Obama is America's First Black President

Yes he did! What a miletone in history! The United States can give itself a pat on the back for electing an African American as President. Though the popular vote was close in many states, the outcome was not quite the surprise as the picture above would suggest. Obama was favoured in over 100 polls done nation-wide in the U.S. since September, said a CNN reporter earlier. This event marks a proud moment for black America and for the nation itself, as it can begin a new chapter in race perception!

How Obama does as President remains to be seen but he has broken the color barrier, and given hope to all people who have incredible hurdles to overcome to succeed. This is huge for the African American population of the U.S., and minority groups everywhere in the world. This change is cause for celebration right now.

Sarah Palin - Never Heard of Her? You Will

She is the Governor of Alaska, she hunts, fishes, eats moose burgers, and could be the Vice President of the United States.

John McCain actually shows his reformer side by choosing a "non-typical" running mate. Palin, a woman, is highly respected. She is 44, a mother of 5, including a child with downs syndrome, and pro-life. It's an interesting pick for several reasons.

Despite McCain's criticism of Barack Obama for his purported inexperience, he has picked a VP candidate who is younger than Obama. She has two years experience as Governor, and before that was mayor of a small town called Wasilla. If McCain is elected, she could be the leader of the free world, taking on terrorists, and navigating the perpetual swampland of Arab-Israeli and Mid East conflicts.

Lately some Hillary supporters had made it known that they will support McCain, and now with a woman VP candidate, it may be more enticing for women voters to choose the McCain ticket. On the other hand she is very much against abortion, and that side won't go over with many women who supported Hillary because of her pro-abortion stance.

Sarah Palin will probably be the most searched internet name in the next week. She will no doubt have her background scrutinized like a lab expert examines DNA. One story so far puts her in a curious situation. "Currently a legislative investigation is looking into allegations that Palin fired Alaska's public safety commissioner because he refused to fire the governor's former brother-in-law, a state trooper. (CNN)"

She also supports drilling for oil in the Arctic national wildlife refuge area.

Finally, if Hillary was ticked at Obama for not picking her as Vice President candidate, imagine how wierd it would be for a virtual unknown woman to be the first female Vice President. Could this impact how strongly Hillary campaigns for Obama over the next several months?

If you thought that Obama's Presidential coronation was a given, given the last eight years of Bush's mess, then this choice for McCain refreshingly breathes youth, life and curiousity into what could very well have been a traditional old white boys team. This election campaign just got very interesting to watch once again.

An Historic Political First in the U.S.

Tonight Barack Obama will become the first African-American Democratic nominee for President of the U.S. At the present moment he is about seven delegates short of the new target of 2118. Today, more superdelegates pledged their support for him, and later this evening, former President Jimmy Carter will do likewise. That was expected - all of Carter's children and grandchildren are Obama supporters. Hillary Clinton earlier stated that until Obama gets the actual number of delegates required, she is not conceding defeat. However, it's only a matter of hours now till the last two primaries are closed in Montana and South Dakota. They are expected to win one state each, but it's too little too late for Hillary.

It's been a fascinating race. Hillary Clinton was the presumed nominee before the U.S. primary season began, but Obama's campaign was super organized and he came from behind to lead in overall support. She showed incredible tenacity in the final months and weeks of this battle. Never give up is a motto she clearly believes in, and is an inspiring motto anytime for anyone.

Will she want the Vice President job? Quite possibly. From this blog's point of view, she is craving a challenging position of power and though the wounds of losing the race will smart for some time, the sting can perhaps be treated with a consolation prize of VP. She would be a very valuable asset for Obama's general election campaign, as she fills in his void of support, i.e., the older white vote, non-college educated voters, and more women. Whether she will offer herself, or if Obama will choose her, is the next bit of drama that will materialize over the weeks ahead.