Barack Obama's Victory
In the end, there was little Republican presidential nominee John McCain could have done.
Historians, of course, will second guess his every move, and certainly it must be admitted that his campaign was not as focused or as smooth as it should have or could have been. They'll say McCain's decision to tap Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was his downfall, and certainly she cost him votes, but not because of who she was. She cost him votes because she was not used effectively. They'll say McCain should have run a less negative campaign, and perhaps that's true, but that wasn't what cost him the election. Even if he had run the perfect campaign against his Democratic rival and new president-elect, Barack Obama, McCain still would have lost this election.
The headline in The New York Times today was "Obama Elected President as Racial Barrier Falls." That's what this election was all about. It had little to do with the players, and more to do with what the players represented. Barack Obama represented an end to white guilt, an end to the perception of racial intolerance and a new beginning for African Americans. John McCain represented things he had nothing to do with -- eight years of political blunders by an oafish Republican president, more than a century of racial intolerance and a corrupt Washington establishment.
For Republicans -- and by extension conservatives -- the 2008 presidential election was the perfect storm of political obstacles. Everything seemed to go Barack Obama's way. The economy tanked at the best possible time for Democrats. Dick Cheney endorsed McCain at the worst possible time for Republicans. On CNN, a woman flipped a coin to decide who would get her vote, and it landed heads up ... for Obama.
Who could have guessed eight months ago that the war in Iraq would have turned out to be essentially a non-issue in the campaign for president? Who could have guessed that a media once so in love with John McCain would turn on him with such malice? As the election season wore on, more stones were thrown on the already-weighty pile, and even the most well-run of campaigns would have sunk beneath its weight.
Looking back, McCain didn't really stand a chance once Hillary Clinton bowed out of the battle for the Democratic nomination. Once she did, the fall election became one minor part in a script written months -- perhaps even years -- ago (as one of my readers so eloquently suggested). As the states were called one-by-one for Obama, new and first-time African American voters rejoiced in tears, and talked about what his victory meant for their race. In the end, it was the color of his skin, not the content of his character, that won the election for Barack Obama.
This is not to say that Obama's character makes him unworthy of the office. I'm not saying that at all. Lest you forget, in the dog days of the primary, I lauded Obama for his political acumen, and even admitted that he might make a good president one day. I still believe John McCain was the better choice in this election, but Barack Obama is not a bad one by any means.
In fact, it is important for Americans of all colors and stripes to come together and rally around our new president-elect. Now, more than ever, America must show a united front to the world and prove that we can come together as a nation after a bitter ideological battle and put the country's interests ahead of our personal conflicts. I sincerely wish Barack Obama well.
While the presidential election may have been out of reach for even the most polished of Republican candidates, Republicans can take heart -- temporarily -- in the fact that they didn't lose their filibuster in the Senate. Now is the time for Republicans to reshape their message, assess the mistakes of the outgoing administration and return to the core principles of conservatism that were sacrificed in favor of greed, corruption and bigger government over the last eight years. Now is the time for the conservative movement to figure out how it will reassess its own message and, in the wake of Obama's victory, determine how it can shake off the mantle of intolerance and hate with which it has been saddled for the last 20 years.
History has shown that, with very few exceptions, Americans tend to tire quickly of one-party dominance. And with all the lofty expectations that Barack Obama and his supporters now face, there are bound to be some disappointments. Conservatives must begin the process now -- today -- of shoring up their own internal conflicts, refining their message and ensuring that when the pieces begin to fall as the Democratic party's dominance begins to crumble -- as they most surely will -- conservatives are there to welcome defectors with open arms and an inclusive message.
Comments
You wrote: “That’s what this election was all about. It had little to do with the players, and more to do with what the players represented. Barack Obama represented an end to white guilt, an end to the perception of racial intolerance and a new beginning for African Americans. John McCain represented things he had nothing to do with — eight years of political blunders by an oafish Republican president, more than a century of racial intolerance and a corrupt Washington establishment.”
Elections are always about what people represent–and candidates portray themselves and their opponents based on gross representations, not their complex individual realities (witness: “maverick,” “socialist”). But this election was about much more than this.
True, McCain was on the wrong side of history, but to deny Obama’s maturity, poise, eloquence, clear and rational thinking and explanations is to miss the reason why he won such a convincing victory.
