I’m a bit late on this one, but this’ll cheer you up if you haven’t seen it. The Daily Beast website has a leaked copy of Sarah Palin’s undelivered Victory speech from the 2008 Presidential election.

In the event her concession speech wasn’t delivered either, as the ‘maverick’ John McCain wouldn’t allow her to speak on election night, with relations between her and McCain aides apparently becoming so bad that they ‘literally turned the lights out on Palin when she retook the stage later that night to take pictures with her family, fearing that she would give the concession speech after all.’

The concession speech, penned by Palin speechwriter, Matthew Scully, is commendably magnanimous and unbitter with such generous lines as “It would be a happier night if elections were a test of valor and merit alone, but that is not for us to question now.”

The text of the speech we were spared, and some good background info for those who enjoy political gossip, can be found here.

Two journalists have published the two speeches Sarah Palin was prepared to give, one a victory speech and one a concession.

Source:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/11/sarah-palin-john-mccain.html

Today begins my experience in blogging. Why not start with President-Elect Obama’s choice of minister to lead the inaugural invocation?  

There is a new “W” in town! While the heads are bowed and the hands are folded beneath the crystal chandelier and the fine china, the big bad wolf Rev. Rick Warren is going to huff and puff blow The White House down before “Amen” and the appetizers. Right? It seems that everyone left, right and center is pissed! Pro-choice advocates are angry. Gay-rights activists are angry. Many Obama supporters are mad as hell and one step away from the fire-pit. Some are ready at a moment’s notice to burn their Obama gear and organize the removal of their Obama Facebook Fan pages and Myspace memberships! Oh the hostility!

Like so many others, I am not pleased with his selection. The new “W.” and I do not share many of the same views. I support gay rights. He does not. I am pro-choice. He is not. I canvassed for P.E.O. in Buffalo, NY and Erie, PA. Warren was not in my carpool. I donated to the campaign. It’s likely he is not on the donor list either. I also own some very fly Obama gear that I am not flicking a Bic to. You get my point.

Instead of getting mad, I decided to reflect on why I supported him in the first place. P.E.O. (President-Elect Obama) is not quick to react. There is reason with his rhyme. Obama thinks. That’s a HUGE change from the P.T.G (President To Go). Obama plans. He calculates. He executes.  I thought about his victory speech.  I searched the New York Times for the video of his speech with the transcript.  I have included it here:

Obama Victory Speech

Watching it again reignited (metaphorically of course) my hope and enthusiasm. The following words quelled my embers of displeasure and provided an explanation for his choice.

“There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who will not agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know the government can’t solve every problem…..And while the Democratic party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress…As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours. “We are not enemies but friends,—though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn,  I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices, I need your help and I will be your president too.”

P.E.O. is walking the talk. This is the catalyst to the dialogue he aspires to have; the dialogue so often spoke about during his campaign. He will be the President of every LGBT-Heterosexual-Pro-Choice-Anti-Abortion-Agnostic-Atheist-Christian-Single-Married-Homophobic-Working Class-Middle Class-Rich-Poor-Black-White-Muslim-Jewish-Democrat-Republican-Independent citizen of The United States.

Rev. Warren is saying a prayer.  P.E.O. may not share everyone’s  taste in clergy.  Setbacks and false starts. He knows. The Inauguration is his party. He can make the guest list. You can bet that there will be at least one of each of the above mentioned at his party.  Every family has at least one.

I’m not trying to invalidate your feelings.  I’m disappointed too. We’ve had 8 years of George Bush remember? REMEMBER?  He couldn’t think and he couldn’t give a damn on a silver serving platter!  

I conclude this post with a clip of Chris Rock:

Let P.E.O. get the keys, walk in the door, have his soup and “The Big Piece of Chicken”.  He’ll need a good meal.  He has a lot of work to do.

On November 4, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama delivered a historic speech from Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, declaring victory after a long campaign for the White House. Rhetorically, the speech was, in my opinion, not just a breath of fresh air but a drive up to the mountains after living in Los Angeles your whole life. I felt as though I could breathe again, and many Americans clearly shared the freedom. I know full well that beautiful words shouldn’t be taken beyond their intent. The world after Obama’s inauguration won’t be as inspiring as his victory speech. Things won’t flow together so effortlessly. And the mantra that has served to instill new life in an apathetic and defeated electorate – Yes We Can – will easily hide behind the crises we will face tomorrow and the day after that.

