Obama elected 44th US President as McCain concedes!

Obama supporters rejoiced across the US, as well as overseas, as Illinois Senator Barack Obama was declared the President-elect of the United
States at about 11 pm, November 4, 2008 on major television
networks, including ABC and msnbc.com.

I feel like it's Christmas for grown-ups--and maybe for many kids, too! McCain/Palin supporters will doubtless disagree, although even John McCain blessed Obama in his concession speech. Quoting from the ABC News report, McCain noted the historic importance of electing a black man to the White House:

Acknowledging the momentous moment of a black man winning the White House, McCain said, "We've come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation."

The joy and hope that surges through me fuels courage to move ahead with personal goals and other initiatives in support of Democrats and progressive causes. The fact that a man who listens to others--even those with radically different views--and tries to absorb and understand their opinions, is a huge reversal from the insular and imperialistic Bush/Cheney administration.

What will Obama's impact as President be?
What does Barack Obama's election mean for politics and society in general? Even McCain's supporters must eventually accept the fact that Obama's election spells a sea change in American politics, and maybe our society as a whole.

Does Obama's election spell the beginning of the end of the conservative era in American politics? Indeed, is it the beginning of the end of conservativism?

Conservatism, as few in the media have noted, is about valuing money over people, business over relationships and greed over fairness, according to Philip E. Agre, associate professor of information studies at UCLA, in the most incisive expose of the true conservative agenda I've yet read. It is a philosophy that unites the rich and those who oppose progress in general over social issues. (Or, perhaps, it is the rich, aristocratic string-pullers who used social conservatives for their own ultimately socially destructive causes.)

Could Obama symbolically represent the tip of an iceberg of new hope for humanity? Could Obama, who speaks of fairness, inclusion and reason over self-centered emotion, spearhead a new wave of civility and compassion in the American populace?

"Tsunami" drowns conservative politics in Democrats
It's clear now that the progressive, liberal movement that put Democrats in a majority in the Congress and Senate in 2006 has mushroomed into a "tsunami," as one middle-of-the-road Republican Senator has said.

It's also clear that, as many more African-Americans than even a few months ago now believe, "anyone can be President" of the United States. But Barack Obama is not just "anyone." The promise of American ideals that Obama represents crosses the lines of party, religious, race and others that have unnecessarily, traditionally and pathetically, divided America and Americans.

Obama offers hope for unity, compassion and democratic ideals
Obama represents unity, compassion and a high road as represented by his campaign as no candidate before him. It's now his job, and that of his staff to turn his idealistic speechmaking into mandates for the nation and crystalize plans into actions that turn our economy around and make life easier and more prosperous for everyday Americans--and, I hope, every American.

The races and backgrounds of the advisors and strategists Obama has hired proves that he doesn't care about race as a cardinal factor in working with staff and others. This should assuage the fears of many Republicans and conservatives, who have feared that an Obama presidency would favor blacks and minorities, and hurt whites.

I'd love to read your thoughts on the import and possibilities of an Obama presidency!