The Final US Election Thread

[KukriKhan]

I just want to put up my feeling of humble, slightly-astonished gratitude at the interest of non-US orgahs in our messy, lo-o-o-ng, nasty, convoluted electoral system.

I'm stunned to realize that some of you are up beyond midnight to watch results.

The system isn't perfect. And it's certainly not efficient. But it does work. And it works without gunmen in the streets, or tanks on the corner, or elections called off at the last minute by a governing faction, or results quashed by the incumbent. And in January, the Old Boss will shake hands with the New Boss on Pennsylvania Avenue, and we'll continue.

I've kept the TV off for now. Any numbers yet on projected voter turnout? I'm actually more interested that we get up nearer 80% of registered voters suiting up and showing up, than on the actual POTUS results. If we can get more citizens to exercise their franchise, I'll feel like my own (tiny) sacrifices in the military, and the HUGE sacrifices of millions of others, won't be for naught.

[CountArach]

I've kept the TV off for now. Any numbers yet on projected voter turnout? I'm actually more interested that we get up nearer 80% of registered voters suiting up and showing up, than on the actual POTUS results. If we can get more citizens to exercise their franchise, I'll feel like my own (tiny) sacrifices in the military, and the HUGE sacrifices of millions of others, won't be for naught.

65% is the only statistic I've read, and that was only speculative.

[Koga No Goshi]

I just want to put up my feeling of humble, slightly-astonished gratitude at the interest of non-US orgahs in our messy, lo-o-o-ng, nasty, convoluted electoral system.

I'm stunned to realize that some of you are up beyond midnight to watch results.

The system isn't perfect. And it's certainly not efficient. But it does work. And it works without gunmen in the streets, or tanks on the corner, or elections called off at the last minute by a governing faction, or results quashed by the incumbent. And in January, the Old Boss will shake hands with the New Boss on Pennsylvania Avenue, and we'll continue.

I've kept the TV off for now. Any numbers yet on projected voter turnout? I'm actually more interested that we get up nearer 80% of registered voters suiting up and showing up, than on the actual POTUS results. If we can get more citizens to exercise their franchise, I'll feel like my own (tiny) sacrifices in the military, and the HUGE sacrifices of millions of others, won't be for naught.

Kukri, LA County is reporting upwards of 70%. And that's huge--- not only are we a state that typically votes after the election is already decided, but also usually have much lower turnout both because of that and because of the perception that CA is predecided anyway.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I'm stunned to realize that some of you are up beyond midnight to watch results.

It's just about to turn 4 am here. Yes, we're all mad, but it's compelling.

[Banquo's Ghost]

So there it is.

President-elect Obama.

I've read this reflection several times, but it bears repeating.

It is an extraordinary tribute to the American Revolution's ability to reinvent itself in every generation, that the 44th President could have been owned as a piece of property by the first 16.

The United States are truly the most astonishing, wonderful country in this world. God Bless her, and all her citizens.

[Strike For The South]

I just read a facebook status that says and I quote

s leaving the country. Preferably Italy

[KukriKhan]

I just read a facebook status that says and I quote

leaving the country. Preferably Italy

Tell 'im: "Ciao, ya'll".

[Strike For The South]

Tell 'im: "Ciao, ya'll".

its an 'er and I doubt 'er brand of social Protestant conservatism will be welcomed there. Some people Kukri

[Divinus Arma]

Ugh. Listening to the commentators. "Black" this and "black" that. Its fricken black history year. Civil rights blah blah blah. What a crock. Get over it. I hate how these **** just keep seperating us on race. I hate it.

I just don't want to hear it. And I voted for the guy.

[Strike For The South]

Ugh. Listening to the commentators. "Black" this and "black" that. Its fricken black history year. Civil rights blah blah blah. What a crock. Get over it. I hate how these **** just keep seperating us on race. I hate it.

I just don't want to hear it. And I voted for the guy.

agreed. You voted for him?

[Divinus Arma]

agreed. You voted for him?

Its time to repair our image abroad. We can always go back to bombing everyone in another four years if Obama doesnt do a good job.