Still, as much healthy cynicism as I hold toward the type of changes our country might see in the years ahead, it was nice to be inspired for a few minutes. In this case, the words and their delivery did what they were supposed to do – give meaning to a disenchanting 18 months and to encourage people to keep dreaming. Rhetoric is powerful.

It is because of this power that I found Obama’s speech both refreshing and unfortunate. In all honesty, as an evangelical Christian, I don’t expect our President to point our nation toward Christ. So, it does not disappoint me that Obama points toward a different idea of hope for our people. David Dark, in The Gospel According to America, rightfully points out that our world is full of false hopes – in our media, our advertising, our novels and our consumerism. Everywhere we turn, we are seduced into unoriginal dreams and the “imitation of life over the real thing” (p. 132). Dark goes on to call Christians to continue to hold high our beacon of hope – the already not yet Kingdom of God – up against the false hopes of our time.

And so, against the backdrop of Obama’s victory speech, we have our work cut out for us. As graceful and inspiring (and effective for invigorating our democracy) as his words might be, there is a great danger in placing our hope in them:

“America is a place where all things are possible…Change has come to America…I promise you, as a people we will get there…join in the work of remaking this nation…it can’t happen without a new spirit of service, sacrifice, patriotism, responsibility…a new dawn of American leadership is at hand…America can change…our union can be perfected…what we’ve already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow…Yes we can…Yes we can…Yes we can…Yes we can…Yes we can…Yes we can…To those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you…America’s beacon still burns bright…while we breathe, we hope…And where we are met with cynicism and doubts 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.”

Could our country use a pep talk right about now? Sure, we’ve lost the last few games and need a coach to inspire us before we get back on the field. But we must not fool ourselves into thinking that such a creed, such a confidence in the renewal of our national strength, will bring us the same kind of hope that Christ offers. It is a legitimate hope nonetheless, but it is not the same hope.

To Obama’s credit, there were moments of his speech that injected a bit of humility into our nation that Dark suggests is needed:

“We know that government can’t solve every problem…[let us] look after not only ourselves but each other…if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we canot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers…We rise or fall as one nation, as one people…[we have won tonight] with a measure of humilty…though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection…our stories are singular but our destiny is shared…the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.”

Dark puts it best when he says, “Do we only want gospel that says we’re gospel in all that we say and do?” (p. 129). Obama is at least mentioning the need to stay humble and get to work, the need we have to seek changes in how we conduct ourselves with each other and with the world. At this point in our nation’s history, quite frankly, I don’t think he has room to say much else honestly. Nonetheless, let this be a call to evangelical Christians to remember the source of our true hope and work diligently to hold Christ up high in the midst of all this rhetoric of America as the beacon of hope. It might be the creed of our nation, but it is not the creed of our God.

Dear President-elect Barack Obama,

I could not be more thrilled by your victory. Our victory. Just knowing that a biracial man — a man raised by a single mother from Kansas and her parents, a man with the middle name “Hussein,” a man who comes from lesser means than I — can actually become president is a triumph for the American spirit, and for the world.

I haven’t felt this patriotic, well, ever. I came into political awareness just as a great president was being put through the wringer for lying about his indiscretions. Then an election was stolen from the people, by a proud ignoramus who is as close to American royalty as we come. And the second time around, my fellow citizens chose to follow him again.

I was left feeling disillusioned — with the leaders of our country, with the way our system works, with the smarts of “my fellow Americans.” But, with your election, I finally believe that this really is a country where the little guy can rise above. You have empowered a generation of young people — people who, someday, will have kids who roll their eyes when we talk about how we felt the night you were elected president, the same way we have scoffed at our own parents’ crazy hippie ideology.

Anyway. You may also be interested to know that you have now cemented your place as number one on My List, which is the cause of much self-loathing for me, because I also have a big crush on your wife and kids.

Speaking of those kids. During your victory speech in Grant Park, you so adoringly said: “Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.”

(Incidentally, this was the moment I chose to start crying.)

Barack (may I call you Barack?), I am heartened to hear that you intend to keep the long-standing tradition of pets in the White House alive and wagging. I understand Malia suffers from allergies, and so you are looking to add a non-shedding, “hypo-allergenic” breed to your beautiful family.

If I may, sir, I’d like to offer a word of warning: Stay away from the Wheaten Terrors.

