John P. Avlon
AC360° Contributor
First things first: Today is a great day for America. We have a new President of the United States. Behind that remarkable fact are the statistical trends and milestones that made Barack Obama's election possible. So take a second to study the numbers so you can sound smarter in election-related conversation, or just get some perspective to further appreciate this moment.
By winning 52 percent of the popular vote, Barack Obama joined the ranks of FDR and LBJ in being the only Democratic presidents to get more than 51 percent of the popular vote in the past 100 years. Woodrow Wilson, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton never cleared that hurdle. That's an achievement in itself.
In many ways, last night was a step towards realignment. A few days ago I posted an analysis of six swing counties that could determine the election's outcome. Barack Obama carried each and every one by a margin close to 10 points. Obama won the swing voters in the swing counties in the swing states that he needed to win this election.
Amid record turnout, Obama was able to build a broad coalition reminiscent of Bobby Kennedy's mythic 1968 campaign. He appealed especially to students, voters under 40, African-Americans and Latinos. He split middle class voters with McCain but won moderates by 60 percent and independents by a 5 point margin. And while his victory is not a liberal ideological mandate, it is a mandate for a change away from the polarized politics of our recent past.
American's hope and faith have been invested not just in the figure of Barack Obama but in his essential message of transcending old divides in our politics between left and right, black and white, red states and blue states.
The fact that Obama, as the first African-American nominee, was able to win the swing states and put red states in play including those in the South, such as Virginia and (it looks like) North Carolina demonstrates the historic success of his election outreach. The Democrat's 50-state strategy has broadened and changed the electoral map. Now those shifts must be reinforced.
It's said that you campaign in poetry but govern in prose. Now begins the time for President-elect Obama to begin making cabinet appointments and announcing policy priorities that reinforce the inclusive and essentially centrist nature of his realigning victory.
| Cindy |
November 5th, 2008 11:15 am ET Obama may have won by 52% popular vote but he still has to contend with the 48% that hated him and also of the ones that voted for him 50% only did so because of Bush and the economy not because they liked Obama. So he still has a long row to hoe to prove that he is not just another democratic hack. That is going to be hard to do since he only ever voted with his party. This nation voted him in because he said he would change things. Now lets see how how well he keeps his promises. If he renigs on one promise he will forever be a liar in most peoples eyes. Cindy...Ga. |
|
| Dr. John Kinloch |
November 5th, 2008 11:47 am ET At 11pm Eastern time last night, sitting in the Hudson Valley, |
|
| darcy obrien |
November 5th, 2008 11:59 am ET Congadulations USA! Welcome back to planet earth! Darcy OBrien – Toronto |
|
| Susan |
November 5th, 2008 12:02 pm ET This was a revenge election. The American people were not going to put a Republican in the White House again, so no matter who the Democrat was, they were voting for him. By the way, Obama is a "Bi-RACIAL" candidate and it's an insult to his White family that you keep calling him African American. This needs to be straightened out in the public and by the media and by Obama. It's a shame that is has to come down to a racial thing by the African American people in this country and that they DO NOT See the White side of Obama. So who really are the racists? |
|
| Brianne, Kingsville, Texas |
November 5th, 2008 12:07 pm ET Last night was one of the greatest nights in my life. I am only 24 years old but have grown up hearing the difficulties my family faced years ago. My father was given many setbacks when he first entered into the Navy - where he eventually retired as a Chief after 22 years of service. My mother was told that she would never be anything - yet is now getting read to graduate with her Master's degree specializing in reading. Watching Obama win with a greater number of popular votes REALLY shocked me. It helped me see that America is ready to change this country and I am very proud! John McCain's service has supported my decision to enter into the military so that I can serve my country. Even though he did not get my vote, he ended his campaign with grace, honor and integrity. I wish that my grandfather could have seen this moment... AMERICA '08 |
|
| amlm |
November 5th, 2008 12:11 pm ET What a wonderful day! But we need to stop with all the labels. Labels are used to hurt others. My generation doesn't care who you kiss or how well you tan. Terms like "black" or "gay" or even "Joe six pack" are used to hurt others. Obama is just as much white as he is black. Who cares? What matters is your integrity, whether you take care of problems rather than create them, whether you help out rather than take away, whether you look for the good rather then bring out the bad. Obama is a leader. We haven't had one in a long while. He will do what is right. Let's stop all the labeling! (I would love to see Hillary Clinton appointed to the Supreme Court.) |
|
| michael fredrick |