In fact, I think those who think of McCain as “experienced” and “level-headed” are following pat representations, not the reality of what we saw in this campaign. McCain appeared melodramatic and “showy” (riding off to “save the country” during the bailout) and short on real ideas (agreeing to the bailout as it was laid out). When he threw out the idea of buying up mortgages during the second debate, I just about fell off my chair. McCain wanted this to be a referendum on Obama, wanted to get us asking “who is the real Barack Obama?” But when we looked there, we liked what we saw. And instead, people starting asking “who is this John McCain?”
When this election started, I thought I could live with either candidate, and wasn’t sure how I’d vote. Obama won my vote. McCain lost it.
That has nothing to do with historic “firsts” or race. It has to do with who emerged as the clearly superior candidate.
I disagree about Sarah Palin — I think who she is had a *lot* to do with McCain’s losing the election. I’m a registered Democrat, but I always give the Republican candidate due consideration, and though I wasn’t inclined to vote for him, I figured McCain was one Republican I might be able to live with… until he announced his running mate. The possibility of him passing away and Palin taking over scared me silly. No question, she was the show-stopper for me.
As proud as I am of my country for voting an African-American man into office, I really don’t think that’s why he was elected (and I certainly hope that this isn’t going to be the new rallying cry for the Right — “Obama won because he’s black!”). I think Obama won because the country had a chance to compare and contrast eight years of a Republican presidency with the previous eight years of a Democratic presidency. I don’t agree with everything Clinton did (don’t get me started on NAFTA, and why didn’t CAFE standards increase?), but I think the Clinton presidency was much better for the country than the Bush 43 presidency. People looked at McCain and saw something familiar, and they looked at Palin and saw another Bush. And I think that’s why they voted the way they did.
I respect your opinion, and, in hindsight, agree with some of what you say. What I’m talking about, however, is the broader reasons why people voted for Obama — especially African Americans. I will also concede that there were many reasons why people cast the individual votes that they did. In the end, I believe this election wound up being a referendum on two things: the racial divide in America and the steep economic downturn that seemed to arrive at just the right moment. Honestly, for all his millions, I think nothing helped Barack more than his race and the state of the economy. It’s very difficult in America to obtain the entire body of a single demographic, and with a few exceptions, Obama managed to nail down nearly 100 percent of the African American vote. While perhaps 20-25 percent of those voters cast their ballots for reasons other than race, a vast majority cast their votes simply to right a long-standing racial wrong. I’m certainly not judging them for this, but I think it would be dishonest not to mention what is almost surely obvious to everyone, regardless of whether they want to admit it. Most African Americans have been refreshingly frank about this, and I commend them for their honesty. I also believe that for many of the whites who cast their ballots for him, the economy and the disaster that George W. Bush became had as much to do with it as did their long-standing white guilt. I think that’s less so for the younger generations than it was for the older voters, but I think to discount it is to, again, be dishonest. This morning, I saw a little black girl in my neighborhood terrorizing a little white girl at the bus stop because her parents had a McCain/Palin sign in the front yard. She couldn’t have been more than 7-years-old and she was yelling at the top of her voice about how the only reason she liked McCain was because he was white. The little white girl was literally cowering. This little black girl is as cute as a button, and most of the time she’s very reserved. Her actions this morning weren’t the result of personal conviction, it was the result of what she learned at home.
I definitley agree. Because of the Bush/Cheney baggage, McCain had no opportunity. Also, I agree that Palin was not used effectively, and I think because the GOP did not wanted to overshadow McCain with her fresh appeal to the mass. I think she is a very intelligent woman, but was not given the opportunity nor the preparation to demonstrate it. I don’t agree with her, but I would like to see her in a more active position inside the new and reform GOP.
Hi Justin,
You said: “I think nothing helped Barack more than his race and the state of the economy. It’s very difficult in America to obtain the entire body of a single demographic, and with a few exceptions, Obama managed to nail down nearly 100 percent of the African American vote. While perhaps 20-25 percent of those voters cast their ballots for reasons other than race, a vast majority cast their votes simply to right a long-standing racial wrong.”
I don’t think that most blacks voted for Obama to right a racial wrong although some surely did.
I think they saw what most people, both white and black, saw in Obama. They saw an inspiring, educated, hard working, even tempered man who loves his country and wants to improve it. They saw a man who gave them point by point solutions rather than vague generalities and they saw a man who just had some better ideas than his opponent.
