EKA- I think that is absolutely true. Except I wasn’t raised differently than how I raised by son who is by nature International, digital and culture/color-blind. His friends have always been very diverse. Don’t you feel a million punds lighter today? The last eight years has really been hell for me….

What many don’t know is that speech was extemporaneous. I didn’t know that until read “Words That Shook The World” by Richard Greene. A terrific book by a speech guru. http://www.wordsthatshooktheworld.com/reviews.htm He said it was the best speech in the last 100 years, and that Dr. King had written another speech and then threw it away and just spoke. Imagine all he did in his short 36 years, the legacy that lives on, and as Ted Kennedy always says, ‘The dream that never dies.” I am so glad that Ted Kennedy lived to see this day. It is a culmination of JFK/RFK’s legacy, too.

Obama’s story is nothing short of heroic and one of the greatest examples of the American Dream. Wonder what kind of puppy the girls will get?

Jeannot, I can relate….I was really pleased when my son was growing up and we’d be picking up his friends to go out to a movie or whatever and would first pull up to a mansion and next to practically a shack and from the various homes over the years kids of every stripe came running out with lit-up faces….we hosted exchange students when Rob was growing up and it wasn’t a surprise he got a grad degree in International Relations…I loved seeing all the elated multi-cultural crowds cheering last night. Diversity is what makes San Francisco a great city, and America a great land. Amazing to me that just 40 years after JFK/RFK/MLK, Jr. “I Have a Dream” came true. In historic times our nation is young….and look at all it’s done and gone through. Incredible. A new era has begun….it’s so exciting.

Thanks for this great piece, Whoopi. The world elated today thanks to President-elect Obama and Senator McCain’s terrifically moving and sincere speech helped make this a great day. I respect him for that. As a JFK, RFK, MLK, Jr. Democrat….I feel that the Good America is back, vindicated, and even better. The largest percenage turnout in 90 years reclaimed the Real America from the last 8 nightmarish years, raised Lady Liberty higher, and as Adam Nagourney wrote in the NYT the election was “..a national catharsis - a repudiation of a historically unpopular Republican president and his economic and foreign policies, and an embrace of Mr. Obama’s call for a change in the direction and the tone of the country.” I feel a million pounds lighter today and especially appreciate as Obama’s statement, “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer…..because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment, change has come to America.” A hero comes when times are darkest and he has arrived. Obama just relit the torch, rekindled the magic that made JFK/Jackie lights at the top of the world. I am dazzled and grateful and can’t wait for Jan 20th. This is a whole new, much brighter day.

Some foreign reactions: NICOLAS SARKOZY, FRENCH PRESIDENT “With the world in turmoil and doubt, the American people, faithful to the values that have always defined America’s identity, have expressed with force their faith in progress and the future. At a time when we must face huge challenges together, your election has raised enormous hope in France, in Europe and beyond.” HAMID KARZAI, AFGHAN PRESIDENT “I applaud the American people for their great decision and I hope that this new administration in the United States of America, and the fact of the massive show of concern for human beings and lack of interest in race and colour while electing the president, will go a long way in bringing the same values to the rest of world sooner or later.” MWAI KIBAKI, KENYAN PRESIDENT “We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots. Your victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, but it has special resonance with us here in Kenya.” JOSE MANUEL BARROSO, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT “We need to change the current crisis into a new opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world. I sincerely hope that with the leadership of President Obama, the United States of America will join forces with Europe to drive this new deal. For the benefit of our societies, for the benefit of the world.” ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR “I offer you my heartfelt congratulations on your historic victory in the presidential election. The world faces significant challenges at the start of your term. I am convinced that Europe and the United States will work closely and in a spirit of mutual trust together to confront new dangers and risks and will seize the opportunities presented by our global world.” TARO ASO, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER “The Japan-US alliance is key to Japanese diplomacy and it is the foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. With president-elect Obama, I will strengthen the Japan-US alliance further and work towards resolving global issues such as the world economy, terror and the environment.” KGALEMA MOTLANTHE, SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT “Africa, which today stands proud of your achievements, can only but look forward to a fruitful working relationship with you both at a bilateral and multilateral levels in our endeavour to create a better world for all who live in it.” STEPHEN HARPER, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER “I look forward to meeting with the President-elect so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the United States.” KEVIN RUDD, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER “Senator Obama’s message of hope is not just for America’s future, it is also a message of hope for the world as well. A world which is now in many respects fearful for its future.” HELEN CLARK, NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER “Senator Obama will be taking office at a critical juncture. There are many pressing challenges facing the international community, including the global financial crisis and global warming. We look forward to working closely with president-elect Obama and his team to address these challenges.” SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO, INDONESIAN PRESIDENT “ Indonesia especially hopes that the US, under new leadership, will stand in the front and take real action to overcome the global financial crisis, especially since the crisis was triggered by the financial conditions in the US” GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT “We welcome his triumph in the same vein that we place the integrity of the US electoral process and the choices made by the American people in high regard. We likewise note the making of history with the election of Senator Obama as the first African-American president of the United States.” ALI AGHAMOHAMMADI, CLOSE AIDE TO IRAN’S MOST POWEFUL FIGURE AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI “The president-elect has promised changes in policies. There is a capacity for the improvement of ties between America and Iran if Obama pursues his campaign promises, including not confronting other countries as Bush did in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also concentrating on America’s state matters and removing the American people’s concerns.” SAEB EREKAT, AIDE TO PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS “We hope the president-elect in the United States will stay the course and would continue the US engagement in the peace process without delay. We hope the two-state vision would be transferred from a vision to a realistic track immediately.” SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL BLUE HOUSE “We believe the election of Obama is due to the American people’s support for his message of new change and hope.” PAKISTANI EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON “Pakistan president (Asif Ali) Zardari expresses the hope that Pakistan-US relations will be enhanced under the new American leadership that received a popular mandate in Tuesday’s poll.”

Zera Lee…..We did win a war….our country has been occupied for 8 years by the NeoCons….and it has been Hell, and now they have rec’d a message loud and clear. Obama won more than double the electoral votes than the GOP—-this was a refutation of the policies of Bush Inc. America is back.

Hope you’re right AP. :)

I feel that America has been occupied for 8 years by a horrific regieme and has just been set free. Incredibly great feeling…although sorry for so many who will be wounded by Prop 8…but that isn’t over and is owed to the money spent on misleading scare tactic ads.

Prop 8 was deliberately worded so very confusing, also since I’ve been here visiting my friend in Shell Beach which is very conservative esp compared to San Francisco am surprised at the anti-Prop 8 commercials on the local stations. And the money poured in from out of state on this proposition was huge, including from the family of Eric Prince, the CEO of Blackwater.

Me too, Sandbee….much lighter.

Celebrating many things including McCain’s gracious speech.

Nothing….glad it’s over and we can get on with fixing the country and repairing America’s image in the world. It was the biggest voter turnout in 90 years and am very proud of the American public that redeemed us by this historic election and refutated NeoCon rule and the ‘Bush doctrine.’ The landslide, including in red states, is Bush’s legacy. The people have spoken—loud and clear.

Biggest voter turnout in 90 years. Doesn’t look good for Prop 8, not good. Howard Fineman “He will pick the best and the brightest for his team.” “Ran an amazing machine, toppled some of the tops…..definitely has a mandate.” Tonight, America is as good as its promise.

Haven’t heard yet…am esp interested in Prop 8