November 5th, 2008 12:21 pm ET Please read carefully. This is going to be DEEP....... I voted for Obama because his hunger to bring change was greater than what was seen in McCain. (not to mention Palin) I also applaud the choice that these americans have made, but, I have a fear as well. The fear comes from a very simple and obvious place. Pay close attention to what I say. Please! It has been shown that there were over 60 million "NEW" registered voters. Mostly african-americans. These and already registered voter african-americans are looking at Obama to be their "messiah" and to lift the "black man" from the darkness of their past. Most of the african-americans in the US are a simple people. A people who have absolutely no idea how the government of the US works. A simple people entrenched in poverty and who choose to live in the underbelly of this country. They look to Obama to strike down the mighty "white man" and to take back something they feel that has been taken away from them many years ago. To make up for the oppression that was handed them many generations ago. Not unlike that of trying to take back the oppression the Jews suffered under the "Nazi regime". As if the country of Germany could ever do that. You follow me?? It would be the same as if a "Jew" was given the position of running the country of Germany. The Germans may (as a whole) feel very bad about what had happened under Hitler's rule, but, could there ever be anything to give back?? In the US (as a whole) we feel very bad about what we did to the black people in slavery of the civil war days, but, could there ever be anything to give back?? You follow me?? For this one reason I feel that there will be a great disappointment in the african-american people as they look to Obama to bring them to the "proverbial promised land" and this, (THIS!) will never happen. As a president I think that Obama will accomplish great good for this country but "I" saw his as the lesser of two evils.( he is not perfect ) I look to him for what he can do for this country not for what he can do for any one ethnic group within the country. I do not consider myself as a racist but a realist. If the african-american group in this country after a while are not satisfied in Obama because he could not deliver what they are looking for, it could cause such a civil unrest not seen since our civil war or even our revolutionary war and could cause a seperation within this country that may change not only the US but the world. |
|
| Frieda |
November 5th, 2008 12:23 pm ET MONEY elected this man! After two years of campainging and spending $600 MILLION+...Obama got 52% of the vote, compare to 51% Bush in 2004!! hmmm that $600 million got him about 900,000 more votes.!!!! so the next president has to raise $1 BILLION to get the white house back? Is public financing dead? is this what America want to model...buying white house with lots and lots of money...hmmm Will media cover this issue at all? |
|
| Lucia Jones |
November 5th, 2008 12:40 pm ET I voted for the wrong man in 2004. It was a hasty vote. My mind was set on voting Republican and that was that. Something in my heart was telling me to read the facts, before I voted. Something was telling me that maybe it was the wrong thing to do, and so on. Of course, I listened to none of my intuitions and thought; well if it is the wrong vote, what damage can it do? My vote is just one of millions. Now looking back, I was not proud of my decision. I did not wear the t-shirt. I did not get the button or the bumper sticker. Only a few people knew of my selection. The “It’s private” spilled out of my mouth when I was not sure if it was going to be well accepted. As soon as President Bush was elected for a second term, I panicked. I panicked but stayed true to my wit and defended my vote. I was giving the sitting President a chance to fix it. Just fix it, I hoped! From then on and out of pure remorse, I started paying attention. CNN, Time Magazine, Huffington post, Fox Channel, and others became my study tools. Slowly I questioned everything. This became the beginning of my liberal awareness. The more I read and listened, the more I learned. The more I felt in touch with myself, the more I regretted my support for this President. This election time, I sat by myself and studied the candidates as they started out of the shoot. I listened to everyone, questioned everything, and weighed the facts against each other. I paid attention. Giving up the label of "Republican" would be a more difficult transition. Even a few weeks ago, I was still calling myself a “Republican for Obama.” In the end, I feel I made the right decision this time. I never saw the color of his skin or mine; I never fell for the ignorance of the negative attacks. I did not follow the crowd. I followed my own knowledge and my own convictions. Every single day, we are persuaded by one thing or another . Like cattle, we panic and follow towards what we think is the right path. By not questioning the decision to follow, we sometimes end up over a cliff. I am still not sure if I am a Democrat or Independent or even a Republican. All I know is that I am an American and that my vote counts. My vote counted once again and because I made an informed decision, I regret nothing this time. Lucia Jones |
|
| Gene Penszynski from Vermont |
November 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET John, |
|
| jam9876 |
November 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET I am surprised no one is talking more about Georgia. McCain won 52-47, but the state was nearly completely ignored by both candidates. I believe with that small of a margin of victory if Obama had devoted a little time to the state, it could have become another battleground. Perhaps, it will be a future battleground state. The pundits just wrote Ga. off as a red state, but when an african-american receives 47% of the vote in a southern, republican state- that deserves attention whether it becomes a battleground or not. |
|
| Sharon Kitchen |
November 5th, 2008 12:56 pm ET Mr Avlon, Way to go..... President -elect Obama and Vice President elect Biden. |
|
| Leah Farrell |
November 5th, 2008 1:01 pm ET This is a historic moment in our country and I'm glad to have been a part of it. I'm a white woman who all along saw something different in Barack that this country needs....a stand in bringing this great country back together again. |
|
| Mark |