Obama is a brilliant man who inspires me because of the campaign he has run for two years. It seems he thought of everything and left nothing to chance. He beat Hillary Clinton also which was no small task.
I think you might be selling blacks short the same way some sold women short when they thought that women would embrace Palin because they couldn’t have Hillary. I was personally incensed by that suggestion!
Neither women nor blacks will vote for someone just because of their gender or race. I’m not saying you said that. I’m just stating it.
Yes, I do think it had to be a great sense of pride for blacks and yes it got them out to vote. But I don’t think you would have seen those numbers if it had been a lukewarm or even poor candidate.
I am white and I didn’t vote out of any sense of white guilt. I voted for Obama because he was the superior candidate and ran the superior campaign…period.
Also, your example about the little neighbor girl was certainly something learned at home. I do home childcare and I have a biracial family (well actually 3 of my 6 children are biracial). Anyway, the shy 7th grader who stays with me before and after school came in beaming today but didn’t say anything as she is so shy. Her mother said she was happy about the election. She had the feeling that ’someone like her’ had accomplished something to be admired for. I know I’ll feel the same way when an outstanding woman does the same thing.
Kari
To “usconservatives”…this election was not about writing the wrong of slavery. It was about the millions of white and non-white faces that are unifying to bring this country back on track. It’s people like you who refuse to embrace equality and unity – and want to keep your divisive fear mongering alive.
As for the young lady in the neighborhood (if you didn’t make this whole story up please not her behavior is unacceptable); however, did you think back about how the little black girl represented Palin and mayble the little white girl was Obama? Palin was a divisive pitbull in this election but so many oooh’d and aah’d over her. Mmmm – your narrowmind would never make that reach! AND…McCain lost this election by being erratic, no sound plans and selecting Palin. Swallow that reality please!
Hug yourself and release the hate. Get onboard or move out of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA!
I really hate to disagree with you, Karianne, because you know how much I like you and respect your opinions. As I’ve said, I don’t doubt that some African Americans voted for Barack Obama for reasons other than race, but I believe a majority did. I also believe that if it weren’t for his well-spoken demeanor, his polished stage presence and the noted absence of a racial agenda, he wouldn’t have united African Americans the way he did. It’s complex, but also very simple.
As I said before, no candidate in the history of this country has EVER nailed down an entire demographic the way Barack Obama got nailed down the entire African American vote. If I’m wrong, please point me to it. If there is another situation where a presidential candidate — or heck, any candidate — has managed to get one entire demographic behind him for reasons other than race, please point it out to me. Please show me where and when this happened, and I promise I won’t mention it again. If what you say is true, then his ideology should have resonated the same way with members of virtually all other minority groups … but it didn’t. Why, then was it only the African American population — 98 percent of the African American population by most very generous estimates — that untied behind him. Why didn’t the entire Hispanic American population, or the Chinese American population get behind him?
In fact, Howard Stern had one of his minions in New York go to Harlem and ask voters — educated, working-class voters — who they were voting for in the election. Every single African American interviewed said Obama except for one. Now, here’s the catch: when he asked them who they were voting for, he applied all McCain’s policies — AND Sarah Palin’s vice presidency — to Barack Obama. None of them flinched. He asked if they believed in the pro-life agenda, the way Obama did — they said yes. He asked EACH of them if Sarah Palin was a good choice, they said yes.
Now, this may not be a scientific poll, but I look around my community — right here in good ol’ conservative Lancaster County, Pa. — and I see and hear the rhetoric coming from African Amercians. They’re the majority. They don’t care what he says. They don’t care what his policies are. All they care about is the color of his skin and what that represents.
I’m actually fine with this, believe it or not. In fact, I think it’s good that America has finally gotten past this racial divide. I also believe that had Condoleezza Rice run as McCain’s running-mate, she would have been a better choice than Palin — but Condi didn’t want to run. I was an outspoken advocate of Colin Powell running as president — and I would have voted for him. What I would have loved to have seen is an all-black ticket on either side of the aisle. I think it would have presented a wonderful opportunity for this country to put aside its racial differences, without sacrificing its ideological differences.