This summer, the American Kennel Club held an election for the best canine candidate for the Obama family. The winner, with 26 percent of the vote, is the poodle. A close second, with 25 percent of the vote, is the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

My fear, sir, is that you will overlook the poodle as you endeavor to choose a breed that does not connote elitism, and in so doing, you will opt for the more spirited, spritely, approachable qualities that characterize the Wheaten Terrier.

I know what you’re thinking. Here is a dog that is non-shedding, grows to just 30-40 pounds, and is known for being friendly, intelligent, and great with kids. The adorable puppies are born entirely black, but they eventually turn varying shades of brown and beige. Perfect for your family, right?

DON’T DO IT, sir. Do not be fooled by the spin doctors. When they say “friendly,” what they really mean is “jumps on you incessantly when you walk through the door, refusing to stop and often resorting to biting when ignored.”

“Good with kids” means “loves hard,” as in “has no qualms about knocking over a three-year old to give her a toothy kiss.”

“Intelligent” really means “conniving,” as in “intentionally doesn’t do her business on her walk, so you will be forced to take her again in 15 minutes.”

“Spirited” means “bossy,” “stubborn,” or “selfish.” As in, “looks you in the eye to make sure you see her peeing on the carpet,” or “determined to spend the entire evening with her head in the garbage can, no matter how many times you yell, swat, or do the Cesar Milan-style hand-bite to the neck.”

And then there’s the underwear-chewing, and the destruction of anything that costs more than her life is worth.

Just trust me on this one, sir. This animal does not belong in the White House.

Your humble servant,

Amanda

P.S. Here’s a photo or two of my own Wheaten Terror on election night. You see?

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.

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I 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.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends… though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. 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. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Source: BarackObama.com

I have looked at Obama’s speech transcript. I have watched his speech a few times. Each time, I am touched by this fantastic orator. Let me reproduce the speech here, and let me look into my crystal ball of what would my imaginary government say to us if they won the election on the same day(which is in red).Please do not take this as the truth. The words in red are a figment of my imagination. ANY FORM OF RESEMBLANCE TO REAL LIFE IS STRICTLY,COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY COINCIDENTAL.

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.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that Sinkapore is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our only founder MMM Leh Kan Tew is still alive in our time; who still questions the power of our authoritarian democracy, tonight is your answer.

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It’s the answer told by a few lines that stretched around schools in numbers this nation has been used to seeing; by people who waited for a short time because there weren’t any queues,by lucky people who were awarded the chance to vote because their constituency faced a contest, many for the first and probably only time in their adult lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. but they are wrong.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, PBP and anti-PBP, Chinese, Indians, Malays, Eurasians, naturalised PRs, straight only, disabled and not disabled – Singaporeans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of GRCs: we are, and always will be, the Republic of Sinkapore

It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It’s the answer that led those who have been told by elders by so many to be cynical, apathetic because it will not earn any money, and fearful because of the many potential defamation lawsuits, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more towards the hope of a better day.

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, no change has come yet again and it will be another wait to those who cannot wait to take over my place and this government.

I 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.

I just received a very gracious call from MP Cham Sei Tang and MP Law Tha Khang. They have fought hard in this short campaign, and even harder in the previous campaigns. They have endured sacrifices for us that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the services rendered by these people who can always win one or two seats, act as a little opposition and make life miserable for me, so that when I screw up, they can come in and take charge. We can deal with them.It’s okay.But supposing you have a parliament with 10, 20 opposition members out of 80.Then instead of spending my time thinking of what is the right policy for Sinkapore,I have to spend all my time thinking of what is the right way to fix them, what is the right way to buy my own supporters over.Nevertheless I congratulate them for what they have achieved despite the carrots SMM Gah Cheok Tang dangled in front of them and I look forward to working with them when they submit their applications for more upgradings in their old wards in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I want to thank my father in this journey, a great man who built this nation, campaigned from his heart, built up a truly successful Sinkapore with its extremely successful government and built up a successful family who counts Prime Ministers, heads of Government-linked Boards and Sinkapore’s top neurosurgeon as their members. He made me who I am today, and made Sinkapore who she is today.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama.  Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.  And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am.  I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last twenty three years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s current PMM’s wife, Ha Chong. I have my children, I love you all so much and you have earned anything you want.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to me.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.  We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements.  Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

I was always the likeliest candidate for this office given my experience and qualifications. We started off with a huge war chest, the incumbent government on our side. Our campaign was not hatched in the streets of Orchard – it began in the dining room of my father’s house.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause.  It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth.  This is your victory.

