What I've Learned

What an election. Last night at 11:01 pm Harlem erupted in shouts, horns, drums, dancing, and celebration. The sound of the masses was incredible and it was thrilling to be part of it.

As euphoric as I feel today, I know there are others who still have fears, doubts, suspicions, and are disappointed McCain didn't win.

I have a political ideology shaped by the issues that are important to me, and Obama convincingly addressed those issues. However, I have come to understand during this campaign that compassionate, smart, sincere, and faithful people see the solutions to those issues in completely different ways than I do. Understanding their viewpoints and how different sets of beliefs can come from places of sincerity. This is the most important way I have grown as a person during this election. It hasn't always been easy and I have failed miserably at times to give honor and even courtesy to another persons ideas. But I really believe the tone is going to change, and change for the better.

I believe it's important to note that Obama spoke to this last night. This was the part of his speech that moved me the most:

"In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. 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.

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. 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 the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

So I will buy a NY-Times today (if I can find one, they are sold out everywhere) as a keepsake, and wear my campaign button for another day, but then those things will become part of history.

The future is one where we as Americans come together and tackle the truly daunting challenges we face in this country under the Presidency of Barack Obama. And the criticism by the opposition, and revelations by the press are vital in helping to keep America great. It is my hope, and expectation, that "Yes We Can" does not merely remain a campaign slogan, but turns into a refrain the people of our nation repeat together as Americans.