E Pluribus Unum

By all accounts, Barack Obama will become the United States' 44th President, come inauguration day next year.

It has been a remarkable and grueling 21 months for both the candidates: a charismatic yet little-known senator from Illinois, and a cash-strapped decorated war hero from Arizona. Apart from the extraordinary feat of being the first African-American to hold the highest office in the land, President-Elect Obama in himself captures not only the essence of the wide and disparate country, but vitally, where the country should be going. His mixed parentage highlights the possibilities for racial tolerance, harmony, and equality, while his time spent living abroad reflects America's wide-reaching influence around the world. But most of all, he embodies the American dream; that hard work and passion can, and will, bring one success. There are no limits.

This is not to say that we deny John McCain's role in this election. In so many ways it is his compelling and honorable candidacy that has resurrected Americans' faith and passion in their political process. Although having long been an towering figure in national politics, Senator McCain was not afraid to disagree with his party, or even with his president, for what he believes to be best for his country. His tenacity, dynamism, and sincerity is near without parallel, never mind in a man of 72 years. To the last he is a patriot first, something never so evident than in his concession speech, in which he asks all his supporters to get behind their new commander-in-chief, no matter the political or idealogical differences. It is uniting behind shared dreams and values that a plural nation can stand as one.

Record voter registrations and turnouts. First female Republican vice-presidential candidate. Unbridled national debates, on issues. Leadership qualities above age, gender or race. This is a day of which all Americans should be proud; a day of firsts and lasts;

Above all, it is a day of victory for opportunity, freedom, and democracy, everywhere.