[Strike For The South]

Its time to repair our image abroad. We can always go back to bombing everyone in another four years if Obama doesnt do a good job.

Eh its not the time to debate but I must disagree my friend

[Divinus Arma]

Eh its not the time to debate but I must disagree my friend

Plus I'm a union man. I'm sick of seeing the fat cats walk away with millions while the average guy watches his pension and 401k sink with the company he slaved for.

Its time for the pendulum to swing back to the little man!

[Divinus Arma]

And I dont want hear one more damn word about race from anyone ever again. Especially uneducated idiots in trailer parks or in the ghetto.

This is a postracial generation!

[KukriKhan]

And I dont want hear one more damn word about race from anyone ever again. Especially uneducated idiots in trailer parks or in the ghetto.

This is a postracial generation!

Hey, I represent that incineration!

[seireikhaan]

Also, congratulations to Obama. I hope he fulfills his promise to work with whomever it takes to make the country a better place. I'd rather not see him and the Dems fall into the same trap that Bush and the Republicans did. A vote is NOT an absolute mandate.

[CountArach]

McCain about to concede.

[woad&fangs]

I turn 18 on January 21st. I'm glad I get to start off my "adult" years under Obama. Goodnight everyone

[m52nickerson]

I hope Obama offers McCain a cabinet position.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

President-elect Obama has altered the political future of the United States.

He and his team have run a wonderfully effective campaign, smoothly transitioning from "We're doing this to season him, through challenger, to gritty combatant to frontrunner to leader of (arguably) the most powerful nation on earth. What I predicted would be his close victory is not -- it is a major victory and may well finish as a landslide.

He, even more than the vast majority of his own party, understood that the moment of change was not 2040, when our demographics will have shifted, but now. The white males, whose vote told all in presidential elections from 1792 to 2004 are no longer the key vote. Crafting an entirely new coalition from under 25s, blacks and hispanics -- augmented by our traditional "left" -- Barack Obama is effecting a sea-change in U.S. politics.

He will not be a one-term President, his charisma and intelligence and the sense of power he is even now conveying to groups of people who have long considered themselves outsiders in American politics (but never will again) will ensure this. His party will be fractious at first -- too many seeking vengeance and sweeping alterations -- but over time will come closer and closer to his leadership because, unlike the consumate politician Bill Clinton, Obama has a vision for a new America. Moreover, since that vision ties closely to the vision many of our newest citizens and will-be citizens seek, it will develop deeper and more lasting roots than any political agenda since FDR.

We will hear the usual voices in chorus tomorrow, asserting that this was not Obama's victory as much as George Bush's defeat, and some of the traditional leftists will even say the same. This is not so. Nobody wins such a compelling victory across so many states -- many of them formerly staunch components of the "victory map" of the other party, by being the alternative. Barack Obama is the chosen leader of the American people.

Over the next year, we will come to understand how he intends to govern. Disputes will be had, and arguments will ensue. He has won, however, a precious gift -- the chance to stamp his imprint on the future of a nation, and because of that nation's influence, on the direction of a world. Let us hope and pray he discharges this duty well.

[CountArach]

It looks like California is going to ban gay marriage.

[seireikhaan]

It looks like Claifornia is going to ban gay marriage.

Wow, didn't see that coming.

[Divinus Arma]

The white males, whose vote told all in presidential elections from 1792 to 2004 are no longer the key vote.

Without a significant portion of the white male vote, he wouldn't have won. Don't go counting your illegal aliens until they've hatched.

[Divinus Arma]

How long before Bin Laden Slaps us?

[JAG]

Without a significant portion of the white male vote, he wouldn't have won. Don't go counting your illegal aliens until they've hatched.

Agreed, he won a lot more of the White vote than Kerry 4 years ago, it went a long way to getting him elected.

Not so. With Leiberman and without Palin too many of the GOP social conservatives would have stayed home. There was no changing this result -- Obama won it on his own merits, not on McCain's limitations or even the limitations imposed on McCain by his party.

Well, I disagree. :) But at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter too much!