It was built by the working class of Singaporeans, who dug into whatever little savings they still had left after CPF deductions to give a few cents here and there to this cause. It grew from strength from the missing youths who accepted and embraced the apathy of their generation and busy pursued the latest technology or fashion trends. They left their homes, not to attend our opponents’ rallies but to visit the stores and spend on the best goods, Sinkaporean pragmatism at its best; from the old people who refused to buy into our opponents’ messages and believed that only PBP could give them whatever they want and that PBP is the only party capable of anything in Singapore, and proved that many years later, a government of the government, by the government and for the government has not left the sunny shores of Sinkapore. This is my victory.

I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me.  You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.  For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.  Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.  There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college.  There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

I know you didn’t vote for me just to win this election and I know you didn’t do it for me, if you got to vote in the first place. You voted because the government gave cash bonuses directly into your banks, a Progress Package for everyone,lift upgradings in your neighbourhoods so that they don’t turn into slums. For even as I celebrate tonight, I know the challenges tomorrow will bring are the greatest I have ever faced – how to raise ministerial salaries higher as wages from ordinary Sinkaporeans keep falling. Even as I stand here tonight, I know there are Sinkaporean males who are waking up in their army camps to risk their lives for me. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for university, but get out of my elite uncaring face.

The road ahead will be long.  Our climb will be steep.  We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.  I promise you – we as a people will get there.

The road ahead will be long.  Our climb will be steep.  We may not get there in one year or even one term, but Sinkapore – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.  I promise you – I will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts.  There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem.  But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.  I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.  And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

There will be setbacks and false starts.  There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as Prime Mini Minister, and we know that government can’t and won’t solve your problem.  But I will always be honest with you about the challenges I face, depending on the issue.  I will sue and bankrupt you when we disagree. Above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in Sinkapore for forty three years – block by block, brick by brick, your calloused hand by your other calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change.  And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.  It cannot happen without you.

What began two weeks ago must not end on this tonight. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for me to make that change.  And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were, which is to keep ministerial salaries at current levels.  It will happen, with or without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other.  Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where I resolve to pitch in and work harder and look after only myself.  Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot be greedy and expect the government to bail us out when Lehman MiniBonds default and hundreds of millions are lost – in this country, we fall as one nation; .

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.  Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity.  Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.  As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.”  And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.  Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the People’s Body Party to the Presidential Palace – a party founded on the values of  unity of all races, action, purity and integrity.  Those are values we all share, and while the PBP has won a great victory tonight as always, we do so with a measure of calculated arrogance and determination to fix the opponents that have held back our progress.  And to those Sinkaporeans whose support I have yet to earn or never got a chance to vote – I may not have won your vote, but I don’t care., I need your help in this difficult issue that I am facing, and I will be your Prime Minister, you don’t have a choice. And if you did not get to vote, too bad. There’s always next time. Let’s move on.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.  To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you.  To those who seek peace and security – we support you.  And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of authoritarian leadership is at hand.  To those who would tear Sinkapore down or oppose me – I will defeat you.  To those who seek peace and security – I support you, but stop disturbing me.  And to all those who have wondered if Sinkapore’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms, not from the ideals of freedom for all, but from the scale of our wealth and the salaries of our Ministars.

For that is the true genius of America – that America can change.  Our union can be perfected.  And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

For that is the true genius of Sinkapore– that Sinkapore can never change.  Our union cannot be perfected further when it is already perfect.  And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.  But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.  She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed:  Yes we can. At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.  Yes we can. When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose.  Yes we can. When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.  Yes we can. She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.”  Yes we can. A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.  And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.  Yes we can.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.  But one that’s on my mind tonight is about how the opposition tried to make things difficult for me. We shall take action, yes we can.

America, we have come so far.  We have seen so much.  But there is so much more to do.  So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see?  What progress will we have made?

Sinkapore, we have come so far.  We have seen so much.  But there is so much more room for my salary to go up.  So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; what change will they see?  What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call.  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:

This is our chance to answer that call.  This is my moment.  This is my time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity for me; to reclaim the Sinkaporean Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, I am the only 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 Sinkaporeans:

Yes We Can.  Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Yes We Can’t.  Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the Republic of Sinkapore.

Barack Obama is a charismatic man and an eloquent speaker. His victory speech in Grant Park, Chicago was extremely moving.

Listening to the opening few minutes no-one could have been failed to be moved as he told the world, “It’s been a long time coming, but on this day, in this election at this defining moment, change has come to America.”

