A masterclass in democracy

[pscot]

The Times, UK, thinks america is back.


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article5093551.ece

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On Tuesday night, with a countdown to precisely 10pm Chicago time, American democracy transformed in an instant not only the hopes and expectations of African Americans, but also the self-image of their country and their country’s image in the world.
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The world has been fascinated and profoundly moved by this election most of all because of what America is — a nation founded on universal aspirations, and thus a mirror to humanity. For two centuries that mirror has seemed irreparably cracked by the legacy of slavery and segregation, a pernicious and enduring racism that remains a factor in the blighted lives of so many of the poor blacks among whom Mr Obama launched his political career. He is not the last role model they will ever need, but he is the most powerful proof his country has produced that it is ready to judge them by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.

The delirium in Grant Park came mainly from the young, diverse, tech-savvy America that gave the Obama campaign many of its footsoldiers and much of its money. A very different America had gathered on the great lawn of the Arizona Biltmore. The Phoenix Boys’ Choir, in immaculate blue blazers, sang for miserable McCain campaign staff who turned off their big-screen TVs to be able to ignore the networks’ mounting evidence of defeat.

When Senator McCain conceded, he had to silence booing prompted by his rival’s name. But he did so in a speech of enormous grace and humility that conveyed not only his respect for the democratic process, but his understanding that in the manner of his losing the election he was helping to make history.

Yesterday President Bush called this election “a triumph of the American story”. It has been exactly that. America may have faltered in its efforts to export democracy, but this time, at home, it has delivered a masterclass in the real thing.