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:25 -0600

Hey Sears Tower: I'm sorry that you can't share in the genuine emotion many are feeling tonight. I sobbed surprisingly and hard as I heard a man with the intellect and foresight tell me the truth tonight. The simple act of being addressed as an adult by someone in power over me was as cleansing an emotional experience as I've had in years. Yes there will be good and bad, no one is panacea. But to ask to be believed in and to lay out your performance as the only qualified metric for the judgement of your efforts is to inspire a swelling of the breast and yes, one or more tears. Si Se Puede

Rob Christopher

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:53:08 -0600

I am speechless. Except to say that right now, I am proud to be a Chicagoan and I am proud to be an American. Yes, We Did.

Sears Tower

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:51:39 -0600

People that are crying tears of joy for Obama or sadness for the GOP are pathetic. You are responsible for your life, not the president. Ask not what your country can do for you...that sort of thing. There are good and bad things about an Obama presidency, but mainly I am curious who people will blame for their problems a year from now. Will they realize their problems were not all George Bush's fault? Will they realize Obama (or anyone else) can't fix everything? And, will they take responsibility for their own lives? Given the fact the economy of the whole world will be real slow for 2-3 more years, I wonder if the tide will turn in 2010.

echo

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:43:03 -0600

i watched the moment down here in new zealand. feeling quite emotional - yes you can !

three

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:33:55 -0600

incredible.

jimbo

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:29:48 -0600

btw Daley is wrapping his olympic bid up as people leave and don't destroy anything

jimbo

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:24:23 -0600

Blago live on channel 7

Ingrid

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:16:13 -0600

I hear you michelle...and it's not that I think Obama is the messiah...it's just that he represents something new and young and energetic and earnest and democratic and hopeful. I think that the world is grateful right now. And just think about it...the Voting Rights Act was not signed until 1965. That's when it became illegal to stop black people from voting. This is an amazing year, an amazing election.

michellemybelle

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:57:36 -0600

I finally stopped crying - and now Obama's going to give his speech. I need new eyeballs.

mack00brew

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:55:30 -0600

Did anyone see Blago on NBC 5 after the concession speach say that he would have won by double digits if he were up for re-election this year because it is a Democratic year. Please for Gods sake let's all hope that isn't true and wont be in the future. What an idiot! Go Obama!

Papercutninja

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:46:09 -0600

Hi, a NYer here. Just wanted to thank Chicagoans for letting the whole nation have Obama!! What a beautiful night...

mike_thoms

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:40:44 -0600

Yeah it was a great speech. Can't wait for Obama's. It was very emotional to see this happen.

Ingrid

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:29:09 -0600

Couple of celebratory glasses of champagne into this, I am watching McCain's concession speech right now and I've got to say that it's very touching, and I think very heartfelt. On the other hand, I want to give a heartfelt ADIOS to Sarah and Todd Palin, I hope they disappear into the Alaskan wilderness to never be heard from again. What a night. Just absolutely awesome.