Yes We Did! President-Elect Obama Headed for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Senator Barack Obama did what twenty-one months ago seemed highly unlikely, he won the presidency of the United States by building a grassroots movement like no other. In soundly defeating Senator John McCain earlier this evening, President-elect Obama becomes the first person of color to be Commander-in-Chief in our storied history. Coupling this with the fact that until the Civil rights Act of 1965, African-Americans could not legally vote in all states, it is truly amazing how far we all have come as a society since the 1960's.

Recapping, when early polls closed on the east coast, voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania pointed the direction that the most of the swing states moved toward--Barack Obama's side of the table. With polls still open on the west coast, Obama had built a 207 to 145 lead in electoral votes. By 10:30 pm, most news reporting agencies were calling the race for Obama. At 1:30 am Central Time, CNN has it 338 EV's for Obama and 160 for John McCain. Only Indiana, North Carolina, Montana, and Missouri are in play.

In one of the most moving moments of his campaign, Senator John McCain said in his concession speech, "I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating [Barack Obama], but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that."

In his victory speech, Barack Obama said "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."

He continued with praise for Senator McCain "just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead."

He completed his remarks with "This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can."