Living in historic times

The bloggers at Commentary Magazine’s blog, Contentions, have distinguished themselves with a series of short, gracious posts about both winners and losers.  I borrow them wholesale here:

A Cause Greater than Himself

Linda Chavez 11.04.2008 – 11:36 PM

To the end, John McCain was the patriot. I have never heard a concession speech as eloquent or gracious as the one he gave.  He is clearly a man at peace with himself.    There is almost nothing Barack Obama could say in victory that will match McCain’s selfless grace in the face of defeat.

John McCain Concedes

Jennifer Rubin 11.04.2008 – 11:29 PM

He offers a heartfelt and generous concession and recognizes the historic nature of Barack Obama’s victory. By calling for support for the new President he once again puts country first. He looks tired and a bit glum as one might imagine after such an arduous journey. He had the great misfortune to be running at the moment in history that was simply not his.

The mention of Sarah Palin lifts the spirits of the crowd. She looks about ready to cry. He lets it be known that her career is far from over.

After all the criticism and venom of the campaign he leaves with a patriotic, high-minded and decent finish.

The Concession

John Podhoretz 11.04.2008 – 11:27 PM

A magnificent speech by John McCain, one of the greatest men ever to contest the presidency.

Hard Times in Colorado

Linda Chavez 11.04.2008 – 11:20 PM

As if the national picture were not dismal enough for conservatives, we’ve taken a beating on several fronts in Colorado. The Colorado Civil Rights Initiative appears to have gone down to defeat—the first time voters have rejected a ban on racial preferences in any state—as did two initiatives aimed at reining in unions and one pro-life initiative.

Obama’s success at expanding the electorate has tipped the ideological balance. As Colorado went tonight, so goes the nation. We are no longer a center-right country.

President Obama

John Podhoretz 11.04.2008 – 11:04 PM

History is made. There will be time to be disputatious. This is not that time. A member of a minority group, making up 12 percent of the population, a population that did not even solidly possess the franchise until the 1960s, will win the presidency in a landslide with the largest vote total in American history. It’s a breathtaking achievement for Barack Obama and for the United States.

It Is Historic

Jennifer Rubin 11.04.2008 – 11:04 PM

You can’t help but be touched. Many Americans disagree with his policy positions and have legitimate concerns about his outlook and preparation. But that is dwarfed at this moment. Let no one say this is not a remarkable country which defies expectations and confounds its critics.

***************************************************************

As for me, since I’m truly post-racial in that I don’t give a flying whatsit about race, and consider that we damage our country profoundly by our obsession with race, I can’t say that I agree.  Nevertheless, maybe this is what it takes for us finally to get over it.