Barack Obama: "It's Our Time"
Published in Le Soir
(Belgium) on 5 November, 2008
by LUIS LEMA (link to original)
(Belgium) on 5 November, 2008
by LUIS LEMA (link to original)
Translated from
by Paul de Wouters d'Oplinter.
Edited by .
It's our moment, our time. Barack Hussein Obama has become this Tuesday the 44th President of the United States, the first Afro-American to lead the mot powerful country in the world, and the man to know the most astounding rise in the country : "If anyone still doubts that America is the land where all is possible, or asks himself if the dreams of our founders are still alive, or wonders about the power of our democracy, tonight brought an answer to his questions, he told millions of supporters gathered in Chicago.
The victory that every poll predicted, but nobody dared to announce, took on the aspect of a tsunami. Everywhere, voters literally took the voting offices by storm, often waiting many hours before being able to vote. Beyond traditional Democrat states, Illinois' senator won over some swing states as well as states that are traditionally Republican : Ohio, Pennsylvania,Colorado, New Mexico, Florida,...Often, it is the rural and suburb population, voters usually seduced by the Republican party, who seem to have made the difference. It all seems like a gigantic blow to President George Bush.
Transposed to electors, it means a final and conclusive advance for Barack Obama over John MCain : 338 to 156.
By conceding defeat, the Republican rival held an opening speech in Arizona which contrasted with the aggressive tone that was constant during the last weeks of the campaign. "I urge all Americans to join me in offering him an honest assistance. We are all American. Nothing is more important than that association." he explained during an intervention, sometimes interrupted by boos.
In Chicago, while the crowd exulted, tears rolled down the cheeks of reverend Jesse Jackson, one of the protagonists of the African American civil rights movement, "this victory isn't the change, but the way to achieve change", Barack Obama explained reaching out to his opponents, "we are not enemies, but friends", he told the Republicans, "I will also be your President"
Democrats are About to Win Congress
Americans were also called to vote for new members of the Senate and the entire Chamber of representatives. According to partial results, Democrats took four seats from the Republicans Tuesday night in the American Senate, which allowed them to have the majority. Democrats were also given the majority in the Chamber of Representatives.
The victory that every poll predicted, but nobody dared to announce, took on the aspect of a tsunami. Everywhere, voters literally took the voting offices by storm, often waiting many hours before being able to vote. Beyond traditional Democrat states, Illinois' senator won over some swing states as well as states that are traditionally Republican : Ohio, Pennsylvania,Colorado, New Mexico, Florida,...Often, it is the rural and suburb population, voters usually seduced by the Republican party, who seem to have made the difference. It all seems like a gigantic blow to President George Bush.
Transposed to electors, it means a final and conclusive advance for Barack Obama over John MCain : 338 to 156.
By conceding defeat, the Republican rival held an opening speech in Arizona which contrasted with the aggressive tone that was constant during the last weeks of the campaign. "I urge all Americans to join me in offering him an honest assistance. We are all American. Nothing is more important than that association." he explained during an intervention, sometimes interrupted by boos.
In Chicago, while the crowd exulted, tears rolled down the cheeks of reverend Jesse Jackson, one of the protagonists of the African American civil rights movement, "this victory isn't the change, but the way to achieve change", Barack Obama explained reaching out to his opponents, "we are not enemies, but friends", he told the Republicans, "I will also be your President"
Democrats are About to Win Congress
Americans were also called to vote for new members of the Senate and the entire Chamber of representatives. According to partial results, Democrats took four seats from the Republicans Tuesday night in the American Senate, which allowed them to have the majority. Democrats were also given the majority in the Chamber of Representatives.