Just one brief part of a wonderful speech, but I couldn’t help wondering of Obama had been listening to the records of the late Sam Cooke. His moving gospel style song of the early 1960’s contains a very similar line, “it’s been a long time coming, but I know change gonna come.!

I wonder if Barack is a real fan, or just liked the phrase?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Y11XTAh4V5Y

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wUT1WgHat6I

Appearing before thousands of supporters in Chicago on Nov. 4, former Illinois Sen. Barack Obama discussed his campaign and victory.  To read the transcript, click here.

These are the most powerful three words that I have heard in a long time. And I’d argue most needed. The past months had been a whirlwind of collapse – men on the street fear the repeat of the Great Depression in their times, government leaders around the world are seen on TV every other day announcing the breakdown of their financial backbones, news stations broadcast clips of the retail investors sobbing over the loss of their life savings.

Everyone was in a state of fear. Fear became the one element that bonded us all together, regardless of geography, faiths, race.

Then the world stood still and watch as the most unlikely historical event unfold. The man in the center of the historical event proclaim to the world, “Yes we can!”.

I come from the tiny island state of Singapore. I have no inkling of American politics. I do not have a political inclination to the U.S. elections. I cannot comprehend the full meaning of the appointment of the new President-elect. However, as a mere citizen of this world, as I watch Barack Obama take the podium and remind Americans of their heritage, the country’s values and the task that falls before the nation, I am impressed.

Impressed because there is now finally a political leader who dares to raise a realistic level of hope when there is none. Impressed because the global power nation now has a captain helming the ship, who is able to say which way to go. Impressed because he is able to rally a country behind him, in spite of all odds. Impressed because he was able to include his family in his political career yet not complicate or manipulate them as a PR chess piece.

I can only imagine that the news stations were glad to take a different tone of reporting on that faithful November 4. At least I as a news consumer was starting to get tired of seeing woes of this world. I needed hope and I needed a believable one:

Excerpts from Barack Obama’s victory speech:

Sen. Barack Obama holds a rally at the Prince Williams County Fairgrounds in Manassas, Virginia on Monday, November 3, 2008. (Tribune photo by Zbigniew Bzdak / November 3, 2008)

“America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves — if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. 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 doubts 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.”

by Gloria Melunis

As Kristie Bankes, 20, of Mantua N.J., stepped out of the polling booth this Tuesday, she received an enthusiastic “high-five” from her girl friend. This is the first Presidential election Bankes has had the opportunity to be a part of, and according to the demographics of this past election she is one of many young people making this first big step. Among the young voters under 30 casting their ballots, 69% gave their vote to Barack Obama. “I’m just so excited to be a part of this influential election,” explains Bankes, “I hope that Obama will bring change to this country like he promises, I know a lot of other people my age are feeling the same way.”

Democrat Barack Obama was elected the 44th President on Tuesday, making him the first African-American President. Obama won the race on Tuesday with 349 electoral votes, Republican Presidential candidate John McCain received 147. Obama’s victory was cemented with the votes of the key battle states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The popular vote showed a much closer race, Obama receiving 51.7% to McCain’s 47.1%.

Obama addressed the nation after his win at Chicago’s Grant Park. The speech drew a huge crowd, including well-known figures in the African-American community such as Oprah Winfrey and Rev. Jesse Jackson. Many in the crowd were seen in tears, overcome by the emotion of this influential night in American history. Chicago’s Grant Park was not the only place supporters gathered, Grand Central Park in New York City drew crowds of overjoyed and tearful followers who watched Obama’s address the nation in the bright advertisements and enormous screens. In New York’s Harlem, hundreds flocked to the Apollo Theater where music thumped and men played conga drums in celebration. In Philadelphia, evoking memories of fans flocking to Broad Street to celebrate the Phillies World Series win, an impromptu march gathered to make their way down Broad Street in commemoration of Obama’s victory. “I was at the rallies in Philadelphia after the Phillies won, the coverage of Obama’s win tonight is more exciting than even that!” exclaims Erica Power, 22, of West Deptford, N.J. “I knew this was going to be an exciting night but…whoa!”

On Tuesday night, with millions watching, a solemn Obama made his way to the podium. Obama’s address was considered more subdued than past President’s, he spoke of the enormity of this night in our nation’s history and called for the coming together of the country including all spectrums, both democrat and republican. “I felt his speech was spot on what our country needs to hear right now,” explains Christina Roginski of Bellmawr, N.J., “His speech was a culmination of all he had done this past election, as he said in his speech ‘Change is coming to America.’”

