President Obama

President-elect Obama, technically speaking. I came home late Tuesday night from quartet rehearsal and performance and stayed up to watch his victory speech. And it was worth staying up for! What a brilliant and charismatic speaker he is. The speech was more sober and even sombre than I had expected. And you could see the weight of history on his shoulders.

The beginning of his speech (text and video) will go down in history as iconic as "I have a dream" and Four score and seven years ago...":

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.

Another bit I loved:

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.

And another:

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.

Reading these lines right now - three days after watching this live - I am getting goosebumps! And I didn't even vote for him! The man has charisma (and a damn good speechwriter!), and he is making it cool again to say "I am proud to be an American!" I sure am.

The concession speech by John McCain was delivered from the heart and was very moving. The man has class. I know there are many people out there who wish he had spoken like this on the campaign trail.