What irks me, though, is dishonesty in any form. Oprah Winfrey didn’t endorse Barack Obama because of his policies. At the time she endorsed him, his economic policies weren’t even posted, his health-care initiative had no substance.
Barack Obama is all the things you say he is — AND he’s black. And, as the first African American who has run without the radical racial rhetoric of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, he was bound to unite African Americans behind him, because they saw him as the first truly viable African American candidate to have ever run for the office. But to say that he obtained virtually all of the African American vote and that his race had nothing to do with it is intellectually dishonest. Again, no candidate in history has managed to nail down an entire demographic. Female candidates — even Hillary — haven’t been able to get virtually all women on board, George Bush wasn’t able to get virtually all conservatives on board (for obvious reasons) — not even FDR, in the wake of the worst financial meltdown in US history, was able to get all Democratic voters behind him. Yet Barack Obama manages to get nearly all of the African American vote — and the fact that he is African American has nothing to do with it?! Come on!
As for the female vote and Sarah Palin, I don’t believe gender is as unifying a force as race. Yes, women have suffered and continue to suffer, but their suffrage for the most part pales in comparison to the intense suffrage of the African American people. Women do not — and have never — been forced to live together in enclaves the way African Americans have been, and in some cases, still do. This is what has united them, and this is why they voted the way they did.
You can call this hate speech if you want, but I know it isn’t. I have nothing against African Americans, and in fact, I call many of them my friends. I don’t see their color. I’ve spoken with all my friends, and all my friends agree with this — black, white and brown. Personally, I don’t see the problem with identifying something for what it is.
Re: “…disaster that George W. Bush became…”
Became? From my perspective, he didn’t change one bit since his 2000 campaign… and I think that was a part of what made him such a disaster. He turned the concept of being open to a change of opionions based on new information into the negative concept of “flip-flopping”. I am truly relieved that this dark period in our country’s history is almost over.
Well Justin, you can always disagree with me. I love to debate!
I do see your point. Maybe I want to believe so much that this race thing is getting much better that I’m refusing to see the whole picture. Right now I’m trying to figure out if I agree with you or not. You have made me think. You could be right.
The thing is I know quite a few black people and I just don’t feel they would choose solely or even mostly by race BUT I also can’t deny the stats you are giving me. They are pretty compelling.
So I have a dilemma here.
I type things and then realize I’m thinking in circles. For example, since it was basically a landslide then why did so many white people vote for him? I don’t agree AT ALL that it was white guilt. So why then? Because he is the better candidate I would surmise. Now is that why most black people voted for him or was it because he was black? Probably both but then I go back to my premise that if he had been a lukewarm or poor candidate would he have won? So then it reverts back to his talent.
Help, help I can’t escape this circular thinking!
Kari
I don’t mean to imply that EVERY white voter who cast a ballot for Obama did so out of white guilt. In fact, Obama got most of the youth vote, but then … the youth vote almost always goes to the Democrats. I think there were many who voted for him out of white guilt, but I think there were probably just as many who voted for him simply because they were sick of Republicanism.
Also, it’s important to note that the white vote went to McCain. In any other year, had the African American turnout been among its usual low numbers, McCain would have won this election — despite Obama’s millions. But it was a confluence of events that led to his defeat.
Again, I want to emphasize that Obama is certainly worthy of the office — he proved that by running the better campaign. And there are multitudinous reasons for individual votes cast by individual people. By and large, though, I think race was a huge factor and anyone who tries to deny that is either lying to you or lying to themselves.
Like I said it’s simple, but it’s also very complex.
Well for me it’s more complex than simple right now!
Actually I’m just happy that someone I voted for won. It seems I usually pick the losing candidate or the losing issue!
I thought John McCain’s concession speech was outstanding. I was wishing I would have seen more of that John McCain in the election though. I don’t dislike him. I could have lived with him winning but I just liked Obama better.
It’s always nice talking to you and I am listening.
Kari
Here is an NPR story that seems to touch on the issue being debated above.
Justin, I think improved race relations and hope for African-Americans is a reason that Obama was elected, but it’s not the reason. I think Deborah White’s 5 Reasons Why Obama Won perfectly coveys why Obama won the election. He couldn’t have won it based solely on hope for uniting the races, especially given the economic crisis and war in Iraq.
