BARACK Obama rode to history as the first black American to become president. His election capped a long, arduous, most expensive and historic election. Prior to the election, many apprehensions were raised that might affect Obama’s chances.

Strongest among these concerns was the question of race. Obama’s landslide victory vanquished the racial barrier to the White House. The much-feared “Wilder effect” or the “Bradley phenomenon” did not work or was proven to be a thing of the past. America has finally come into terms with its long, bloody and ugly racial history.

Instead of a close fight, it was a landslide victory for Obama. In the popular vote, Obama got 52%, a comfortable majority and was ahead with John McCain by more than seven million votes. In the electoral college, Obama captured 349 electoral votes against McCain’s 147.

Four hours after the poll closed, McCain conceded, offering his support and asking all Americans to unite behind the new president. After Obama secured the battleground and crucial states of Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio, it was clear to McCain he lost. These states are must win for him. It was impossible for him to win the presidency without winning in any of these states.

Euphoria erupted all over America when Obama’s victory became clear. At least for a great majority of the Americans, it is a time it is proud to be an American again. Unlike in the last two elections where Bush Jr. won, they brought shame and gloom to many Americans.

Bush Jr.’s first term was one of the most controversial and disputed elections in US history. Al Gore won the popular vote, but the electoral votes in Florida were awarded to Bush Jr. whose brother was governor of the state at that time in a disputed counting. The controversy reached the US Supreme Court that settled the issue in favor of Bush Jr.

The second term of Bush was equally divisive, with him barely squeezing through. Many Americans contemplated of migrating and were ashamed of their citizenship. America’s esteem was at its lowest level.

This time, a great majority of the Americans decided to right the awful sins of the past. Determined to restore America’s prestige and standing ruined by eight years of Bush Jr.’s presidency, Americans overwhelmingly voted for change.

The power of change swept away the vestiges of an inept, incompetent, shallow, arrogant and intolerant leadership. It was that leadership that destroyed much of America’s goodwill and image in the international community.

Obama’s overwhelming victory indicates the deep yearning for change among the American people. They are sick and tired of present situation, period. Change is the urgent call of the time in America and Obama rode in the tsunami of change to secure the Presidency.

The change that came to America with Obama’s election was gigantic. It was not just about changing the occupant of the White House. The change that hit America was much deeper and more profound.

Result of the election reveals the wide racial divide in America is getting narrower and the racial recriminations that characterized the past is fading. America’s is moving toward a much tolerant, open and racially integrated society. A white America is becoming a relic of the past.

While it is wrong to assume that racism and racial discrimination will disappear in America with Obama’s election, it is certain such behavior and attitude are losing their touch and hold in American society on the whole. Abraham Lincoln’s vision and the dream of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. are becoming more and more realized. It is quite ironic both presidents Lincoln and Obama were from Illinois.

By voting for Obama, Americans have once again gained the admiration and respect of the world in this regard. In the last 8 years, America, though still the most powerful nation in the world, had been reviled by the rest of the international community. Bush Jr.’s unilateralism had isolated the US and damaged its relations with its European allies.

Americans have realized such attitude does more harm than good for their country. In the era of globalization, America cannot to do it alone. The world was become increasingly inter dependent and Bush Jr.’s brusque leadership is injurious to American interest.

The world heave a sigh of relief as the American people through their votes repudiated the mistakes of the past and that of the present leadership. With Senator Obama at the helm in America, a new era in international relation is dawning. Change has not just come to America but it has also arrived to the rest of the world.

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