Barack Obama is the 44th president of the U.S.

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers." (Martin Luther King, I Have A Dream, Aug. 28, 1963)

45 years after this speech was delivered by pastor Martin Luther King at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, the Americans have elected Barack Obama, an African-American, as the 44th president of the United States. As I write this, Obama has captured 338 electoral votes vs Republican presidential candidate John McCain's 155 votes, a landslide victory.

This is truly an historic event that resonates not only among Americans but with every citizen of the world. In the U.S. we see what things are possible, and how any dream, maybe outrageous everywhere else, is achievable there. And I am truly grateful for being alive at this time to bear witness to such a momentous event.

Congratulations to the American voters for changing the course of our history.

* * * *
Kudos to Sen. McCain for a very gracious concession speech. In his hometown in Arizona, he emphasized his duty first to his country above everything else, that's why he is throwing his full support behind the new President. He is truly a remarkable man, who was heroic in so many ways, but to whom fate wasn't just as kind. But he ran a good race, a real fighter to the end.

Now can you please send Sarah Palin back to Alaska?

* * * *
WHAT amazed me most of all throughout this electoral process, was how much the U.S. media invested in trying to outdo each other in their coverage and presentation.

While BBC had this oh-so-boring host trying to coordinate the discussion and field coverages, the network was ahead of CNN in terms of the poll count. Not to mention, it also had really snazzy touch graphics with the news presenter operating some kind of floating screen. Coolness!

The CNN though kicked ass with its holographic interviews. I caught the one of Anderson Cooper w/ will.i.am. Galeng.

Despite the third-world phone coverage of our own ANC (no live video, just phone patches...kaluoy naman), it still managed to deliver w/ its lively discussions among Americans living in Manila representing the Republican and Democratic Parties. And for awhile, it was fun to watch TJ Manotoc voting for Obama by using a typical voting machine w/c made available by the U.S. Embassy during its mock polls at the Mall of Asia.

The local network scored by snagging an on-site interview w/ US Ambassador Kirstie Kenney done by our favorite host Edu Manzano who started off by ribbing her about her rooting for Ateneo during the UAAP championship. (LOL! I just love Edu's wit.)

Sayang lang, with such an historic presidential election the Lopezes should have invested in bringing us Filipinos live feeds from the U.S. Ah well, maybe in 2012.

* * * *
UPDATE: "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 victory speech, Nov. 4, 2008, Chicago, Illinois)

Read the rest in BusinessMirror online and in NYT.

Americans for Obama in Manila

GOT this in the mail from manilajay...hwaw! this Barack Obama has his grassroots campaign down pat. He even has the Americans in the Philippines organizing and making themselves heard. Very cool.


(US citizens in Manila rally for Obama at Quezon Bridge, Aug. 24, 2008. Lookit the cute baby! ay, and the cute Dad! Photo by Ben Razon.)

I hope they start selling Obama T-shirts here, I have to have one! Unless any of my nice relatives or friends abroad is willing to donate a Tee to me. (Of course, that excludes you, Auntie D. and Uncle B. you die-hard Republicans, hmmmph! I will not dare speak your candidate's name in the same space as my man, Obama. Hee-hee, love 'ya guys!)
* * * *
Btw, I was just watching the news and was very moved at 'ol Uncle Teddy going up the stage and enjoining all Democrats to come together to elect Obama as U.S. president. While his voice quivered a bit, his eyes sparkled with determination, resolved to not only fight the Big C. but to get the Democrats back into the White House. One cannot help but admire this man who has gone through so much personal and family tragedy but resolute to leave a respectable legacy in his family's name. And what a legacy it would be if, can you imagine, he is able to help put Obama in the presidency, being someone that Uncle Teddy says reminds him of his late brother, and U.S. president JFK?



The end of Kennedy's speech must have also resonated with a lot of African-Americans, coming as it did three days before the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. Said Kennedy:

"There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination -- not merely victory for our party, but renewal for our nation.

And this November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans, so with Barack Obama and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on." (Click here for the rest.)

MLK's speech, as well as Kennedy's last night, should also resonate with a lot of us Pinoys who are looking for some hope and changes in our future. We need a leadership that will bring order to the land especially now when Muslims and Christians are at odds down south, rid the government of corruption, pump new life into the economy that will give jobs to the jobless and encourage our OFWs to come home, and just inspire all of us to become better citizens who will follow the law.
* * * *
'Kanos here in da Pinas who want to help get out the vote for Obama may contact the following:

David McCauley
Vice Chair, Democrats Abroad, Philippines
Email: ds_mccauley@hotmail.com

Ben Razon
Get Out the Vote Team
Email: benrazon@gmail.com