LaToya,
I don’t think uniting the races or even improving race relations was why African Americans voted for Obama. As I said, there were many reasons and perhaps that was it for some of them, but I think it was more of a “he’s one of us and it’s about time we had one of our own representing us” situation. Again, this isn’t a bad thing; in fact, I think it’s only natural for any ethnic group to side with members of their own ethnicity. People tend to have a kinship with those of their specific minority group.
Having voted conservative for many years, it was the idea of Palin that turned me toward Obama. As a woman, I was deeply put off by her and by the cynical idea that I would vote for her just because she was a woman. I couldn’t allow someone with so little real world experience and such an evangelical position to possibly lead our country. I was also sick to death of the negative and whiny tone of McCain. I do believe the best man won, regardless of race, but I don’t envy him the world he is inheriting.
jh
usconservatives-
I have to disagree with you when you say that “the majority of African- Americans voted for Obama – because he is black”…. This notion is wrong- It is proven and shown throughout the past elections that the Majority of African- Americans voted democratic- Former President Clinton received 90% of the African-American vote, and Kerry receive about 5% less than that- In this election Barack Obama received 5% more than Clinton- which means Obama received 95% of the African-American vote- So the Majority of African-Americans (90%) vote Democratic anyways- the 5% percent increase may be racially driven- however that is still not the majority– A simple minority of people may have voted this way- and we know that the minority is not enough to make a difference- hence the reason for McCain’s loss- The Majority of the American people disagreed with his tactics– although he may have been a good man, his campaign did not reflect the man McCain- instead it reflect divisiveness which excluded the Majority of Americans—
People voted for him based on his merits, sturdiness, calmness, the issues and his ability to Unite. To strip him of any of these merits is just ignorant and unfair.
I really wish people — liberal and conservative — would stop using words like “ignorant” when characterizing people who disagree with their ideological positions. Throwing around words like this with such reckless abandon is why the country is so divided. I’m not stripping Obama of any of his noble qualities. In fact, if you read my comments above, you’ll see that I say “he is not unworthy of the office.” In fact, I believe he’ll make a better president than George W. Bush. But then, that’s not saying much. You really can’t get much worse.
Honestly, though, I said waaay back in March that I thought he would make a good president one day. I just don’t think that time is now. And I certainly don’t think his “trickle UP economics” plan is going to get this country out of its financial ruin.
However, in terms of increasing our international reputation, I think he’ll do well. And I sincerely hope he changes NCLB. With a wife who teaches elementary school, I can tell you first hand, that was an awful policy. The trouble is, it was one of the only truly bipartisan pieces of legislation ever passed in the GWB administration. That, and the resolution to go to war with Iraq.
Regardless, none of that addresses your point, so I’ll attempt to do that now.
I’ll give you that a majority of African Americans vote Democratic. That’s a fair statement. But not 90 percent and certainly not 95 percent (which is actually a conservative estimate — the most recent polls I’ve heard from CNN and NPR actually give Obama more than 98 percent of the AA vote). The highest vote count among African Americans for a Democratic president before Barack Obama was 86 percent in 2004. Even then, 13 percent voted Republican, which was actually up one percent from the previous election in 2000 (12 percent). However, NO candidate — ever — has managed to unify the African American vote to the degree Obama has. Even if you factor in the increased registrations, conventional wisdom says that the demographic would be about the same — since roughly 1/3 of the newly registered African American voters were registered Republican. I’m not just pulling this stuff out of the air. The data’s out there.
And AGAIN, I take nothing away from Obama. Several of my conservative friends (white and black) voted for Obama, and it wasn’t always about race (as I mentioned above). This was also a referendum on the economy. All I’m saying is that race was a factor. If it wasn’t, why would so many newspapers, television programs and other broadcasts be discussing the huge AA voter turnout and the race angle? Others may be saying it differently, or dancing around the issue. I don’t do that. Does that make me a racist? I certainly don’t think so — and neither do my black friends. Especially when you consider that for the first two years of my college career, I went to a school in Philadelphia that was 75 percent black. I loved it. I loved the diversity, I loved the environment — and I loved my roommates, both of whom were African American. I sat on a race relations committee at the school and, although we mostly shot pool and played ping-pong, we had some amazing discussions because all of us were open-minded to the subject of race and its implications in the business world (it was a business college). I would have gone there all four years if I could, but unfortunately, in those days, Peirce Junior College was a two-year school. I transferred to a four-years school after that, but it just wasn’t the same. For a long time, I stayed in touch with my friends, but — as with many friendships — we lost touch after about 10 years. And, if anyone requires proof, just e-mail me. I’ll scan my yearbook cover and send it to you (I only got one — the year I graduated from Peirce in 1992 (Ed Rendell actually spoke at my graduation)).
