wadecherry.com
Wednesday November 05th, 2008
"A new dawn of American leadership is at hand"
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Tears of joy from one side and tears of sorrow on the other ended a very emotional election night. Shortly after the west coast's election polls closed, McCain possibly gave his best speech of the campaign conceding the presidency to his opponent. The honor, humility, and pride of McCain was very evident with this speech, and his urge to his supporters to give Obama a chance and to come together as Americans and bridge their differences, was a blessed gesture in a nation very divided after an embittered campaign. McCain ended his speech touching on opportunity and pride: "I would not be an American worthy of the name should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone." Unfortunately, I believe the solid defeat of McCain had more to do with the current administration and the Republican party at a time of excessive economic volatility than with McCain himself. If McCain had been nominated the Republican candidate on almost any other election year, I think the results would have been much closer.

Not long after McCain's concession speech in Arizona, Obama spoke to a crowd of over 100,000 in Grant Park in Chicago. After appearing on stage with his family, he approached the podium and powerfully began his speech about opportunity, change, and hope: "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." The teary-eyed crowd at Grant Park listened as Obama's powerful voice and gifted oratory continued. "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 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." He progressed into his theme of "change", noting that the true genius of America is its ability to change. Using the timeline of a 106-year-old voter's life, Obama showed how much America has changed and the hardships it has endured and overcome. This spirit of enduring, overcoming, and ability to change he summed up with his "Yes We Can" motto. And, with that motto he ended his speech, and set out to begin his "new dawn of American leadership."

With the large Democratic victory, I hope Obama will not be a partisan president and ignore the ideas and recommendations of the Republicans. I hope those who voted for McCain give Obama a chance to prove himself. I do not like the divisiveness the election has caused in the American people and I hope this subsides. Let's hope our next president can help resolve some of the many challenging problems that face the nation. The well-oiled machine and success of Obama's campaign is testament to Obama's judgement and leadership; I hope this transitions to the Obama administration and America's future. America needs good leadership.
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Wednesday November 05th, 2008

Sook says:

That was very well put, Wade. I agree that that was the best speech I'd heard from McCain throughout his campaign. :)

Wednesday November 05th, 2008

Wade says:

Thank you, Sook.
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