The Issue:  President-Elect Barack Obama delivered his victory speech in Chicago, Illinois to a crowd of tens of thousands.  The video from his speech is below followed by commentary.

Barack Obama has started a website called change.gov to serve as his transition website.  It features information about his policy agenda, positions on issues and other useful information for interested people.  There is also a spot to leave comments for the next President.

Click here to see a transcription of Obama’s victory speech.

This following video is courtesy the website.

The video is the victory speech made by Barack Obama at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois after being declared the next President of the United States.

Analysis: 

“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.”  – Barack Obama

This is probably my favorite quote from this speech.  While I didn’t vote for him, this statement sums up my core Republican belief, that the United States is a strong, powerful country because people worked hard and sacrificed to make it that way.

“Let’s remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.  Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.  As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”

While it is pretty standard for a victorious candidate to acknowledge his opponent, the part I liked was hearing the crowd cheer for McCain after the mention of his name.  McCain is a great Senator and I voted for him for President.  Sometimes in the heat of elections people forget that we aren’t making the choice between a good and a bad candidate, but rather two good candidates who have different ideas.

“Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he’s fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.”

I am not going to agree with Obama on some issues (maybe many issues), but I support in the democratic process that selects our leadership.  Both parties put up a good fight and the Democratic Party one this round.

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Wednesday, 5 November 2008

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(CNN) — Barack Obama told supporters that “change has come to America” as he claimed victory in a historic presidential election.

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you — we as a people will get there,” Obama said in Chicago, Illinois, before an estimated crowd of up to 240,000 people.

Obama had an overwhelming victory over Sen. John McCain, who pledged Tuesday night to help Obama lead. Video Watch Obama pay tribute to McCain »

“Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much, and tonight, I remain her servant,” McCain said.

McCain called Obama to congratulate him, and Obama told the Arizona senator he was eager to sit down and talk about how the two of them can work together.

More on this story from uniquenews

Comrades! Men and women compatriots!

The great day of victory over Germany has come. Fascist Germany, forced to her knees by the Red Army and the troops of our Allies, has acknowledged herself defeated and declared unconditional surrender.

On May 7 the preliminary protocol on surrender was signed in the city of Rheims. On May 8 representatives of the German High Command, in the presence of representatives of the Supreme Command of the Allied troops and the Supreme Command of the Soviet Troops, signed in Berlin the final act of surrender, the execution of which began at 24.00 hours on May 8.

Being aware of the wolfish habits of the German ringleaders, who regard treaties and agreements as empty scraps of paper, we have no reason to trust their words. However, this morning, in pursuance of the act of surrender, the German troops began to lay down their arms and surrender to our troops en masse. This is no longer an empty scrap of paper. This is actual surrender of Germany’s armed forces. True, one group of German troops in the area of Czechoslovakia is still evading surrender. But I trust that the Red Army will be able to bring it to its senses.

Now we can state with full justification that the historic day of the final defeat of Germany, the day of the great victory of our people over German imperialism has come.

The great sacrifices we made in the name of the freedom and independence of our Motherland, the incalculable privations and sufferings experienced by our people in the course of the war, the intense work in the rear and at the front, placed on the altar of the Motherland, have not been in vain, and have been crowned by complete victory over the enemy. The age-long struggle of the Slav peoples for their existence and their independence has ended in victory over the German invaders and German tyranny.

Henceforth the great banner of the freedom of the peoples and peace among peoples will fly over Europe.

Three years ago Hitler declared for all to hear that his aims included the dismemberment of the Soviet Union and the wresting from it of the Caucasus, the Ukraine, Byelorussia, the Baltic lands and other areas. He declared bluntly: “We will destroy Russia so that she will never be able to rise again.” This was three years ago. However, Hitler’s crazy ideas were not fated to come true—the progress of the war scattered them to the winds. In actual fact the direct opposite of the Hitlerites’ ravings has taken place. Germany is utterly defeated. The German troops are surrendering. The Soviet Union is celebrating Victory, although it does not intend either to dismember or to destroy Germany.

Comrades! The Great Patriotic War has ended in our complete victory. The period of war in Europe is over. The period of peaceful development has begun.

I congratulate you upon victory, my dear men and women compatriots!

Glory to our heroic Red Army, which upheld the independence of our Motherland and won victory over the enemy!

Glory to our great people, the people victorious!

Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the struggle against the enemy and gave their lives for the freedom and happiness of our people!

Source: Historical resources