LaToya, that was an excellent article by Deborah White. Thanks for bringing that to our attention or I wouldn’t have seen it. I don’t see where she has a place to comment on the article or I would tell her I liked it and agree with it.
Well I’m not going to argue about percentages but I thought the point about blacks voting mostly Democratic in most elections brings a new element to this discussion.
Justin, I can’t find anything in that radio address that I don’t agree with. It was good.
I’ll grant you that race DID have something to do with this election. I’m just not sure if we agree on the degree. That’s okay.
Kari
Absolutely, Kari. That’s what I love about this site — the diversity of opinions. It’s nice to know you can have vigorous debate, not always agree, but in the end respect each others’ opinions. What’s cool about honest non-confrontational dialogue is that it sometimes helps clarify one’s own position.
You said: “What’s cool about honest non-confrontational dialogue is that it sometimes helps clarify one’s own position.”
So then you are admitting that you were wrong? Lol!
Kari (couldn’t resist)
Your article shows very clearly why the Conservatives/Republican party have a very hard time appealing to African Americans.
While many of us voted for Obama we did so for the reason many whites did. We thought him the better leader and the pick of Palin scared the hell out of many black voters.
Where McCain at least put up the front of inclusiveness Palin’s rhetoric was very divisive and no one wanted her a heart beat away from the presidency.
how come it is now, well after the fact, that republicans are finally admitting to GBush’s shortcomings, when for much of the past decade yellow, orange and red flags have been franticaly waving in the wind begging for a conservative’s attention? Is it therefore, Bush’s re-election in 2004 that resulted in Barack’s win this month? Race aside, this would e a far different story if Kerry had won. And if race must be an issue, then why did the Republican party abandon its one true star (Clin Powell)? I’ve no sympathy, but only empathy.
Just to clarify: the first post I ever wrote for About.com called out George W. Bush. If I could have done it any earlier, believe me, I would have, and it sure would have been before 2004. I’ve also said this several times: I’m proud to say I’ve never voted for a Bush in my life. And, as far as Colin Powell goes, I have very good information that he was approached for the job of vice president well in advance of the general election, and well before Sarah Palin was even considered — and he turned it down. He also was approached about running for president, and he turned that down. The party didn’t abandon Powell. Powell abandoned the party.
Well, I won’t bother to rehash the arguments about why blacks voted for Obama, and why some whites did as well (I am more disgusted at the whites who did, by the way, as I can’t blame the blacks on one level since they were and are so deceieved by their so-called “leaders”. Let me say that I take the opposite position of Michelle Obama – AFTER the election, I am NOW ashamed to be an American, or at least a Republican anyway (though NEVER ashamed to be a TRUE conservative
!) Bring on the hate mail now!
Usconservatives (Justin), I am disappointed in your very conciliatory tone on here. Why do you seem to cave in to all the liberals on here? For a “conservative” forum, there seem to be a LOT of liberals on here, and certainly NOT many Republicans (but then again, I consider myself a conservative far more than a Republican now since “my” party has seem to left me behind for the most part now.
(I dare you to post this…)
What you see as “conciliatory” I see as civility. Too bad if that bothers you. For the most part, the liberals on here don’t bother me, although it would be nice to see more conservatives here. I hear there are just as many conservatives at US Liberals as there are liberals at US Conservatives. I guess people prefer to offer dissent, more than they like to preach to the choir.
I am a white American woman living in Asia. I voted for Obama because I think he will be a great statesman and I must admit I never gave much thought to the race factor. However, after reading about the reactions of African-Americans I am feeling joy and elation. I am a child of the South, and I grew up hearing a lot of stories about life in the pre civil rights movement deep south. When I think about little African-American kids in Louisiana seeing Obama on TV, and thinking that a black president is perfectly normal, and not even questioning it, I am filled with a hope for a future that I have never had before. I cannot express my joy at knowing that America is a country where children can now grow up and take the idea of a black man for president for granted.
I am just so happy.