November 5th, 2008 1:11 pm ET I think that it's great that Obama has won, I voted for him. The problem that I am seeing on CNN and other news programs is that every one is interviewing "Black Americans" or "African Americans". I'm afraid that the news will only serve the two sides (white and black) and the middle has been left out. Where are the Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, "Americans" They are missing from all the channels and I'm afraid that they will be left out for the next 4 and possibly 8 years? |
|
| Joel Martin |
November 5th, 2008 1:32 pm ET So Senator Obama is elected, and like our Commander-In-Chief-Elect said last night, "...Now is the time to come together...", I encourage all of my family, friends, old classmates, and everyone in America, that while you might not have agreed with everything Senator Obama said or stood for, that we join as citizens of this great country, and work together to help this Country back on its feet. McCain's motto was "Country First", and as we heard in his speech last night, "...And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face...", it is time that 'We the People' put our affiliations and party lines to the side, and put Our Country first. I support Senator Obama because I believed the words he spoke, and like any voter in any election, I hope that I am not let down, only time will tell. But whether it becomes four years of the same, or four years of hope and prosperity, the one thing that I am grateful for most, is that through the Power and Guidance of God, our Nation was able to join together, and over come America's past aggressions in relation to race and segregation, and make history by electing the first African-American President. That single act right there, is indeed a reminder that we live in the best Country on Earth, where anyone's hope or dreams, have a chance to become reality. In closing, I would like to thank one past President, that in his own way, went against the wishes of a Union, and because of him, it allowed America to turn the page and start a new chapter of American History. That President was Abraham Lincoln, and I hope that the same can be accomplished during President-Elect Obama's time in office. |
|
| Seema |
November 5th, 2008 1:53 pm ET Barack Obama deserves the position he has been given by the people of the United States of America and all around the world, Barack Obama is like God himself and why i say this is because is words are well said and spoken and passed on to people to come out and support him, Barack Obama didn't fight the way John Mccain did by pointing fingers just because he wants to be president, Barack Obama spent less time arguing against the Mccain Campaign and pointing fingures and i think a lot of poeple admired that about him instead he spent his time in his own campaign making ideas how to save America and recreate this America and give us all our dreams, We are looking forward to our new CHANGE from Barack Obama. God will always help him in his worstest situation. |
|
| Rachel |
November 5th, 2008 2:29 pm ET No one can argue with the numbers. He got both the popular votes and the electorial votes. He is truly amazing and I feel we will not be unsatisfied. He is articulate and brilliant. He may not have been born in a manger as he said but....I think he is our breath of fresh air and savior when we needed him most. God Bless America & Obama. |
|
| Begum Zuaib-un-Hassab ,California |
November 5th, 2008 2:42 pm ET The world is at awe about our new President elect Barak Obama. The people that voted for him have re-introduced to the world that anything is possible. Obama has shattered the glass that held back people of color, the history books will look at this defining moment and will respect the suffering of Americans of color that felt the pain, humilation and discrimination at the hand of their slave masters. |
|
| Joanne Stanislaus |
November 5th, 2008 3:24 pm ET After standing on my feet continuously from 5am – 9pm as a Political Observer yesterday and being a part of this Historic Event we must all leave all excuses behind and start a new chapter in our individual lives . My deepest pray is that our young men ( Trevon age 16) will be empowered to raise the bar of Excellence and Believe that there is nothing that they can not achieve ……………..if only he believe. That Hard work , Decency , The desire to Win , and the urge to reach ONES fill potential must come from within . Remembering that …there is no room for Mediocrity especially when we are surrounded by so many great opportunities. If we seek them . For we can now truly believe "That all me are created equal" Embrace this as your daily platform and success will be inevitable . No room for Mediocrity ! All men must take a more profound role in our future, by being that continued example for us all . That Example set by our next President Barack Obama . . Yes you can ! |
|
| cindy cuffage |
November 5th, 2008 3:47 pm ET Our Go-Bama Train Now that we Americans have realized the human race is not the race of one human, but a journey best traveled together, we can work with and join a true leader. As we move forward I remain breathless with the notion of my granddaughters, voting sixteen years from now, choosing without any hindrance or preconceived ideas. Cindy Cuffage |
|
|
Comments have been closed for this article |
||
A behind the scenes look at “Anderson Cooper 360°” and the stories it covers, written by Anderson Cooper, the AC360° staff and a network of contributors. Insight you can’t find anywhere else.
We search the news each day to show you what’s on our radar and what we’re planning for the show each night.
For more details, read our tips on how to win 360° approval for comments.
Send your instant feedback to Anderson Cooper 360°.
- Real-life effects of reform getting lost in the noise
- Evening Buzz: Buying Health Care Reform Votes
- Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 12/21/09
- U.S. soldiers in Iraq could face courts-martial for getting pregnant
- FAQs about health care reform
- Interactive: Brittany Murphy’s acting career
- Senate health care reform bill
- House health care reform bill
- Interactive: The top 10 Health-Care-Reform Players
- Video: Child custody battle continues
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2005

